Kent State Wins Wagon Wheel in Overtime Thriller
Kent State secured the Wagon Wheel trophy with a dramatic 42-35 overtime victory against Akron at InfoCision Stadium-Summa Field. The game featured a high-stakes back-and-forth battle culminating in a thrilling finish.
Overtime Victory Details
In overtime, Kent State’s quarterback Dru DeShields connected with Ardell Banks on a 25-yard touchdown pass. Will Hryszko then added the extra point, giving the Golden Flashes a 42-35 lead. Akron’s final drive stalled at the Kent State 19-yard line after Ben Finley’s fourth-down pass intended for Conner Cravaack fell incomplete, sealing the win for Kent State.
Akron’s Fourth-Quarter Rally
Akron mounted an impressive comeback in the fourth quarter, erasing an 18-point deficit. Trailing 35-17 early in the period, the Zips scored 18 unanswered points to tie the game and force overtime.
- Finley threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to Marcel Williams.
- Matthew Schramm kicked a 20-yard field goal.
- Finley connected with Israel Polk for a 13-yard touchdown.
- Williams completed a two-point conversion pass back to Finley.
Kent State’s Dominant Third Quarter
Kent State built a strong lead by outscoring Akron 14-0 in the third quarter. DeShields threw touchdown passes of 43 yards to Cade Wolford and seven yards to Terik Mulder. The defense also made a key play with Terrell Miller intercepting a pass and returning it 37 yards.
"Kent State claimed the Wagon Wheel trophy Tuesday night with a 42-35 overtime victory over Akron at InfoCision Stadium-Summa Field, capping a back-and-forth battle that saw the Zips nearly complete a dramatic comeback."
Summary: Kent State edged Akron 42-35 in overtime, with a clutch touchdown pass clinching the Wagon Wheel after Akron’s strong rally nearly overturned an 18-point deficit.