Golden Flashes Dominate Zips in Second Half to Defend the Wheel in 35-20 Win

Saturday, October 24

Kent, Ohio

1 PM

Kent State University

3-5 , 2-2

University of Akron

1-7 , 0-4

Team	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final F
Akron	7	0	10	3	20
Kent St.	0	7	14	14	35

Kent State football players in light blue uniforms celebrating while holding up the Wagon Wheel trophy.

10/24/2026 5:46:00 PM | Football

Box Score

KENT, Ohio – Dru DeShields accounted for five total touchdowns to lead Kent State past rival Akron 35-20 Saturday afternoon at Dix Stadium. With the victory, the Golden Flashes kept the Wagon Wheel home and secured their second straight win over the Zips, improving to 3-5 overall and 2-2 in MAC play, while Akron fell to 1-7 and 0-4 in conference action.

Akron struck first midway through the opening quarter on a 6-yard touchdown run by Jordan Gant to take a 7-0 lead. Kent State responded late in the second quarter when DeShields orchestrated an eight-play, 77-yard drive, capping the march with a 1-yard touchdown pass to Wayne Harris with just 36 seconds remaining in the half to tie the score at 7-7 entering the locker room.

The Zips reclaimed the lead early in the third quarter on another Gant touchdown run, but the Flashes answered immediately as DeShields connected with Harris for a 55-yard touchdown strike to knot the game at 14-14. After an Akron field goal, Kent State seized its first lead of the afternoon on a four-play, 75-yard drive when DeShields found Hunter Hopperton for a 2-yard touchdown pass, the first touchdown catch of Hopperton's collegiate career, making it 21-17 entering the final period. In the fourth quarter, Norey Johnson intercepted a pass, and Tanner Mintz recovered a muffed kickoff, setting up back-to-back Flashes scores: a 19-yard touchdown pass to Harris and a 1-yard touchdown rush by DeShields to push the advantage to 35-17. A late Akron field goal sealed the final 35-20 margin.

Harris was remarkable on the afternoon, setting a new career high with three receiving touchdowns as part of a nine-reception, 156-yard performance. It marked the first time a Golden Flash recorded three touchdown catches in a single game since Chrishon McCray accomplished the feat against Ball State in 2024. Brandon White added versatility to the attack with 44 rushing yards and 67 receiving yards, highlighted by a 52-yard catch, while Brendyn Smith hauled in a 41-yard reception.

DeShields finished 18-of-33 for 294 yards and four passing touchdowns, while adding a rushing touchdown to complete his second career five-touchdown game against the rival Zips. Kent State generated 376 total yards of offense, converted 4-of-11 third downs, and was disciplined throughout, committing just three penalties for 35 yards.

Defensively, Josue Cordoba led the unit with 10 total tackles. Hayden Dawahare was a force in the backfield, racking up eight tackles, including two sacks for 22 yards lost. Angelo Stockstill and Rocco Nicholl recorded five stops apiece, while Jaihien Roy added a sack. Johnson provided the key fourth-quarter interception, and Mintz recovered the crucial fumble on special teams to help lock down the victory.

UP NEXT: Golden Flashes travel to play Sacramento State in their first-ever meeting on Friday, October 30.

Game Highlights

DRU TO WAYNE FOR THE SCORE! KSU - 7 TSDTR - 7 ?? https://t.co/sJxzWSeWHB ?? https://t.co/4ZZywBCn1x ?? https://t.co/2cep5rpjF9 #GoFlashes?? | #HAB1TS https://t.co/4gaAViuGWR
— Kent State Football (@KentStFootball) October 24, 2026

SIX FOR SIX! Wayne Harris to the house! KSU - 14 TSDTR - 14 ?? https://t.co/sJxzWSfux9 ?? https://t.co/4ZZywBCUR5 ?? https://t.co/2cep5rpRuH #GoFlashes?? | #HAB1TS https://t.co/E6ND95SA9G
— Kent State Football (@KentStFootball) October 24, 2026

Dru to Hop! Flashes take the lead! KSU - 21 TSDTR - 17 ?? https://t.co/sJxzWSfux9 ?? https://t.co/4ZZywBCUR5 ?? https://t.co/2cep5rpRuH #GoFlashes?? | #HAB1TS https://t.co/F8liXObqdV
— Kent State Football (@KentStFootball) October 24, 2026

JAIHIEN ROY FOR THE SACK! KSU - 21 TSDTR - 17 ?? https://t.co/sJxzWSeWHB ?? https://t.co/4ZZywBCn1x ?? https://t.co/2cep5rpjF9 #GoFlashes?? | #HAB1TS https://t.co/TLCCFRgvLW
— Kent State Football (@KentStFootball) October 24, 2026

THAT'S OURS! Norey Johnson with the interception! KSU - 21 TSDTR - 17 ?? https://t.co/sJxzWSfux9 ?? https://t.co/4ZZywBCUR5 ?? https://t.co/2cep5rpRuH #GoFlashes?? | #HAB1TS https://t.co/INRX3y44nm
— Kent State Football (@KentStFootball) October 24, 2026

Hat Trick Harris! ?? KSU - 28 TSDTR - 17 ?? https://t.co/sJxzWSfux9 ?? https://t.co/4ZZywBCUR5 ?? https://t.co/2cep5rpRuH #GoFlashes?? | #HAB1TS https://t.co/YTzpjzpF6G
— Kent State Football (@KentStFootball) October 24, 2026

Special teams, special plays, special players! ?? KSU - 28 TSDTR - 17 ?? https://t.co/sJxzWSeWHB ?? https://t.co/4ZZywBCn1x ?? https://t.co/2cep5rpjF9 #GoFlashes?? | #HAB1TS https://t.co/lwc4bSqlvI
— Kent State Football (@KentStFootball) October 24, 2026

Anotha one! Dru DeShields takes it himself for a touchdown. KSU - 35 TSDTR - 17 ?? https://t.co/sJxzWSeWHB ?? https://t.co/4ZZywBCn1x ?? https://t.co/2cep5rpjF9 #GoFlashes?? | #HAB1TS https://t.co/CTqGYslAB8
— Kent State Football (@KentStFootball) October 24, 2026

It's a movie and it's HD! Hayden Dawahare with the sack! KSU - 35 TSDTR - 17 ?? https://t.co/sJxzWSeWHB ?? https://t.co/4ZZywBCn1x ?? https://t.co/2cep5rpjF9 #GoFlashes?? | #HAB1TS https://t.co/6bf0IPYliL
— Kent State Football (@KentStFootball) October 24, 2026

Post Game Press Conference

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