Game notes
- Time and date: Tuesday, November 11 at 7:30 p.m. ET
- Network: ESPNU
- Location: InfoCision Stadium — Akron, OH
- Spread: Akron (-5.5)
- Over/under: 46.5
- All-time series: Akron leads, 37-28-2
- Last meeting: Akron 38, Kent State 17 — November 19, 2024
- Current streak: Akron, 2 (2023-24)
Setting the scene
“So, rock me mama like a wagon wheel. Rock me mama any way you feel. Hey… mama rock me. Rock me mama like the wind and the rain. Rock me mama like a southbound train. Hey… mama rock me.”
Darius Rucker,
a noted MAC fan, proclaimed these famous words in his 2013 hit “Wagon Wheel”, and that’s the hardware that will be on the line Tuesday night between Akron and Kent State. The Northeast Ohio schools first clashed in 1923, and the Wagon Wheel trophy was manufactured in anticipation for the 1946 meeting after World War II. They’ve met 67 times in total with Akron having a 9-game lead in the historic series.
This year’s Wagon Wheel hits a bit different as the Zips and Golden Flashes are vastly improved versions of their usual selves. Akron hosts the rivalry at 4-6, aiming for its first 5-win season since 2017. Kent State enters the road environment at 3-6, which is two more wins than it earned in the previous two seasons combined. But one clinches a losing season, while the other triumphantly celebrates with the Wagon Wheel Tuesday night in Akron.
Kent State Golden Flashes outlook
Kent State (3-6, 2-3 MAC) can win ballgames now. That wasn’t necessarily true about the Kent State teams of 2023 and 2024, but the Golden Flashes are 2-3 in MAC play — and they held leads with under two minutes remaining in two of their three conference defeats.
Kent State recently promoted interim head coach Mark Carney to full-time after staging an 18-point comeback at Bowling Green, and last week, the Golden Flashes erased a 10-point deficit before ultimately falling to Ball State. That signifies that Kent State is never truly out of a game, and it has erased a double-digit deficit to capture a lead in three of five MAC contests.
One reason for the Golden Flashes’ sharp year-over-year improvement is quarterback Dru DeShields. The redshirt freshman spent last season recovering from a torn ACL, and the recovery effort is looking good. DeShields has 11 touchdowns to two interceptions at the moment, and he is more than fit to lead an offense which thrives on explosive playmaking. DeShields has completed a pass exceeding 35 yards in all eight starts, delivering three 75+ yard touchdown strikes on the season.
Cade Wolford and Ardell Banks are among his big-play targets with over 20 yards per catch, and Kent State will not shy away from trying the deep ball early in this rivalry atmosphere. The Golden Flashes’ offense does need assistance with the smaller chunk plays though, particularly in the run game. Kent State ranks 131st in the FBS with 87.6 rushing yards per contest, picking up 2.6 yards per carry (third worst in the nation). Generating that ground game through Gavin Garcia is a gateway to puling off the road upset, and Akron’s run defense is 99th in the country in per game allotment.
On defense, Kent State’s stats aren’t great after non-conference thrashings against Texas Tech, Florida State, and Oklahoma. Yet, the unit is in the midst of a strong stretch of MAC play, limiting three of its last four opponents to 21 points or fewer. All 17 Ball State points in last week’s loss were scored on drives accounting for 50 yards or fewer, showing the Golden Flashes’ ability to prevent sustained possessions. The unit relies more on stops than takeaways with only six forced turnovers on the year. Key names to watch include the linebackers Mason Woods and CJ Young, who combine for 133 tackles and 12.5 tackles for loss.
Akron Zips outlook
Akron (4-6, 3-3 MAC) is fresh off its largest margin of victory over an FBS opponent since the 2002 Wagon Wheel game. The Zips defeated UMass by 34 on Midweek MACtion last Tuesday, improving to 4-3 across their last seven games.
The Zips’ offense continues to move forward as the season progresses, scoring 24+ points in three-straight games after starting the year with single-digits in four of its first even. They enjoy the services of veteran quarterback Ben Finley, who has fired multiple touchdown passes in six of his last seven contests — currently ranked fourth in the MAC in passing yards and tied atop the league in touchdowns. While the Zips waver in their passing efficiency, Finley can certainly move the ball downfield in this offense, relying on a deep receiver corps of Kyan Mason, Israel Polk, and Marcel Williams.
Running back Jordan Gant is the best predictor of Akron’s success. When the running back exceeds 100 yards, Akron is 3-0 and 1-6 otherwise. When he exceeds 90 yards, Akron is 4-1 and 0-5 otherwise. Gant is fresh off a 153-yard explosion against UMass, and the junior from Lakeland, FL has crossed the 150-yard threshold three times in a breakout campaign.
Defensively, the Zips enjoyed a stellar week against UMass’ struggling offense, holding the Minutemen to 169 yards and jumping on three loose fumbles — including one on the opening offensive snap. Inside linebacker Gage Summers scored on a fumble recovery last Tuesday, and he’s been an influential force in the defense with 6.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions, and two fumble recoveries. This defense has branded itself as a turnover-happy unit, checking in at 13th in the country and first in the MAC in takeaways.
Along with Summers, defensive backs Malcolm DeWalt IV and Elijah Reed also have two interceptions, while two other players up front — Cyrus Durham and Markus Boswell — have two fumble recoveries. But when Akron isn’t forcing takeaways, the defense can get more iffy, ranking 99th in yards allowed per game. That element of the defense has been masked with eight takeaways in the past two weeks, and Akron looks to maintain that rate of havoc when Kent State rolls into town.
Prediction
This Wagon Wheel matchup likely finishes on the lower-scoring side, following the style of the majority of both participants’ conference games this year. Kent State thrives off long highlight touchdowns, but the Golden Flashes aren’t necessarily experts at sustaining drives, ranking second-to-last in the FBS in third down conversion rate at 26.4 percent. Thus, Akron possesses the offensive advantage in this one, and the Zips’ ability to run the ball makes them more versatile than their fellow Northeast Ohio rival.
After a slow offensive start by both teams, Akron emerges in a somewhat close finish, winning the turnover battle and relying on Jordan Gant to deliver in critical moments.
Prediction: Akron 21, Kent State 16
