The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
1-7 , 0-4
Kent State
3-5 , 2-2
| Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Akron | 7 | 0 | 10 | 3 | 20 |
| Kent St. | 0 | 7 | 14 | 14 | 35 |
October 24 | Football
Zips drop 35-20 decision to Kent State
Gant carried 28 times, averaging 5.8 yards per attempt, did not lose a yard and scored on runs of six and five yards to lead an Akron offense that produced 26 first downs and controlled possession for more than 34 minutes.
Quarterback Brayden Roggow completed 20 of 34 passes for 275 yards, while Kyan Mason caught seven passes for 129 yards. Miles Burris added four receptions for 72 yards as the Zips (1-7, 0-4 Mid-American Conference) generated 422 yards of total offense.
Akron held leads of 7-0, 14-7 and 17-14, but Kent State (3-5, 2-2 MAC) scored 21 unanswered points to take control of the rivalry matchup.
The Zips opened the scoring with an impressive 10-play, 91-yard drive capped by Gant's six-yard touchdown run with 6:25 remaining in the first quarter.
Akron maintained its seven-point advantage until the final minute of the opening half, when Kent State quarterback Dru DeShields connected with Wayne Harris on a one-yard touchdown pass to tie the game at 7-7.
The Zips responded coming out of halftime, marching 77 yards in 12 plays while taking 6:08 off the clock. Gant finished the possession with a five-yard touchdown run to restore Akron's lead, 14-7, with 8:47 remaining in the third quarter.
Kent State answered just over two minutes later when DeShields connected with Harris for a 55-yard touchdown to even the score.
Akron regained the advantage on Aidan Stire's 40-yard field goal with 2:37 left in the third quarter, but the Golden Flashes responded with a four-play, 75-yard scoring drive. DeShields found Hunter Hopperton for a two-yard touchdown pass to give Kent State its first lead, 21-17, entering the fourth quarter.
The Golden Flashes extended their advantage midway through the final period on a 19-yard touchdown pass from DeShields to Harris. DeShields added a one-yard rushing touchdown less than two minutes later to push the margin to 35-17.
Stire connected on a career-long 50-yard field goal with 1:12 remaining to complete the scoring.
Despite Akron's advantage in total offense, rushing yards (147-82), first downs (26-21) and time of possession (34:01-25:59), penalties and turnovers proved costly. The Zips were flagged 15 times for 165 yards and committed two turnovers, while Kent State converted one Akron turnover into seven points.
DeShields finished 18 of 33 passing for 294 yards and four touchdowns. Harris caught nine passes for 156 yards and three scores to lead the Golden Flashes.
Defensively, Dwight Nunoo paced Akron with a career-best 11 tackles, while Aamii Branch recorded four stops and two pass breakups. Rodrick Hunter recovered a fumble, and Jon'Trell Mixon registered three quarterback hurries.
The Zips converted seven of 13 third-down opportunities and limited Kent State to 82 rushing yards, but the Golden Flashes scored touchdowns on four of their six red-zone possessions.
Players Mentioned
Team Stats
AKR 7, KSU 0
AKR - Gant,Jordan 6 yd run (Stire,Aidan kick), 10 plays, 91 yards, TOP 04:54
AKR 7, KSU 7
KSU - Harris,Wayne 1 yd pass from DeShields,Dru (Newcomb,Tommy kick) 8 plays, 77 yards, TOP 02:53
AKR 14, KSU 7
AKR - Gant,Jordan 5 yd run (Stire,Aidan kick), 12 plays, 77 yards, TOP 06:08
AKR 14, KSU 14
KSU - Harris,Wayne 55 yd pass from DeShields,Dru (Newcomb,Tommy kick) 5 plays, 67 yards, TOP 02:16
AKR 17, KSU 14
AKR - Stire,Aidan 40 yd field goal 9 plays, 48 yards, TOP 03:45
AKR 17, KSU 21
KSU - Hopperton,Hunter 2 yd pass from DeShields,Dru (Newcomb,Tommy kick) 4 plays, 75 yards, TOP 01:25
AKR 17, KSU 28
KSU - Harris,Wayne 19 yd pass from DeShields,Dru (Newcomb,Tommy kick) 3 plays, 22 yards, TOP 00:54
AKR 17, KSU 35
KSU - DeShields,Dru 1 yd run (Newcomb,Tommy kick), 3 plays, 13 yards, TOP 01:41
AKR 20, KSU 35
AKR - Stire,Aidan 50 yd field goal 13 plays, 52 yards, TOP 03:38
