Flashes season ends after loss in Wagon Wheel Challenge

Senior running back Connor Hundley scores the touchdown for the Akron Zips during the first quarter of the Battle for the Wagon Wheel on Nov. 27, 2015 at InfoCision Stadium. Kent State lost to Akron 20-0.

Stephen Means II

In its final game of the season, Kent State (3-9, 2-6 Mid-American Conference) fell to rival Akron (7-5, 5-3 MAC). In defeat, the Flashes also lost possession of the Wagon Wheel.

As it has been all year, the offensive side of the ball was the Achilles heel for the Flashes, only gaining 135 total yards, including 10 rushing yards, in comparison to 369 yards allowed. The Flashes also turned the ball over three times and completed only 2-of-11 third down attempts. 

The Zips dominated time of possession with 40:59 to 19:01 and were, overall, the more dominate team in every category. 

Senior running back Connor Hundley led the Zips with 98 yards and one touchdown on 22 carries. Sophomore quarterback Thomas Woodson added 140 yards and one touchdown on 11-of-19 passing.

Freshman quarterback George Bollas led the Flashes with 102 yards on 10-of-18 passing.

This marks the third consecutive losing season for Kent State but does have a silver lining of sorts, as the team will return the majority of its key players next season. 

The biggest names will be sophomore cornerback Demetrius Monday and junior defensive end Terence Waugh. Monday totaled six interceptions, including two that he returned for touchdowns while Waugh was amongst the nation’s leaders in total sacks with nine.

Offensively, the Flashes will return both Bollas and junior Colin Reardon at the quarterback position.

Contact Stephen Means II at [email protected].