MOBILE, Ala. — Ryan Aplin’s productive passing career helped carry Arkansas State to two Sun Belt Conference championships.

For his final college game, the 6-foot-1, 200-pound senior didn’t have to be the hero.

Aplin completed 21 of 30 passes for 213 yards and a touchdown and J.D. McKissic caught 11 passes for 113 yards and a touchdown, but it was a bruising defense that was the biggest factor in Arkansas State’s 17-13 victory over No. 25 Kent State on Sunday in the GoDaddy.com Bowl.

“You always hope to blow the other team out, but tonight was one of those grinds,” Aplin said. “The saying goes that defense wins championships, and they won it for us tonight. I’m their biggest fan.”

Arkansas State’s offense was dominant during the last half of the regular season, averaging more than 41 points during a seven-game winning streak. But big plays were hard to find on Sunday night, and the Red Wolves (10-3) leaned hard on their defense to capture their first bowl win since joining the Football Bowl Subdivision in 1992.

It’s also the first time Arkansas State has beaten a nationally ranked opponent.

The victory didn’t come without some drama. Kent State (11-3) was driving late in the game when quarterback Spencer Keith tried to scramble on fourth down and was stopped a few yards short of the marker with 52 seconds left.