NEW ORLEANS – Appearing in Bowl Season for the third-straight year, Arkansas State won the inaugural Xbox Bowl championship, 34-28, over Missouri State in Frisco, Texas.
The Red Wolves—who were part of the Sun Belt’s 10-team bowl contingent that leads all non-autonomy conferences for the fourth-straight season—secured consecutive bowl victories for the second time in program history (2012 & 2013) and improved to 6-7 in 13 FBS bowl appearances.
Arkansas State scored on each of it first four possessions to open up a 24-7 halftime advantage it would never relinquish.
Redshirt senior wide receiver Corey Rucker—already the Arkansas State and Sun Belt career leader in receiving yards—became the Red Wolves career receiving touchdowns leader with a 71-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter.