The GoDaddy.com Bowl is now in the books with the Northern Illinois Huskies defeating the Arkansas State Red Wolves 38-20. The Huskies started the game slow but found their groove as the first half drew to a close. The Red Wovles looked potent to start, but were unable to maintain steam once the Huskies started to roll. 

The Red Wolves are in the middle of a huge transition as their head coach, Hugh Freeze, took the head position at Ole Miss. Gus Malzahn is now the head coach for the Red Wolves. Arkansas State has a wealth of talent that returns next season as they look to return to the top of the Sun Belt conference. 

Thanks for following the blog throughout the game tonight. 

Martel Moore has had a breakout game for the Huskies tonight. Moore has now had the third best game in school history for a receiver with his 225 yard output. The Huskies relied heavily on Moore in the second half as he led the Huskies hard past the Red Wolves. 

The Red Wolves simply couldn't find a way to stop the onslaught that the Huskies brought in the second half. The Huskies took control of the game near the end of the first half, but the second half was all Huskies. 

Dechane Durante just read Ryan Aplin like a Dr. Seuss book as he jumped a pass and made a pick six. the Huskies are now in the lead by 18 points. There isn't much hope for the Red Wolves at this point. The Huskies have shut the door on the game as that pick six looks to have sealed the coffin. 

It was Durante's first career touchdown. 

Taylor Stockemer continues his phenomenal day for the Red Wolves as he pulled down a huge one handed touchdown catch with 11:12 left in the game. The Red Wolves have pulled within 11 points, and are hoping to bring about another huge momentum swing in the game. The Red Wolves need a major defensive stop to happen in the next series if they hope to win this game. 

Martel Moore has reached his third 100 plus yard receiving game this season with tonight's five catch 166 yard performance. There is still another quarter left to play, so that would mean that Moore could continue to build his stat line. He was the second leading pass catcher for the Huskies this season, but is far and away their leader on the perimeter tonight. 

The hits just keep on coming for the Red Wolves as Aplin throws a pick on the 28 yard line. Now the Huskies can take over this game for good. The play has gone to review, but it is likely to stand firm as the call that was made on the field. 

Arkansas State just can't take advantage of the momentum in this game. The Huskies have tried to give it to them but they refuse to take it. The Red Wolves can't even stop a punt from rolling the wrong way. The Huskies will now take over on the 30 yard line after that 12 yard punt. Shameful. 

So that makes two kick catch interference calls and a roughing the kicker call earlier. Three of the dumbest plays that can occur in football have happened three times in less than 60 minutes. These two teams are playing very reckless. Stupid mistakes lead to big losses. The Huskies had the edge, can they keep it after that swing?

Official attendance listed at tonight's game is 38,734. It is a full crowd for Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile. Just a few thousand short of a complete sell out. 

Arkansas State has been stumbling throughout the second half. Really, since about the start of the second quarter. Ryan Aplin looks uncomfortable in the pocket and the Red Wolves can't seem to find a big play to save them consistently enough. 

The Huskies get their best starting field position of the game, but they were unable to punch it into the end zone. The Huskies get to the five yard line and attempt a field goal. Matthew Sims bounced the kick off of the left upright missing the kick and keeping the game within two scores. 

The Red Wolves take over at the 20. 

Big sack and fumble recovery for the Huskies on the six yard line. Aplin has had his protection disappear here in the second half. The Red Wolves have to get better pass protection or the night may be over shortly. 

The Red Wolves took their first drive and stalled. A terrible punt gives the Huskies great field position at the 50 yard line. The Red Wolves have looked scattered offensively. Almost as if they are trying to force the run to be successful. Helping Aplin find his groove is a must on future downs. 

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

Ryan Aplin returns the interception favor just a few plays later. The Huskies now take over on the Red Wolves 43 yard line. Harnish needed to find a big strike and he did. Martel Moore is on the receiving end of a 43 yard touchdown toss from Chandler Harnish. 

Northern Illinois look to be taking over this game but the momentum has swung hard in both directions constantly. Despite the Huskies two score lead, this game is far from over. 

Arkansas State 13 Northern Illinois 28

13:30 3 Qtr

Chandler Harnish opened the second half with a long pass that results in an interception. Relying on the big play starts to haunt the Huskies. These guys have to find a rushing attack. 

The first half ended with a lower score than was expected to begin the game. The Red Wolves looked to be running away with the game early jumping to a 13 point lead. The Red Wolves then allowed the Huskies onto the board, and it has been downhill ever since for the boys from Arkansas State. 

