Kent State University
2-8 , 1-5
University of Akron
3-7 , 2-4
Wagon Wheel changes hands in 16-7 loss at Akron
11/2/2013 7:26:00 PM | Football
AKRON, Ohio – Three Robert Stein field goals lifted Akron to a 16-7 win over Kent State on Saturday at InfoCision Stadium and ended the Wagon Wheel's three-year residence in Kent.
Three fourth-quarter interceptions and two lost fumbles crushed the Golden Flashes' hopes for a fourth consecutive win in their rivalry with the Zips.
"This is a tough one," said Kent State head coach Paul Haynes. "It's not the outcome we wanted, especially in this game. Our guys will take a snapshot of what happened at the end and we will prepare like crazy to never let this happen again.
"The bottom line is we can't turn the ball over in games like this. We have drives going and stub the foot by turning the ball over. We teach that the football is the program. When the ball is on the ground, the program is on the ground."
Kent State ran the ball effectively with 162 yards on 33 attempts and a per-carry average of 4.9 yards. Trayion Durham led the Flashes with 18 carries for 82 yards, including a 3-yard touchdown run that tied the game at 7-7 with 8:34 to play in the second quarter.
Dri Archer added a 52 yards on seven runs. Unfortunately for Kent State, Archer and Durham both lost fumbles to end promising drives in Akron territory.
Colin Reardon completed 15-of-31 passes for 138 yards. Akron's Johnny Robinson, Malachi Freeman and Martel Durant all came up with interceptions of the Kent State quarterback during the fourth quarter.
"At key times, we turned the football over," said Haynes. "We have to grind a little more and do things better … We control the outcome. We have to look ourselves in the mirror as coaches and players and we have to do a lot better to get a better outcome."
Kent State's defense could only create one turnover. The second sack of the game by Roosevelt Nix forced a fumble by Zips quarterback Kyle Pohl that Mark Fackler recovered at the Akron 42. The turnover led to Kent State's only score 11 plays later when Durham bolted into the end zone through a gaping hole on the right side of the line.
The Flashes didn't provide many other highlights.
The Zips, meanwhile, turned several long drives into Stein field goals. After grabbing a first-quarter lead on a pitch-pass from wide receiver Zach D'Orazio to L.T. Smith for a 33-yard touchdown, Akron added a 28-yard field goal by Stein with 29 seconds to play in the second quarter to re-claim the lead at 10-7 going into halftime. Stein added a 27-yarder with 14:03 to play in the fourth quarter, then clinched the win with 4:25 to play on a 29-yard boot.
Stein's final field goal was made possible thanks to an 11-yard run by Akron back Jawon Chisholm on a key 3rd-and-11 play from the Kent State 27. Akron's coaching staff called two straight timeouts before settling on the Chisholm run.
Kent State couldn't find an answer to Chisholm, who carried the football 27 times for 151 yards. That total accounted for just under half of the 304 yards accumulated by the Zips offense in 68 plays from scrimmage. The Flashes totaled 300 yards in 64 snaps.
"We have two games left to move forward," said Haynes. "We have to do things better."
Kent State (2-8, 1-5) hosts Miami University at 8 p.m. on Nov. 13 in the final home game at Dix Stadium. Akron (3-7, 2-4) travels to Massachusetts on Nov. 16.
Postgame Notes
Senior Roosevelt Nix raised his Kent State career-leading tackles for loss total to 62.5 with three on the day. Nix also moved into second place among KSU's career sack leaders with 23.5. He also raised his career forced fumble total to 11.
Junior Trayion Durham is now alone in ninth place in career rushing touchdowns with 23, passing Julian Edelman. In three career games against Akron, Durham has rushed for 296 yards and six touchdowns.
Senior Tyshon Goode moved into second place among KSU career leaders in receiving yards, now with 2,166.
Junior Chris Humphrey has made a catch in 18 straight games.
Freshman Nate Holley made his first career start at safety.
Junior tight end Casey Pierce matched a career-high of five catches.
Freshman Nick Holley recorded a tackle on a kickoff for the fifth consecutive game.
Kent State's 16 points allowed were the fewest in five games.
The defense's 304 yards allowed were the fewest since the season opener against Liberty.
The Flashes had more passing yards than an opponent for the first time in four games.
The Kent State's offense had its best third down conversion rate (8-for-15) in five games.
Team Stats
KENT 0, AKRON 7
AKRON - SMITH, L.T. 33 yd pass from D'ORAZIO, Zach (STEIN, Robert kick) 4 plays, 78 yards, TOP 1:08
KENT 7, AKRON 7
KENT - DURHAM, Trayion 3 yd run (MILLER, Brad kick), 11 plays, 42 yards, TOP 5:11
KENT 7, AKRON 10
AKRON - STEIN, Robert 28 yd field goal 15 plays, 57 yards, TOP 7:59
KENT 7, AKRON 13
AKRON - STEIN, Robert 27 yd field goal 13 plays, 73 yards, TOP 5:31
KENT 7, AKRON 16
AKRON - STEIN, Robert 29 yd field goal 12 plays, 60 yards, TOP 5:26
