Recap: Arkansas State vs. ULM

Jonesboro, AR (Sports Network) - Ryan Aplin threw for 334 yards and two touchdowns and also rushed for a score to lead Arkansas State to a 45-23 win over Louisiana-Monroe on Thursday.

David Oku carried the ball 22 times for 131 yards and three touchdowns and J.D. McKissic hauled in 12 passes for 102 yards for the Red Wolves (7-3, 5-1 Sun Belt), who have won five straight and take over sole possession of first place in the conference.

Taylor Stockemer caught two passes for 86 yards and a touchdown and Julian Jones also caught a touchdown pass on 81 yards receiving in the win.

Cody Wells completed 37-of-53 passes for 357 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. Brent Leonard caught 14 passes for 134 yard and Je'Ron Hamm had nine catches for 102 yards for the Warhawks (6-4, 4-2), who have dropped two straight on the heels of a five-game winning streak.

The Warhawks scored on their first touch when Wells found Monterrell Washington for a 27-yard touchdown pass.

The Red Wolves countered with a 35-yard Jones touchdown reception to tie the game at 7-7.

Arkansas State forced a three-and-out on the ensuing possession, and Aplin broke a 38-yard touchdown rush to cap a 10-play, 87-yard march.

The teams traded field goals in the second quarter, and the Red Wolves took a 17-10 spread into the locker room.

The Warhawks scored on the opening possession of the second half when Wells connected with Rashon Ceaser for a 37-yard touchdown, but Arkansas State would score three straight touchdowns to take a 38-17 lead.

First, Aplin hooked up with Stockemer for a 70-yard catch-and-run. Wells' pass on 4th-and-12 at the Arkansas State 36 fell incomplete, and seven plays later Oku bulled his way in from one yard out.

The Red Wolves then forced a Louisiana-Monroe punt before Aplin orchestrated an 8-play, 82 yard drive capped off with a 6-yard Oku touchdown.

Washington's 1-yard touchdown run pulled the Warhawks within 38-23 after Justin Manton's extra point attempt was blocked.

Arkansas State answered right back with a touchdown as Oku ran it in once again, this time from four yards out, to account for the final margin.