MONROE, La. -- Fredi Knighten threw for 300 yards and five touchdowns passes, and ran for a score as Arkansas State maintained sole possession of first place in the Sun Belt Conference with a 59-21 win over Louisiana-Monroe on Saturday night.

Following the game, Louisiana-Monroe athletic director Brian Wickstrom announced the firing of coach Todd Berry. He has been ULM's head coach since 2010 season.

Defensive line coach John Mumford will serve as the interim head coach for the rest of this season, after which a search for a new coach will take place.

Louisiana-Monroe tied the game at 21 before giving up 38 consecutive points.

Arkansas State (7-3, 6-0) got stingy on defense after Ben Luckett's 85-yard touchdown dash tied it at 21.

On the ensuing possession, Knighten threw a 53-yard score to Chris Murray to cap a five-play, 75-yard drive. The Red Wolves' defense forced a three-and-out, and Knighten led another quick drive that ended when he found Tres Houston for a 17-yard score with nine seconds left in the half.

Houston had three receiving TDs, and Dijon Paschal had two receptions for 100 yards and a 65-yard score.

Louisiana Monroe's (1-9, 0-6) Luckett had 18 carries for 149 yards rushing.