Kent State beats Akron 35-20

Team pages: Akron · Kent State

Akron1-720
Kent State3-535Final
Sat, Oct 24 · Dix Stadium, Kent, Ohio · Crowd 12,375ESPN+

Kent State beat Akron 35-20.

We had Kent State favored. It won.

Next: Akron vs Ohio, Tue Nov 3 · 7:00 PM ET

Next: Kent State at Sacramento State, Fri Oct 30 · 10:30 PM ET · Kent State favored by 10

How it swung

The turning point: DeShields 55-yd TD pass to Harris, ties it 14-14 (Q3, 6:27). Kent State went from 31% to 59% to win.

Before kickoff, our ratings gave Kent State a 59% chance, and the closing betting line (Kent State was a 3-point favorite) put it at 60%.

Kent State won by 15, after dipping to 23% in the second quarter.

Up to 77% in the second quarter, then Akron lost it.

FinalKent State 35-20 AkronKent State wonMove across the chart, or tap a numbered swing, to see any play.
50%25%75%90%Q1Q2Q3Q458% at halfKent StateAkronLowest 23%Won35-2012+28+20Scores
50%25%75%90%Q1Q2Q3Q458% at halfKent StateAkronLowest 23%Won35-2012Scores
50%10%25%75%Q1Q2Q3Q442% at halfAkronKent StateHigh 77%Lost20-3512−28−20Scores
50%10%25%75%Q1Q2Q3Q442% at halfAkronKent StateHigh 77%Lost20-3512Scores

The two plays that swung it

  1. 1Q3 6:27DeShields 55-yd TD pass to Harris, ties it 14-14Kent State 31% → 59% (+28)
  2. 2Q3 1:12DeShields 2-yd TD pass to Hopperton, Kent State goes ahead 21-17Kent State 55% → 75% (+20)

The two plays that swung it

  1. 1Q3 6:27DeShields 55-yd TD pass to Harris, ties it 14-14Akron 69% → 41% (−28)
  2. 2Q3 1:12DeShields 2-yd TD pass to Hopperton, Kent State goes ahead 21-17Akron 45% → 25% (−20)
Kent State’s chance to win after every play.
How to read this chartStarts from the pregame line (Kent State -3), at 67% for Kent State (the play-by-play feed's kickoff number, moved to match the line; our model's and the betting line's own numbers are in “The betting line, and the fans”). Dots are the biggest swings; ticks under the chart are scores.

Every drive

Kent State scored on 5 of its 11 drives; Akron on 4 of its 10.

Kent State’s drives are teal, Akron’s amber. A line runs from where a drive started to where it ended; a filled dot means it scored.

own goalgoal lineQ1Kent State: Punt, from 92 yards out to 51PuntAkron: Touchdown, from 91 yards out to 0TouchdownKent State: Turned over on downs, from 75 yards out to 11DownsQ2Akron: Punt, from 89 yards out to 56PuntKent State: Missed field goal, from 80 yards out to 15Missed FGAkron: Missed field goal, from 80 yards out to 23Missed FGKent State: Touchdown, from 77 yards out to 0TouchdownAkron: End of half, from 67 yards out to 59End of halfQ3Akron: Touchdown, from 77 yards out to 0TouchdownKent State: Touchdown, from 67 yards out to 0TouchdownAkron: Field goal, from 70 yards out to 22Field goalKent State: Touchdown, from 75 yards out to 0TouchdownAkron: Punt, from 80 yards out to 70PuntQ4Kent State: Fumble, from 60 yards out to 18FumbleAkron: Interception, from 82 yards out to 58InterceptionKent State: Punt, from 48 yards out to 41PuntAkron: Turned over on downs, from 80 yards out to 78DownsKent State: Touchdown, from 22 yards out to 0TouchdownKent State: Touchdown, from 65 yards out to 0TouchdownAkron: Field goal, from 84 yards out to 32Field goalKent State: End of game, from 39 yards out to 41End of game

From Akron’s side

Akron’s best moment: Newcomb 32-yd field goal no good (Q2 9:06). It lifted Akron’s win chance by 15 points.

