"What a great game and a great effort by the kids and the team," said Head Coach Sean Lewis. "Credit to Coach Leipold and his team. That is a great team that they have over there. But this is what MACtion is all about.
"The kids competed like crazy and . . .
Trickett's kick broke the Kent State single season record for field goals made (20) previously held by Freddy Cortez in 2012. He also recovered a pivotal onside kick with 7:34 to go in the game to give KSU -- down two scores -- another key possession.
"I try not to think about the records. It messes with my focus and my mentality," said Trickett. "At the end of the day, that is just another kick for me."
The Golden Flashes were outplayed by Buffalo (5-5, 3-3 MAC) for the first three and a half quarters but scored 24 unanswered points and set a 2019 FBS record for largest fourth quarter comeback.
The epic comeback began with Xavier Williams' first career rushing touchdown with 7:39 left in the game. The ensuing onside kick swung momentum in Kent State's favor, and Williams soon scored again on a 41-yard strike from Dustin Crum. Williams finished with team-high 42 yards on the ground and a career-high 56 receiving yards.
Jeremiah Salaam made a huge impact on special teams when he blocked a punt and Dante Cephas recovered with 6:11 left. The blocked punt led to a five-yard Mike Carrigan touchdown on 4th and goal. Carrigan paced Kent State receivers with seven receptions.
Kent State's defense came up with a stop to give the offense the ball back with 2:04 on the clock with one timeout. The Flashes moved ahead and Crum found Kavious Price for 17 yards over the middle of the field with 0:01 on the clock.
Buffalo used their final two timeouts to try to ice Trickett, but the sophomore drilled the 44-yard game-winning field goal as the clock ticked down to zero.
Cepeda Phillips led the Flashes' defense, totaling 12 tackles. Keith Sherald Jr. and Nick Faulkner each recorded 10 tackles.