Kent State University
1-3
University of Alabama
4-0 , 1-0
Football Closes Non-Conference Play with Loss at Alabama
9/24/2016 3:53:00 PM | Football
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The top-ranked team in the nation stayed on a roll as Alabama beat Kent State 48-0 at Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday.Â
The Crimson Tide built leads of 21-0 after one quarter and 41-0 at halftime, but outscored the Golden Flashes just 7-0 after the break.Â
George Bollas came within a few inches of scoring a late touchdown while leading an impressive fourth-quarter drive in place of starting quarterback Mylik Mitchell, who left the game with an injury suffered in the closing minutes of the first half.Â
"George played a lot of football for us last year," said Kent State head coach Paul Haynes, whose Flashes finished the non-conference portion of their schedule at 1-3. "He came in and did some good things. We'll see how (Mitchell) goes this week, but we'll have to get ready to start (Bollas) this week."
Senior Colin Reardon, who played quarterback in his first three seasons before moving to wide receiver, finished the game at his former position. Haynes said Reardon will likely practice at quarterback this week with Mitchell's status unknown. Game-one starter Justin Agner missed his third consecutive game after suffering an injury in the season opener.
"(Reardon) will have to," said Haynes. "We've now lost two quarterbacks playing against Penn State and Alabama."
Justin Rankin led the Kent State rushing attack with 52 yards on six carries that included a 47-yard run on the Flashes' first play from scrimmage.
Defensively, Kent State was led by Nate Holley, whose 14Â tackles gave him four consecutive double-digit tackle efforts to open the 2016 season.
Freshman Derek Adams impressed on special teams with three punts of over 50 yards, highlighted by a career-high 67-yarder that was downed at the Alabama 1. For the game, Adams averaged 46 yards on nine punts.
Defending national champion Alabama improved to 4-0 this season under head coach Nick Saban, who is a Kent State alum.
"They are a great football team," said Haynes. "They are disciplined. They don't beat themselves. I'm sure (Saban) will find some things they need to get better at … That's why they are a championship team.
Kent State opens Mid-American Conference play next week when it hosts Akron in a 3:30 p.m. Homecoming battle on Saturday.
Postgame Notes
Senior safety Nate Holley recorded his first sack of the season and totaled 1.5 tackles for loss. He led both sides with 14 tackles, leading the Flashes for the fourth time this season. In his last two games, he's made 25 solo tackles.
On Kent State's first offensive play, Justin Rankin had the Flashes' longest rush of the season at 47 yards.
Freshman Derek Adams had a career-long 67-yard punt in the first half. He averaged a career-high 46.0 yards on nine punts.
Senior linebacker Nick Cuthbert made a season-high eight tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss.
Junior safety Kevin Bourne had a career-high five tackles.
Redshirt freshman running back Will Matthews had a career-high 43 yards receiving, including a 36-yard catch, the Flashes second-longest pass play of the season.
Post Game Press Conference
Team Stats
KENT 0, BAMA 7
BAMA - Jalen Hurts 20 yd run (Adam Griffith kick), 8 plays, 70 yards, TOP 2:46
KENT 0, BAMA 14
BAMA - Joshua Jacobs 1 yd run (Adam Griffith kick), 10 plays, 79 yards, TOP 2:51
KENT 0, BAMA 21
BAMA - Joshua Jacobs 24 yd run (Adam Griffith kick), 4 plays, 55 yards, TOP 1:38
KENT 0, BAMA 24
BAMA - Adam Griffith 28 yd field goal 16 plays, 75 yards, TOP 5:02
KENT 0, BAMA 27
BAMA - Adam Griffith 48 yd field goal 4 plays, -7 yards, TOP 1:00
KENT 0, BAMA 34
BAMA - O.J. Howard 34 yd pass from Blake Barnett (Adam Griffith kick) 5 plays, 61 yards, TOP 2:20
KENT 0, BAMA 41
BAMA - Xavian Marks 75 yd punt return (A. Pappanastos kick)
KENT 0, BAMA 48
BAMA - Mack Wilson 1 yd pass from Jalen Hurts (A. Pappanastos kick) 13 plays, 66 yards, TOP 6:17
