Arkansas State takes the GoDaddy Bowl 17-13 over Kent State

It was not without effort, and it was not without a great defensive line, but the offense had trouble executing and, oh, right, Dri Archer's knee injury handcuffed Kent State greatly. On the drive when they most needed him, that forced Kent State to have Spencer Keith make plays, specifically with his legs, and on a 4th and 8 he got about six yards. That didn't work.

But Kent State got here, which is a bowl game, even if in Mobile, because for the last 39 seasons they watched bowl games on TV and thought, man, that looks like fun. I hope they had it.

Purdue coach Darrell Hazell will now go back to Purdue and coach football games, I am assuming. The Golden Flashes will lose many a starting senior and Dri Archer now has a decision: go to the NFL or try to build a dark horse Heisman campaign in 2013.

You were a fun team, 2012 Kent State Golden Flashes. Don't let anybody tell you otherwise (even if this loss brought the MAC to 2-5 in bowl games.)

Arkansas State strikes back, leads 14-7 at halftime

And that's how leads can disappear. It looked like momentum was on KSU's side when they forced a three-and-out punt after kicking off from the 10-yard line, but on their next two possessions Arkansas State marched down the field and quickly put up 14 points. It looks like the fast tempo of the Red Wolves was baffling the Golden Flashes secondary, and they've had that problem all year, giving up large tracts of land through the air.

Kent State will get the ball to start the second half; use it wisely.

Dri Archer finally happened in the second quarter

It took until the second quarter for Dri Archer to get loose in space, but on their first possession in the quarter, Archer used that speed of his and zigzagged through the ASU secondary like a whirling dervish for 44 yards. Later he drew a pass interference call in the end zone, which set up a reverse for him, scampering 16 yards for a touchdown.

Unfortunately, Matthew Hurdle was flagged twice — once for unsportsmanlike conduct (fighting back at a player who shoved him after the whistle) then another 15 yards for removing his helmet on the field of play. So that field position thing kinda hurt.

Kent State's GoDaddy.com Bowl helmets are quite an eyeful

Kent State's special gold helmets have EYES, man.