Kent State University
University of Akron
Flashes Ready for #CCWagonWheel Showdown
11/19/2021 11:57:00 AM | Football
KENT, OHIO- The Golden Flashes take the short trip down I-76 west to InfoCision Stadium this Saturday for the annual #CCWagonWheel showdown with the Zips.
Kent State has won the last two meetings in the rivalry series and have taken a narrow 25-24-1 lead in the #CCWagonWheel rivalry. A victory on Saturday would be the first three-game streak for the Golden Flashes in the series since a run of three-straight from 2010-12.
ABOUT KENT STATE
The Flashes are looking to rebound after a 54-30 setback at Central Michigan last Wednesday. Despite the loss, the Flashes still boast the top offense in the MAC, averaging 37 points per game and nearly 500 yards of offense (497.5).
Leading the offensive charge is Dustin Crum. The signal caller has thrown for over 1650 in MAC play this year (275 yards/game) and 10 touchdown passes. He sits at 48 touchdown passes for his career and would be only the second quarterback in Kent State history to toss 50 or more career touchdowns, joining Jose Davis. Crum also ranks 12th in the MAC and tops among quarterbacks in rushing, totaling 328 more yards on the ground and seven more touchdowns in MAC play.
Crum isn't the only one knocking on the door of milestones. The Flashes are averaging over 217 yards per game in MAC play and 225 per game on the ground overall. Marquez Cooper and Xavier Williams have headlined the running game for Kent State. Cooper is closing in on 1,000 yards for the season, with 814 heading into Saturday. He'd be the first back since Dri Archer in 2012 to top 1,000 in a season. He also has 9 rushing touchdowns, the most since Nick Holley had 10 in 2016.
It will be a matchup of strengths on Saturday as the Zips lead the MAC in pass defense at just 200 yards per game. Kent State is third in the MAC at 280 yards per game through the air. Dante Cephas is closing in on 1,000 yards this season, with 907 entering Saturday and would be the first Kent State receiver to cross 1,000 yards since Eugene Baker in 1997. He's got a streak of three-straight with 100 yards or more and is the first Kent State Receiver to do that since Tyshon Good in 2009.
ABOUT THE ZIPS
The Zips come into the game at 2-8 overall and 1-5 in the MAC. Zach Gibson has been solid for their offense since taking over the starting spot. In five games, he's tossed 10 touchdowns against no interceptions and has averaged over 220 yards per game. Konata Mumpfield and Michael Mathison have been his primary targets, each averaging over 70 yards receiving per game in MAC play. Jonzell Norrils has provided a spark at running back, averaging over 75 yards per game but the Zips have averaged just 122 yards on the ground in MAC play.
While the Zips have been stout against the pass, teams have been able to run on them. The Zips have allowed 256 yards per game on the ground in MAC play. Linebacker Jeslord Boateng leads the defense at nearly nine tackles per game. In the secondary, Charles Amankwaa is top five in the MAC in both passes defended and interceptions.
FOLLOW ALONG
Saturday's game will stream on ESPN + with Michael Reghi and Jerod Cherry on the call with a noon air time. The game will also air on the Kent State Radio Network with Rob Polinsky and Tom Evans on the call, our pre-game show starts at 11 a.m.
LOOKING AHEAD
Regardless of Saturday's outcome, next Saturday's contest against Miami will be for the Mid-American Conference's East Division title. Kick-off is at noon on Saturday, November 27th and will also air on ESPN + and the Kent State Radio Network.
