Holley Runs for 159 yards, but Flashes Lose 14-10 to Ohio

Saturday, October 22

1 p.m.

Kent State University

2-6 , 1-3

Ohio University

5-3 , 3-1

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Ohio

Kent State

Holley Runs for 159 yards, but Flashes Lose 14-10 to Ohio

10/22/2016 5:03:00 PM | Football

Box Score

KENT, Ohio – Missed opportunities came back to haunt Kent State in the second half of a 14-10 loss to Ohio University on Saturday at Dix Stadium.

The Golden Flashes spotted the Mid-American Conference East Division-leading Bobcats a 14-0 advantage, trimmed 10 points off of that lead, but came up empty on two trips deep into Ohio territory in the game's final 18 minutes.

"Our guys fought like crazy," said Kent State head coach Paul Haynes, whose Flashes fell to 2-6 overall and 1-3 in MAC play. "We just needed a couple more plays. We thought we had one at the end, but we couldn't punch it into the end zone."

When Ohio's Papi White fumbled the fair catch of a punt that was recovered by Ernest Calhoun with 5:17 to play in the fourth quarter, Kent State took over possession at the Ohio 12, needing a touchdown to take its first lead of the game.

The red zone opportunity ended in a turnover on downs as Nick Holley's fourth-down throw for Brice Fackler in the back of the end zone sailed just high. Ohio (5-3, 3-1) ran out the the remaining 3:45 to secure the victory.

"We released everybody," Haynes said, referring to the fourth-down throw. "We had everybody out. They covered the initial look and (Holley) was just trying to make it happen… I didn't think three points helped us at the time. We didn't come here to lose by a point. We were going to come into this game and be aggressive. That's what we were."

Holley accounted for 260 of the 264 yards Kent State's offense gained on 78 snaps, rushing for 159 yards on 41 carries and throwing for another 101 on 12-of-29 passing. His 3-yard touchdown run with 6:36 to play in the third quarter cut the Bobcats' lead to four points. It also marked the Flashes' second 17-play drive of the day.

The Flashes' 91-yard march in 17 second-quarter plays ended with Shane Hynes booting a 22-yard field goal with 5 seconds to on the clock, making the score 14-3 heading into the break.

A roughing-the-passer penalty and a sideline violation flagged against Ohio on the same play gave Kent State its first red zone opportunity of the second half. After the officials walked off 30 yards, the Flashes found themselves with a first down at the Ohio 25. Four plays later, the Flashes punted the ball back to Ohio on a quick kick by Holley.

"Again, we just needed to make a couple more plays," said Haynes. "We continued to fight. We continued to grind."

Ohio built its 14-0 lead behind a 49 yard touchdown run by Dorian Brown with 8:55 to play in the first quarter and a 4 yard touchdown run by Maleek Irons with 7:35 to play in the second.

Brown finished with 110 yards on 12 carries while Irons added 87 on 13 runs. The Bobcats out-gained the Flashes 208-to-163.

Nate Holley, who began the day as the Division I leader in solo tackles, led the KSU defense with nine tackles, including seven solos. Jerrell Foster added an interception, and Kevin Bourne forced and recovered a fumble in the second quarter to set the stage for the Flashes' the 91-yard drive for a field goal.

Kent State goes on the road to face Central Michigan on Oct. 29 for a noon kickoff.

Postgame Notes
Kent State ended the first half with a season-long 17-play drive that went 91 yards.
On their very next drive to open the second half, the Flashes put together another 17-play drive, using a season-high 8:18. On the drive the Flashes converted a third-and-21 and had a third-and-12 on the drive that resulted in a fourth-and-one conversion.
Junior Nick Holley has surpassed 150 rushing yards twice in his last three games. Holley has scored seven rushing touchdowns in his last three games and eight rushing TDs in his last four contests.
Holley became the first Kent State player since Astron Whatley in 1996 with 40 rushing attempts in a game.
Junior cornerback Jerrell Foster made his third interception of the season.
Junior tight end Ryan Malone made his first career catch.
Junior cornerback Demetrius Monday got his first start at cornerback since week two.
Sophomore Shane Hynes improved to 13-of-17 on field goal attempts this season.
Freshman Derek Adams placed five of his seven punts inside the 20.
Senior safety Nate Holley raised his career tackle total to 416 with nine solo tackles.

Postgame Quotes

Paul Haynes

Disappointing loss, our guys played hard though as far as our situation is with how beat up we are, but guys fought like crazy we didn't have anyone come out of the game, we just again second week in a row we just need a couple more plays and we didn't get it and you know in the situation that were in when you're don't have a good record you need to just the last two weeks to just play and we thought we had one at the end but just wasn't able to punch it in. We give them credit, we knew it would be a tough game and they were playing very good defense. A lot of our guys were fighting, it was a tough week for us as far as practicing, a lot of guys down but a lot of guys went out there and battled and I commend them for the battle at the end.

On the Last Play: Trying to get a touchdown. We released everybody, had everybody out, and covered the initial one and then tried to make something happen.

On Decision to go for it on fourth down: I don't think three points would have helped us at that time. Again With just two time outs and going for three We wasn't doing a very good job at stopping the run, that three points didn't do us. We didn't just come here to lose by a point, we would rather go for it.

On Nick Holley's performance: Just the kind of player he is, this isn't something that is still makeshift a little bit. We're making sure that he can do the things he can do and that's one of the things he can do. Just like anyone who has an athletic quarterback back there it always adds a different dimension when he can run for it for first down and you cover. What happens to us defensively, when you have an athletic quarterback, it's just the dimension of who he is and what he is going to do. He had good performance, again he is probably disappointed with the loss but he is a good player."

On the Defense: "They continue to fight like crazy but just didn't have enough stops at the end."

Offensive lineman Stefano Millin on the long drives building momentum
We come alive during long drives with 90-plus yards to go. Things clicked with the O-line and getting guys and blocking them and opening holes for Holley and running backs.

Ohio Quotes

Frank Solich (HC)- It was a very tough, physical football game. You don't win that game unless you're a tough football team. Both teams really were in a position to win the game. Holley (4) is a tough, tough kid, gets yards after contact like a true running back, very athletic kid, he could play running back, quarterback, safety, he could play all kind of places on a football field. He had a great game today. Our defense rose up and did what they had to do for us to win in at the end. Our offensive put together some first downs at the end of the game that was crucial for victory.

Quarterback Quinton Maxwell: We had some tough field position, got pinned back a couple of times, but honestly I'm going to sit back and take that one on me, there was a couple of times I'm missed some easy throws and if I made them, we could of continued some drives. We established the run and that really helps when you're on the road.
We have Toledo in five days and have to come back to work, we know Toledo is not going to feel sorry for us and this group knows that. We'll celebrate this one tonight and prepare for them.

Defensive lineman Tarell Basham: Holley is a very mobile guy and we had to keep him in the pocket as much as possible to prevent the run. Holley reminds he of Speedy Gonzalez, I had him in my hands a few times a couple of times and he just ran out of them, he is a very fast and elusive guy. It was a tough game but that's the games we live for.