Kent State University
0-7 , 0-3
Bowling Green
3-4 , 2-1
Flashes Fall Despite Explosive Day by Thomas
10/19/2024 7:36:00 PM | Football
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio – A season-high rushing performance from Ky Thomas fueled the Flashes, but it was not enough as Kent State suffered a 27-6 defeat in the first MAC road test of the season.
Thomas recorded a final tally of 121 rushing yards in just 14 rushing attempts, surpassing his previous season high of 67 yards in last week's contest with Ball State. Thomas started the game hot, totaling 80 rushing yards in the first quarter alone and driving the Flashes down the field for kicker Will Hryzsko's first career field goal from 37 yards out on the second offensive possession of the game to knot the score at 3-3. After ten unanswered points by the Falcons, Hryzsko converted his second field goal of the game to cut the lead to 13-6 with under three minutes remaining in the first half. Following a successful two-minute drill by Bowling Green, the Flashes entered halftime with a 20-6 deficit.
The Flashes' defense held an explosive Bowling Green offense to just seven second-half points, forcing two turnovers-on-downs with clutch fourth-down stops. While the offense was able to get the running game going with Thomas, Kent State struggled to gain momentum through the air after huge performances by Chrishon McCray and Luke Floriea in the previous two games. A low-scoring second half saw the Flashes fall by a final score of 27-6.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Flashes were led by Kameron Olds, who tied his career high of sacks with two. Rocco Nicholl led Kent State with ten tackles, while Josh Baka set a new career high with nine tackles. Josh Smith played a key role in the field position battle for the Flashes, netting a season-high punting average of 48.6 yards and pinning the Falcons inside the 20-yard line three times.
The Flashes remain on the road next Saturday, October 26, as they travel to Kalamazoo, Michigan to take on Western Michigan at 3:30 p.m.
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Team Stats
KSU 0, BG 3
BG - Long,Zach 32 yd field goal 9 plays, 84 yards, TOP 04:37
KSU 3, BG 3
KSU - Hryszko,Will 37 yd field goal 6 plays, 65 yards, TOP 02:09
KSU 3, BG 10
BG - Johnson Jr.,Malcolm 50 yd pass from Bazelak,Connor (Long,Zach kick) 5 plays, 75 yards, TOP 01:54
KSU 3, BG 13
BG - Long,Zach 25 yd field goal 8 plays, 60 yards, TOP 03:39
KSU 6, BG 13
KSU - Hryszko,Will 30 yd field goal 9 plays, 51 yards, TOP 03:56
KSU 6, BG 20
BG - Anderson III,Lucian 2 yd run (Long,Zach kick), 10 plays, 73 yards, TOP 02:16
KSU 6, BG 27
BG - Johnson,Jamal 7 yd pass from Bazelak,Connor (Long,Zach kick) 9 plays, 63 yards, TOP 05:36