The Huskies started the game looking as if they were going to lay an egg, but they quickly changed direction and now have a 21-13 lead heading into the start of the third quarter. 

A telling sign of immunodeficiency on offense is that both teams head out of the half time locker room with less than 20 yards rushing. Arkansas State has 17 total rushing yards while Northern Illinois has churned out 19 rushing yards.

The big play has been the crutch for both teams in the first half, but I would expect that to change starting in the third quarter. This last 30 minutes should close with tons of excitement. 

The Huskies were forced into a punting situation that looked to close the first half with a punt away to the Red Wolves. The Red Wolves were called for a roughing the kicker call however allowing for the Huskies to take back control of the football and make it inside the 10 yard line with .16 left on the clock. 

The Huskies were able to move the football to the one yard line before pushing the ball into the end zone to end the first half. Jamal Womble was able to take the ball into the end zone for the Huskies. The Huskies now lead the game by a very favorable margin as the game has completely shifted in their direction.

Arkansas State 13 Northern Illinois 21

Halftime

Chandler Harnish made his way back onto the field after sitting out a series. He was unable to push the Huskies past the first down marker. 

A huge break just happened for the Huskies however as the Arkansas State punt returner muffed the punt. The Huskies will takeover at the 43 of the Red Wolves with 1:54 remaining. 

Aplin looks to be a little more scattered than he did to start the game. The Huskies appear to be bringing a little more pressure from the defensive backfield, especially on the third and long downs. Aplin found his open receiver in the soft zone, but the catch was unable to be made. 

The Huskies have the momentum right now in the game. The Huskies have the chance to widen their lead as the game draws close to half time. 

Jordan Lynch stepped in to make the first pass from scrimmage for the Huskies. Martel Moore ran under the ball for a 41 yard gain to the Red Wolves 37 yard line. After moving to a long third down attempt, the Huskies completed another pass to earn their way to the 17 yard line. 

After a personal foul call on the Red Wolves the Huskies were able to move inside the five yard line. Jordan Lynch took control of the game for the Huskies and took an option run to the left for a touchdown. the Huskies were able to put together a solid scoring drive that pushed them ahead 14-13. 

With little time left in the first half, the Huskies have found new life. They went seven plays for 78 yards in the past drive. 

Arkansas State 13 Northern Illinois 14

4:49 2 Qtr

Arkansas State was unable to push the ball past the 50 yard line in this possession stalling at their own 43 yard line. The Red Wolves were able to connect on some pass plays to move the football but they were unable to sustain the drive beyond the big plays. 

As Arkansas State shifts to defense, both the Red Wolves and the Huskies have battled inconsistency but have relied on the big play. With half of the second quarter left to play, the game has stalled a bit offensively as both teams are trying to find their way to consistency.  

Chandler Harnish started the series with back to back completions that went for 33 and 32 yards respectively. Harnish found Perez Ashford on the outside to start the drive and Martel Moore on a crossing route. 

After stalling on the 16 yard line and a sack to force a fourth down, the Huskies Matthew Sims took the field to attempt the field goal and missed wide left. The Huskies can't afford to miss these types of opportunities. The ball is now back into the hands of the Red Wolves and Ryan Aplin. 

Arkansas State 13 Northern Illinois 7

10:05 2 Qtr

The Arkansas State offense was able to convert on one first down but after that they fell stale. The Huskies were able to stand tall and force the first punt of the day from the Red Wolves. The Huskies are continuing to build their comfort level in the game and could be poised to take a lead with a touchdown drive here.

Chandler Harnish has found some open receivers in the zone coverage and could continue to pick a part the Arkansas State defense on this drive. Finding the receivers in the middle of the field appears to be the Huskies best option at this point. 

Arkansas State 13 Northern Illinois 7

12:40 2 Qtr

The first quarter of the GoDaddy.com Bowl is in the books. The Red Wolves have been able to out gain the Huskies offense 123 to 95 so far in the game. The Red Wolves have looked extremely effective on offense driving the field three consecutive times while only finding the end zone once.

The Huskies have started sluggish, but with a end of the quarter drive the Huskies look to have found new life in the game. As the second quarter begins, the Red Wolves are facing a third and six from their own 28 yard line.

Mark A. Cunningham/Getty Images

After a lengthy review, a pass to Perez Ashford and his second effort puts the Huskies onto the board. the Huskies have turned the game around a bit and are now within six of the Red Wolves. 

Arkansas State 13 Northern Illinois 7

1:00 1 Qtr