The Akron Zips matched their win total from the last three seasons combined with a 16-7 victory over rival Kent State tonight for the Wagon Wheel. The Zips duked it out in a defensive struggle, shutting down the reigning MAC East champions across the board, and forcing five turnovers on the afternoon. The win snapped the Golden Flashes three game win-streak in the 90-year old rivalry, and officially signaled a new chapter in Akron Football.
12 and 0 at Auburn probably seems boring to Terry Bowden now that he has brought the Wagon Wheel back to Akron.
— Zac Jackson (@FSOhioZJackson) November 2, 2013
After winning just one game in each of the past three seasons, the Zips have now tripled last season's total and improve to 3-7 and 2-4 on the season. The Golden Flashes, a year removed from the best season in school history, fall to 2-8 and 1-5 in the MAC as offensive woes continue to plague their seasons.
Akron, led by junior running back Jawan Chisholm, beat Kent State at its own game, outrushing the Golden Flashes 174-162, with Chisholm accounting for 151 of those yards. Chisholm was able to chisel away at the Kent State defense, and set the team up for a pair of field goals in the second half, after a Zach D'Orazio passing touchdown and a field goal in the first half.
Akron's defense made up for the lack of an aerial attack, smothering Kent State quarterback Colin Reardon all night long, and picking him off three times. Reardon finished the game with 138 yards on 15-of-31 passing, with no touchdowns and a those three turnovers. The unit also limited the two-headed rushing attack of Dri Archer and Trayion Durham, causing both to cough up the ball once. Durham finished the day with the Flashes lone score, and 82 yards on 18 carries. Archer was neutralized, touching the ball just eight times in the game.