A poorly-executed trick play, a missed chip-shot field goal and a miserable fake punt attempt.
Those three plays — all within a five-minute span in the second quarter — put Arkansas State University (3-3) in too big of a hole, and the Red Wolves lost to Appalachian State (3-1) 45-17 on Thursday night in Boone, N.C.
The only bright spot for the Red Wolves was senior wide receiver Jonathan Adams Jr., who had his third-straight 100-yard receiving game, catching six passes for 134 yards.
Other than that, ASU struggled on both sides of the ball.
Arkansas State kept pace early, responding to Appalachian State's first touchdown with a score of its own on senior running back Jamal Jones' eight-yard rush into the end zone.