Kent State Gets First Conference Victory, Defeats Miami 17-14

By: Dan Lukas

KENT, OHIO– Kent State was able to get a victory on Homecoming Weekend in a tough defensive battle 17-14 over the Miami RedHawks.

Kent State struggled mightily in the first half offensively, but luckily, their defense was able to force turnovers and keep the game within reach for them. Kent State was able to get going in the second half outscoring Miami 14-0 to get their first Mid-American Conference victory of the season.

Both teams’ offenses struggled mightily from the start unable to get anything going. Kent State’s defense was once again able to force turnovers with Elvis Hines picking off Billy Bahl on Miami’s first drive of the game.

Unfortunately, Kent State was unable to capitalize off of it, as Shane Hynes missed a long field goal. The defensive battle continued throughout the first quarter and both teams were scoreless heading into the second.

Kent State got a huge play from receiver Mike Carrigan to begin the second quarter with a reverse that resulted in 61-yards and a red zone visit for the Golden Flashes. This time Hynes was able to convert and connected on a 22-yard field goal to give Kent a 3-0 lead. That didn’t last long as Miami was able to march right down the field to score. Bahl found his receiver James Gardner for a 13-yard touchdown pass to give Miami a 7-3 lead.

After a Kent State three-and-out, their defense once again responded, this time it was Jamal Parker intercepting Bahl setting up the Flashes’ offense in Miami territory.

Once again, though, Kent State was unable to walk away with points as Hynes missed another field goal, this one a 37-yarder, to keep the score at 7-3 Redhawks.

With little time remaining in the half, Miami put together one more scoring drive ending with a two-yard Bahl touchdown pass to his tight-end Ryan Smith to give Miami a 14-3 lead heading into the half.

Kent State began the third quarter with the ball and a change at the quarterback position, as George Bollas took over for Dustin Crumm behind center. This turned out to be the right move, as Bollas led the Golden Flashes right down the field for their first touchdown of the day. He connected with running back Justin Rankin for a four-yard touchdown to cut the Miami lead to 14-10.

The rest of the quarter went by rather quickly with both teams taking their time on offense. Kent State got the ball back with under a minute remaining and looked as if they would take that into the final quarter of play. However, Bollas found Carrigan for a huge 84-yard touchdown pass, Kent State’s longest play of the season, to regain the lead for Kent State, 17-14, heading into the fourth quarter.

The fourth quarter began with both teams exchanging punts back and forth until Miami was able to get into the Kent State red zone midway through the fourth quarter. Miami had it first and goal from the 5-yard line but walked away with no points after Samuel Sloman missed a 15-yard field goal keeping the game at 17-14 in favor of Kent State.

Kent State’s defense held tough throughout the second half and was able to hold Miami scoreless to secure their victory. Miami had several chances but the Kent State defense didn’t budge. This was a very hard fought game but the Golden Flashes were up for the challenge.

The quarterback switch coming out of halftime was really the difference maker today as Bollas was 9-for-14 passing for 154 yards and two touchdowns. He brought life to a deflated Golden Flashes offense and it ultimately led to a Kent State victory.

Kent State will look to keep this good momentum going as they travel to Athens next Saturday to take on the Bobcats of Ohio University.