UCF vs. Arkansas State: Score and Reaction for 2016 Cure Bowl

Arkansas State got three touchdown passes from quarterback Justice Hansen and a strong defensive effort to defeat Central Florida 31-13 in the 2016 Cure Bowl. 

Despite jumping out to a 17-0 in the first quarter, Arkansas State appeared to be in trouble. The offense was struggling to move the ball with just 106 total yards, but it took advantage of nine penalties and the Knights' special teams turnover to stay in control.

This was a game defined by sloppy play on both sides. The two teams combined for 26 penalties and four turnovers; Arkansas State won despite getting only eight first downs.

Central Florida did start to turn things around in the second quarter, scoring 10 unanswered points to make it a one score game at halftime.

The Red Wolves wasted no time getting their offense going in the second half. Kendall Sanders caught his second touchdown of the game on a 75-yard slant from Hansen to give the defense some cushion to work with.  

Sanders' play didn't exactly open the Arkansas State floodgates, but it was enough to destroy any momentum Central Florida had built in the second quarter. He would later add a third touchdown catch early in the fourth quarter on a drive that was set up when Central Florida's Chris Johnson muffed a punt. 

While that one brief moment of offensive flourish provided some flash to the game, special teams really were the difference for both teams. Arkansas State got on the board early when B.J. Edmonds recovered a blocked punt in Central Florida's end zone. 

Both defenses do deserve credit for standing their ground. The Red Wolves only allowed 11 rushing yards and limited Central Florida quarterback McKenzie Milton to 175 yards on 22 completions, an average of just 4.5 yards per attempt.

Milton has not been asked to do much for the Knights all season. He is a true freshman who had just 1,808 yards and nine touchdowns coming into the bowl game. Central Florida head coach Scott Frost brought in backup Justin Holman in the fourth quarter, hoping to ignite a spark in his team. 

This was an Arkansas State defense that didn't give Milton any room to work with, and he frequently looked like a first-year player adjusting on the fly. 

Hansen wasn't exactly lighting things up for Arkansas State, going 12-of-26 for 205 yards, but he made the most of his completions with the three touchdowns to Sanders and a 67-yard pass to Blake Mack that helped set up a field goal. 

While neither team will put this game on the postseason highlight reel, Arkansas State played a largely mistake-free game and forced Central Florida into playing outside of its comfort zone. 

For UCF, while losing its last three games of the season does sting, this team can take pride in doing something that had only been done five times in FBS history, per ESPN Stats & Info:

Style points don't win games, as the Red Wolves proved. This is their sixth consecutive bowl appearance and first win since 2013. 

Postgame Reaction

Arkansas State head coach Blake Anderson gave high praise to his special teams coach Luke Paschall for the victory, per the Associated Press (via ESPN.com):

"

When you look at a team that is as good as Central Florida is you know special teams has to come up huge. I think Luke Paschall, our special teams coach, does a great job. We have starters playing across the board and they are the ones making plays. I would say several times this year that special teams was a turning point. I think it's a culture we create and it came up huge again tonight.

"

Frost didn't mince words about where his team is at after ending the season on a sour note. 

"We got to get a lot better," he said, per the AP. "I think our players gave us absolutely all they had, and I think this group got about everything they could out of themselves.