KENT — The Wagon Wheel rivalry game between the Kent State and Akron football teams produced high drama last year, and now the 2026 Golden Flashes are looking to maintain an upper hand against the Zips.
Last season, Kent State prevailed 42-35 in overtime of an instant classic at Akron's InfoCision Stadium. This time, the Mid-American Conference neighbors are clashing at KSU's Dix Stadium.
Wagon Wheel game: Five things to know about Akron-Kent State football rivalry
Kickoff between Kent State (2-5, 1-2) and Akron (1-6, 0-3) occurred shortly after 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24. Updates will be here throughout the game:
Akron defense forces turnover on downs with Kent State in red zone
Early in the second quarter, Kent State went for it on fourth-and-3 at the Akron 12-yard line instead of kicking a short field goal.
The gamble did not pay off for the Golden Flashes.
Wide receiver Ardell Banks caught a short pass from quarterback Dru DeShields, but Akron defensive back Caiden Newsome forced Banks out of bounds at the 11. The play resulted in a 1-yard gain and a turnover on downs with 14:50 left in the second quarter.
Akron leads Kent State 7-0 at the end of the first quarter
Akron led Kent State 7-0 at the end of the first quarter.
Kent State will begin the second quarter facing third-and-3 at the UA 12-yard line.
TOUCHDOWN ZIPS‼️@TheRealJGant with 6 yd run... 🙌 🦈#GoZips 🦘 pic.twitter.com/NmeeuCCS4W
— Akron Football (@ZipsFB) October 24, 2026
Jordan Gant rushes for 6-yard touchdown. Akron takes 7-0 lead vs. Kent State
On third-and-goal, Akron running back Jordan Gant rushed for a 6-yard touchdown with 6:09 left in the first quarter. Aidan Stire made the extra-point kick, and the Zips went ahead 7-0.
Akron produced a 10-play, 91-yard drive on its first possession.
The officials did not initially rule Gant had reached the end zone to score a TD, but a replay review confirmed he did.
Akron Zips quarterback Brayden Roggow continues to start for Zips
Quarterback Brayden Roggow continued to start for Akron, even though QB Cibastian Broughton is in uniform for UA's game against Kent State. Broughton had been sidelined with a leg injury since Sept. 19 against Minnesota.
Akron marched into the red zone on its first possession. During a timeout with 6:51 left in the first quarter, UA faced second-and-goal at the 6.
Kent State's first drive stalls and Da'Realyst Clark on sideline
Kent State won the pregame coin toss and elected to receive the opening kickoff. Standout returner and wide receiver Da'Realyst Clark was not in the game as a returner for the opening kickoff or as a wide receiver during KSU's first possession. Clark is on KSU's sideline.
The Golden Flashes marched to their own 48-yard line, where quarterback Dru DeShields attempted to run on third-and-9. He was stopped for a 1-yard gain, and KSU punted.
Below is some pregame information.
Kent State QB Dru DeShields and other key Golden Flashes players
Dru DeShields is in his second season as Kent State's starting quarterback. Through seven games this season, he went 106-of-185 passing (57.3%) for 1,145 yards and four touchdowns with six interceptions. He also rushed 58 times for 189 net yards and three TDs.
Wayne Harris (31 catches for 396 yards and one TD) and Da'Realyst Clark (22 catches for 273 yards and one TD) are KSU's top wide receivers.
Linebacker Hayden Dawahare leads KSU with 35 tackles, followed by defensive back Joel Cordoba and linebacker Rocco Nicholl with 33 tackles apiece. Nicholl and defensive lineman Jaihien Roy are tied with a team-high three sacks.
Akron quarterback Brayden Roggow and other key Zips players
Brayden Roggow entered this season as Akron's third-string quarterback, but projected starter Reese Poffenbarger has yet to play because of NCAA eligibility issues and backup Cibastian Broughton has been sidelined with a leg injury since Sept. 19 against Minnesota.
Through four starts, Roggow went 92-of-157 passing (58.6%) for 1,068 yards and seven touchdowns with nine interceptions. He also rushed 30 times 170 net yards.
Jordan Gant is Akron's top running back. He has compiled 99 carries for 456 net yards and four touchdowns.
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Wide receiver Marcel Williams leads Akron in catches (31) and receiving yards (332). He is tied with tight end Elijah Alexander for the team lead in receiving touchdowns (three).
