KENT, Ohio – Heroic efforts by Nick Holley and Justin Rankin were not quite enough to return the Wagon Wheel to Kent State as Akron leapfrogged the Golden Flashes in the closing seconds for a 31-27 win in Saturday's Homecoming Game at Dix Stadium.
Making the move from running back to a surprise start at quarterback, Nick Holley rushed for 117 yards on 34 carries and added another 285 yards on 19-for-35 passing, including a fourth-down, backhanded flip to Rankin for a 9-yard touchdown that put Kent State ahead 27-24 with 1:02 to play.