FLASHback Week 6: Flashes End Miami's Streak
10/10/2020 10:00:00 AM | Football
KENT, OHIO- It is week six of our FLASHback series and virtual homecoming at Kent State. This week we will take a look at one of the biggest wins in school history where the Golden Flashes welcomed in an undefeated Miami of Ohio in 1959.
Miami had lost just two conference games in the 1950s, both to Cincinnati, who left the conference in 1953. By 1959, Miami had won its last 29 conference games. It was an impressive streak that was started by Woody Hayes and continued by Ara Parseghian. By 1959 both had left Miami (to Ohio State and Notre Dame, respectfully) and the team was led by head coach John Pont. They came into the week three contest with the Golden Flashes at 2-0 having outscored Western Michigan and Xavier by a 54-7 margin.
Kent State's 1959 squad was coming off a strong 7-2 season in 1958, having only lost to Miami (OH) and Louisville and finished second in the MAC. The Golden Flashes had split their first two contests to start the season, defeating Baldwin-Wallace but getting shutout by the Ohio Bobcats. At 1-1, they were decided underdogs when the welcomed in Miami of Ohio.
Coach Trevor Rees had his team ready for Miami, displaying an effort that was described as "hungry" and one of "sheer determination". The Flashes would be the more physical of the two teams on that fateful Saturday and that proved to be the difference. Kent State would get on the board first. Fred Rothfuss burst through the Miami line to block a first-quarter punt, Dick Mostado scooped up the loose ball and rolled 50-yards for the first touchdown of the day. The Golden Flashes cashed in on a two-point conversion to take an 8-0 lead. Rothfuss would block another first-half punt, but the Flashes wouldn't be able to capitalize and took their one-score lead into the half.
Kent State's physicality would immediately pay dividends in the second half. On the first offensive play from scrimmage, Dave Moreno forced a Miami fumble. Teammate Dick Barber recovered the loose ball, setting the Flashes up at the Miami 32. Kent State would make it a two-score game when Chuck Naso took it in from 20-yards out. This time Miami stopped the Flashes' two-point try, keeping it 14-0 Kent State.
Miami would spoil the shutout, getting their own fumble recovery to set up a short field and a goal-line score. That would be all they'd get as Kent State slammed the door and secured a 14-6 upset win.
The Golden Flashes would go on to finish the season at 5-3 overall and 3-3 in the MAC. Miami would finish in third place in the conference, their lowest finish since 1947, the first year of MAC football. Trevor Rees would coach four more seasons before retiring after the 1963 season. He still owns the program record for career wins (92) and conference wins (46). Next week, we will take a look at the Golden Flashes win over Western Michigan in 1987.
