Dru DeShields accounts for 5 TDs as Kent State tops Akron 35-20

Wayne Harris finished with nine receptions for 156 yards, and Hunter Hopperton put the Golden Flashes ahead for good late in the third quarter to hand the Zips their sixth consecutive defeat.

Oct 24, 2026 at 4:50 pm ET • 1 min read

KENT, Ohio (AP) Dru DeShields threw four touchdown passes and added a rushing touchdown, Wayne Harris had nine receptions for 156 yards and three TDs, and Kent State beat Akron 35-20 on Saturday.

Akron (1-7. 0-4) has lost six straight.

DeShields was 18-of-33 passing for 294 yards and threw scoring strikes of 1, 55 and 19 yards to Harris.

Hunter Hopperton caught a 2-yard touchdown pass that gave Kent State (3-5, 2-2 Mid-American Conference) its first lead at 21-17 late in the third quarter and the Zips trailed the rest of the way.

Jordan Gant had 162 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 28 carries for the Zips. Kyan Mason added seven receptions for 129 yards.

Akron: Hosts Ohio on Nov. 3.

Kent State: Plays Friday at Sacramento State.

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Wayne Harris finished with nine receptions for 156 yards, and Hunter Hopperton put the Golden Flashes ahead for good late in the third quarter to hand the Zips their sixth consecutive defeat.

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