Kent State’s running back and junior Dri Archer, the school’s single-season record-holder for touchdowns in a season (22), put up a stellar performance in the Golden Flashes’ bowl game against Arkansas State. His luck soon changed, however, when he was sidelined due a knee injury sustained in the second quarter.

With Archer injured and out for the majority of the second half, senior quarterback Spencer Keith was forced to try to make something happen at the end of the game. With 52 seconds remaining, Keith, who was already battling an injury of his own, only picked up five yards during a desperate scramble to get a first down. Keith was three yards short of the first down and just 20 yards shy of the end zone. Thus, to the dismay of hopeful Kent State fans, the game ended in a 17-13 Arkansas State victory.

Kent State nearly won the game in their first bowl appearance in 40 years. If it weren’t for the injuries of Archer and Keith, I think the Golden Flashes would have sealed up the victory.

Let me put the game and the injuries into perspective. Archer rushed for 77 yards, with most of these yards produced in the first and second quarters before he sustained his knee injury. If you watched the game, it was clear that Arkansas State could not find an answer for him. Until his second-quarter injury, Archer looked unstoppable. If the Flashes had a healthy Archer in the second half, there would have been a lot less pressure on Keith and the receivers to produce an all-out aerial assault that they just did not have.

Keith’s more minor injury may not have been as impactful as Archer’s knee injury, but the injury may have arguably cost the Flashes the game with only 52 seconds left. Keith was taken out of the game three plays earlier when he was hit in the ribs by Arkansas defensive back Tausean Holmes.

With Keith playing a little banged up and Archer watching the game anxiously from the sideline, the Golden Flashes could not manage to get the first down they needed to swing the momentum back into their favor. As much as Archer wanted to continue playing, he said in post-game interviews that he knew he was hurting his team by hopping around on the field.

Injuries are always a part of the game of football, but it’s always a shame when they occur. I would have loved to see what Keith, Archer and the rest of the offensive squad could have done to Arkansas State in the second half. Who knows? If Archer decides not to enter the NFL draft this year, we could see him give Kent State a second chance in another bowl game. I know we would all love to have No. 1 lead our Golden Flashes up and down the field one more time.

This past year, there have been a few sports stories in the limelight ruining respected athletes’ reputations. Former Major League Baseball players, Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens and Sammy Sosa, were all nominated for the 2013 Hall of Fame Class, but each were denied induction after years of accusations relating to performance-enhancing drug use during their careers. Lance Armstrong is another athlete contemptuously regarded by the media after finally admitting to doping during his cycling career. Well done, by the way, Oprah. If there was anyone who was going to get Armstrong’s confession interview, we all knew it would be you!

These stories were the weirdest in the sports world this past year, that is, until Manti Te’o and his girlfriend Lennay Kekua showed up to the party. Te’o’s reputation has been soiled because of his girlfriend. Here’s the kicker: his girlfriend isn’t real.

When I first heard the story about this monumental fabrication, I was absolutely shocked. Only in sports, I told myself. Sports scandals happen regularly, but the Te’o’s story raised the bar of outlandishness.

I guess it’s not completely Teo’s fault. Just recently, it was revealed that the person with whom Te’o was corresponding with was actually a man named Ronaiah Tuiasosopo. According to Tuiasosopo’s interview with Dr. Phil, he concocted Te’o’s girlfriend because he was in love with Te’o. Well, rather, his “character” Lennay was in love with Te’o. Talk about creepy, huh? When I admire an athlete, I usually try to go to a few sporting events and attempt to get a few autographs. I didn’t realize the new trend was to trick athletes into thinking that you’re their girlfriend.

I realize that Notre Dame, the National Football League and others find this story to be serious and something that should be looked upon as “no laughing matter.” However, I cannot help but chuckle a little. There are so many questions to this bizarre story that still need answered. I mean, why didn’t Te’o ever wish to see this estranged girlfriend? Was it really Tuiasosopo on the phone with Te’o when he called him, or did Tuiasosopo have someone else converse with Te’o? And if it really were Tuiasosopo on the line, wouldn’t Te’o have been a little suspicious of the manly voice on the other end of the telephone? I know I would be!

The story is still a bit sketchy in regard to certain details, so the only thing to do now is wait and see if the plot will thicken any more. Will it hurt Te’o in the upcoming NFL Draft? Only time will tell.

I still wish Te’o the best of luck in his athletic endeavors, commend his efforts on the field and regard him as a talented football player. His lack of judgment, however, leaves a lot to be desired. In the meantime, maybe he should try Christian Mingle or eHarmony for better results.