The Arkansas State football team cannot afford to overlook a young, Tennessee-Martin Skyhawk team Saturday night when the two engage in what looks like a David and Goliath battle at Indian Stadium in Jonesboro, Ark.

Here’s why the Indians cannot afford to discount the Skyhawks — Arkansas State has lost its last three games against I-AA teams that came to Jonesboro.

Tennessee-Martin will battle with its nationally ranked running attack and its stingy defense.

The Skyhawks running game is averaging 229.8 yards per game, and that’s the 12th best average in the nation among Division I-AA schools.

The Skyhawks passing game is not prolific, but it is capable of scoring.

Despite averaging 83 yards of passing per game, Skyhawk quarterbacks have completed 40 percent of their passes and have thrown two TDs, including a 92-yarder. Arkansas State will have to avoid its running game if it wants to accumulate any offensive yardage.

Thus, the game will rest soley on the arm of ASU quarterback. If he can get in the groove and exploit the Skyhawk secondary, the game will be in the Indians hands.

UTM goes into the game trying to beat ASU for the first time since 1965. If David can sley Goliath, the Skyhawks will definately have something to celebrate. If not, the ’hawks face a long ride home.

The game is set to begin at 6 p.m. on Saturday.

Arkansas State won the last meeting between the two schools in 1984, 72-14.