Arkansas State vs. Miami: Complete Game Preview

Fresh off their first victory of the 2014 college football season, the Miami Hurricanes welcome the Arkansas State Red Wolves to South Florida for an afternoon tilt on Saturday, Sept. 14.

Duke Johnson and Phillip Dorsett propelled Miami (1-1) to a 34-point win over Florida A&M, and freshman quarterback Brad Kaaya looked much better in his second career start.

Arkansas State (1-1), the three-time defending Sun Belt champions, dropped a hard-fought game to Tennessee last weekend, falling 34-19 at Volunteer Stadium.

Kickoff between the 'Canes and Red Wolves is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET, and ESPNU will carry the nonconference matchup. In 1997, Miami defeated Arkansas State 42-10 in the series' only meeting.

Arkansas State Keys to Victory

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Utilize the Play-Action Quick Pass

Standing in the pistol at Tennessee's 9-yard line, Arkansas State quarterback Fredi Knighten faked to the running back and fired a quick pass to receiver Tres Houston on a post. Touchdown.

Knighten and Houston had earlier connected for a 14-yard gain on a similar call from shotgun, and it's a safe bet the Hurricanes will defend comparable, if not the same, plays.

Miami has consistently been demolished by play action in recent seasons, ceding atypical extremely efficient performances to quarterbacks who have no business completing 75-plus percent of their attempts.

Now, Knighten may not have the arm talent of Michael Rocco, Logan Thomas or Bryn Renner, but he can use any delayed decision by the 'Canes defense to his advantage by finding soft spots in zone coverage.

Unleash Fredi

The Red Wolves have a decent chance at sticking with Miami for the entire game, and that possibility is based on the dual-threat nature of Knighten's skill set behind center.

Additionally, running back Michael Gordon's availability is a lingering question because he either re-injured or re-aggravated a rib injury he suffered during the opener at Montana State. If Gordon cannot participate, Knighten will undertake even more responsibility in the team's offense.

Mobile quarterbacks have often frustrated the Hurricanes, picking up first downs on designed draws, broken plays and flat-out athleticism. Arkansas State needs to let him utilize a run-pass option on rollouts and see what he can do against the fastest defense he'll face all season.

Miami Keys to Victory

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Focus on the Reads

Miami will not be beaten Saturday through the air, but that's not what the Red Wolves offense is predicated on. Rather, it's Knighten exploiting mental errors through a mix of play-action passes, read-option runs, screens, misdirections and quarterback draws.

The Hurricanes have a horrid habit of letting opponents dominate the intermediate passing game (see: practically every loss since 2012), and Arkansas State is capable of doing the same.

Proper defensive reactions will not allow long gains and subsequently force Knighten and Co. to sustain drives for 60 minutes, which is the opposite goal of the team's fast-paced offense.

Force Early Turnovers and Make Them Count

In two games, the 'Canes have forced four turnovers starting a combined 37 yards from the end zone, a terrific way to generate easy offense.

However, between poor blocking, questionable play-calling and a poorly thrown screen, Miami has a mere 13 points to show for its defensive and special teams efforts.

If the Hurricanes can manage a sudden takeaway or two and score touchdowns, they will take control of the game's flow. Arkansas State would then tweak its normal offensive system, something it was forced to do against Tennessee last week and could not overcome.

Arkansas State Players to Watch

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J.D. McKissic, All-Purpose Weapon

While he is technically a wide receiver, J.D. McKissic makes an impact catching passes, taking handoffs and contributing on special teams.

In 28 appearances since 2012, the junior has caught at least four passes 25 times while registering seven or more in 15 of those games. Plus, McKissic boasts a career 29.2 kick-return average.

Tennessee did well to contain the speedster offensively and limited him to a two-yard run and 7.6 per catch, but he still ripped off a 41-yard kickoff return. McKissic will receive a fair number of touches, and Arkansas State should be giving him the football immediately.

Sterling Young, Safety

One of the most experienced players in all college football, Sterling Young has started 35 games during his time with the Red Wolves.

The senior leads the team with 15 total tackles—including one for a loss—and one pass breakup. Young tallied nine stops against Tennessee, where Arkansas State limited the Jalen Hurd and Marlin Lane to just 3.8 yards per carry.

Duke Johnson will enter the safety's central vision more than a few times, and Young's ability to close running lanes and contain the superstar will be of the utmost significance for the Red Wolves.

Miami Players to Watch

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Stacy Coley, Wide Receiver

After a three-catch, nine-yard outing at Louisville, Stacy Coley left the Florida A&M game early due to a shoulder injury. According to Matt Porter of The Palm Beach Post, the sophomore wore a no-contact jersey during Monday's practice.

But assuming he's ready for Arkansas State, Miami needs the sophomore to find a connection with his quarterback since they have yet to record a reception more than five yards downfield.

The duo needs to establish some sort of rhythm before the 'Canes travel to Nebraska next weekend and then enter conference play.

Thurston Armbrister, Outside Linebacker

Following the dismissal of an expected starter, Miami needed an outside linebacker to step up and produce alongside Denzel Perryman.

Thurston Armbrister has done just that, standing out as the early-season surprise of the defense. In just two games, the senior has registered eight tackles, three sacks, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.

One of his main responsibilities as a hybrid edge-rushing linebacker is to set the edge, and allowing Knighten around the corner could prove disastrous for the Hurricanes. Armbrister is a pivotal part of Miami not letting the elusive quarterback run free.

What They're Saying

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Arkansas State

Per Dargan Southard of The Daily Beacon, Tennessee head coach Butch Jones called Knighten "explosive" because of the quarterback's ability to make a momentum-changing play. 

"He's dynamic with the ball in his hands," Jones said. "He has to be accounted for in everything that he does. He can distribute the football. He can flip field position, and he change the game in one snap."

Miami

According to David Furones of the Miami Herald, Al Golden is putting a bigger focus on correcting the Hurricanes' issues on third down.

To this point, the first-string offense is 3-of-19 on what the Miami coach calls the "money down," facing an average of 7.94 yards to go per attempt.

"

Obviously, we've got to do a better job overall on third down, but a lot of times, third down is tied into fourth down. I think it can get distorted if we let it. It's just important that we stay with what we're trying to do and improve the things we're trying to do in terms of throwing and catching and play selection.

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Prediction

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The Red Wolves have proved they will not not lie down against a major conference program just because the opposition is expected to dominate.

But the Miami backfield led by Duke Johnson will be too much for Arkansas State to handle, and the Hurricanes will grab an early advantage before entering halftime leading 20-7.

While Johnson breaks a couple 30-plus yard runs to set up Miami touchdowns, one score from each of Knighten and McKissic keep the game competitive until the fourth quarter.

Prediction: Miami 33, Arkansas State 17