Jonesboro (9-15-2007) ? After building a 21-0 first quarter lead, the Arkansas State Indians thwarted a Southern Methodist comeback attempt with 17 fourth-quarter points, pulling away in the final period for a 45-28 victory over the Mustangs Saturday night at Indian Stadium.
The Indians' early 21-point lead was cut to a touchdown at 28-21 in the third quarter, but career nights from sophomore quarterback Corey Leonard and sophomore tailback Reggie Arnold helped the Tribe slam the door on the Mustangs' hopes for a comeback.
Leonard finished the night with a career-high 266 passing yards and two touchdowns. He also added a career-high three rushing touchdowns, and his pair of scores through the air tied his personal best, while Arnold's 156 rushing yards tied his career best as well.
“It was a tremendous job both offensively and defensively,” said ASU head coach Steve Roberts. “At halftime we just talked about what we needed to do the rest of the game. We didn't talk about momentum or anything like that. We tied in the third quarter, and came back and won the fourth quarter, and I was really pleased with that.”
Arkansas State lit up the scoreboard on its first possession, getting a 1-yard touchdown run from Leonard to take a 7-0 lead less than three minutes into the game. Leonard's scoring dive was set up by a 60-yard completion to senior wideout Kevin Jones on third-and-nine from the Indian 34.
A 1-yard scoring run by Arnold on ASU's second possession capped a 97-yard drive and stretched the Indian lead to 14-0 before ASU's defense sparked the third Tribe touchdown of the opening quarter. Senior linebacker Koby McKinnon picked off a Justin Willis pass at the ASU 40 and returned it 51 yards to the Mustang nine, and one play later Leonard found the end zone for the second time on the night. Sophomore placekicker Josh Arauco added his third of six extra points to push the ASU lead to 21-0.
The Mustangs got on the board with 3:46 remaining in the second quarter when Willis connected with wide receiver Zack Sledge on a 19-yard touchdown pass, then completed his second touchdown pass of the night with 1:13 remaining in the half to cut the ASU lead to 21-14 at the break. Willis hit wide receiver Columbus Givens in the right corner of the end zone from 20 yards out on the scoring play, and placekicker Thomas Morstead added his second point-after on the night.
Arkansas State reclaimed the momentum early in the second half, marching 80 yards in 13 plays to take a 28-14 lead. Leonard hooked up with senior Chris Miller for a 6-yard touchdown to complete the possession. The drive was kept alive three plays earlier when Leonard passed complete to senior wideout Levi Dejohnette for 35 yards on third-and-seven from the SMU 37.
SMU refused to go away however, driving deep into Indian territory twice in the third quarter. After reaching the ASU 15 before turning the ball over on downs on their first possession of the second half, the Mustangs cashed in on their second opportunity when Willis completed his third touchdown pass of the night. Wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders snagged a 10-yard pass across the middle with 2:59 to play in the third to pull the Mustangs within a touchdown at 28-21.
Arkansas State answered with a 19-yard field goal from Arauco on its first possession of the fourth quarter. Arauco's field goal capped an 11-play, 77-yard drive and extended the Indian lead to 31-21 with 10:10 remaining.
The Indian defense came up big on the next Pony possession. After SMU drove to the Arkansas State 18, ASU defensive lineman Prince Hickman combined with linebacker Ben Owens to force a fumble while sacking Willis, and freshman defensive lineman Levi Thompson recovered for the Tribe at the ASU 34.
Arnold exploded for 22 yards on first down, then added 22 more yards on the possession before Leonard completed the drive with a 3-yard touchdown run that made it 38-21 with 6:55 to play.
ASU senior cornerback Montis Harrison intercepted Willis on the next SMU drive to set up the Indians' final touchdown of the night, a 12-yard strike to junior tight end David Johnson to extend the Arkansas State lead to 45-21.
SMU added a late touchdown when Willis hit wide receiver Devin Lowery for a 25-yard score with 3:33 remaining.
“This team believes in each other and they believe in what we are doing,” added Roberts. “And I can't say enough about playing at home. Playing at home is absolutely key. It is crucial.”
With the win, ASU improved to 5-1 in home openers at Indian Stadium under Roberts, and 9-1 at Indian Stadium over the past three seasons.
Arkansas State returns to action Sept. 22 when the Indians travel to Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. to take on the Volunteers of Tennessee.