Box score

Kent State 35, Akron 20

Kent State covered −3 by 12. The total, 55, went over 48.5.

AkronKent StateTotal yardsAkron 422Kent State 376422376Passing yardsAkron 275Kent State 294275294Rushing yardsAkron 147Kent State 8214782First downsAkron 26Kent State 212621TurnoversAkron 2Kent State 121Time of possessionAkron 34:01Kent State 25:5934:0125:59
Team totalsAkronKent State
Total yards422376
Passing20 of 34, 275 yds18 of 33, 294 yds
Rushing37 for 147 yds26 for 82 yds
First downs2621
Third down7 of 134 of 11
Fourth down0 of 12 of 3
Turnovers21
Penalties15 for 165 yds3 for 35 yds
Time of possession34:0125:59

Akron leaders

  • Passing Brayden Roggow 20 of 34, 275 yds, 1 INT
  • Rushing Jordan Gant 28 for 162 yds, 2 TD; Marquese Williams 3 for 22 yds
  • Receiving Kyan Mason 7 for 129 yds; Miles Burris 4 for 72 yds

Kent State leaders

  • Passing Dru Deshields 18 of 33, 294 yds, 4 TD
  • Rushing Brandon White 11 for 44 yds; Dru Deshields 8 for 28 yds, 1 TD
  • Receiving Wayne Harris 9 for 156 yds, 3 TD; Brandon White 2 for 67 yds

No rain through the game

62° at kickoff · no rain recorded

The usual here around this date is 52°, with about 7 in 10 games between 43° and 66°.

October game-day temperatures at Dix Stadium

Win chance with rain, wind and thunder from the nearest airport, by game timeQ1Q2Q3Q4Kent State favoredAkron favored100%Win chanceKent StateRaininches per 10 min0.1 inNo rain recordedWindmph, average and gusts20 mph40 mphHourly wind only at this airport
Win chance with rain, wind and thunder from the nearest airport, by game timeQ1Q2Q3Q4Kent State favoredAkron favoredRain · inches per 10 min0.1 inNo rain recordedWind · miles per hour2040Hourly wind only at this airport

Drag along the chart, or step through the game.

Third quarter, 6:27 left3:06 p.m.
Akron 14, Kent State 14 · Kent State 59% to win
no rain · 64°
DeShields 55-yd TD pass to Harris, ties it 14-14

Jump to

Where this weather comes fromMeasured at Ravenna airport, 5.9 miles away. Wind and rain are airport readings near the stadium, not on the field. Game times come from the play-by-play, good to a minute or two. Source: National Weather Service, through the Iowa Environmental Mesonet. Field direction from OpenStreetMap contributors.

Before kickoff

Recent games, the series and the betting line below are as they stood going in; the season profile is the season so far.

This is Wagon Wheel — see the full head-to-head history →

Recent games

Last three games

Akron · 1-6

Rated 58th in our preseason ratings, 138th now.

Three straight losses.

L 14-34 @ Miami (OH) No. 98 of 668 teams

lost by 20 as a 9.5-point underdog

Akron lost 14-34 at Miami (OH). Chance to win started at 19%, low under 1%, high 54%.

L 23-25 vs Eastern Michigan No. 120 of 668 teams

lost by 2 as a 4.5-point underdog

Akron lost 23-25 vs Eastern Michigan. Chance to win started at 43%, low 13%, high 69%.

L 17-41 @ Central Michigan No. 119 of 668 teams

lost by 24 as a 6.5-point underdog

Akron lost 17-41 at Central Michigan. Chance to win started at 22%, low under 1%, high 53%.

L 10-38 vs UNLV No. 97 of 668 teams

lost by 28 as a 13.5-point underdog

Akron lost 10-38 vs UNLV. Chance to win started at 24%, low under 1%, high 43%.

L 7-41 @ Minnesota No. 45 of 668 teams

lost by 34 as a 22.5-point underdog

Akron lost 7-41 at Minnesota. Chance to win started at 3%, low under 1%, high 4%.

