Kent State University
2-9 , 1-6
Central Michigan University
7-4 , 5-2
Big Night on Offense, but Flashes Come up Short in 42-23 Loss to Chippewas
11/14/2017 11:01:00 PM | Football
KENT, Ohio – Kent State gave itself an opportunity to send off its senior class with an upset of Central Michigan on Tuesday night at Dix Stadium. However, a slew of penalties and a string of mistakes allowed the Chippewas to sneak away with a 42-23 victory over the Golden Flashes.
"It was another tough game… I'm proud of this team and proud of how they continue to fight," said Kent State head coach Paul Haynes. "It was fun to watch our offense making big plays for us. It gave us a chance to sit there and try to win the game."
Graced with two red-zone opportunities in the fourth quarter of a close game, including a first-and-goal at the CMU 1 courtesy of an interception by Miles Daniel with 6:32 remaining, the Flashes watched both drives go backwards. Both ended without points on desperation heaves into the end zone of more than 30 yards.
The finish spoiled an offensive effort that at one point gained more yards than any Kent State offense in more than six years – including KSU's 2012 East Division Championship season.
The Golden Flashes finished with 494 total yards – 44 more than Central Michigan and the most for KSU since 2013.
Quarterback George Bollas turned in his best performance in a Golden Flashes' uniform, totaling 310 yards on 15-for-28 passing, including touchdowns of 13 yards to Mike Carrigan and 66 yards to Trey Harrell in the second quarter, cutting the CMU lead to 28-17 at halftime.
"I loved (Bollas' performance)," said Kent State head coach Paul Haynes. "The first thing (Central Michigan coach) John Bonamego said to me was 'I think you found a quarterback.' George has done a great job. I'm proud of him…He is playing with more confidence."
In addition to his touchdown catch, Carrigan reached the end zone on a 57-yard run. He led the Flashes in receiving with 83 yards on four carries. Harrell added 81 yards on two grabs, and Justin Rankin added 64 receiving yards on four grabs to his team-best 67 rushing yards on 21 carries.
"Those were young guys making plays," said Haynes. "Guys were making plays all over the place."
Central Michigan (7-4, 5-2) had too many answers, however, following a 23-yard field goal by Shane Hynes to open the game with a 98-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Jarrod Davis. Chippewas quarterback Shane Morris threw for two scores in a 297-yard 14-for-22 evening, and Jonathan Ward, Romello Ross, and Tony Poljan all added rushing touchdowns.
"When you give up a touchdown on special teams, that's always hard to overcome," said Haynes. "They just made a couple more plays."
Kent State (2-9, 1-6) finishes the 2017 season Nov. 21 at Akron.
Sophomore receiver Mike Carrigan had his first multi-touchdown game of his career. Carrigan made his second touchdown catch of the season. Two plays earlier, Carrigan made a 38-yard catch. Carrigan had his first rushing touchdown of the season, his second carry of over 50 yards on the year. He had a career-high 62 yards rushing, 145 yards of total offense and 247 all-purpose yards.
- Postgame Notes
- Junior George Bollas threw for a career-high 310 yards, becoming the first KSU quarterback to throw for over 300 yards since 2014. Bollas made his third and fourth touchdown passes of the season, upping his career total to six.
- Sophomore receiver Trey Harrell made his first touchdown catch of his career (66 yards). Harrell also made his debut as a kick returner and went 30 yards on his first return.
- Sophomore tight end Chalfonte Butler had a career-long 32-yard reception and a career-high 47 yards receiving on the night.
- Redshirt freshman Miles Daniel made his first career interception. He became the eighth Kent State player with an interception this season.
- Sophomore running back Justin Rankin finished with 131 yards of offense
- Kent State's 494 yards of total offense was its most since 2013.
- Freshman defensive back Elvis Hines got his first career start.
- Junior kicker Shane Hynes made his 31st career field goal.
- Sophomore Kavious Price had a 29-yard punt return, the Flashes' longest of the season.
- Kent State's 25 first downs were its most since 2015.
- Senior Jerrell Foster matched a career-high of six solo tackles.
Team Stats
CMU 0, KENT 3
KENT - HYNES, Shane 23 yd field goal 13 plays, 74 yards, TOP 6:34
CMU 7, KENT 3
CMU - DAVIS, Jarrod 98 yd kickoff return (ARMSTRONG, M. kick)
CMU 14, KENT 3
CMU - WARD, Jonathan 12 yd run (ARMSTRONG, M. kick), 5 plays, 80 yards, TOP 1:36
CMU 21, KENT 3
CMU - CHAPMAN, Mark 32 yd pass from MORRIS, Shane (ARMSTRONG, M. kick) 8 plays, 89 yards, TOP 2:43
CMU 21, KENT 10
KENT - CARRIGAN, Mike 13 yd pass from BOLLAS, George (HYNES, Shane kick) 6 plays, 80 yards, TOP 3:32
CMU 28, KENT 10
CMU - POLJAN, Tony 3 yd run (ARMSTRONG, M. kick), 3 plays, 51 yards, TOP 1:00
CMU 28, KENT 17
KENT - HARRELL, Trey 66 yd pass from BOLLAS, George (HYNES, Shane kick) 3 plays, 67 yards, TOP 0:36
CMU 28, KENT 23
KENT - CARRIGAN, Mike 57 yd run (BOLLAS, George rushfailed), 6 plays, 96 yards, TOP 2:52
CMU 35, KENT 23
CMU - WILLIS, Corey 53 yd pass from MORRIS, Shane (ARMSTRONG, M. kick) 4 plays, 91 yards, TOP 2:07
CMU 42, KENT 23
CMU - ROSS, Romello 2 yd run (ARMSTRONG, M. kick), 1 plays, 2 yards, TOP 0:05
