MOBILE, Alabama – Arkansas State got its tenth win of the season, upsetting No. 25 Kent State in the GoDaddy.com Bowl on Sunday at Ladd-Peebles Stadium.

The Red Wolves (10-3) won the game under interim head coach John Thompson, while Darrell Hazell coached his final game at Kent State after accepting the head coaching position at Purdue after the regular season.

Arkansas State senior quarterback Ryan Aplin, the game’s MVP, completed 21-of-30 passes for 213 yards and a touchdown in the Red Wolves’ second straight visit to the GoDaddy.com Bowl. Aplin completed 10-of-10 passes on Arkansas State’s two touchdown drives, hitting receiver J.D. McKissic five times, including a 31-yard touchdown strike.

After the game, Aplin credited his team’s defensive effort for the win.

“Our defense played well for us, and that gave us the motivation to go out and perform,” Aplin said. “I think it’s probably the least amount of points we’ve put up all year, but guys were making plays in space, and the o-line was opening up holes. But the defense saved us tonight. They came out and played tremendous and got us this win.”

Thompson took over as interim coach for the Red Wolves after former coach Gus Malzahn left for Auburn.

“What a group of guys. I’m so blessed to be here and to have people around me like these coaches and players. I’m so grateful to our staff. We have great people, and the whole country got to see that tonight. I’m so blessed to be a part of it. They’re really good football players, but they’ve got a ton of heart. That game was a good one. Our guys stepped up when they had to and made plays.”

Kent State scored first in the second quarter on a 16-yard touchdown run from Dri Archer. Archer would later leave the game with an injury and did not return for the Golden Flashes in the second half.

Arkansas State answered with a 10-yard touchdown run from David Oku followed by Aplin’s touchdown pass to McKissic to give the Red Wolves a 14-7 lead with 1:13 left in the half. Kent State answered with a 42-yard Freddy Cortez field goal before the half and trailed 14-10.

Arkansas State’s Brian Davis and Kent’s Cortez traded field goals in the third quarter for the final scoring of the game.

“Obviously, we would have loved to get this win for these guys in our locker room,” Hazell said during his final press conference as Kent State’s head coach. “It’s hard not to be able to come away with a win. I have some strong feelings for the guys right down the hallway here.

“I’m going to miss those guys.”

The game was televised nationally by ESPN. Announced attendance was 37,913.