W 45-10 vs Robert Morris No. 172 of 668 teams

won by 35 as a 26.5-point favorite

Akron won 45-10 vs Robert Morris. Chance to win started at 97%, low 95%, high better than 99%.

L 16-38 @ Wake ForestTop 25 No. 79 of 668 teams

lost by 22 as a 27.5-point underdog

Akron lost 16-38 at Wake Forest. Chance to win started at 3%, low under 1%, high 4%.

Last three games

Kent State · 2-5

Rated 122nd in our preseason ratings, 150th now.

Three straight losses.

L 2-29 @ South Florida No. 59 of 668 teams

lost by 27 as a 20.5-point underdog

Kent State lost 2-29 at South Florida. Chance to win started at 7%, low under 1%, high 17%.

L 7-38 @ Western Michigan No. 39 of 668 teams

lost by 31 as a 13.5-point underdog

Kent State lost 7-38 at Western Michigan. Chance to win started at 13%, low under 1%, high 15%.

L 10-13 vs Ohio No. 62 of 668 teams

lost by 3 as a 3.5-point underdog

Kent State lost 10-13 vs Ohio. Chance to win started at 45%, low 1%, high 59%.

W 26-13 vs Ball State No. 164 of 668 teams

won by 13 as a 2.5-point favorite

Kent State won 26-13 vs Ball State. Chance to win started at 67%, low 60%, high better than 99%.

L 3-59 @ Ohio StateTop 25 No. 1 of 668 teams

lost by 56 as a 52.5-point underdog

Kent State lost 3-59 at Ohio State. Never had a real chance.

W 36-15 vs Wofford No. 195 of 668 teams

won by 21 as a 10-point favorite

Kent State won 36-15 vs Wofford. Chance to win started at 83%, low 51%, high better than 99%.

L 0-57 @ South Carolina No. 17 of 668 teams

lost by 57 as a 35.5-point underdog

Kent State lost 0-57 at South Carolina. Chance to win started at 1%, low under 1%, high 2%.

Week by week

Kent State

Wk 3: L 3-59 at Ohio State▼56Ohio St.Wk 4: W 26-13 vs Ball State▲13Ball St.Wk 5: L 10-13 vs Ohio▼3OhioWk 6: L 7-38 at Western Michigan▼31W. Michi…Wk 7: L 2-29 at South Florida▼27S. Flori…
  • Wk 3Lat Ohio State3-59
  • Wk 4Wvs Ball State26-13
  • Wk 5Lvs Ohio10-13
  • Wk 6Lat Western Michigan7-38
  • Wk 7Lat South Florida2-29

Akron

Wk 3: L 7-41 at Minnesota▼34MinnesotaWk 4: L 10-38 vs UNLV▼28UNLVWk 5: L 17-41 at Central Michigan▼24C. Michi…Wk 6: L 23-25 vs Eastern Michigan▼2E. Michi…Wk 7: L 14-34 at Miami (OH)▼20M. (OH)
  • Wk 3Lat Minnesota7-41
  • Wk 4Lvs UNLV10-38
  • Wk 5Lat Central Michigan17-41
  • Wk 6Lvs Eastern Michigan23-25
  • Wk 7Lat Miami (OH)14-34

Power rating by week

Akron is rated 0.7 points ahead as of week 7. Our power rating by week; higher is better.

3-2-6Wk 0Wk 4Wk 7Kent StateAkron

Matchups

Biggest mismatch: Kent State’s explosive plays against Akron, 63 points

Each row ranks the two sides among all teams. The longer the line, the bigger the mismatch.

