KENT, OHIO – The Akron Zips ended a three-game losing streak and picked up their first Mid-American Conference victory of 2018 as they defeated the Kent State Golden Flashes 24-23 Saturday afternoon at Dix Stadium.
The game was tied 17-17 at the end of regulation. Kent State (1-7, 0-4 MAC) then matched Akron’s (3-3, 1-2 MAC) TD in the extra session as sophomore QB Woody Barrett threw a 29-yard touchdown pass over the middle to junior RB Justin Rankin.
The Flashes’ extra point snap, however, was low and could not be handled by backup quarterback Dustin Crum, who was holding on the kick attempt.
“This game always goes like this” Zips head coach Terry Bowden said. “First year I came to Akron, we were the worst team in America and Kent was playing for the conference championship. We were up 24-10 at halftime, so these games just seem to always go like this.
“This is going to be a tough battle from here to come, as it always has been. But we needed to win. The main thing we needed to see today from our players (was that) they would fight for 60 minutes and never give up on themselves.”
The Zips overtime score came on a 7-yard yard pass from QB Cato Nelson to WR Andre Williams. The sophomore had four catches for 72 yards.
Nelson, meanwhile, completed 19-of-35 passes for 219 yards and the touchdown to Andre Williams. Nelson also led all rushers in the game with 90 yards on 17 carries.
The victory allowed UA to retain the Wagon Wheel Trophy for the fourth consecutive year. It also marked the longest winning streak by UA in the series since a six-game streak from 1997-2002.
KSU, in heartbreaking fashion, absorbed its fifth consecutive loss overall and ninth straight in MAC play dating back to last season.
“Obviously it was a rough one. KSU head coach Sean Lewis said. “The kids fought like crazy and it was a tough, emotional rivalry game. I felt like they played tough and competed, but I wish the result was different, especially for the seniors that were on the field before the game. “
“They are a great group of kids. These guys are have been great and continue to be great with their attitude and effort, especially with the things we are asking them to do. There’s not a group of kids that I want to celebrate more than these kids.”
In addition, it was the first overtime game for the Zips since they defeated the Flashes in 2008 in Kent (also in double overtime 30-27). For KSU, it was their first extra session tilt since 2016 when they played four overtimes in a loss to North Carolina A&T 39-36.
The Zips took advantage of a strong southerly win in the first quarter,
moving 56 yards in seven plays with their second possession The drive was capped by freshman RB Keyondre White scoring his first career touchdown from one yard out.
Kent State countered with its first score as it drive from its own 25-yard line to the UA 16 before the defense stiffened. Freshman PK Matthew Trickett connected on a 32-yard field goal to make it 7-3.
UA matched Trickett’s field goal with one of its own on the next drive when senior PK Nick Gasser connected from 25 yards out to make it 10-3.
Kent State’s defense forced the game’s first turnover near the end of the first half when senior CB Darryl Marshall intercepted Nelson’s deep pass at the KSU 24. From there, Barrett engineered a 76-yard drive in only five plays. On the final play of the half, he escaped the Zips rush and darted up the middle for 22 yards and a touchdown to tie the score 10-10 at halftime.
Barrett finished the game going 16-of-30 passing for 188 yards and the overtime touchdown pass to Rankin. He also rushed for 81 yards and his score at the end of the first half
The second half was played in wind and rain, but the Flashes took their first lead of the game after holding UA to a three and out on the opening possession of the third quarter. KSU’s offense went 76 yards in 10 plays, with Rankin ending the drive on an 11-yard touchdown run around the right side to make the score 17-10.
On the day, Rankin carried the ball 15 times for 49 yards, including that touchdown, and grabbed three receptions for an additional 26 yards.
The Zips responded with a 75-yard drive, using only five plays. On third down and eight from his own 45, Nelson eluded the rush sprinted for a 55-yard score to tie the game 17-17.
The remainder of regulation was scoreless, sending into overtime.
One of the key plays on UA’s overtime possession was on second down and seven from the KSU 22. Nelson was chased and threw the ball out of bounds. However, KSU was called for a roughing the passer penalty.That put the ball on the Flashes 11 and provided a first down to keep the drive alive. Nelson finished the possession with his 8-yard toss to Williams.
KSU got the touchdown back on Rankin’s 29-yard pass to Barrett.
When asked about overtime, Bowden said “It’s overtime. They had a great play. We all have that play, and we try to use it once or twice or three times a year. They hit it at the perfect time. It was just a seam route, where you just run everybody to the outside
It was the Flashes’ PAT failure, however, that decided the outcome. “It was a low snap” Lewis said. “[Dustin] Crum got his hands on it and bobbled it, but did a good job of executing our fire call and we just didn’t make the play.”
Defensively, UA had a sack and four pass breakups. The Zips were led by junior LB John Lako, who had 13 total tackles (eight solo). KSU had two sacks, the interception by Marshall and broke up four passes.
Meanwhile the Flashes ‘D” was paced by Phillips with 12 total stops (10 solo).
Among the special teams, KSU junior Punter Derek Adams had a 77-yard wind aided punt in the fourth quarter.
The Zips get back into action on Saturday as they host Central Michigan, who is 1-7 overall and winless in MAC play at 0-4 after losing at home to Western Michigan.
Kent State returns to action on Tuesday October 30th when it travels to Bowling Green to face the Falcons. BG is also 1-7 overall (0-4 in conference play) after falling at Ohio in Carl Pelini’s first game as interim head coach.