Kent State University
6-5 , 5-2
University of Akron
2-9 , 1-6
Flashes Bowl Over Zips, 38-0
11/20/2021 5:32:00 PM | Football
INFOCISION STADIUM- The Golden Flashes rushed for 410 yards and pitched their first Wagon Wheel shutout since 1949 in a 38-0 victory on Saturday afternoon.
With the victory, the Flashes become bowl eligible for the second time in three seasons and keep pace with next weekend's opponent, Miami, atop the Mid-American Conference East Division. Fans should be the lookout for communication regarding the Miami game and any post-season games in the coming days.
Kent State took control of the game early on Saturday. After the defense forced a three-and-out, Dustin Crum rolled off a career-long 62-yard run to highlight the game's opening drive. Marquez Cooper punched it in from a yard out to make it 7-0 Flashes. For Cooper, it was his 10th rushing touchdown of the season and he's the first back to rush for 10 or more scores at Kent State since Nick Holley in 2016.
The Flashes' defense flexed on each of the next three Zips' possessions. CJ West had a pair of sacks and the defense forced two turnovers on downs and Matt Harmon forced a fumble that Montre Miller recovered at midfield. The offense took over from there, grinding out 16 and 13 play drives that ended in Dustin Crum rushing touchdowns. Bryan Bradford added a rushing score as well and Zayin West converted a two-point conversion. When the dust settled, Kent State led 29-0 at the half.
That would be all the Golden Flashes needed. Andrew Glass connected on three second-half field goals, but it was the defense that stole the show.
Kent State turned over the Zips on downs to start the half and added a second fumble recovery to their resume. Kent State held the Zips to just 188 yards of total offense, the fewest allowed to a D-1 opponent since Miami had 133 in 2013 and posted their first shutout since 2009.
The Flashes recorded six sacks on the day including three by C.J. West. It is the most sacks in a game by a Kent State defender since Terrance Waugh had three against Marshall back in 2015 and the most by the team since they had six in the 2017 Wagon Wheel game.
The Flashes had two 100-yard rushers on the day with Cooper going for 135 and Crum adding 114 on the ground. Kent State had four rushers over 50 yards with Bradford and Xavier Williams adding to a deep rushing attack. Kent State threw the ball just 15 times for 66 yards, the fewest in a victory since a win over Buffalo in 2002.
The win improves the Flashes to 6-5 on the season and 5-2 in conference play while the Zips are 2-9 overall and 1-6 in the MAC. Kent State and Miami play for the East Division next Saturday at noon on ESPN +, it will also be senior day with a ceremony for the senior class taking place during pre-game.
https://t.co/2Y683iHHfn pic.twitter.com/KT0UracgYe
Team Stats
KSU 7, AKR 0
KSU - Cooper,Marquez 1 yd run (Glass,Andrew kick), 8 plays, 87 yards, TOP 03:02
KSU 14, AKR 0
KSU - Crum,Dustin 10 yd run (Glass,Andrew kick), 13 plays, 90 yards, TOP 05:35
KSU 22, AKR 0
KSU - Bradford,Bryan 29 yd run (West,Zayin rush), 5 plays, 52 yards, TOP 01:47
KSU 29, AKR 0
KSU - Crum,Dustin 10 yd run (Glass,Andrew kick), 12 plays, 66 yards, TOP 05:57
KSU 32, AKR 0
KSU - Glass,Andrew 20 yd field goal 4 plays, 6 yards, TOP 01:46
KSU 35, AKR 0
KSU - Glass,Andrew 31 yd field goal 13 plays, 60 yards, TOP 06:40
KSU 38, AKR 0
KSU - Glass,Andrew 43 yd field goal 7 plays, 41 yards, TOP 04:14
