2013 Week 3

JONESBORO, Ark. -- It takes two to tango, they say.

Saturday it appeared as though the Arkansas State offense forgot it's dancing shoes, as it fell flat time and time again against visiting Troy in an eventual 23-13 defeat, the Red Wolves' first of the season.

"We're all part of the same team, no matter what side of the ball you play on, but it does get a bit frustrating when the guys do their job, only to see the other side give it right back or not do anything productive with it," said defensive coordinator Mark Rivera.

However dicey those words may seem, it was true for the most part.

The Arkansas State defense held quarterback Corey Robinson and the prolific Troy offense to a combined 4 for 11 on third and fourth down conversion attempts, forcing five punts and even grabbing a third-quarter interception courtesy of sophomore cornerback Artez Brown.

Troy Opening drive TD
3-out
Force a punt
Safety
Force another punt
3-out (that finished in the start of the 2nd q) and we trailed 9-0
2nd q
-I force a 3-out
-They get all the way to the 6 yd line for a 1st down. They rush for 5 to the 1 yd line and on 2nd down they fall short, 3rd down they lose a yard, so they kick a 19yd FG. 3 TRIES FROM 6 YDS OUT trailing 9-0 and they couldn't score a TD
- I fight off a Troy drive and sack Robinson on 4th. Even called a timeout to save them some time. They get the ball on the 30 w/ 40 secs left, game is 9-3. WHAT DO THEY DO?! **FUMBLE** on the FIRST play
- I force a 3-out, give the offense the ball back AGAIN before halftime with like 10 secs left.WHAT DO THEY DO?! **FUMBLE** AAAGGGAAIINNN on the VERY. FIRST. PLAY.
- SO now Troy has it on the 27 going in w/ 5 secs left. They've been running shotgun hurry up all game and dicing up my already shoddy pass defense, so this is dangerous. **BUT** -- I deflect Robinson's shot to the endzone.... but of COURSE - there's 1 second left on the clock after the slap away of the ball... so OOOOFFFF CCCOUUURRSSSEEE... Robinson takes that 1 second and tosses a TD pass to the other side for a 16-3 Halftime lead

3rd q
-Only muster a FG to start the second half, 16-6. They got to the 15 yd line but had a 10-yd penalty, rushed for 10 on 2 plays combined, then an inc pass to settle for a 27-yd FG
- Robinson started TEARING me up on the next drive. He went 5 for 6 for 58 yds including 4 straight completions, but then from the 21-yd line he threw a PICK.
- So what does the offense do with the turnover and momentum? 1 1st down then punt (5 plays)
- Force another punt to start the 4th
- Offense goes 3-out
- Now Robinson's running the option and he's burning me for a 22-yd TD run, 23-6.
- OH!! OH!!! Oh so now that it's a 3 posession game with just over 2 minutes left... **NOW** the offense scores a TD. Back-to-back 30+yard pass plays to J Hill (38 and 35, that's 73 yds! Almost 3/4 of the field in 2 plays!!)
- Then Troy just runs it out