By BJ Bennett
SouthernPigskin.com

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Arkansas State falls to Louisiana Tech 47-28 in the New Orleans Bowl.

1. Tied 17-17 at halftime with Louisiana Tech, Arkansas State was outscored 30-11 after the break in the New Orleans Bowl. The game’s final 20 minutes and change, especially, were the difference as the Red Wolves lost the last quarter-and-a-third by a margin of 27-7 and allowed 24 unanswered points from late in the third period to early in the fourth.

2. Arkansas State allowed 676 yards of total offense, including a career-high 457 passing yards to Jeff Driskel. Entering the postseason leading all of college football with 34 turnovers forced, the Red Wolves did not force a single one for the first time since a week one loss to Southern Cal. Home run plays keyed the Bulldogs as running back Kenneth Dixon added four touchdowns to his remarkable record-setting total.

3. After five straight contests with at least 40 points scored, the offensive consistency wasn’t there for Arkansas State. The Red Wolves compiled just 323 total yards and had just one drive of over five plays in the second half.

4. Blaise Taylor had a highlight 98-yard kickoff return for a touchdown early in the fourth quarter. He had a 73-yard punt return for a score a few weeks ago in a win over New Mexico State.

5. Though the season ended on a disappointing note, Arkansas State claimed the Sun Belt Conference championship and won eight out of nine games to finish the year. The second half, with too many big plays allowed and not enough of their own, simply proved to be the determining factor for the Red Wolves in the loss to Louisiana Tech.