Kent State University
4-6 , 3-3
Buffalo
5-5 , 3-3
FBS Record Comeback Keeps Flashes' Bowl Hopes Alive
11/14/2019 11:52:00 PM | Football
KENT, Ohio – The Kent State football team (4-6, 3-3 MAC) stormed back from 21 points down in the fourth quarter to keep their bowl hopes alive, beating Buffalo (5-5, 3-3 MAC) on a Matthew Trickett game-winning field goal as time expired.
"What a great game and a great effort by the kids and the team," said Head Coach Sean Lewis. "Credit to Coach Leipold and his team. That is a great team that they have over there. But this is what MACtion is all about. The kids competed like crazy and the last three weeks taught us how to finish and how to see things through. This can be a program-changing win and that the hard work and the FlashFAST way works and is paying off."
Trickett's kick broke the Kent State single season record for field goals made (20) previously held by Freddy Cortez in 2012. He also recovered a pivotal onside kick with 7:34 to go in the game to give the Flashes the ball back down two scores.
"I try not to think about the records, it messes with my focus and my mentality," said Matthew Trickett. "At the end of the day, that is just another kick for me."
The Golden Flashes were outplayed by the Bulls for the first three and a half quarters but scored 24 unanswered points and set a 2019 FBS record for largest fourth quarter comeback.
The epic comeback began with Xavier Williams' first career rushing touchdown with 7:39 left in the game. The ensuing onside kick swung the momentum in Kent State's favor, and Williams scored again on a 41-yard strike from Dustin Crum. Williams finished with team-high 42 yards on the ground and a career-high 56 receiving yards.
Jeremiah Salaam made a huge impact on special teams when he blocked a punt and Dante Cephas recovered with 6:11 left. The blocked punt led to a five-yard Mike Carrigan touchdown on 4th and goal. Carrigan led the Kent State receivers with seven receptions.
Kent State's defense came up with a stop to give the offense the ball back with 2:04 on the clock with one timeout. The Flashes matriculated the ball down the field and Crum found Kavious Price for 17 yards over the middle of the field with 0:01 on the clock.
Buffalo used their final two timeouts to try to ice Trickett, but the sophomore stud drilled the 44-yard game-winning field goal as the clock ticked down to zero.
Cepeda Phillips led the Flashes' defense, totaling 12 tackles. Keith Sherald Jr. and Nick Faulkner each recorded 10 tackles.
The Flashes will take a nine-day break before their home finale next Saturday, Nov. 23, at noon against Ball State. For updates on the Kent State football team, follow @KentStFootball on twitter and visit kentstatesports.com for additional updates.
Team Stats
UB 7, KENTST 0
UB - LEE, Daniel 30 yd pass from VANTREASE, Kyle (MCNULTY, Alex kick) 8 plays, 54 yards, TOP 3:34
UB 14, KENTST 0
UB - VANTREASE, Kyle 1 yd run (MCNULTY, Alex kick), 9 plays, 50 yards, TOP 4:32
UB 17, KENTST 0
UB - MCNULTY, Alex 31 yd field goal 8 plays, 60 yards, TOP 3:14
UB 17, KENTST 3
KENTST - TRICKETT, M. 23 yd field goal 10 plays, 61 yards, TOP 3:48
UB 17, KENTST 6
KENTST - TRICKETT, M. 33 yd field goal 3 plays, 17 yards, TOP 0:16
UB 24, KENTST 6
UB - MARKS, Kevin 2 yd run (MCNULTY, Alex kick), 19 plays, 93 yards, TOP 9:16
UB 27, KENTST 6
UB - MCNULTY, Alex 31 yd field goal 8 plays, 49 yards, TOP 5:08
UB 27, KENTST 13
KENTST - WILLIAMS, X. 7 yd run (TRICKETT, M. kick), 11 plays, 76 yards, TOP 3:34
UB 27, KENTST 20
KENTST - WILLIAMS, X. 41 yd pass from CRUM, Dustin (TRICKETT, M. kick) 2 plays, 54 yards, TOP 0:22
UB 27, KENTST 27
KENTST - CARRIGAN, Mike 5 yd pass from CRUM, Dustin (TRICKETT, M. kick) 4 plays, 4 yards, TOP 1:19
UB 27, KENTST 30
KENTST - TRICKETT, M. 44 yd field goal 9 plays, 43 yards, TOP 2:04
