Kent State University
University of Akron
Wagon Wheel Up for Grabs Tuesday Night in Akron
11/10/2025 12:55:00 PM | Football
AKRON, Ohio – The Kent State Golden Flashes (3-6, 2-3 MAC) travel across Summit County to face the Akron Zips (4-6, 3-3 MAC) on Tuesday night at InfoCision Stadium in the Battle for the Wagon Wheel. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. Eastern on ESPNU.
Series History and Rivalry Stakes
This marks the 69th meeting between these bitter in-state rivals, with Akron holding a 38-28-2 edge in the all-time series. The Zips have won the last two contests, including a 38-17 victory earlier in 2024. The coveted Wagon Wheel trophy, symbolizing supremacy in this Northeast Ohio rivalry, has resided in Akron since that defeat, making Tuesday's game critical for Kent State's pride and conference positioning.Â
A Fordham Connection
An intriguing storyline in this rivalry renewal involves the quarterbacks-turned-head-coaches leading both programs. Kent State's Mark Carney and Akron's Joe Moorhead both played quarterback at Fordham, where they left lasting marks on the Rams' record books. Carney ranks fifth all-time with 32 passing touchdowns and tenth with 3,496 passing yards, setting the touchdown record in 2001. Moorhead ranks seventh all-time with 30 passing touchdowns and fifth with 5,925 passing yards. Now they meet as opposing head coaches in a rivalry game, bringing their Fordham pedigree to the MAC battleground.
Flashes Seek to Rebound
Kent State enters Tuesday's contest looking to bounce back from a 17-13 loss at Ball State that dropped its MAC record to 2-3. The Flashes showed resilience earlier in conference play with wins over Massachusetts (42-6) and Bowling Green (24-21), but have struggled to find consistency on the road.
Quarterback Dru DeShields remains one of the MAC's most efficient passers when healthy, posting a 143.8 passer rating that ranks third in the conference. He's completed 57.0% of his passes for 1,321 yards and 11 touchdowns in eight games while ranking first in the MAC in passing yards per completion at 14.05, showcasing the Flashes' big-play capability through the air.
Wide receiver Cade Wolford continues to be Kent State's most dangerous weapon, hauling in 16 receptions for 406 yards and six touchdowns. His 25.38 yards per catch ranks second in the nation.
The ground game features running back Gavin Garcia, who has rushed for 380 yards on 100 attempts with one touchdown. Jordan Nubin has provided solid production when healthy, contributing 210 yards and a score on 62 carries across five games.
Special teams remain a significant weapon for Kent State, as Da'Realyst Clark leads the nation with two kickoff return touchdowns and is fourth in the nation, averaging 29 yards per return. His game-breaking ability provides the Flashes with a constant threat to flip field position or score on any kick.
Defensively, CJ Young paces the unit with 69 total tackles, 6.0 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and one interception. Mason Woods has added 64 tackles, while the Flashes rank tied for first in the MAC in fourth-down conversion percentage defense at just 25.0%, showing their ability to make critical stops.
Akron Looking to Extend Success
The Zips enter with momentum after a convincing 44-10 victory over Massachusetts, improving to 3-3 in MAC play. Akron has won two straight heading into this game.
Quarterback Ben Finley leads the Zips' offense, throwing for 1,875 yards and 15 touchdowns while adding 70 rushing yards and two scores on the ground. His 15 passing touchdowns tie for the MAC lead, making him one of the conference's most productive signal-callers.
Running back Jordan Gant provides Akron with a workhorse, rushing for 850 yards and five touchdowns while averaging a solid 5.0 yards per carry. Gant leads the MAC in rushing yards and ranks third in yards per game at 85.0, anchoring the Zips' ground attack.
The receiving corps features multiple weapons, led by Kyan Mason (418 yards, five touchdowns) and Israel Polk (373 yards, six touchdowns). Both players pose significant vertical threats that the Kent State secondary must account for throughout the game.
Defensively, Akron boasts one of the MAC's top units, ranking fifth in third-down conversion percentage defense (35.7%) and second in red zone defense (72.7%). Shammond Cooper leads with 60 tackles, while Malcom DeWalt IV has been a playmaker in the secondary with two interceptions returned for 34 yards, including one touchdown. The Zips rank tied for first in the MAC with 17 turnovers gained, showcasing their opportunistic nature. Julien Laventure has been particularly disruptive with 10.0 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks.
Keys to the Game
- Protect the football—Kent State cannot afford turnovers against an Akron defense that leads the MAC with 17 takeaways.
- Establish the running game to set up play-action opportunities for DeShields and Wolford's deep shots.
- Win the special teams battle—Clark's return ability must create short fields while coverage units limit Akron's opportunities.
- Generate pressure on Ben Finley while containing the pocket and preventing him from extending plays.
- Control third downs—Akron's defense excels in this area, so Kent State must stay ahead of the chains
- Limit Jordan Gant's effectiveness and force Akron into obvious passing situations
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The two teams kick off at 7:30 p.m. Eastern on Tuesday, November 11, at InfoCision Stadium in Akron, Ohio. The game will be televised nationally on ESPNU with the Wagon Wheel on the line.
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