Arkansas State's first loss in nine weeks was still being processed when Ja'Von Rolland-Jones spoke up to his teammates last Saturday afternoon.
Rolland-Jones, a junior defensive end not known for being outspoken, begged his teammates to get over the loss they had just suffered. The 24-19 setback at Louisiana-Lafayette had cost ASU a chance at an outright Sun Belt Conference title, but there was still plenty to play for, he pleaded.
"I'd rather share a conference title any day than not have one at all," Rolland-Jones said he told his teammates. "I don't care if we have to share it, split it up into pie pieces, anything.