Kent State University
0-1 , 0-0
Texas A&M University
1-0 , 0-0
Flashes Force Six Turnovers In Setback To Aggies
9/5/2021 12:31:00 AM | Football
COLLEGE STATION, TX- The Kent State Golden Flashes forced six turnovers for the first time in nine years in a 41-10 setback against the sixth-ranked Texas A and M Aggies at Kyle Field on Saturday night.
The Flashes recorded four interceptions and added a muffed punt fumble and a turnover on downs on Saturday night. You'd have to go back to October 2015 against Western Michigan to find the last time the Flashes had four picks. Elvis Hines had two of the picks and was his first game with multiple interceptions.
The Golden Flashes won the toss and elected to defer until the second half. The sixth-ranked Aggies went 10 plays and 75 yards over five and a half minutes to score the game's first touchdown on a four-yard TD reception by Ainias Smith.
Kent State answered right back. The FlashFAST offense picked up from where it left off in 2020, answering with a 10-play, 68-yard drive that ended with a 30-yard Andrew Glass field goal. Dustin Crum had the big play on the drive, running for 26 yards to put the Golden Flashes into the red zone.
Aside from an A and M field goal, that was all the scoring the first half had to offer. The Golden Flashes defense made a huge fourth down stop. CJ West led a defensive charge, getting into the backfield to stonewall Devon Achane in the backfield at the Kent State 30-yard line. Cornerback Elvis Hines added two interceptions, including one inside the Kent State 10-yard line. The Flashes rolled into the red zone following Hines' second interception, but a miscommunication between Crum and Ja'Shaun Poke led to an interception in the endzone. Texas A and M led Kent State 10-3 at the half.
The Golden Flashes went three-and-out on the opening drive of the second half. After a 44-yard punt by Josh Smith, A and M made good on their opening drive of the second half, converting on a Seth Small field goal from 36 yards, putting the Aggies up 13-3. The Flashes looked to answer back, marching deep into Aggie territory. However, Dustin Crum's pass was tipped and intercepted and returned 85 yards for a touchdown by Leon O'Neal Junior, and completely changed the momentum of the game.
The Aggies would add to their lead before Collin Schlee led a fourth-quarter scoring drive, capping the drive with a one-yard touchdown run. Xavier Williams provided the big play on the drive with a 38 yard scamper, the Flashes longest rush of the day. He led Kent State in rushing with 73 yards on eight carries.
Kent State returns to Kent next weekend for the 2021 home opener. The Golden Flashes welcome in the Keydets from the Virignia Military Institute. Kick-off is set for 11:30 a.m. from Dix Stadium.
Team Stats
KSU 0, TAM 7
TAM - Smith,Ainias 4 yd pass from King,Haynes (Small,Seth kick) 10 plays, 75 yards, TOP 05:33
KSU 3, TAM 7
KSU - Glass,Andrew 30 yd field goal 10 plays, 68 yards, TOP 03:59
KSU 3, TAM 10
TAM - Small,Seth 49 yd field goal 5 plays, 15 yards, TOP 01:12
KSU 3, TAM 13
TAM - Small,Seth 36 yd field goal 9 plays, 47 yards, TOP 04:03
KSU 3, TAM 20
TAM - O'Neal,Leon 85 yd interception (Small,Seth kick)
KSU 3, TAM 27
TAM - Achane,Devon 63 yd run (Small,Seth kick), 5 plays, 82 yards, TOP 02:25
KSU 3, TAM 34
TAM - Smith,Ainias 14 yd pass from King,Haynes (Small,Seth kick) 7 plays, 53 yards, TOP 03:12
KSU 10, TAM 34
KSU - Schlee,Collin 1 yd run (Glass,Andrew kick), 10 plays, 75 yards, TOP 03:04
KSU 10, TAM 41
TAM - Achane,Devon 1 yd run (Small,Seth kick), 4 plays, 44 yards, TOP 01:57
