Backup leads Wolves to GoDaddy victory

MOBILE, Ala. – Backup quarterback Fredi Knighten threw a 13-yard pass to Allen Muse with 32 seconds remaining to lift Arkansas State past Ball State 23-20 at the GoDaddy Bowl on Sunday night.

Ball State had a chance to tie at the end of regulation, but Scott Secor’s 38-yard field-goal attempt was blocked as time expired.

Arkansas State (8-5) won the GoDaddy Bowl for a second straight season, despite losing starting quarterback Adam Kennedy to a knee injury in the second quarter. It was the Red Wolves’ third straight trip to Mobile.

Knighten had 115 yards passing and 97 rushing.

Ball State (10-3) pushed ahead 20-16 with 1:33 remaining on a 1-yard touchdown run by Jahwan Edwards. Edwards finished with a game-high 146 yards rushing.

Keith Wenning capped his Ball State career with 215 yards passing, one TD and one interception.