Arkansas State will have one final game for the 2022 season this Saturday at home against the Troy Trojans after losing a 16-13 contest in the final moments at Texas State on Saturday.
Head coach Butch Jones spoke about the loss and took a look forward to Troy on Monday morning.
“It was a gut-wrenching loss,” said Jones. “I think the game was a microcosm of our season. We’ve lost three games by a combined total of seven points. That doesn’t even include the Memphis game where we were up by three and it came down to a 4th and 6 play, but at the end of the day you’ve got to eliminate the things that keep you from winning. We wasn’t able to do that.”
Jones said late explosive plays helped to lead to the Red Wolves loss.
“We gave up zero explosive plays on defense, then with 25 seconds (left) we gave up two explosive plays,” said Jones. Everything in football, it’s not one out of eleven, it’s eleven out of eleven; eleven individuals doing their jobs. Too many times we had eight out of eleven or nine out of eleven.”
Jones also said lack of execution on two goal line plays were critical, but more than just those two plays happened to help lead to the loss.
“We had two great play calls on the goal line,” said Jones. “We didn’t execute the crack by the receiver on the slider in the flats, and then we didn’t execute the hot with the tailback in the flat on third and goal. Really the game didn’t really come down to that. It’s all of the things that you did prior to those things. They all kind of buildup off of each other.”
Despite only winning three games this season, Jones said his team continues to fight.
“Our kids continue to work and they continue to play hard,” said Jones. “I’ve been really proud of them for that. I think the effort, the connectivity from our team gives us chances and opportunities to win, but the sustained focus and attention to details is what is getting us into trouble right now.”
Jones said that he feels that progress has been made this year despite the losing record.
“I think everything is how you look at it,” said Jones. “Year one was really year zero for where this program was, and we pretty much were non-competitive last year. In year two, which is year one, we’re competitive and these games are coming down, but its doing things that you need to do to win football games.”
Jones also took a look forward to Saturday’s match up at home against the Troy Trojans.
“Troy is a very, very talented football team and very complete. Those individuals have played a lot of football and Coach Sumrall has done a tremendous job of going in there and instilling a mentality and style of play. If you look at their special teams they have very (few) starters on all four phases, which shows you their depth. [They have] one of the premier defenses in our league, a very good center, a good offensive line. Some of their skill guys are outstanding and dynamic, and I think it is just more than just style of play. Against them we have to make every possession count. Our toughness and the demands on our toughness will be on display because there is a reason they are fighting for a division championship.”
Jones and his coaching staff have been playing some younger guys that can play without burning their redshirt year, and he said fans could see more of those guys this week.
“We have been talking about doing some more youth development, and we’re like ‘No, everyone’s playing’,” said Jones. “I think everyone has played in a game except one individual. When we traveled to Texas State we had 47 first or second year players on the trip, so they’re getting youth development by practicing every day and playing in games now.”
The Red Wolves have had over 40 different starting lineups this season, and Jones said that has made him proud of this team since they have been competitive in several games.
“I believe we are up to 44 or 45 different starting combinations since the season started,” said Jones. “That is why I am proud of our players. They continue to work every single day. They play with effort and the mentality that we are still not there in terms of the standard. Everything is about playing to a standard – either meeting is or exceeding it – and we have a lot of individuals that are, but we also have too many weak links right now that we have to grow and develop as we continue to move forward.”
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