Louisville @ Arkansas St. preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 31, 2009 ) Arkansas State 13, Louisville 21

A bye week usually amounts to a welcome reprieve for most college football teams. Not so for the University of Louisville.

Coming off their best offensive performance of the season in a 35-28 loss at Oregon State on Sept. 18, the Cardinals (1-2) were looking to carry that momentum into Saturday's non-conference game at Arkansas State (1-3).

Instead, Louisville learned it will be without its top wide receiver as it attempts to end a nine-game losing streak away from home.

Coach Charlie Strong revealed earlier this week that wide out Doug Beaumont will be sidelined indefinitely following surgery on his right knee - a result of an injury suffered against Oregon State.

Beaumont had a sensational effort against the Beavers, catching nine passes for 121 yards - both career highs - and a touchdown.

Strong offered little details on the status of Beaumont, who had a team-high 16 receptions for 244 yards this season and had played in 27 consecutive games.

Beaumont's absence leaves a huge void in the Cardinals' passing game. Tight end Cameron Graham has nine catches while Josh Bellamy has the second-most receptions among wide receivers with a mere five.

That figures to increase an already-heavy workload on Louisville senior quarterback Adam Froman and running back Bilal Powell.

Against Oregon State, Froman threw for 288 yards and a touchdown and also rushed for 46 yards and a pair of scores in nearly rallying the Cardinals from a 35-14 deficit.

Powell added 83 yards on 20 carries as Louisville held a wide edge in total yards (453-319) over Oregon State, but failed to cash in on back-to-back chances at the goal line on its first two possessions of the game.

Fortunately for the Cardinals, the level of competition drops against Arkansas State, which has designated Saturday’s contest as its annual homecoming game.

Although Louisville has not lost to a Sun Belt Conference school since 1981, it struggled to a 21-13 victory over the visiting Red Wolves last season.

Quarterback Ryan Aplin is the triggerman of an offense that puts up a ton of yards, but Arkansas State’s defense surrenders even more.

Aplin threw a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns to rally the Red Wolves from a 13-point deficit last week, only to see Troy respond with a touchdown with 22 seconds to play to escape with a 35-28 victory.

Through the first four games, Aplin has thrown for six touchdowns and two interceptions and is averaging 299 yards passing per game. He also is the team’s leading rusher with 146 yards on 54 carries.

The problem for Arkansas State is an inability to stop anyone. Its defense has been singed for 138 points and is allowing opponents an average of 485.5 yards per game.

The Red Wolves are 30-10 at Arkansas State Stadium under ninth-year coach Steve Roberts.