JONESBORO, Ark. (8/12/17) – The Arkansas State Athletics Department held its 2017 Fan Day Saturday afternoon at the Student Activity Center, and the Red Wolves' football team followed the event with its second fall-camp scrimmage at Centennial Bank Stadium.
The A-State football and women's soccer teams spent the majority of Fan Day visiting, taking pictures and signing autographs, but the outing also included music by DJ King Vick, a Kids' Zone with inflatable games by Hijinx, appearances by the A-State spirit squads and much more.
The scrimmage was the Red Wolves' 13th practice since reporting for fall camp July 28 and featured special teams work and over 100 full-contact plays giving a large number of players multiple reps.
“I thought (the scrimmage) got sloppy at the end, but I was pleased with the first half,” said A-State head coach Blake Anderson. “We played a lot of guys, and as we started pulling some of them, I thought we lost some integrity in what we were trying to get accomplished. It wasn't a good way to finish, but I think it will give us some good teaching film. We were getting great effort early – we've just got to be able to maintain that when we start substituting, like we'll have to do in a game.”
The A-State offense, starting drives anywhere from its own two-yard line to deep in the red zone, posted nine touchdowns that included four passing scores by redshirt freshman Logan Bonner, two by junior Justice Hansen and one each by sophomore Blake Dever and freshman Aldon Clark. Sophomore running back Jamal Jones accounted for the only rushing touchdown, finding the end zone from four yards out on approximately the 67th play of the evening.
Senior tight end Blake Mack and freshman receiver Jonathan Adams both hauled in two passes for touchdowns, while junior wideout Justin McInnis, senior tight end Jonah Hill, senior wide receiver Dijon Paschal and senior running back Armond Weh-Weh each posted one receiving score. Junior running back Warren Wand was responsible for the longest rush of the day, which covered 31 yards on the scrimmage's opening drive.
The defense had multiple stops behind the line of the scrimmage, including at least seven sacks. Sophomore defensive end T.J. Harris accounted for a team-best two sacks, while junior defensive back Justin Clifton also had 1.5.
While the offense didn't throw any interceptions, sophomore linebacker Trent Ellis-Brewer caused a fumble and junior defense end Griffin Riggs recovered another.
Arkansas State will still hold meetings Sunday, but will use tomorrow as a recovery day before returning to the practice field Monday morning at 9:50 a.m. The Red Wolves will wrap up their fall camp at the end of next week before Arkansas State University holds its first day of fall classes Monday, Aug. 21.
