KENT — The Wagon Wheel rivalry game between the Kent State and Akron football teams produced high drama last year, and now the 2026 Golden Flashes are looking to maintain an upper hand against the Zips.
Last season, Kent State prevailed 42-35 in overtime of an instant classic at Akron’s InfoCision Stadium. This time, the Mid-American Conference neighbors are clashing at KSU’s Dix Stadium.
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Wagon Wheel game: Five things to know about Akron-Kent State football rivalry
Kickoff between Kent State (2-5, 1-2) and Akron (1-6, 0-3) occurred shortly after 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24. Updates will be here throughout the game:
Special teams plays backfire on Akron Zips vs. Kent State football. KSU capitalizes twice to seize 35-17 lead in fourth quarter
Facing fourth-and-9 at its own 21-yard line, Akron attempted a fake punt, but it didn’t work out for the Zips. Punter Joseph Castle looked to pass during the trick play, but he must not have seen anyone open because he took off to run. Kent State’s Ezekiel Castex tackled Castle for a turnover on downs with 7:34 left in the fourth quarter.
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Kent State took possession and scored three plays later. Quarterback Dru DeShields rolled right and connected with wide receiver Wayne Harris for a 19-yard touchdown pass. With a successful extra point by Tommy Newcomb, KSU built a 28-17 lead.
Then Akron running back Luke Reed muffed the ensuing kickoff. Kent State linebacker Tanner Mintz recovered at the UA 13. KSU took advantage when DeShields rushed for a 1-yard touchdown on second-and-goal. Another extra-point kick put the Golden Flashes ahead 35-17 with 4:54 remaining in the fourth quarter.
Akron and Kent State trade turnovers in fourth quarter
Kent State running back Brandon White lost a fumble in the red zone, giving Akron a spark. For the Zips, defensive back Tairan Davis Jr. forced the fumble, and safety Rodrick Hunter recovered it at the UA 18-yard line with 12:02 left in the fourth quarter.
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But on the ensuing possession, Akron quarterback Brayden Roggow threw deep, and Kent State safety Norey Johnson intercepted the pass. Johnson returned to UA’s 48 with 9:57 left in the fourth quarter.
Kent State leads Akron 21-17 at the end of the third quarter
Through three quarters, Kent State led Akron 21-17.
Kent State fires back and takes 21-17 lead vs. Akron in third quarter
The second half has been a back-and-forth affair.
On the series after Akron took a three-point lead, Kent State responded and seized a 21-17 advantage with 1:12 left in the third quarter. It was KSU’s first lead.
On second-and-goal, quarterback Dru DeShields capped a five-play, 75-yard drive with a 2-yard touchdown pass to tight end Hunter Hopperton. Tommy Newcomb made the extra-point kick.
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Earlier during the same series, KSU running back Brandon White gained 52 yards on a screen to put the Golden Flashes in the red zone.
Akron regains lead with 40-yard field goal in third quarter vs. Kent State
Akron took a 17-14 lead when Aidan Stire made a 40-yard field goal with 2:37 left in the third quarter.
UA produced a 10-play, 48-yard drive a series after Kent State tied the score 14-14.
Wayne Harris turns tipped pass into magical touchdown, and Kent State ties score 14-14 in third quarter
After falling behind to start the third quarter, Kent State countered with its first possession of the second half.
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On first-and-10 at the KSU 45-yard line, wide receiver Wayne Harris caught a pass from quarterback Dru DeShields after Akron defensive end Cyrus Durham tipped it near the line of scrimmage. Harris then broke free for a 55-yard touchdown with 6:27 left in the third quarter. Kent State tied the score 14-14 when Tommy Newcomb made the extra-point kick.
Harris has caught two touchdown passes, and Akron’s Jordan Gant has rushed for two touchdowns.
Kent State standout return man and wide receiver Da’Realyst Clark enters game in third quarter after sitting out first half
Kent State standout Da’Realyst Clark entered the game as a kickoff returner and wide receiver in the third quarter.
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Clark stood on the sideline in full uniform and did not play during the first half.
Akron runs all over Kent State to begin second half, with Jordan Gant’s touchdown giving Zips 14-7 lead
Coming out of halftime, Akron produced a 12-play, 77-yard scoring drive to capture the lead.
Running back Jordan Gant rushed for a 5-yard touchdown on third-and-2, and Aidan Stire made the extra-point kick. The sequence gave Akron a 14-7 lead with 8:47 left in the third quarter.
Led by Gant, Akron rushed for 47 yards on the 77-yard TD drive.
Akron vs. Kent State score tied 7-7 at halftime
The score between Akron and Kent State was tied 7-7 at halftime.
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Kent State had a 13-10 edge in first downs at halftime, but Akron outgained KSU 204 yards to 202 yards in the first half.
