Kent State University
University of Akron
10/23/2026 3:49:00 PM | Football
KENT, Ohio — Kent State football returns home to Dix Stadium on Saturday afternoon, squaring off against arch-rival Akron for a 1 p.m. MAC matchup with the historic Wagon Wheel on the line. The Flashes (2-5, 1-2 MAC) enter looking to defend the trophy after last year's thrilling 42-35 overtime victory in Akron, while the Zips (1-6, 0-3 MAC) arrive seeking their first conference win of the season. With rivalry supremacy and momentum in the conference race hanging in the balance, Saturday's 69th meeting carries real weight for both Northeast Ohio programs.
Kent State Offense
Dru DeShields has been the steady focal point of the Flashes' offense through seven games, completing 106 of 185 passes for 1,145 yards and four touchdowns while adding 189 rushing yards and three scores on 58 carries, generating 190.6 yards of total offense per game, fourth in the MAC.
Wayne Harris and Da'Realyst Clark remain Kent State's primary pass-catching options. Harris leads the unit with 31 receptions for 396 yards and a touchdown, averaging 56.6 receiving yards per game (fifth in the MAC). Clark adds 22 receptions for 273 yards and a score, alongside 224 kickoff return yards on 14 attempts. Ardell Banks stretches defenses vertically, averaging 22.9 yards per catch on nine receptions for 206 yards, while Brendyn Smith has contributed seven catches for 95 yards and a touchdown. Mason King leads the ground attack out of the backfield with 202 yards and a score on 52 carries, complemented by Brandon White's 191 yards on 57 attempts.
Where Kent State must clean up its act is in minimizing self-inflicted mistakes: 11 total turnovers rank ninth in the MAC, and 65 penalties for 487 yards (69.6 yards per game) rank last in the conference. However, Saturday presents an opportunity: Akron's defense surrenders 200.4 rushing yards per game (11th in the MAC and 129th nationally) and 417.7 total yards per game (12th in the MAC and 122nd nationally), giving the Flashes a favorable environment to establish a balanced offensive rhythm.
Kent State Defense
The Flashes' defense remains the most dependable unit on the roster, anchored by efficient third-down containment. Kent State holds opponents to a 34.21 percent third-down conversion rate, third in the conference and 45th nationally, which has consistently kept the Flashes competitive. The pass rush fuels that success with 16 sacks through seven games at 2.29 per game, ranking third in the MAC and 52nd nationally.
Hayden Dawahare leads the defense with 35 tackles (18 solo), 5.0 tackles for loss, and 2.0 sacks across six appearances. Joel Cordoba (33 tackles) and Rocco Nicholl (33 tackles, 5.0 TFLs, 3.0 sacks) co-anchor the Dark Side Defense, while Jaihien Roy provides continuous backfield disruption with 3.0 sacks, four quarterback hurries, and an interception. In the secondary, Rafael Terrero Jr. provides big-play dynamic with a 63-yard pick-six, joining Tanner Mintz and Norey Johnson with interceptions on the season.
Stopping Akron's ground game will be the priority on early downs. Jordan Gant leads the Zips with 99 carries for 456 yards and four touchdowns at a 4.6-yard average (65.1 yards per game, fourth in the MAC), supported by Sean Patrick's 221 rushing yards on 41 carries (5.4 YPC). Akron's protection has struggled, surrendering 19 sacks on the season at 2.71 per game (13th in the MAC and 116th nationally), creating a major matchup advantage for Kent State's front seven to force long-yardage situations.
Special Teams
Jake Stoeckel has consistently managed field position, averaging 42.83 yards per punt across 30 attempts with 11 pinned inside the opponent's 20-yard line, eighth in the MAC and 45th nationally. Sean Leonard has converted a 53-yard field goal and remains perfect on extra points (9-for-9) on the season.
Akron's kicker Matthew Schramm is 5-of-9 on field goals with a long of 40 yards, while punter Joseph Castle averages 41.63 yards per attempt. Return specialist Brandon Hills poses a distinct danger, averaging 26.7 yards per kickoff return, second in the MAC and seventh nationally. Punt returner Sean Patrick adds 6.3 yards per return (first in the MAC). Kent State's coverage units must remain disciplined in coverage lanes to avoid giving up easy field position.
Scouting Akron
Quarterback Brayden Roggow directs the passing offense, having completed 92 of 157 passes for 1,068 yards, seven touchdowns, and nine interceptions with a 121.0 passer rating (fifth in the MAC). Dual-threat quarterback Cibastian Broughton has provided a spark in three games, completing 80.3 percent of his passes (53-of-66) for 380 yards and four scores while rushing for 170 yards. Primary target Marcel Williams leads the Zips with 31 catches for 332 yards and three touchdowns (47.4 YPG, 10th in the MAC), complemented by Kyan Mason (18 catches, 205 yards), Miles Burris (17 catches, 169 yards, 1 TD), and Elijah Alexander (15 catches, 132 yards, 3 TDs).
Defensively, Akron surrenders 32.43 points per game (11th in the MAC and 124th nationally) and allows 417.7 total yards per contest (12th in the MAC and 122nd nationally). Linebacker Donelius Johnson leads the conference and ranks 10th nationally with 67 tackles (9.6 per game). Dwight Nunoo (40 tackles) and Tairan Davis (35 tackles, 1 INT) solidify the defense, while Dahvon Frazier has recovered two fumbles (first in the MAC and third nationally). Ball security is an ongoing issue for the Zips, who carry a -0.86 turnover margin (12th in the MAC) with 13 lost turnovers.
Kickoff is scheduled for 1:02 p.m., and tickets can be purchased here.
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