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Akron football snaps four-game losing streak vs. Kent State in Wagon Wheel rivalry

nate ulrich, akron beacon journal
·4 min read
The University of Akron's Daniel George celebrates after scoring a touchdown Wednesday night against Kent State in Akron.
The University of Akron's Daniel George celebrates after scoring a touchdown Wednesday night against Kent State in Akron.

The University of Akron football team used a stunning fourth-quarter comeback to snap a four-game series losing streak against rival Kent State.

Akron defeated Kent State 31-27 on a chilly Wednesday night at InfoCision Stadium, seizing possession of the Wagon Wheel trophy for the first time since 2018.

The Zips (2-7, 1-4 in the Mid-American Conference) mounted a comeback after trailing the Golden Flashes (1-8, 0-5) by 17 points heading into the fourth quarter.

UA now leads KSU 36-28-2 in the series.

How Akron football rallied against Kent State

Quarterback Jeff Undercuffler Jr. threw a 22-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Jasaiah Gathings with 9:12 left in the fourth quarter, trimming KSU's advantage to 27-17.

Then, on its next possession, UA sliced Kent State's lead to 27-24 when running back Lorenzo Lingard broke away for a 37-yard touchdown with 3:32 left to play.

After Akron registered a defensive stop, the Zips got the ball back on their 43-yard line trailing by three points with 3:09 remaining.

Facing second-and-goal, Undercuffler rushed for the game-winning, 5-yard touchdown with 26 seconds left.

Undercuffler also went 23-of-39 passing for 298 yards and two touchdowns.

The Akron defense closed the game with back-to-back sacks by defensive ends LaJoshua Jackson and CJ Nunnally IV.

In his first collegiate start, Kent State quarterback Tommy Ulatowski went 15-of-23 passing for 229 yards and three touchdowns and rushed 11 times for 32 yards and a TD.

Kent State coach Kenni Burns watches the action on the field Sept. 30 in Kent.
Kent State coach Kenni Burns watches the action on the field Sept. 30 in Kent.

Akron Zips football hurt by turnover on downs early in second half vs. Kent State Golden Flashes

Akron coach Joe Moorhead took a calculated risk during the first series of the third quarter.

On fourth-and-1 at the KSU 31, Akron went for it, handing off to Lingard out of shotgun after Lingard had been tackled for no gain on the previous two snaps. Kent State's defense stuffed Lingard again on fourth down, with defensive tackle CJ West and linebacker Nick Giacolone combining to tackle him for a turnover on downs.

Then Ulatowski and wide receiver Chrishon McCray rode the wave of momentum en route to completions of 42 and 27 yards, the latter for a touchdown and a 27-10 lead with 10:18 left in the third quarter.

McCray dominated with six catches for 161 yards and two touchdowns before a right ankle injury knocked him out of the game with 5:20 left in the third quarter.

Kent State's Chrishon McCray runs to the end zone for a touchdown against the University of Akron on Wednesday night in Akron.
Kent State's Chrishon McCray runs to the end zone for a touchdown against the University of Akron on Wednesday night in Akron.

Kent State football led Akron by 10 points at halftime

Kent State capitalized on the aggressive approach of coach Kenni Burns and stellar performance of Ulatowski in his first start to capture a 20-10 halftime lead.

Through two quarters, Ulatowski completed 9 of 14 passes for 121 yards and two touchdowns and rushed seven times for 31 yards and another touchdown.

Kent State created a spark with a fake punt and then seized a 13-7 lead with 9:36 left in the second quarter.

Facing fourth-and-4 from its 34, KSU gained 30 yards when tight end Justin Holmes lined up as a personal protector on the punt team, took a direct snap and ran for the first down.

Kent State's Luke Floriea (left) celebrates with teammate Jameel Gardner Jr. after scoring on a 19-yard reception in the second quarter against the University of Akron on Wednesday in Akron.
Kent State's Luke Floriea (left) celebrates with teammate Jameel Gardner Jr. after scoring on a 19-yard reception in the second quarter against the University of Akron on Wednesday in Akron.

On the next play, Ulatowski and McCray capitalized on busted coverage while connecting for a 36-yard touchdown. Andrew Glass made the extra-point kick, extending KSU's advantage to six points.

UA threatened to fire back with a visit to the red zone, yet the Zips settled for Owen Wiley's 29-yard field goal and a 13-10 deficit with 6:50 remaining in the first half.

A first-year head coach, Burns kept his foot on the gas.

Facing fourth-and-1 at the Akron 33, Kent State went for it, with Ulatowski rushing up the middle for 9 yards. Later, Ulatowski capped the march by throwing a 19-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Luke Floriea with 38 seconds left before halftime.

University of Akron quarterback Jeff Undercuffler Jr. throws a pass as the Kent State defense closes in Wednesday night in Akron.
University of Akron quarterback Jeff Undercuffler Jr. throws a pass as the Kent State defense closes in Wednesday night in Akron.

Golden Flashes and Zips traded touchdowns in the first quarter

Kent State struck first when Ulatowski rushed for a 5-yard touchdown with 6:21 remaining in the first quarter three plays after he completed a 37-yard pass to McCray. KSU led 6-0 after Glass missed the extra point.

Akron countered during the next series when Undercuffler found wide receiver Daniel George alone right in front of the end zone for a 14-yard touchdown pass. Wiley's successful extra point gave UA a 7-6 edge with 1:48 remaining in the first quarter.

Nate Ulrich can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron Zips beat Kent State Golden Flashes in MAC football