Linebacker Donelius Johnson leads Akron with 67 tackles, and defensive lineman Cyrus Durham has a team-high 2.5 sacks. Defensive end Omari Abor has forced two fumbles and intercepted a pass.
Akron Zips football availability report vs. Kent State
The following Akron players have been ruled out against Kent State:
- S Daymon David
- DB Iesa Jarmon
- WR Jaborree Riggins
- DB Catrell White
- TE Yaseen DeReese
- RB Chris Gee
- DB Keyveon Johnson
- DB Rod Smith Jr.
- LS Stone Dean
- DE Jahvon Frazier
- OL Alex Fox
- OL Amarie Archer
- OL Jon Stephens
- OL Dayne Shor
- WR Luke Sivon
- DL Malakai Ross-Grave
Quarterback Cibastian Broughton and defensive end Omari Abor are in uniform for Akron Zips football
Quarterback Cibastian Broughton (leg) and defensive end Omari Abor (upper body) participated in pregame warm-ups with Akron after missing the past four games. Both players suffered injuries on Sept. 19 against Minnesota.
Akron had been expected to start quarterback Brayden Roggow instead of Broughton against Kent State, though Broughton being available is notable.
Kent State Golden Flashes football availability report vs. Akron
The following Kent State players have been ruled out against Akron:
- RB Mason King
- LB Quan Rhodes-McKee
- LB Sayed Abuhamdeh
- OL Jaxon Dunn
- OL Tyler Meadows
- TE Terik Mulder
Kent State vs. Akron football series history
Akron leads 37-29-2 in its all-time series with Kent State. The schools first played each other in football in 1923, with the Zips winning 32-0. The Wagon Wheel trophy was introduced in 1946. The teams have played each other every year since 1983 with the exception of one year.
KSU won four in a row in the series from 2019-22 under former Golden Flashes coach Sean Lewis. Akron won four in a row in the series from 2015-18 during UA's Terry Bowden coaching era.
At the helm of Akron, coach Joe Moorhead is 2-2 against Kent State. Mark Carney won his first Wagon Wheel game as KSU's head coach last season.
Akron Zips football coach Joe Moorhead and Kent State Golden Flashes football coach Mark Carney are both former Fordham quarterbacks
Akron coach Joe Moorhead and Kent State coach Mark Carney are former Fordham University starting quarterbacks who have bonded through the years over the connection.
How can I watch or listen to the Akron vs. Kent State football game today?
Akron versus Kent State will be televised by ESPN+. It can be heard locally on the radio via WHLO (640-AM) and Fox Sports 1350 (1350-AM).
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Akron football 2026 schedule and results
- Sept. 3: Wake Forest 38, Akron 16
- Sept. 12: Akron 45, Robert Morris 10
- Sept. 19: Minnesota 41, Akron 7
- Sept. 26: UNLV 38, Akron 10
- Oct. 3: Central Michigan 41, Akron 17
- Oct. 10: Eastern Michigan 25, Akron 23
- Oct. 17: Miami RedHawks 34, Akron 14
- 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, at Kent State, ESPN+
- 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3, vs. Ohio, ESPN2 or ESPNU
- 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10, vs. Western Michigan, ESPN2, ESPNU or CBS Sports Network
- 7 or 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18, at UMass, ESPNU or CBS Sports Network
- noon Friday, Nov. 27, vs. Buffalo, ESPNU or CBS Sports Network
Kent State football 2026 schedule and results
- Sept. 5: South Carolina 57, Kent State 0
- Sept. 12: Kent State 36, Wofford 15
- Sept. 19: Ohio State 59, Kent State 3
- Sept. 26: Kent State 26, Ball State 13
- Oct. 3: Ohio 13, Kent State 10
- Oct. 10: Western Michigan 38, Kent State 7
- Oct. 17: South Florida 29, Kent State 2
- 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, vs. Akron, ESPN+
- 10:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30, at Sacramento State, ESPN2
- 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10, at Bowling Green, ESPN2, ESPNU or CBS Sports Network
- 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17, vs. Miami, ESPN2, ESPNU or CBS Sports Network
- TBA time Tuesday, Nov. 24, at Eastern Michigan, ESPN2 or ESPN+
Nate Ulrich is the sports columnist of the Akron Beacon Journal and a sports features writer. Nate can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron vs Kent State football score, live game updates in Wagon Wheel rivalry
Source: Yahoo Sports
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