Kent State falls to Akron on OT gamble
Flashes go for win, fail to convert
By Don Knotts | @theotherdonknotts | November 21, 2024, 9:16am EDT
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24 |OT| 23
Tuesday November 19th 7:00
Location: Kent, Ohio | Dix Stadium
(7-4/6-1)|00|07|03|07|07|24
(6-5/5-2)|10|00|07|00|06|23
MCCRAY LOOKS IN A TD PASS IN OT
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The game was a back and forth affair with both teams struggling to move the ball at times.
Kent State jumped out to a 10-0 lead in the first quarter via a three yard rushing touchdown by Ky Thomas and a 41 yard field goal by Andrew Glass.
Akron tied the game in the third when Noah Perez added a 41 yard field goal after Ben Finley had found Alex Adams for a 54 yard score in the second quarter.
Kent State went back on top 17-10 late in the third quarter when Tommy Ulatowski took it in himself from three yards out.
Andrew Glass, who missed a 53 yard field goal in the second quarter, had an opportunity to extend the Kent State lead with just under two minutes to play but could not connect on a 22 yard field goal attempt.
Akron's offense moved the ball quickly and Finley connected with Max Whisner for a ten yard touchdown with less than thirty seconds left on the clock. Kent State did manage a first down on a 20 yard Ulatowski pass to Chrishon McCray but ran short on time, sending the game into overtime.
Kent State won the OT coin toss and elected to play defense.
Akron needed just three plays to find the endzone with Charles Kellom scoring on a ten yard run. Perez nailed the extra point and put the Zips up by seven.
After what seemed like the 50th sack of the day on Ulatowski he stood in the pocket and found Hayden Junker for a gain of 24 yards down to the Akron 11 yard line. Ulatowski then connected with Ky Thomas for a gain of seven yard before rolling right and hitting Chrishon McCray for the touchdown. After some debate on the sideline Kent State elected to attempt to put the game away with a two point attempt. Ulatowski was hurried and had his pass batted down, ending the game in an Akron victory.
Kent State drops to 6-5 overall with a MAC record of 5-2 while Akron improves to 7-4 with a 6-1 conference record, putting the Zips in the drivers' seat for a spot in the conference championship game.
Additional Media
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Scoring
1Q KENT K. Thomas 3Yd run (A. Glass kick)
1Q KENT A. Glass 41 Yd FG
2Q AKRN A. Adams 54 Yd pass from B. Finley (N. Perez kick)
3Q AKRN N. Perez 41Yd FG
3Q KENT T. Ulatowski 3 Yd run (A. Glass kick)
4Q AKRN M. Whisner 10 Yd pass from B. Finley (N. Perez kick)
OT AKRN C. Kellom 10 Yd run (N. Perez kick)
OT KENT C. McCray 5 Yd pass from T. Ulatowski (two point failed)
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Key Statistics
Passing - T. Ulatowski 24/46 292Yds 1TD 1Int
Rushing - K. Thomas 24Car 117Yds 1TD, G. Garcia 10Car 21Yds, T. Ulatowski 10Car -11Yds 1TD
Receiving - C. McCray 6Rec 105Yds 1TD, H. Junker 3Rec 61Yds, G. Garcia 2Rec 37Yds
Tackles - N. Giacolone 9, K. Johns 8, M. Folk 8, A. Campbell Jr 8
Sacks - O. Billotte 2.0, N. Giacolone 1.0, S. Daley 1.0, A. Campbell Jr 1.0, J. Jackson 0.5, D. Branch 0.5
Takeaways - D. Branch 1Int, M. Folk 1Int, S. Daley 1FF 2FR
Kicking - A. Glass 1/3FG, 2/2XP
Passing - B. Finley 22/36 324Yds 2TD 2Int
Rushing - C. Kellom 14Car 31Yds 1TD, M. Williams 3Car 12Yds
Receiving - A. Adams 6Rec 134Yds 1TD, A. Norton 5Rec 65Yds, M. Whisner 5Rec 57Yds 1TD
Tackles - D. Jester 12, D. David 11, S. Cooper 11
Sacks - S. Cooper 1.5, L. Lavea 1.0, L. Jackson 1.0, B. Adler 1.0, C. Nunnally IV 0.5
Takeaways - D. Lewis 1Int, J. Anderson 1FF, B. McCoy 1FF 2FR, D. David 1FR
Kicking - N. Perez 1/3FG 3/3XP
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