Top Five Wagon Wheel Victories: #1 2003
On Aug. 28, 2003, Kent State sophomore Travis Mayle's 40-yard field goal with no time on the clock capped a stunning 41-38 comeback victory over Akron and snapped a six-game series losing streak. The Golden Flashes scored 17 points in the final five minutes to give Head Coach Dean Pees, his first victory over the Zips.
In a showdown of two of the MAC'c elite quarterbacks, Josh Cribbs completed 25-of-43 pass attempts for 340 yards and three touchdowns and ran for 57 yards and a touchdown. Akron's Charlie Frye completed 36-of-46 passes for 407 yards and three touchdowns.
Half of the 26,814 fans left for the Rubber Bowl exits with just 5:52 remaining and Akron seemingly in command up 38-24.
Cribbs scored on a one-yard leap with 3:29 left and then threw a five-yard touchdown pass to redshirt freshman Antwan Smith with 1:16 remaining to tie the game at 38-38. The winning field goal was set up by freshman returner John Drager's 34-yard punt return to the Akron 25. The difference also came with the defense's ability to force the Zips to go three-and-out on their final two possessions.
KSU finished 5-7 on the season and 4-4 in the MAC. Cribbs signed as an undrafted free agent with the Cleveland Browns in 2005 and made an impact as a kick returner. In 2006, he signed a six-year contract extension with the Browns. He also set a new franchise record for most kickoff yardage in a season, breaking the record he set himself the previous year. Cribbs has since been named to the Pro Bowl on three occasions and was the Browns' 2009 MVP.
