WEEK 11: Wagon Wheel Game in Akron Preview

Tuesday, November 11

Akron, Ohio

7:30 PM

University of Akron

Kent State

Tickets

November 09 | Football

Game 11 – Akron Zips (4-6, 3-3 MAC) vs Kent State (3-6, 2-3 MAC)

WHATS AHEAD
Rivals, Akron and Kent State, will battle for the Wagon Wheel on Tuesday, Nov. 11 at 7:30 p.m. on ESPNU with Chuckie Kemp (PxP) and Darius Walker (Analyst) calling the action. The Zips enter the rivalry game with an overall record of 4-6 and 3-3 in league play, while the Flashes look are (3-6, 2-3) and both teams battling for postseason births.

TV: ESPNU - Chuckie Kemp (PxP) and Darius Walker (Analyst
Radio: Akron Sports Network - (iHeart Radio,) - David Skoczen (pxp), Joe Dunn (analyst), Mark LaRose (Sideline)
WHLO 640 AM (flagship), WHK 1420 AM/102.5 FM, iHeart Radio, TheVarsityNetwork.com
Video Link: www.GoZips.com (subscription may be required)
Live Stats Link: www.GoZips.com

HEAD COACHES
Kent State (3-6, 2-3 MAC)
Mark Carney (Forfham, 2001)
at Kent State (1st): 3-6
Overall (Same)

Akron Zips (4-6, 3-3 MAC)
Joe Moorhead (Fordham, 1996)
at Akron (4th): 12-34
Overall (10th): 64-59

SERIES HISTORY
Last Meeting: Akron def. Kent State, 38-17 (Kent, Ohio – Nov. 19, 2024)
Last Meeting in Kent: Akron def. Kent State, 38-17 (Kent, Ohio – Nov. 19, 2024)
Last Meeting in Akron: Akron def. Kent State,31-27 (Akron, Ohio - Nov. 1, 2023)

Akron is meeting Kent State for the 68th time in program history with the Zips owning a 37-28-2 series advantage. Akron reclaimed the Wagon Wheel in 2023 with a 31-27 victory, snapping Kent's four-game winning streak. In 2024, the Zips retained the Wheel with a 38-17 win at Kent State. Prior to those meetings, the series was deadlocked 5-5 in the last 10 years with both teams winning four straight games. The Zips won four straight games from 2015-2018 and Kent State won four-straight from 2019-2022. In 2022, the Golden Flashes posted a 33-27 win at Dix Stadium (10/22/22). Akron posted wins in 2013 (16-7), 2015 (20-0), 2016 (31-27), 2017 (24-14) and 2018 (24-23 OT). KSU posted wins 2014 (27-24), 2019 (26-3), 2020 (69-35), 2021 (38-0) and 2022 (33-27). The series between the two schools dates back to the 1923 campaign when Akron earned a 32-0 home victory over Kent State. The Zips and Golden Flashes have met every season since 1992.

THE WAGON WHEEL
According to legend, the "Wagon Wheel" came into being in the spring of 1870 when John R. Buchtel, an Akron industrialist, at the insistence of Rev. Andrew Willson of the Kent Universalist Church, set out for Kent in search of a site for a proposed college. However, his wagon became bogged down in the mud where Kent State University is currently located, the horses broke away and left bits and pieces of the carriage scattered, including one of the wheels, which remained wedged in the mud.

Buchtel eventually found his way back to Akron, where he settled on a site for Buchtel College, the forerunner of the present University of Akron.

During construction of a pipeline along the Western Reserve Trail in 1902, the wheel was discovered and eventually became the property of Dr. Raymond Manchester, who in 1945 as the Kent State Dean of Men, suggested the wheel be set up as an award to the winner of the annual Akron-Kent State football game.

Manchester had the wheel painted blue and gold, the school colors of both schools, and it has been a prized trophy ever since. Each spoke bears a plaque verifying the score of each game.

