Wagon Wheel Week (Game Eight)

[catdaddyp]

QB:

Redshirt junior Dru DeShields is the returning starting quarterback. He isn’t having as good of a season as he did last year, but he hasn’t had much help from the run game either. DeShields has thrown for 1,145 yards and 4 touchdowns compared to 6 interceptions. He has also rushed for 189 yards and 3 touchdowns. He has performed about the same in a clean pocket as he has under pressure. Where DeShields has really excelled is on passes 10 yards or less, as he has a completion rate of 70% in that range. Beyond 10 yards it drops to 45%. 

 

RB:

The usual starter, Illinois State transfer Mason King, missed the last game, allowing freshman Brandon White to get the start in his place. The two backs have combined for 393 yards rushing, but have rushed for only one touchdown.

 

WR:

Redshirt sophomore Wayne Harris, senior Da’realyst Clark, and former Kentucky transfer Ardell Banks are the main targets at receiver. Harris is on pace for an All-MAC season, with 31 receptions for 396 yards. Clark has 273 receiving yards, while Banks has add 206 yards.

 

TE:

Redshirt junior Hunter Hopperton will line up all over the place. He is mostly utilized as a blocker, but every now and then, he’ll see a pass come his way.

 

OL:

The offensive line has struggled to create much running room and has also been hit or miss in pass protection.

LT - Moustafa Daoud (R. Fr.) (6’6 300) - Transfer from JUCO

LG - Dustyn Morell (R. Sr.) (6’4” 290) 

C - Ben Midea (Jr.) (6’2 320) - Transfer from St. Francis

RG - Cecil Wilson (R. Jr.) (6’4 320)

RT - Mofe Adewole (R. Sr.) (6’3 275) - Transfer from Robert Morris

 

DL:

Redshirt sophomores Antonio Bottiggi and Jaihein Roy are the starters at edge, while numerous players have rotated along the interior. Freshman Dion’Dre Taylor and Robert Morris transfer Camden Wilborn started at defensive tackle last week for the Flashes. Despite the heavy rotations, Kent’s defensive line has accumulated 8 sacks this season.

 

LB:

USF transfer Rocco Nicholl returned to Kent this offseason and has recorded 33 total tackles with 3 sacks. He is usually flanked by Kentucky transfer Hayden Dawahare, who has 35 total tackles and 2 sacks.

 

DB:

Redshirt junior Angelo Stockstill and redshirt senior A’tiq Muhammad are the starting cornerbacks. Sophomore Trey Rubenstein starts at nickelback, while sophomores Derrick Jackson and Joel Cordoba start at safety. The secondary has been solid in conference play against the pass, but has yet to do much in the way of forcing turnovers.

 

ST:

Da’realyst Clark is an all-conference returner, although he hasn’t been able to break one longer than 27 yards this season. Sean Leonard is 3 for 8 on field goals and 9 for 9 on extra points. Redshirt freshman Jake Stoeckel averages nearly 43 yards per punt, with a long of 59 yards.

 

 

Keys on Offense:

Run the football and stay balanced. Kent has a solid defense, but they tend to spend a lot of time on the field and will wear down. Akron needs to sustain drives on offense and not beat themselves.

 

Keys on Defense:

Keep everything in front and make the tackle. Kent has struggled to finish drives and put points on the board. The more plays the Flashes have to run, the more likely they are to goof up. 

 

Final Thoughts:

The Zips have more talent, but the Flashes are a scrappy bunch. Akron needs to jump ahead early and force Kent into uncomfortable situations. In the end, this game may come down to which team hurts itself the least.

 

Edited Tuesday at 10:40 AM by catdaddyp

[exit322]

1 hour ago, catdaddyp said:

Final Thoughts:

The Zips have more talent, but the Flashes are a scrappy bunch. Akron needs to jump ahead early and force Kent into uncomfortable situations. In the end, this game may come down to which team hurts itself the least.

 

 

So you're saying Kent by 14 then.

 

Seriously though.  Great writeup again.  The difference in this one is that Akron probably thinks it could win if they do everything right maybe, and Kent knows they will win.

 

 

Edited Tuesday at 12:00 PM by exit322

[kreed5120]

Appreciate the write-up, but this is the worst Akron defense since perhaps the Ianello years. As @exit322 said before they can't even stop a nosebleed.

 

I give Kent a slight edge playing at home. Kent 31 - Akron 27.

[exit322]

2 hours ago, kreed5120 said:

Appreciate the write-up, but this is the worst Akron defense since perhaps the Ianello years. As @exit322 said before they can't even stop a nosebleed.

 

I give Kent a slight edge playing at home. Kent 31 - Akron 27.

 

You have a better memory than me, I had to find where I said that hahaha

Edited Tuesday at 02:29 PM by exit322

[Section210Zip]

5 hours ago, catdaddyp said:

In the end, this game may come down to which team hurts itself the least.

 

Yep this sums up Akron Kent football. This should be the tag line for the game. 

[UAZipster0305]

1 minute ago, Section210Zip said:

Yep this sums up Akron Kent football. This should be the tag line for the game. 

That's MAC football in general.

[exit322]

On 10/20/2026 at 12:07 PM, UAZipster0305 said:

That's MAC football in general.

 

Nah, most MAC teams can expect to make a good play somewhere.  We just have to hope that we don't screw up more than Kent.

[NWAkron]

https://akronzippedup.substack.com/p/game-8-preview-kent-state-golden?utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web

 

Great stuff from the conscience of Zips Foootball:  "Zipped Up."

 

[exit322]

2 hours ago, NWAkron said:

https://akronzippedup.substack.com/p/game-8-preview-kent-state-golden?utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web

 

Great stuff from the conscience of Zips Foootball:  "Zipped Up."

 

 

He's trying awful hard to not just be like "what the f*** guys," but yes, an excellent read.

Edited 4 hours ago by exit322