Kent State University
Akron
Flashes Focused on Saturday's Wagon Wheel Game
10/11/2019 9:20:00 AM | Football
KENT, OHIO- Kent State (2-3, 1-0) is putting their final preparations together for Saturday's Crystal Clinic Wagon Wheel game against the school know only as, "That School Down the Road" (0-5, 0-1) with a 3:30 afternoon kick off set from InfoCision Stadium.
ABOUT THE GOLDEN FLASHES
Kent State enters the bulk of conference play 2-3 overall and 1-0 in the MAC after last weekend's setback at #8 Wisconsin. They are looking to snap a four-game losing streak in this rivalry. Redshirt senior linebacker Matt Bahr is the only active player to have won the Wagon Wheel trophy, last doing so as a freshman in 2014.
REFUSING TO CRUM-BLE
Quarterback Dustin Crum was held without a touchdown pass for the first time in a start last week against Wisconsin. The junior did complete six-of-eight passes without an interception, raising his consecutive pass streak to 132 with out a pick. That mark is currently the fifth-best active streak in the FBS. For the season, Crum has completed just over 71 percent of his passes with five touchdowns.
WITH A BANG-DA
Freshman running back Joachim Bangda averaged over eight yards per carry against the Badgers. The Washington, D.C. native has really come into his own over the last two games, averaging over 13 yards per carry (11-146-1TD).
MAJETTE-STIC
Theo Majette has gotten off to a great start to the season and has been a disruptor along the defensive line. He is one of just four players in the MAC to rank in the top-six in both tackles for loss and sacks in the conference. Majette currently leads the team in sacks (4.0-third in the MAC) and tackles for loss (5.0-sixth in the MAC). The Zips have allowed 23 sacks in five games so far this season, making Majette and the pass rush a major storyline on Saturday.
EVENING THE SCORE
This will be 49th installment of the Crystal Clinic Wagon Wheel trophy, through 48 games, Kent State trails the rivalry trophy series 24-23-1.
HISTORY LESSON
The full scope of the rivalry can be found at wagonwheelchallenge.com, but here's a brief history of how the unique trophy came to be. According to legend, the "Wagon Wheel" trophy traces its beginnings to the spring of 1870 when Akron industrialist John R. Buchtel set out for the town of Kent in search of a site to establish a college. In the muddy Ohio fields, however, his wagon became bogged down in the area where Kent State University is currently located. When horses pulled the wagon, a wheel came loose and became buried until it was discovered in 1902 during the construction of a pipeline along the Western Reserve Trail.Â
The wheel eventually fell into the possession of Dr. Raymond Manchester, who as the Kent State Dean of Men in 1945, suggested the local historic artifact be offered as the trophy to the winner of the annual football game. Â
ABOUT THE OPPONENT
The Zips come into the game off their bye week and sit at 0-5 overall and 0-1 in the MAC. Last time out, a furious comeback came up short at UMass in a 37-28 setback. Down by as many as twenty, freshman quarterback Zach Gibson rallied the Zips to within one score after throwing for one score and leading another scoring drive.
OFFENSIVELY
Incumbent starting quarterback Kato Nelson is a game-time decision after leaving the UMass game with an injury. Freshman Zach Gibson would be the likely starter after his impressive performance against the Minutemen in relief of Nelson and an ineffective Robbie Kelley.
The Zips have struggled to run the ball this year, averaging just 1.8 yards per carry and 50 yards on the ground per game. Kato Nelson was a big part of their run game, but regardless of his status, Deltron Sands and Brandon Lee have gotten the bulk of the carries. However, neither has averaged three yards per carry and Sands has the lone rushing score.
Their passing offense has averaged over 260 yards per game and they spread the wealth amongst their receivers. Nate Stewart and Dustin Burkhart lead the way with 320 yards each, respectfully and both average well over 10 yards per catch. Jeremiah Knight had a 100-yard day against UMASS and is another player to watch. This matchup will be strength against strength as Kent State sports the second-stingiest mark against the pass in the conference.
DEFENSIVELY
The Zips are led by the MAC's leading tackler in John Lako, who is averaging close to 12 tackles per game and had 13 last time out against UMass. Fellow linebacker Bubba Arslanian is sixth in the MAC at nearly 10 stops per game.
In the secondary, Jordan Riley is amongst the conference leaders in passes defended as is Randy Cochran. They'll be called upon to stop a Kent State passing attack that is second in the MAC in total efficiency with Dustin Crum at the helm.
FOLLOW ALONG
ESPN 3 is set to cover the game with Michael Reghi on the call and Dustin Fox providing the color commentary. Fans can also listen to the Golden Flashes Radio Network with Ty Linder, Rob Polinsky and Jacob Pavilack on the call. Live stats will also be provided through Stat Broadcast and live updates and highlights can be found @KentStFootball on Twitter.
LOOKING AHEAD
Kent State finishes their three-game road swing with a trip to Athens next weekend to take on the Ohio Bobcats. The kick time has been slated for noon with the game being picked up by CBS Sports Network.
