The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Kent State
Wagon Wheel Series Remembered: Nov. 24, 2005 (part 5 of 5)
November 12 | Football
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The Akron and Kent State football programs face off on Saturday at 2 p.m. ET at InfoCision Stadium – Summa Field in the 54th all-time meeting on the gridiron and 41st time with the coveted Wagon Wheel trophy at stake. In the days leading up to the game, GoZips.com will revisit highlights from one of collegiate athletics most unique rivalry series – the PNC Wagon Wheel Challenge.
Zips Down Kent State in 2005 "Snow Bowl" to Claim Division Title...
Nov. 24, 2005 – Akron 35, Kent State 3
Brett Biggs ran for 149 yards and scored twice to help Akron beat Kent State 35-3 and take home the Mid-American Conference's East Division title on Nov. 24, 2005 (Thanksgiving Day) in the season finale for both squads at the Rubber Bowl.
The Golden Flashes (1-10, 0-8 MAC) faltered early in a game that started in 27-degree weather and featured winds of 23 miles per hour to go along with heavy snow squals at times. Kent State fumbled twice in its first three snaps. Brion Stokes scooped up the second one and returned it 16 yards to the end zone to put Akron up 7-0.
Biggs scored late in the first quarter on a 7-yard run. Kent State answered with a 26-yard field goal early in the second.
Biggs, who accounted for 231 yards of offense, caught a 17-yard touchdown pass from Luke Getsy just after halftime to make it 21-3.
With Kent State punter Joshua Brazen standing near his goal line on the next series, the Zips blocked the kick. Jay Rohr recovered for a 2-yard touchdown return.
Akron wrapped up the scoring midway through the fourth with a 13-yard touchdown pass to Domenik Hixon from Luke Getsy, who had two touchdown throws despite just five completions for 47 yards.
Kent State quarterback Michael Machen managed only 7 yards on 4-of-12 passing.
The Zips (6-5, 5-3 MAC ) went on to defeat West Division champs Northern Illinois 31-30 in the league championship on Dec. 1 at Ford Field in Detroit. UA then lost 38-31 to Memphis in the Motor City Bowl on Dec. 26, also at Ford Field.
Akron won the East Division tiebreaker over Miami (Ohio) and Bowling Green because the Zips' opponents in the West Division had a better record than the teams Miami and Bowling Green played.
Read other GoZips.com Wagon Wheel Series Remembered stories:
Last Wagon Wheel Game in the Rubber Bowl: Sept. 22, 2007
Wagon Wheel Rivalry Renewed in 1972: Sept. 9, 1972
Zips Spark Wagon Wheel Win Streak in 1997: Nov. 8, 1997
Zips Rout Flashes in 2002 Wagon Wheel Matchup: Nov. 23, 2002
