Kent, OH- The latest rendition of the Battle for the Wagon Wheel brought the Akron Zips (2-8) to Kent to close out the Golden Flashes (0-10) home slate. Kent State entered the evening carrying the weight of the nation's longest FBS losing streak at 19.
Akron WR Adrian Norton prior to Tuesday Nights match-up. Photo by Lucas Cochran
In last season's Battle, the Flashes looked poised to bring the Wheel with them as they traversed the roughly 10 miles that separate the campuses. That changed when star Wide Receiver Chrishon McCray went down with a leg injury. Akron overcame a 27-10 deficit in the 4th quarter to defeat the Flashes for the first time since 2018.
Kent State WR Chrishon McCray prior to Tuesday Night's game. Photo: Lucas Cochran
As for the 2024 game, the scoring got started early as Tommy Ulatowski found WR Luke Floriea down the left sideline for an 80-yard catch and run for the game's first score a minute and 29 seconds in.
The Zips answered on the ensuing drive with a 43-yard field goal off the foot of Garrison Smith. Following a Kent State 3 and out, Akron QB Ben Finley found WR Adrian Norton for a 36-yard gain to set up 1st and goal from the 3. Coach Joe Moorehead turned to the fleetfooted QB Tahj Bullock to finish the drive, keeping it on the 3-yard rush to give the Zips a 10-7 lead with 4:15 remaining in the opening quarter.
In the early stages of the 2nd quarter, the Zips were able to increase their lead on a 13-yard touchdown scamper by Charles Kellom. Kent was able to shrink the Zips advantage to 17-10 on a 40-yard Will Hryszko field goal with 8:35 left in the half. Akron marched the ball down into the red zone once more, but the Kent defense was able to hold them to a 26-yard Smith field goal.
Following a Kent State punt that was downed at the Akron 1, the Zips took over possession with a 10-point lead and 1:43 remaining on the 2nd quarter clock. A big run by Jordon Simmons of 59 yards changed the Zip mindset for the drive. They were able to get the ball into the red zone and ultimately tacked on another Garrison Smith field goal as the 1st half clock expired, extending the Zip lead to 23-10 at the break.
Akron opened the 2nd half receiving the kick and promptly marched the length of the field, capping the drive with another Tahj Bullock QB keeper for the score, this time from 8 yards out. Following a fruitless Flashes drive, the Zips added to their lead when Ben Finley found WR Jarvis Rush for a 36-yard touchdown. The Zips went for the 2-point conversion and were successful, extending their lead to 38-10 with 4:17 left in the 3rd.
In the 4th, Kent was able to cut into the Zip lead with a 37-yard touchdown pass from Ultaowski to McCray. The PAT made it 38-17, which was the final score in the 67th edition of the rivalry. Akron now leads the series 37-28-2.
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