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Toledo tops Arkansas State at GoDaddy Bowl

Toledo running back Kareem Hunt, right, had a big night on his way to ending the season with 1,631 yards rushing. (Associated Press)
David Brandt Associated Press

MOBILE, Ala. – Kareem Hunt ran for 271 yards and five touchdowns to lead Toledo over Arkansas State 63-44 in the GoDaddy Bowl on Sunday night.

The 5-foot-11, 200-pound Hunt capped a phenomenal season by slicing through Arkansas State’s defense early and often. The performance set a GoDaddy Bowl record and he averaged 8.5 yards per carry.

Hunt, who finished the season with 1,631 yards rushing, had touchdown runs of 4, 44 and 29 yards in the first half as the Rockets built a 35-17 halftime lead. Toledo (9-4) ended the season on a three-game winning streak.

Arkansas State (7-6) pulled within 49-38 in the fourth quarter, but could get no closer. The Red Wolves were playing in their fourth straight GoDaddy Bowl and fell to 2-2 over that span.

Arkansas State’s Fredi Knighten threw for 403 yards and five touchdowns.

It was an entertaining game that featured three defensive touchdowns, six touchdowns of at least 40 yards and Arkansas State linebacker Xavier Woodson getting kicked out of the game for “threatening an official.”

Big numbers were the norm, even outside of Hunt’s record-setting performance. Knighten’s day was tempered by two costly fumbles that were both returned for touchdowns. Arkansas State’s Booker Mays caught five passes for 138 yards and three touchdowns.

The two teams combined for 1,009 total yards.

Hunt’s stellar performance wasn’t a surprise – he’s been piling up numbers for more than a year.

The Willoughby, Ohio, native moved into a starting role midway through his freshman season and has run for at least 100 yards in all 10 games he played this season.

Toledo finished with 365 yards rushing, including 103 yards and two touchdowns by Damion Jones-Moore. Logan Woodside completed 21 of 27 passes for 176 yards.

Arkansas State didn’t go away until late in the fourth quarter.

The Red Wolves fell behind 42-17 midway through the third quarter, but responded with two quick touchdowns, including a 94-yard interception return by Money Hunter, who is the son of Major League outfielder Torii Hunter.