Kent State quarterback Dru DeShields went 11-of-22 passing for 150 yards and a touchdown in the first half. Wide receiver Wayne Harris had six catches on 10 targets for 76 yards and a TD through two quarters.
Akron quarterback Brayden Roggow went 6-of-12 passing for 105 yards in the first half. Wide receiver Kyan Mason caught three passes on six targets for 64 yards through two quarters. UA running back Jordan Gant rushed 12 times for 79 yards (6.6 average) and a TD in the first half.
Kent State ties score 7-7 late in first half vs. Akron
Kent State quarterback Dru DeShields connected with wide receiver Wayne Harris for a 26-yard gain to the Akron 1.
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Facing third-and-goal three plays later, DeShields looked as if he might be sacked, yet he flipped a 1-yard touchdown pass to Harris with 36 seconds left in the second quarter. Tommy Newcomb made the extra-point kick to tie the score 7-7.
Kent State defense holds, and Akron misses 41-yard field goal with 3:29 left in second quarter
Akron marched to the Kent State 13-yard line, but a holding penalty called on center Colin Lyons crushed UA’s momentum.
The Zips ended up counting on kicker Aidan Stire for a 41-yard field goal, but his attempt missed wide right with 3:29 left in the first half. Akron still led Kent State 7-0 instead of going ahead 10-0.
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Kent State misses field goal with 9:06 left in second quarter and remains scoreless vs. Akron Zips football
Sparked by a 41-yard gain on a flea-flicker pass from quarterback Dru DeShields to wide receiver Brendyn Smith, Kent State made its second trip of the game to the red zone.
However, the Golden Flashes stalled at the UA 14-yard line and summoned kicker Tommy Newcomb for a 32-yard field goal. Newcomb’s attempt missed wide right with 9:06 left in the second quarter, and Akron maintained its 7-0 lead.
Akron defense forces turnover on downs with Kent State in red zone
Early in the second quarter, Kent State went for it on fourth-and-3 at the Akron 12-yard line instead of kicking a short field goal.
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The gamble did not pay off for the Golden Flashes.
Wide receiver Ardell Banks caught a short pass from quarterback Dru DeShields, but Akron defensive back Caiden Newsome forced Banks out of bounds at the 11. The play resulted in a 1-yard gain and a turnover on downs with 14:50 left in the second quarter.
Akron leads Kent State 7-0 at the end of the first quarter
Akron led Kent State 7-0 at the end of the first quarter.
Kent State will begin the second quarter facing third-and-3 at the UA 12-yard line.
Jordan Gant rushes for 6-yard touchdown. Akron takes 7-0 lead vs. Kent State
On third-and-goal, Akron running back Jordan Gant rushed for a 6-yard touchdown with 6:25 left in the first quarter. Aidan Stire made the extra-point kick, and the Zips went ahead 7-0.
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Akron produced a 10-play, 91-yard drive on its first possession.
The officials did not initially rule Gant had reached the end zone to score a TD, but a replay review confirmed he did.
Akron Zips quarterback Brayden Roggow continues to start for Zips
Quarterback Brayden Roggow continued to start for Akron, even though QB Cibastian Broughton is in uniform for UA’s game against Kent State. Broughton had been sidelined with a leg injury since Sept. 19 against Minnesota.
Akron marched into the red zone on its first possession. During a timeout with 6:51 left in the first quarter, UA faced second-and-goal at the 6.
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Kent State’s first drive stalls and Da’Realyst Clark on sideline
Kent State won the pregame coin toss and elected to receive the opening kickoff. Standout returner and wide receiver Da’Realyst Clark was not in the game as a returner for the opening kickoff or as a wide receiver during KSU’s first possession. Clark is on KSU’s sideline.
The Golden Flashes marched to their own 48-yard line, where quarterback Dru DeShields attempted to run on third-and-9. He was stopped for a 1-yard gain, and KSU punted.
Below is some pregame information.
Kent State QB Dru DeShields and other key Golden Flashes players
Dru DeShields is in his second season as Kent State’s starting quarterback. Through seven games this season, he went 106-of-185 passing (57.3%) for 1,145 yards and four touchdowns with six interceptions. He also rushed 58 times for 189 net yards and three TDs.
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Wayne Harris (31 catches for 396 yards and one TD) and Da’Realyst Clark (22 catches for 273 yards and one TD) are KSU’s top wide receivers.
Linebacker Hayden Dawahare leads KSU with 35 tackles, followed by defensive back Joel Cordoba and linebacker Rocco Nicholl with 33 tackles apiece. Nicholl and defensive lineman Jaihien Roy are tied with a team-high three sacks.
Akron Zips wide receiver Marcel Williams (2) races past Kent State defensive back Joel Cordoba (21) during the first half of the Wagon Wheel Rivalry football game at InfoCision Stadium, Nov. 11, 2025, in Akron, Ohio.
