Mobile, AL (Sports Network) - Freshman wideout J.D. McKissic hauled in 11
catches for 113 yards and a score on Sunday to help Arkansas State earn a
17-13 victory over No. 25 Kent State in the GoDaddy.com Bowl at Ladd-
Peebles Stadium.
McKissic put the finishing touches on a record-breaking freshman campaign, as
his 103 catches this season set a new school record.
Ryan Aplin threw the touchdown pass to McKissic and finished 21-of-30 for 213
yards without an interception for the Red Wolves (10-3), who finished the
season on an eight-game win streak en route to their first bowl win since
joining the FBS in 1992.
Defensive coordinator John Thompson served as ASU's interim coach in the
triumph after head coach Gus Malzahn left the school to take over the
prestigious Auburn program.
Kent State had won 10 straight games to close out the regular season, but
dropped a 44-37 double overtime decision to Northern Illinois in the MAC
Championship game that would have sent the Golden Flashes (11-3) to a BCS
bowl.
Spencer Keith completed 17-of-33 passes for 157 yards with an interception,
while running back Dri Archer rushed for 77 yards and a score on nine carries,
but injured his knee in the fourth quarter and was unavailable on the team's
final drive.
The Sports Network