Arkansas St. has potential to be a thorn in Illini sides

In Freeze's lone season as offensive coordinator at Arkansas State, the school set nine school records on offense. That team returned junior quarterback Ryan Aplin, the Sun Belt's first-team all-conference pick after passing for 2,939 yards and 21 touchdowns last season. He also ran for 477 yards and 11 touchdowns.

"You wouldn't be awed by the way he looks," Freeze said. "He's about 6-foot tall. The other 10 guys in the huddle want him in there with him."

Supinie