Kent State's special teams miscues allows Ohio to slip by with 13-10 road win

On a beautiful, sun-splashed Homecoming afternoon in Kent, Ohio, the Ohio Bobcats (3-2, 1-0 MAC) outlasted the Kent State Golden Flashes (2-3, 1-1 MAC) in an evenly matched struggle for supremacy. In a game that saw wild momentum swings and tough-as-nails performances from both teams, Ohio secured the victory with a mere 10 seconds remaining in regulation in this defensive battle.

The first quarter began with KSU limiting damage on a few promising Ohio drives by timely blitzes and good single coverage in the redzone. Ohio was able to score first though after a blocked punt by Caleb Chamberlin gave the 'Cats field position at the KSU 36-yard line on its second possession. A few plays later, former Flash kicker Will Hryszko drilled a 40-yard field goal to give Ohio the early edge, 3-0.

KSU's offense showed some promise on its first drive, ultimately faltering after a 15-yard hands-to-the-face penalty put the Flashes behind the chains. On its first drive of the second quarter, Kent State was able to tie the score 3-3, keyed by a third-and-nine conversion on a pass from QB Dru DeShields to receiver Da'Realyst Clark. Shortly thereafter, kicker Sean Leonard nailed a 24-yard field goal.

Things got spicy as the second quarter wore on, with each team forcing a turnover before Ohio broke through on an unusual touchdown to capture a 10-3 lead. First, KSU continued its bend-but-don't-break defense on the day when, on the eighth play of a promising Bobcats' drive, Kent State DB Derrick Jackson III jarred the ball loose on a short pass to the tight end– recovered and advanced by LB Trey Rubinstein. Not to be outdone by the home team, DeShields' pass was blown up as Ohio safety DJ Walker, the receiver, and the ball all arrived simultaneously and LB Michael Molnar corralled the resulting carom for the pick.

KSU's LB Semaj Bridgeman's subsequent sack and forced fumble seemed to thwart another Bobcat drive, as the ball and bodies tumbled back across midfield with a helmetless Ohio QB Matt Vezza ultimately recovering possession. With Vezza out for a play due to the helmet loss and Ohio offense facing a second-and-30 at its own 48-yard line, QB Levi Davis came in and provided a spark with a 17-yard run, which put the third down marker back in the same zip code. Not to be outdone, Vezza returned and, on the very next play, shocked the home team on a 35-yard touchdown run up the middle.

Like the first half, the teams started the third by trading turnovers, this time with the Golden Flashes coming out on top to tie the score a 10. Bobcat CB Kendall Bannister provided great field position in KSU territory on a diving interception that was upheld on booth review. Four plays later, the 'Cats fortunes ground to a halt courtesy of a fumble forced by defensive lineman Darian Blachewicz, recovered by Bridgeman. Kent State immediately took advantage on the next play, a 47-yard catch and run from QB DeShields to receiver Ardell Banks. Oho regrouped with a valent redzone effort, stonewalling KSU five times inside the five-yard line but, on fourth down, the sixth time was the charm for the Flashes as halfback Mason King's high-powered run cracked the goal line for six.

With multiple opportunities in KSU territory to score on the day and only 10 points to show for it, Ohio went back to backup QB Levi Davis in the hopes of changing up Ohio's spirits. And Davis did just that, driving the Bobcats for what proved to be the winning margin, a 54-yard drive capped by kicker Hryszko's clutch 44-yard attempt.

As it had done all day, the game's back-and-forth action continued. Kent State moved 43 yards in 10 plays to set up a potential 49-yard game-tying field goal– but the try was blocked by LB Jack Fries.

After the failed attempt, the game clock wound furiously, moving through the middle and late fourth quarter with top speed. Ohio, slim lead in hand, was content to send halfbacks Duncan Brune and Victor Rosa between the tackles and move the chains, with an outside run here and there. But with 2:30 remaining on fourth-and-one, KSU's defense stood tall when safety Joel Cordoba, among others, stopped Brune short of the first down to regain possession.

The home team looked destined to take the battle to overtime after DeShields' strike to WR Da'Realyst Clark along the sidelines resulted in a toe-tap grab and first down at the Ohio 23-yard line. Poised to tie things, Kent State's 32-yard field goal attempt however sailed just outside the right goalpost, sending the visitors back to Athens, Ohio as victors.

As hard-fought as this game was for both squads, there will be little time to rest as Ohio hosts a surging Central Michigan team, while Kent State heads to Waldo Stadium to tangle with the Western Michigan Broncos.

Both games are scheduled for kickoff next Saturday afternoon.