Akron dominates rival Kent State to retain Wagon Wheel.
By Cameron Palmer
KENT- Akron took down host and rival Kent State, 38-17, to retain the Wagon Wheel trophy on Tuesday.
Akron has been prepping for the date with arch-rival Kent State since summer camp and showed out with 527 rushing yards to pummel the Golden Flashes.
“We did a nice job emphasizing how important this one is,” said Akron head coach Joe Moorhead. “The last period of every practice is the ‘Wagon Wheel Period,’ regardless of who we play. We don’t over-prepare for any game differently, but I told the guys there’s something special about a rivalry game.”
Kent State drew first blood with a Tommy Ulatowski 80-yard touchdown pass to Luke Floriea to jump on top.
“Those first few plays of the game are scripted,” said Kent State head coach Kenni Burns. “We knew we could get Luke free with a switch route, and we executed and got the game started the right way.”
A trifecta of Golden Flashes penalties and a nine-yard dash by Jordon Simmons set up a Garrison Smith 43-yard field goal to get Akron on the board.
Adrian Norton caught a pass for 10 yards, then another for 36 more to set up a Tahj Bullock three-yard rushing touchdown, giving the Zips a 10-7 lead.
Finley started the next Akron drive with a 19-yard connection to Charles Kellom, with another connection to Norton for 20 more yards.
Finley picked up 15 yards on the ground before Kellom polished off the drive with a 13-yard dash to paydirt for a 17-7 Zips lead.
Ulatowski answered with a 45-yard dime to Chrishon McCray, leading to a 40-yard field goal by Will Hryszko.
Simmons ripped off another 20-yard dash, Israel Polk pulled in a pass for 16 yards, and Norton hauled in an 11-yard pass from Finley.
Smith capped the drive with a 26-yard field goal for a 20-10 lead.
Simmons ripped off a 59-yard burst to flip the field, and another Polk 11-yard catch set up a Smith 27-yard field goal to cap off a 23-10 Akron halftime lead.
Norton’s 12-yard reception set up Bullock’s eight-yard trip to paydirt for his second score of the night.
Kellom started with carries for nine and 22 yards, respectively. Finley capped the drive with a 36-yard passing touchdown to Jarvis Rush, and Kellom converted the two-point conversion for a 38-10 lead.
Kent State found paydirt again with a 37-yard touchdown strike from Ulatowski to McCray.
A CJ Young fumble recovery and a subsequent 12-yard catch by Florida set up the McCray touchdown catch.
From a 10-7 first-quarter lead to a 38-10 advantage heading into the fourth quarter, Akron turned it on in the second and third quarters to salt away victory.
“We talked about defining and preparing our response to adversity and our response to prosperity all week,” Moorhead said. “When things go well, we have to keep the hammer down, and when things go poorly, we can’t panic. I thought we showed good composure after that first (Kent State) touchdown.”
The Zips had a pair of running backs go for over 100 yards on the ground.
“This offensive system has a long and storied tradition of running the ball successfully,” Moorhead said. “It’s been difficult for us; it’s something we needed to fix and get better. I think it has over the past few games.”
Simmons totaled 113 rushing yards on 11 carries, and Kellom racked up 104 yards on 19 rushes with a touchdown.
“Me and (Charles Kellom) have a big relationship,” said Jordon Simmons. “We support each other; I feel like we have a brotherhood supporting each other on and off the field.”
Kellom added: “We have a great bond; if one of us succeeds, we both succeed. The offensive line did great today; we’re happy we got this win.”
The coveted Wagon Wheel trophy stays in Akron with the Zips for the second year.
“It means a lot because this game means a lot,” Moorhead said. “To get our third win of the year and our second conference win. Both haven’t happened since 2018 and to keep the (Wagon Wheel) is something we emphasized a lot this year.”
Finley connected on 14-of-29 passes for 250 yards with a touchdown, and Norton hauled in five passes for 107 yards. Brian McCoy led the defense with eight total tackles.
Kent State has lost its 20th straight game since last season but can end the season on a high note against Buffalo next week.
“I’m disappointed for our seniors. I love and appreciate those guys for everything they’ve done for Kent State,” Burns said. “We have to find a way to finish strong and get the last one for them.”
Ky Thomas led Kent State with 55 yards on 13 carries, and Ulatowski completed 12-of-20 passes for 224 yards with two touchdowns and one interception.
McCray totaled 116 scrimmage yards on four touches with a receiving touchdown, and Floriea caught three passes for 98 yards and a touchdown.
Akron wraps up its season against Toledo, and Kent State battles Buffalo.
Photos by Joslyn Harsh and Shawn Troyer