JONESBORO -- Losing senior wide receiver Kirk Merritt to injury was a major blow to Arkansas State University's offense during Saturday's 37-30 season-opening loss to SMU in Jonesboro.
Merritt took a big hit over the middle while trying to catch a pass in the first quarter, and he was on the ground for a while before he slowly got up and walked to the Red Wolves' sideline under his own power. SMU safety Trevor Denbow was called for targeting on the play and ejected from the game.
But Merritt's absence didn't derail the Red Wolves' offense Saturday night, nor was there a significant dropoff in production from the slot receiver position.