MOBILE, Ala. — Arkansas State got off to the start it wanted to in the GoDaddy.com Bowl on Sunday.
But the Red Wolves could not keep their hot start going and gave up 31 unanswered points to Northern Illinois, which snapped ASU’s nine-game winning streak with a 38-20 victory. Despite the loss, there were a few bright spots for the Red Wolves (10-3).
Taylor Stockemer, a junior, posted career-best numbers with 11 receptions for 185 yards a touchdown. He broke the school record for receptions and yardage in a post-season game.
Senior defensive end Brandon Joiner recorded his 13th sack of the season, which tied the Sun Belt Conference single-season record. Ryan Aplin, a junior, finished with 353 yards on 30-of-58 passing and a touchdown, but he also threw three interceptions.
ASU scored on the game’s first possession. The Red Wolves took a 6-0 lead on two Brian Davis field goals, and quarterback Aplin scored on a 2-yard touchdown run with 5:08 left in the first quarter for a 13-0 ASU lead.
However, NIU (11-3) answered with an 11-play, 77-yard drive on the ensuing possession and quarterback Chandler Harnish found Perez Ashford for a 9-yard touchdown strike before the first quarter ended to start NIU’s scoring.
NIU took the lead late in the first half when backup quarterback Jordan Lynch scored on a 3-yard run, as part of a 31-point rally. ASU scored again when Stockemer hauled in a 16-yard touchdown pass from Aplin early in the fourth quarter.