Two late chances for Kent State
Michael Leonard's Akron Beacon Journal live report described Fries getting into the backfield to partially block the 49-yard attempt. Ohio kept its three-point lead, but Kent State's defense gave its offense another opportunity.
With 2:30 remaining, the Golden Flashes stopped Duncan Brune for no gain on fourth-and-one at their own 39. Dru DeShields then moved Kent State 46 yards in 10 plays, reaching the Ohio 15. The drive stalled there, and Leonard's 32-yard field goal went wide. Ohio needed only a kneel-down to finish the game.
Kent State had already tied the score in the third quarter. After a fumble recovery, Mason King finished the ensuing possession with a one-yard touchdown run. Hryszko answered at the end of Ohio's next drive, making his second field goal of the afternoon with 15 seconds left in the period.
Ohio wins with the run and its defense
Vezza scored Ohio's only touchdown on a 35-yard scramble in the second quarter. The run came after Michael Molnar intercepted a deflected pass, giving the Bobcats a possession in Kent State territory. Hryszko had opened the scoring with a 40-yard field goal following Chamberlain's blocked punt.
Vezza and Levi Davis combined to complete eight of 14 passes for 72 yards. Davis added 42 rushing yards. Brune carried 18 times for 86 yards.
DeShields completed 20 of 35 passes for 217 yards for Kent State, but Ohio intercepted him twice. Molnar had one interception and Kendall Bannister the other. Fries led the Bobcats with 10 tackles, and Molnar added eight tackles and a sack.
Ohio's official report said the punt block and field goal block were its first two blocks in the same game since 2007. Coach John Hauser pointed to a simpler achievement: the Bobcats had been 0-2 away from home and found a way to win on the road.
Ohio improved to 3-2 overall and 1-0 in the MAC. Kent State fell to 2-3 and 1-1. The Bobcats host Central Michigan next Saturday; the Golden Flashes travel to Western Michigan.
