Kent State University
University of Akron
Flashes Look to Make it Five Straight in Wagon Wheel Rivalry
10/31/2023 3:10:00 PM | Football
KENT- The Golden Flashes will look to make it five straight in annual Wagon Wheel rivalry game as they face the rival Akron Zips at InfoCision Stadium on Wednesday night.
Kick-off is set for 7:30 p.m. and will air on ESPN U. Fans can also tune into the Kent State Radio Network as Rob Polinsky, Tom Evans and Dane Richardson will have the call with the pre-game show starting at 7 p.m.
The Flashes lead the Wagon Wheel rivalry 27-24-1 and have won each of the last four meetings. Kent State outlasted the Zips 33-27 last season at Dix Stadium. Two seasons ago, Kent State shutout the Zips 39-0 at InfoCision Stadium.
The unique rivalry trophy is a nod to John Buchtel who in 1870 was looking for a place to start a university in northeast Ohio. In a swampy bog, Buchtel's wagon wheel snapped after getting stuck in the mud. Buchtel went on to found Buchtel College (now Akron). In 1945, Kent State dean Raymond Manchester found and donated the wheel to serve asthe rivalry trophy for the school. The wheel is painted the colors of the winning school and displayed in a neutral location behind one of the end zones during the game.
Wednesday night's game will feature on of the MAC's best rushing defenses in Kent State, who allow 119 yards per game on the ground (good for second in the MAC) and one of the best pass defenses in the MAC in Akron (allowing 149 yards per game, also good for second).
Jaylen Thomas will look to continue his solid conference play against the Zips. Since getting the start against Ohio, Thomas has been one of the MAC's rushing leaders, averaging over 75 yards a contest. He will look to exploit a Zips' run defense that has allowed over 200 yards per game on the ground through four MAC games. Chrishon McCray will challenge the Zips' secondary as he leads the MAC in reception (26) and yards per game (80).
The Zips will likely have Jeff Undercuffler under center on Wednesday. He's teamed with Tahj Bullock to combine for over 160 yards per game in the air. The duo tosses to a balanced receiving corps that has four players with 20-plus catches. Daniel George leads the team with 31 receptions, Alex Adams leads with a pair of touchdowns. Lorenzo Lingard is the top rusher, averaging five yards per carry and a tick under 50 yards a game.
Brian McCoy leads the defense with 73 tackles out of the linebacker position. McCoy is one of three players with 50 or more tackles. CJ Nunnally paces the defense with five sacks and five quarterback hurries.
Wednesday's game is the first of two mid-week "MACtion" games for the Flashes. Kent State is back at home next Wednesday to host Bowling Green, kick time is set for 7 or 7:30 p.m.