In 1946, Kent State defeated the Zips, 13-6, to capture the Wagon Wheel Trophy. After a KSU win in 1954, the series between the two schools went into hibernation. Not until Sept. 9, 1972, was the series revived. In that game, played at the Rubber Bowl, 25,131 saw UA grab a 13-0 lead, but KSU battled back to score 13 fourth-quarter points, and the contest ended in a tie. Akron was then awarded custodial rights for a two-year period for its first possession of the prized trophy since its inception.

The Zips 37-28-2 in the Wagon Wheel Series. In 2011, the Wagon Wheel was the inspiration behind the creation of the Crystal Clinic Wagon Wheel Challenge. The Wagon Wheel Challenge broadened the Akron-Kent State rivalry to include all 14 NCAA varsity sports that are sponsored by both programs. The Crystal Clinic Wagon Wheel Challenge ended after 2022-23 academic year.

SCOUTING KENT STATE
Under first-year head coach Mark Carney, the Golden Flashes currently sit at 3-6 overall and 2-3 in MAC play. KSU averages 18 points per game on 271.8 total yards of offense per game. The Flashes attack averages 184.0 yards through the air and 87.8 yards on the ground. Defensively, opponents average 34.3 points on 440.9 yards per game, allowing 250.89 yards in the air and 190.0 on the ground.

Starting QB, Dreu Desheilds leads the offense, completing 94 of 165 attempts with two interceptions for 1,321 yards (165.1 avg) and11 touchdowns.

Case Wolford leads the receiving corps with 406 yards and 45.11 yards per game on 16 receptions and a team-high 6 touchdowns. Da'Shawn Martin (23-293 yds, 2 TDs), Wayne Harris (26-256 yds, TD) and Ardell Banks (8-161 yds, TD) all support the air attack. RB Gavin Garcia provides the bulk of the work on the ground, averaging 3.8 yards per carry and 42.2 yards per game on 100 attempts for 380 yards with one TD. Jordan Nubin shares the groundwork with 62 carries for 210 yards (42.0 yards per game and 3.4 per rush) with one TD.

Defensively, KSU generated 51 tackles for loss of 218 yards with 18 sacks (142 yds). CJ Young paces the defense with 69 tackles with 6.0 TFL (23 yds), 1.5 sacks (5 yds) and one INT. Mason Woods follows with 64 tackles and team-high 6.5 TFL (18 yds) and one Sack (10 yds). Jamond MAthis leads the unit with a team-high4.5 sacks (34 yds) and 6.0 TFL (38 yards) while recording 19 total tackles.

AKRON NAMES CAPTAINS FOR THE 2025 CAMPAIGN
The Zips elected senior QB Ben Finley (Phoenix, Ariz.) as captain for the second consecutive season. Finley is joined by senior OL Colin Lyons (McKeesport, Pa.), junior DL Julien Laventure (Upper Darby, Pa.) and sophomore DL Cyrus Durham (Atherton, Ca.) as captains in 2025.

SPRIGGS EARNS MAC DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK (Oct. 27)
Melvin Spriggs was honored by the Mid-American Conference as its Defensive Player of the Week (Oct. 27). Spriggs anchored the defensive efforts for the Zips in a 24-16 win over Buffalo (Oct. 25). Akron issued 10 tackles for loss (50 yards) and five sacks (37 yards) to go along with five takeaways. Spriggs paced the Zips defense with a team-high 14 tackles, including 8 solo stops. He led the squad in tackles for loss, generating 3.5 takedowns for loss of 15 yards. Additionally, Spriggs led the team in sacks, recording half of the Zips total with 2.5 sacks for 14 yards of loss. The Zips limited Buffalo to 195 yards of total offense in the second half. In the third quarter, Spriggs accounted for five total tackles and one tackle for loss as the Bulls scored three points on 14 plays and 100 yards. In the fourth quarter, Spriggs again led the way with four total tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. Buffalo scored three points on 18 plays and 95 yards.

