Kent State Falls to Arkansas State 17-13 in GoDaddy.com Bowl

Kent State (11-2) battled Arkansas State (9-3) Sunday on ESPN.

Even some special helmets couldn't help them. The Kent State University Golden Flashes lost the GoDaddy.com Bowl to the Arkansas State Red Wolves 17-13 tonight. In a close, low-scoring game the Flashes offense couldn't out perform the Red Wolves defense. The season came down to the final few minutes of the fourth quarter when Kent State was driving and down just four points. With just three minutes left in the game it looked like Kent State might take the lead on a deep pass from quarterback Spencer Keith to receiver Chris Humphrey, but Humphrey dropped the ball as he fell across the goal line. Despite the drop, Kent State continued to inch toward Arkansas State's goal line by converting mutliple fourth downs. Yet on a crucial fourth down …

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Kent State QB is Arkansas Native, Faces Arkansas State in Sunday's Bowl Game

Spencer Keith returns home for Kent State's first bowl game in 40 years

Kent State Quarterback Spencer Keith may have been in the stands for Sunday’s GoDaddy.com Bowl in Mobile, Ala. even if the Golden Flashes hadn’t earned a trip to the game. Keith’s parents and brother all graduated from Arkansas State, so their ties run deep. A Little Rock native, Keith said he is taking the family rivalry in stride. “It’s definitely a little different that (Kent State’s opponent) is from my home state,” Keith said. “There’s a little connection there but my family is definitely rooting for Kent State in this game.” Teammates only recently learned of their quarterback’s family ties to the opposition.  Running back Dri Archer said he and other players are teasing Keith, but they know he’s focused on a Kent State win. Family …

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2 Roosevelt Grads Suit up for Kent State in GoDaddy.com Bowl

The Kent State Golden Flashes football team will play in the GoDaddy.com Bowl on Jan. 6 at 9 p.m. on ESPN.

For years they suited up for the Kent Roosevelt Rough Riders, and now, two players will be on the Kent State sideline in the football team's first bowl game in 40 years. Evan Shimensky and Marcus Wright are on the Kent State roster this year. Shimenksy, a redshirt freshman, was moved to the wide receiver spot after playing quarterback for Kent Roosevelt. In two seasons at Kent State he has yet to play in a game. Wright is in his first season for the Golden Flashes after tranferring from the University of Findlay. He hasn't seen any playing time this year but the junior totaled 195 career tackles in three seasons at Roosevelt with four interceptions, four forced fumbles and a touchdown. The Golden Flashes arrived in Mobile, AL this week to …

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Kent State Golden Flashes Arrive in Alabama for GoDaddy.com Bowl

Team will face Arkansas State Sunday

The Kent State Golden Flashes were greeted with cheers and a police escort Wednesday as the football team arrived in Mobile, AL for its first bowl game in 40 years. City leaders, local football fans, and representatives from the GoDaddy.com Bowl rolled out the red carpet for Kent State’s players and coaches. The Golden Flashes took part in a welcome celebration Wednesday evening at Ladd-Peebles Stadium, and then had a chance to walk on the stadium turf. Mobile Mayor Sam Jones presented the Key to the City to Kent State Athletic Director Joel Nielsen. As part of the evening’s entertainment, several members of the team took to the microphone and did their own play-by-play of the Sugar Bowl as it was projected on several big-screen …

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Editor's Picks: Top Stories of 2012

Editor's Picks: Dream Season for Kent State Football

Kent Patch gives you the editor's picks for top 10 stories of 2012.

Editor's note: the Kent State Golden Flashes football team had an incredible season in 2012 — and it's not over yet. The team will face Arkansas State in the GoDaddy.com Bowl Jan. 6 after tearing it up in the Mid American Conference by winning the MAC East title and earning a spot in the 2012 MAC Championship Game. Kent State may have lost the MAC title game, but the GoDaddy.com Bowl marks the team's first bowl game in 40 years. The winning season has drawn tighter the ties that bind town-gown relations in Kent and helped elevate Kent State on the national sports stage, but sadly it also meant the departure of head coach Darrell Hazell. For 2012, this Cinderella story is one of my picks for top 10 stories of the year. RELATED COVERAGE:

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Golden Flashes Sign Autographs, Kent State Flags Raised Downtown for Send-Off

University, community gather to wish Kent State's football team good luck in the GoDaddy.com Bowl Jan. 6

Members of the Kent State University and Kent community gathered Wednesday to wish the Golden Flashes good luck as they prepare for the GoDaddy.com Bowl on Jan. 6 against Arkansas State. Players gathered at Laziza with outgoing coach Darrell Hazell to sign autographs for fans for about 45 minutes Wednesday. Upload your photos and videos from yesterday's send-off by clicking on the "Upload Photos" button. Then Hazell and other members of Kent State Athletics, along with Joel Nielsen, the athletics director, and Kent Mayor Jerry Fiala, strolled down Erie Street to watch eight of the international flags atop the AMETEK building swapped out for Kent State flags — similar to what was done for the team's appearance in the 2012 MAC Championship …

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Send Off Event for Kent State's GoDaddy.com Bowl Trip is Wednesday

Kent State will face Arkansas Jan. 6 in Alabama

Members of the Kent and Kent State University communities can wish the Golden Flashes well on their way to Alabama and the GoDaddy.com Bowl during a send-off event Wednesday. Here are the details from Kent State Athletics: 5-5:45pm 5:50pm 6-8pm “Portage Community Bank – Bowl Preview Show”

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Dri Archer Named Walter Camp First Team All-American

The Kent State kick returner becomes the first in team history to receive the honor.

One of Kent State football's most electrifying players, Dri Archer, was named to the Walter Camp All-America First Team as a kick returner Thursday, according to the athletic department. Archer, a junior, had 15 kick returns this season for 573 yards and three touchdowns including a 98-yard return against Towson, a 99-yard return against Ball State and another 98-yard return at Eastern Michigan. The honor is a first for the Kent State football program which has never had a player named to the Walter Camp All-American Team, according to a press release. Archer and the Golden Flashes will play in Kent State's first bowl game in 40 years as they face Arkansas State in the GoDaddy.com Bowl on Jan. 6. Head coach Darrell Hazell will coach in …

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Dream Season for Golden Flashes to Culminate at GoDaddy.com Bowl

After losing to Northern Illinois in the MAC Championship, Kent State will play in the GoDaddy.com Bowl on Jan. 6 in Mobile, Alabama.

It was a bitter-sweet ending to a dream season for the Kent State Golden Flashes football team this weekend. With a chance at the BCS Orange Bowl, the Flashes lost a gut-wrenching, double-overtime battle to Northern Illinois (12-1, 8-0) on Friday night 44-37 in the MAC Championship game. After the dust settled and the bowl games were selected, Northern Illinois will face Florida State in the Orange Bowl. But Kent State will have its first bowl game in 40 years as they star in the GoDaddy.com Bowl facing the Arkansas State Red Wolves. Arkansas State (9-3, 7-1) was the Sun Belt Conference champion this season. "The players and coaches in our locker room have made this entire season special," Kent State Head Coach Darrell Hazell said after …

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Flashes Headed to GoDaddy.com Bowl

Jan. 6 game set for Alabama