Akron quarterback Brayden Roggow and other key Zips players
Brayden Roggow entered this season as Akron’s third-string quarterback, but projected starter Reese Poffenbarger has yet to play because of NCAA eligibility issues and backup Cibastian Broughton has been sidelined with a leg injury since Sept. 19 against Minnesota.
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Through four starts, Roggow went 92-of-157 passing (58.6%) for 1,068 yards and seven touchdowns with nine interceptions. He also rushed 30 times 170 net yards.
Jordan Gant is Akron’s top running back. He has compiled 99 carries for 456 net yards and four touchdowns.
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Wide receiver Marcel Williams leads Akron in catches (31) and receiving yards (332). He is tied with tight end Elijah Alexander for the team lead in receiving touchdowns (three).
Linebacker Donelius Johnson leads Akron with 67 tackles, and defensive lineman Cyrus Durham has a team-high 2.5 sacks. Defensive end Omari Abor has forced two fumbles and intercepted a pass.
Akron Zips football availability report vs. Kent State
The following Akron players have been ruled out against Kent State:
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Akron Zips quarterback Cibastian Broughton reacts to an injury that forced him out of a game against Minnesota on Sept. 19, 2026, in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Quarterback Cibastian Broughton and defensive end Omari Abor are in uniform for Akron Zips football
Quarterback Cibastian Broughton (leg) and defensive end Omari Abor (upper body) participated in pregame warm-ups with Akron after missing the past four games. Both players suffered injuries on Sept. 19 against Minnesota.
Akron had been expected to start quarterback Brayden Roggow instead of Broughton against Kent State, though Broughton being available is notable.
Kent State Golden Flashes football availability report vs. Akron
The following Kent State players have been ruled out against Akron:
Kent State vs. Akron football series history
Akron leads 37-29-2 in its all-time series with Kent State. The schools first played each other in football in 1923, with the Zips winning 32-0. The Wagon Wheel trophy was introduced in 1946. The teams have played each other every year since 1983 with the exception of one year.
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KSU won four in a row in the series from 2019-22 under former Golden Flashes coach Sean Lewis. Akron won four in a row in the series from 2015-18 during UA’s Terry Bowden coaching era.
At the helm of Akron, coach Joe Moorhead is 2-2 against Kent State. Mark Carney won his first Wagon Wheel game as KSU’s head coach last season.
Akron football coach Joe Moorhead looks across the field during a game against Robert Morris on Sept. 12, 2026, in Akron.
Akron Zips football coach Joe Moorhead and Kent State Golden Flashes football coach Mark Carney are both former Fordham quarterbacks
Akron coach Joe Moorhead and Kent State coach Mark Carney are former Fordham University starting quarterbacks who have bonded through the years over the connection.
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How can I watch or listen to the Akron vs. Kent State football game today?
Akron versus Kent State will be televised by ESPN+. It can be heard locally on the radio via WHLO (640-AM) and Fox Sports 1350 (1350-AM).
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Akron football 2026 schedule and results
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Sept. 3: Wake Forest 38, Akron 16
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Sept. 12: Akron 45, Robert Morris 10
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Sept. 19: Minnesota 41, Akron 7
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Sept. 26: UNLV 38, Akron 10
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Oct. 3: Central Michigan 41, Akron 17
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Oct. 10: Eastern Michigan 25, Akron 23
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Oct. 17: Miami RedHawks 34, Akron 14
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1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, at Kent State, ESPN+
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7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3, vs. Ohio, ESPN2 or ESPNU
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7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10, vs. Western Michigan, ESPN2, ESPNU or CBS Sports Network
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7 or 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18, at UMass, ESPNU or CBS Sports Network
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noon Friday, Nov. 27, vs. Buffalo, ESPNU or CBS Sports Network
Kent State Golden Flashes head coach Mark Carney takes the field prior to the NCAA football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Sept. 19, 2026.
Kent State football 2026 schedule and results
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Sept. 5: South Carolina 57, Kent State 0
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Sept. 12: Kent State 36, Wofford 15
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Sept. 19: Ohio State 59, Kent State 3
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Sept. 26: Kent State 26, Ball State 13
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Oct. 3: Ohio 13, Kent State 10
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Oct. 10: Western Michigan 38, Kent State 7
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Oct. 17: South Florida 29, Kent State 2
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1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, vs. Akron, ESPN+
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10:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30, at Sacramento State, ESPN2
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7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10, at Bowling Green, ESPN2, ESPNU or CBS Sports Network
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7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17, vs. Miami, ESPN2, ESPNU or CBS Sports Network
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TBA time Tuesday, Nov. 24, at Eastern Michigan, ESPN2 or ESPN+
Nate Ulrich is the sports columnist of the Akron Beacon Journal and a sports features writer. Nate can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron vs Kent State football score, live game updates in Wagon Wheel rivalry