GANT EARNS DOAK WALKER NATIONAL RUNNING BACK OF THE WEEK (Oct.7)
Akron running back Jordan Gant led all FBS players in rushing yards last weekend with his career-high 176 yards and added a receiving touchdown as the Zips defeated Central Michigan 28-22. Gant is the Doak Walker National Running Back of the Week.

Gant's 16-yard catch-and-run touchdown with 3:13 left before halftime put Akron (2-4, 1-1) ahead for good at 14-10. He finished with a season-high of 28 receiving yards to total 204 all-purpose yards.

It was a banner effort for the 5-foot-10 redshirt junior from Lakeland, Fla. Gant has posted 100-yard rushing games in two of Akron's last three games and he is now tied for 19th in FBS rushing with 476 yards with three touchdowns. Akron outgained Central Michigan 417-374 and the run game helped them convert 9 of 15 third downs.

Both of Akron's wins have come with Gant topping 100 yards, although his first start didn't come until Sept. 27 at Toledo. His other top game was taking 13 carries for 161 yards and three touchdowns in a Sept. 20 win against Duquesne, a performance that made him the Mid-American Conference Offensive Player of the Week. His 5.73 yards per carry on the season (83 attempts) list 42nd nationally. The surge in the past three games for Akron's rushing leader has upped his per-game yardage to 79.3 for the season.

Gant transferred to Akron following three seasons at Tennessee State. In 2024 he appeared in 14 games and rushed for 251 yards on 70 attempts, scoring one rushing touchdown and twice with receptions.

Gant now joins the members of the preseason Doak Walker Award candidates list among the strong group of players vying for the prestigious honor.

GANT EARNS MAC OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK (Sept. 22)
Jordan Gant MAC Offensive Player of the Week on Monday (Sept. 22). Gant anchored the offensive efforts for the Zips in a 51-7 win over Duquesne (Sept. 20). Akron registered 514 yards of total offense, including 265 yards on the ground. Of the 265 rushing yards, Gant was responsible for 161 yards on only 13 carries, recording 12.4 yards per rush. Gant found the endzone three times, scoring 21 of the Zips 51 points. Gant set a career high in all three categories; rushing yards, touchdowns and yards per rushing attempt. Gant scored the initial touchdown of the game on a 17 rush, while PK Owen Wiley buried the PAT, with 8:02 left in the first quarter. Gant found paydirt twice in the second quarter to help give the Zips a commanding 38-0 advantage. His second TD of the game came with 8:34 left in the second frame, finishing a 53-yard drive with a nine-yard rush to the endzone. For his final score of the evening, Gant finished a 7-play, 60-yard drive with an eight-yard rushing touchdown. Wiley made both PATs.

THE ZIPS...
DEFENSIVE STANCE
Akron's defense has shown flashes of real promise in 2025, highlighted by disruptive playmakers across all three levels. The Zips have forced 17 turnovers in 10 games. The defense has also been strong in the red zone, limiting opponents to scores on just 72.7-percent of trips (2nd in MAC), including forcing six turnovers inside the 20. As a unit, the Zips' defense has demonstrated the ability to limit big plays and create turnovers, keeping the team competitive in every game. With continued growth and cohesion, Akron's defense is poised to remain a cornerstone of the team's success as the season progresses.

Individually, linebacker Shammond Cooper (60 tackles) and fellow linebacker DiMarco Johnson (48) anchor the middle, combining for 10.8 tackles per game. Defensive back Malcom DeWalt IV has emerged as a difference-maker with 47 tackles, seven breakups, two interceptions, and a pick-six, while corner Elijah Reed has a pair of interceptions and safety Markus Boswell recovered a fumble and took it to the house. Up front, Julien Laventure and have provided steady pressure as Leventure leads the squad in TFL with 10 for 50 yards with 3 sacks (22 yds), while Dull has 8.5 tackles for loss (38 yds) and four sacks (25 yds), giving Akron a proven disruptors on the defensive line. The defensive line posted five sacks against Central Michigan and Buffalo, recording 22 for the season with a loss of 144 yards. Dull (4-25 yds), Laventure (3.5-22 yds) , Cyrus Durham (3-10 yds), Melvin Spriggs (2.5-14 yds), Gage Summers (1.5-11 yds) and six players with one sack and three with 0.5 sacks.

