Red Wolves Football Practice Report – ‘We’re into Details Now’

JONESBORO – The Arkansas State Red Wolves football practice report shows the team conducted its final two-a-days practices Monday, hitting the Liberty Bank Stadium Field this morning in full pads before holding its second practice indoors at the Convocation Center due to inclement weather conditions. Additionally, the school has announced a “FanFest” to be held Saturday, Aug. 17.

“We came off a tough practice yesterday, and I thought the guys went out and worked hard,” said head coach Bryan Harsin.  “We’re into the details now, and it’s just a matter of getting guys doing things exactly right.  We’re getting a lot of different looks on both sides of the ball.  There’s a lot of great coaching going on out there.  At the same time, these guys are seeing everything from both sides, so they are waiting to get into a game situation where you’re just honing in on one opponent and certain looks.  It’ll be easier for those guys to dial in to exactly what to expect once we get to that point.”

A-State practiced for the 11th consecutive day since Aug. 2, one day after reporting for fall camp.  Today’s practice counted as the 13th and 14th this fall for the Red Wolves.

“The returners have gone through a spring and a summer, so you’re not slowing down for the new guys in here,” said Harsin.  “They have to get used to the whole environment.  They have a full day of meetings, film, workouts and treatments, so it’s good that they are getting used to that along with the assignments and pressure of being out there in situations where you don’t quite know everything and guys are counting on you.  All the returners have gone through it, and I see them stepping up and coaching the newcomers.”

Despite becoming acclimated to fall camp and college football in general, Harsin believes the Red Wolves have a strong freshman class that includes some players that might be able to contribute immediately on game days.

“We have some freshmen we think will play, not under circumstances that force them to play, but because of their ability,” said Harsin.  “The key to playing your young guys is to see if they are going to contribute on offense or defense and if they can play special teams.  Will they beat someone out on special teams so they can get another 20 snaps a game.  You want to have a guy getting 25 to 30 snaps.”

The Red Wolves will continue their fall camp with a morning practice Tuesday and will host their “Fan Fest” Saturday.  The Fan Fest will be held in conjunction with the “License to Howl” event and student move-in day.  Fans are invited to Liberty Bank Stadium as the Red Wolves hold their 19th practice of fall camp Saturday at 1:00 p.m. The practice will include a full-contact scrimmage, while posters and schedule cards will also be available on the concourse of the stadium.  Following the conclusion of practice, several members of the team and coaching staff will take the opportunity to greet fans and sign autographs.

The License to Howl event will begin at 9 a.m. Saturday and fans wishing to have a license plate attached to their vehicles need to enter the Liberty Bank Stadium parking lot from Olympic Drive and Alumni Boulevard. A-State Athletics staff, coaches and student-athletes will be in attendance.  The event will run until 11 a.m., and coffee and donuts will be available to those in attendance.

“This promotion is a great way for our coaches, staff and student-athletes to show our appreciation to our supporters,” A-State Associate Athletic Director for External Relations Mickey Ryan said. “We’re blessed to have great fans, and this allows us an excellent opportunity to express our gratitude and interact with our fans.”

Courtesy Arkansas State University Department of Athletics