Ohio (3-2 overall, 1-0 Mid-American Conference) bests Kent State (2-3 overall, 1-1 MAC) in a thrilling and sloppy defensive game dominated by the run game. There were a combined four turnovers in this game as both teams struggled to keep offensive momentum. The Bobcats' 13-10 win over the Golden Flashes is their first road win this year as they also start their first win streak of the season.
Kent State had a strong opening drive after an Ohio punt, but the Golden Flashes' drive was halted after a personal foul penalty put them way behind the sticks. As Kent State's punter went to punt the ball away, Ohio redshirt sophomore safety Caleb Chamberlin was able to get through the Golden Flashes' protection and block the punt, which put the Bobcats in great field position to start their second drive.
A 15-yard rush by returning captain junior running back Duncan Brune was the only big gain this drive for Ohio, as it settled for a 40-yard field goal by graduate student kicker Will Hryszko to put the Bobcats up 3-0.
The Golden Flashes responded very well with a long, grueling drive that ended in a game-tying field goal, making it 3-3. Kent State went 80 yards on 14 plays and took up over six minutes of clock on the drive.
In the middle of another strong drive for Ohio that led it into Kent State territory, a fumble by graduate student tight end Riley Palmeter ended the drive and gave the Golden Flashes some momentum.
Before the fans could even finish celebrating their defensive turnover, redshirt junior Kent State quarterback Drew DeShields threw a tip-drill interception to Ohio’s redshirt senior linebacker Michael Molnar to set the offense up on Kent State’s side of the field.
The Bobcats offense quickly took advantage of the good field position as junior quarterback Matt Vezza scrambled 35 yards to the house while carefully avoiding defenders to score the first touchdown of the game and go up by seven. Both teams got one more drive in the first half, and both drives ended quickly as the game went into halftime 10-3 in favor of Ohio.
On the first play of the second half, DeShields dropped back to pass and threw an interception to redshirt junior cornerback Kendall Bannister to give Ohio another drive starting in Kent State’s territory.
The sloppy offensive play for both teams continued as Vezza fumbled the ball right back to Kent State and spoil the great opportunity for Ohio’s offense.
The Golden Flashes offense made Ohio pay as they marched down the field and scored their first touchdown of the game to tie it at 10 on eight plays, taking up five minutes.
Freshman quarterback Levi Davis entered the game on Ohio’s next drive with Vezza leaving with an injury and never returning. Davis led a run-heavy drive into field goal range to help the Bobcats regain the lead on a 44-yard field goal from Hryszko.
Early in the fourth quarter, Kent State freshman kicker Sean Leonard lined up for a 49-yard field goal to tie it after a strong drive. Ohio’s captain linebacker Jack Fries got past the line of scrimmage and was able to get a hand on the ball, and came up with the very clutch block to keep the Bobcats out front.
Both teams traded punts, taking up five minutes and leaving the ball in the hands of Davis with the lead and 5:44 left on the clock. Ohio ran the ball seven straight times to take three minutes off the clock and put the Bobcats in Kent State territory.
Brune got stopped on a fourth-and-one run up the middle, giving the Golden Flashes the ball with two and a half minutes left.
Kent State immediately converted a fourth down to start its drive. After the slow start to the drive, the Golden Flashes marched down the field very quickly. They only needed a field goal to tie it, but they had enough time to go for the game-winning touchdown.
Kent State's head coach Mark Carney appeared to disagree as extremely conservative play calling led to Kent State attempting an easy field goal to tie it and send the game to overtime.
Leonard missed the 32-yard field goal wide right as Ohio sealed the big road win against Kent State to open up its conference play.
Ohio is back home next week for its first MAC game at home against Central Michigan. The Bobcats will be celebrating Homecoming next week against the Chippewas as they also try to protect their historic win streak in Peden.