OFFENSIVE OUTPUT
The University of Akron Zips' 2025 offense has shown real promise, highlighted by strong individual performances. QB Ben Finley has been the offensive cornerstone, leading the team with 1,875 passing yards, including 252-yard, three-touchdown outing against Central Michigan, 291-yard outburst with three TD's against Ball State, 230-yard effort with three touchdowns against Buffalo, 197-yard, 28-rushing (7.0 per carry) with two passing TDs and rushing TD.

RB Jordan Gant has emerged as a dynamic force in the backfield. After transferring from Tennessee State, Gant has accumulated 850 rushing yards, averaging 5.0 yards per carry. His breakout performance came in Week 6 against Central Michigan, where he rushed for 176 yards and a touchdown, earning him the Doak Walker National Running Back of the Week honor. GAnt ahs rushed for 150+ yards in three games this season, including a 153 yards and two touchdowns against UMass. Sean Patrick has also contributed for the RB room (65 att, 262 yds, 4.0/rush, 1 TD, 25 yd long, 32.75 yds/g).

WR Kyan Mason leads the receiving corps with 418 yards and five TDs. WRs Israel Polk (373 yds, 6 TDs) and Marcel Williams (361 yds), while the TE room is productive in the passing game, scoring three TDs and supporting the offense: Conner Cravaack (14-114 yds, 2TDs) and Max Whisner (3-34 yd, TD) and Jake Newell (4-14 yds). The O-Line faced challenges early, but has held ground as of late to establish a consistent running game and protecting the quarterback.

SPECIAL TEAMS
Akron's special teams have been a consistent strength in 2025, providing the Zips with strong field position and momentum. P Joseph Castle averages 43.0 yards per punt, with 10 kicks over 50 yards and 14 pinned inside the 20-yard line. Brayden Johnson adds depth, averaging 41.1 yards per punt. In the return game, Brandon Hills leads with 468 yards on 21 returns (22.9-yard average), including a long of 33 yards. Terence Thomas contributes with 48 yards on two returns (24.0-yard average), highlighted by a 25-yard return. Sean Patrick has handled punt returns, posting a 6.8-yard average with a long of 15. On the kicking front, Owen Wiley and Matthew Schramm are a combined 10-of-16 on field goals, including a 6-6 effort from Schramm. Akron is a perfect 23-for-24 on PATs. With strong punting, reliable returns, and dependable placekicking, Akron's special teams have been a dependable strength and a unit the Zips can continue to lean on.

WHO IS WEARING NO. 1
Senior WR Myles Walker and junior DL Julien Laventure and have emerged as leaders under fourth-year head coach Joe Moorhead and the duo was recently rewarded with the No. 1 jerseys for 2025.

Under Moorhead at Akron, head strength and conditioning coach Orie Sahlfeld identifies one player on each side of the ball that demonstrated their leadership both on and off the field over the course of the spring to earn the privilege of wearing the No. 1 jersey in the Akron Blue and Gold for the 2025 season.

"Coach Moorhead and I spoke about performance and leadership and all the qualities you want in someone in an elite or leadership position," said Sahlfeld. "They earned it all the way from January being accountable, holding their teammates to higher standards, doing all the little things right on a day-to-day basis and being consistent. They have a voice on the team and when they talk people listen. Both are the leaders on their side of the ball when it comes to holding their teammates accountable, having a high standard for themselves and their teammates and bringing people with them and picking people up when they're having bad days."

UP NEXT
Akron travels to Bowling Green for the regular season finale on a midweek #MACtion game on Tuesday, Nov. 18 at Doyt Perry Stadium at 7 p.m.