  1. Kent State’s explosive plays against Akron’s defense

    63 pointsweakerstronger50th

    Kent State offense, 71st percentile · Akron defense, 8th

  2. Akron’s success rate against Kent State’s defense

    30 pointsweakerstronger50th

    Akron offense, 42nd percentile · Kent State defense, 12th

  3. Kent State’s rushing EPA against Akron’s defense

    21 pointsweakerstronger50th

    Kent State offense, 4th percentile · Akron defense, 25th

Season profile, all the rows

Season profile

AkronKent State
EPA/play, offense
Akron · 30Kent State · 4
EPA/play, defense
Akron · 11Kent State · 35
Success rate, offense
Akron · 42Kent State · 2
Success rate, defense
Akron · 24Kent State · 12
Explosive-play rate, offense
Akron · 14Kent State · 71
Explosive-play rate, defense
Akron · 8Kent State · 66
Rush EPA, offense
Akron · 60Kent State · 4
Rush EPA, defense
Akron · 25Kent State · 37
Pass EPA, offense
Akron · 24Kent State · 19
Pass EPA, defense
Akron · 14Kent State · 37

The series

Akron leads the series 26-19-1

46 meetings since 1972 · Kent State won the last meeting

Kent State wonAkron won1972: tie1974: Kent State by 371979: Akron by 21981: Kent State by 111983: Akron by 71984: Kent State by 71985: Akron by 241986: Akron by 101987: Kent State by 41988: Kent State by 201989: Akron by 331990: Akron by 281992: Kent State by 41993: Akron by 351994: Kent State by 161995: Akron by 81996: Kent State by 151997: Akron by 101998: Akron by 291999: Akron by 32000: Akron by 282001: Akron by 42002: Akron by 382003: Kent State by 32004: Akron by 52005: Akron by 322006: Kent State by 222007: Akron by 72008: Akron by 32009: Akron by 82010: Kent State by 112011: Kent State by 322012: Kent State by 112013: Akron by 92014: Kent State by 32015: Akron by 202016: Akron by 42017: Akron by 102018: Akron by 12019: Kent State by 232020: Kent State by 342021: Kent State by 382022: Kent State by 62023: Akron by 42024: Akron by 212025: Kent State by 719722025
  • 2025Kent State 42-35Kent State won 42-35 at Akron. Chance to win started at 22%, low 16%, high better than 99%.
  • 2024Akron 38-17Kent State lost 17-38 vs Akron. Chance to win started at 24%, low under 1%, high 36%.
  • 2023Akron 31-27Kent State lost 27-31 at Akron. Chance to win started at 45%, low under 1%, high 85%.
  • 2022Kent State 33-27Kent State won 33-27 vs Akron. Chance to win started at 86%, low 48%, high 96%.
  • 2021Kent State 38-0Kent State won 38-0 at Akron. Chance to win started at 83%, low 77%, high better than 99%.

Each line is Kent State’s chance to win through that meeting. Kent State is 1-1 in the meetings since 2018 that were still close in the fourth quarter.

Line, fans and home field

The betting line, and the fans

Our model and the betting line agree on Kent State’s chances here.

50-50Model 59% · Line 60%AkronKent State

Kent State favored by 3 · Total 48.5

How games like this usually go

Kent State by 3, and it went to form

50%90%Q1Q2Q3Q450%90%Q1Q2Q3Q4

Half of games8 in 10 gamesThis game

The band is where a favorite’s chance ran in the 286 games since 2025 with a favorite of under 3.5 points.

The market

The spread moved 0.5 points toward Akron.

opened −3.5now −3

The total rose 5 points.

opened 43.5now 48.5

Spread: −3.5 → −3 · Total: 43.5 → 48.5

The books’ cut: 4.3%, the margin built into the odds

Home field

Kent State is worth +10.3 points (±4.3) more at home than on the road since 2018 — top tenth of FBS, 100th percentile.

47% at home, 18% on the road against FBS opponents (16-18 home, 10-45 away).

Our model gives every stadium the same flat 2.3-point home edge (why); the books use about 3. Against the closing line this stadium reads +5.4 at home vs. away over 95 games — inside the ±5.6 noise, so the flat number is the honest one here.

The visitors travel about 11 miles to get here.

Last meeting in our History pages

Our History pages cover 9 of their meetings since 2015.

Where next

Conference standings

Going into this game: place in the conference, then conference record.

Full Mid-American standings