Kent State held a 10-0 lead over North Carolina A&T thanks to the Flashes’ defense and a few timely plays by their offense.

The Flashes had been a force on defense all night, forcing three Aggie turnovers.

Sophomore Jauntez McRae and 5th-year senior Najee Murray each got their first interception of the year, while senior Elcee Refuge picked up his second fumble of the season.

The Flashes have scored all 10 of their points off of turnovers. Senior Nate Holley leads the Flashes with six tackles, while fellow senior Terence Waugh picked up the only Flashes sack.

There was sloppy play early on, though, as the two teams combined for four turnovers, eight penalties, and a combined 3-of-16 third down conversion rate.

Sophomore Shane Hynes opened the scoring with a 20-yard field goal that was set up by the Refuge fumble recovery. Redshirt-freshman Mylik Mitchell added to the scoring when he hit a diving 5th-year senior Brice Fackler from 27 yards out for the score.

It was Mitchell’s first collegiate touchdown pass. Mitchell was impressive in the first half, going 9-of-13 for 96 yards and the aforementioned score. But he ended up limping off the field with about three minutes left in the second quarter after landing awkwardly after a run.

Redshirt-sophomore Lamar Raynard is 7-of-15 with 82 yards and two interceptions for the Aggies, while star senior running back Tarik Cohen added 23 yards on the ground and 31 yards receiving.

The game was delayed a little over two hours due to inclement weather.

Henry Palattella is a sports reporter, contact him at [email protected].