Kent State University
2-8 , 1-5
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Western Michigan University
6-4 , 4-2
Team Stats
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KENT 0, WMU 7
WMU - GODDARD, Reece 1 yd run (GRANT, Josh kick), 12 plays, 92 yards, TOP 4:48
KENT 0, WMU 14
WMU - SPILLANE, Rob 35 yd interception (GRANT, Josh kick)
KENT 7, WMU 14
KENT - RANKIN, Justin 21 yd run (HYNES, Shane kick), 1 plays, 21 yards, TOP 0:10
KENT 14, WMU 14
KENT - RANKIN, Justin 3 yd run (HYNES, Shane kick), 8 plays, 81 yards, TOP 3:42
KENT 14, WMU 21
WMU - FRANKLIN, Jarvi 72 yd run (GRANT, Josh kick), 3 plays, 85 yards, TOP 1:28
KENT 14, WMU 24
WMU - GRANT, Josh 22 yd field goal 12 plays, 84 yards, TOP 5:51
KENT 14, WMU 31
WMU - PHILLIPS, Dariu 43 yd interception (GRANT, Josh kick)
KENT 14, WMU 34
WMU - GRANT, Josh 42 yd field goal 13 plays, 50 yards, TOP 6:08
KENT 14, WMU 41
WMU - THOMAS, A.J. 23 yd fumble recovery (GRANT, Josh kick)
KENT 14, WMU 48
WMU - DAVIE, Ra'Sean 46 yd run (REGAN, Austin kick), 2 plays, 49 yards, TOP 0:47
KENT 20, WMU 48
KENT - CRUM, Dustin 58 yd run (HYNES, Shane kickfailed), 4 plays, 76 yards, TOP 1:56
Game Leaders
Players Mentioned
Football Falls 48-20 at Western Michigan Despite Several Iron Man Efforts
11/8/2017 11:28:00 PM | Football
KALAMAZOO, Mich. – A pair of first quarter touchdown runs by Justin Rankin helped Kent State keep the game close in the early going, but a string of 34 unanswered points helped Western Michigan pull away to a 48-20 victory over the visiting Golden Flashes on Wednesday night.
Rankin finished with 67 rushing yards on 14 carries including the scoring runs of 21 and 3 yards. He also led the Flashes with five of the team's 13 pass receptions.
"I think the kid is a warrior," Kent State head coach Paul Haynes said of Rankin. "He has been battling a shoulder injury where probably most guys wouldn't play. (Trainers) are looking at him every time he comes to the sideline, but he continues to play multiple spots, every snap."
The second of Rankin's touchdowns deadlocked the score at 14-14 with 1:28 to play in the first quarter after Western Michigan jumped out early on a 1-yard touchdown run by Reece Goddard and a 35-yard interception return by Rob Spillane in the game's first six minutes.
"We got down 14-0, but our team came right back, battled, and got right back into the game," said Haynes, whose Flashes fell to 2-8 overall and 1-5 in Mid-American Conference play. "Sideline-wise, we never felt out of the game. Guys were excited. It was just a lot of self-inflicted miscues."
The Broncos reclaimed the lead for good on a 72-yard Jarvis Franklin touchdown run on the final play of the first quarter. By halftime, they enjoyed a 31-14 advantage. Kent State closed the scoring with 3:19 to play in the fourth quarter on a 58-yard touchdown run by freshman quarterback Dustin Crum.
Injuries forced Kent State to replace several starters, and even return freshman Kesean Gamble to an an Iron Man role that is rare in the modern game. Gamble carried the ball seven times as a running back on offense, and was on the field most of the night at linebacker and on special teams.
"I don't know how many snaps he had tonight, but he played both sides of the ball significantly," said Haynes. "With Will Matthews being hurt and a game-time decision not to play him, we had to (rely) on Gamble even more than we expected."
Crum led the Flashes with 80 yards on three rushing attempts. He was also 2-for-2 through the air ofr 17 yards. George Bollas was 11-for-22 passing for 102 yards.
Kent State returns home to face Central Michigan on Nov. 14 at 7 p.m.
