MOBILE, Ala. (AP) — Ryan Aplin threw for 213 yards and a touchdown, J.D. McKissic caught 11 passes for 113 yards and Arkansas State edged No. 25 Kent State 17-13 to win the GoDaddy.com Bowl on Sunday night.

Arkansas State's usually prolific offense struggled against Kent State, but the consistent Aplin-to-McKissic connection and a stingy defense was enough to help the Red Wolves to their first bowl win since joining the Football Bowl Subdivision in 1992.

Kent State was driving late in the game when quarterback Spencer Keith tried to scramble on fourth down and was stopped a few yards short of the marker with 52 seconds left. Neither team scored a touchdown in the second half.

Former UCA player and athletic director John Thompson, who was given the tradition liquid bucket shower after the game, led the Red Wolves to the win as interim head coach after Gus Malzahn left for Auburn. Thompson, who served as ASU'S defensive coordinator this season and also in the bowl game, will be retained on the new staff as defensive coordinator.

The Golden Flashes were playing in their first bowl game since 1972.