Bobcats Slip by Flashes With Fourth Quarter Comeback

Saturday, October 6

3:30 p.m.

Kent State University

1-5 , 0-2

Ohio

3-2 , 1-0

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Ohio

Kent State

Bobcats Slip by Flashes With Fourth Quarter Comeback

10/6/2018 7:37:00 PM | Football

Box Score

Kent State's homecoming was spoiled in a heartbreaking loss to the Ohio Bobcats 27-26 Saturday at Dix Stadium. A game-winning drive with 1:32 left made the difference as Ohio QB Nathan Rourke's 8-yard scramble for a touchdown put the Bobcats up by one.

"Obviously this one hurts," Head Coach Sean Lewis said. "We need to do a better job of finishing drives and the half. Too often we settled for field goals in the red zone without getting touchdowns. We need to do a better job at showing up and preparation during the week so we can find ourselves one-point ahead and not one-point behind. Very proud of the kids and how they competed and we look forward to the next opportunity."

On Kent State's very first play of the game, sophomore quarterback Woody Barrett connected with freshman wide receiver Isaiah McKoy for a 75-yard touchdown. It was Isaiah McKoy's second receiving touchdown of the season and longest of his career.

"It was something we saw during preparation and we had something they put on tape with the matchup we wanted," Lewis said. The ball was put on the money and it was a great way to start the game."

The Flashes went on an impressive second drive finished off by Barrett's second passing touchdown of the first quarter and seventh of the season to wide receiver Mike Carrigan. The drive was sparked by 41-yard and 21-yard carries from running back Justin Rankin. It was Carrigan's third receiving touchdown of the season.

The Bobcats responded to a 14-0 deficit by getting on the board with a one-yard rushing score by running back A.J. Ouellette. It was Ouellette's third rushing touchdown of the 2018 campaign. The 10-play 66-yard drive that was highlighted by a steady dose of rushes from Ouellette.

Bobcats cornerback Marlin Brooks made what looked to be a momentum changing play late in the first quarter when he picked off a pass, but that momentum quickly swung back to the Flashes when Brooks fumbled at the end of the return and recovered by Trey Harrell.

Ohio looked primed to tie the game up early in the second quarter, when the Kent State defense came up with a huge turnover. Nick Faulkner came up with a big interception, his first of the season.

Kent State got a huge field goal right before the half thanks to a career-long 49-yard kick by Matthew Trickett, giving the Flashes a 17-7 lead at the half.

The Flashes defense once again came up big to start the second half with another turnover. Ohio had charged down the field to the redzone primed to get within three points, when linebacker Jim Jones stripped Ouellette and recovered the fumble.

The Flashes then went on a 9-play, 64-yard drive which resulted in another field goal off the right leg of Trickett. The drive was helped by another big run of 37 yards by Rankin.

Ohio responded in a big way with 6:32 left in the third quarter. Rourke completed a 59-yard pass to wide receiver Andrew Meyer for a touchdown. The quick strike made it 20-14.

Trickett's busy day continued at the end of the third quarter. After another solid drive, Trickett knocked in his third field goal of the afternoon.

Early in the fourth, Ohio got a huge touchdown on a 5-yard run from Ouellette. The drive only took 3:20 as the Bobcats went 69 yards on nine plays to close the gap to 23-21.

Trickett made his fourth field goal to make it 26-21 with 5:12 left in the game. He 4-for-4 on the afternoon, becoming the first Kent State kicker with four field goals in a game since 2014.

On what was the deciding drive of the game, Ohio took the ball 81 yards for the game winning touchdown.

Overall, Rourke was 18-for-20 for 284 yards with one passing touchdown and two rushing TDs.

Barrett, threw for 271 yards and two touchdowns. McKoy, caught eight passes for a career-high 118 yards and a touchdown. Rankin, rushed for 123 yards on 16 carries. It was the first time since 2016 that the Flashes had a wide receiver and running back reach the 100 yard threshold in the same game.

Kent State was called for nine of their 11 penalties in the second half.

The Flashes will be back in action Saturday, Oct. 13,, facing the Miami Redhawks in Oxford at 2:30 p.m.