CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Kent State began its 96th season of football by coming up just short of its first program win over a Big Ten opponent Saturday at Memorial Stadium. Illinois used 28 second-half points to top the Golden Flashes 31-24 in the 2018 season opener.
Late in the fourth quarter, the Flashes put together a 13-play drive that made it as far as the Illinois four yard line, before a fourth-and-goal pass was intercepted with 2:11 to play. Behind first career FBS starts for three offensive linemen (Jamil Viaud, Julian Sams, Chase Van Hoef) and quarterback Woody Barrett, the Flashes outgained Illinois through the air 270-190.
“Our team played hard and played with a good attitude, but we need to finish stronger Head Coach Sean Lewis said. “No moral victories though. We came on this trip to get a victory and we let them off the hook. For year one, game one, it’s something we can build upon.”
The Fighting Illini opened up the scoring with a first-quarter Chase McLaughlin field goal. But it was a solid effort for the Kent State defense as Illinois started the drive at midfield.
The Flashes responded with a 7-play, 80-yard drive as Antwan Dixon scored his first touchdown since 2015, off the arm of Barrett. Barrett threw for 270 yards and two touchdowns in his Kent State debut and rushed for 117 yards. Even more inspiring for Flashes’ fans was Dixon’s proven return to full health after missing two seasons and receiving a life-saving bone marrow transplant. He finished with three catches for 48 yards.
“It’s great to have a kid get back on the field who loves the game,” Lewis said of Dixon. “I’ve talked about it before, his passion and energy he brings, to have him have that moment and just do his regular job. He did his job on that play and let it come to him.”
Lewis did not shy away from fourth down attempts on offense, going 4-for-5 on the day, including a fourth-and-nine to set up Dixon’s touchdown.
“We call it to win the game,” Lewis said of fourth downs. “No risk it, no biscuit.”
True freshman Matthew Trickett connected on his first field goal attempt as the Flashes scored 17 unanswered points and led 17-3 at the half. Junior Mike Carrigan made one of his career-high catches in the second quarter to give Kent State a 14-point lead. Carrigan was one of 10 different Flashes to catch a pass on Saturday.
Illinois turned the momentum its way early in the third quarter when a Barrett pass caromed off a receiver’s hands and into the arms of Jartavius Martin for an interception. The Illini quickly capitalized with a four-play scoring drive to cut the lead to 17-10. On its next drive, Illinois needed just three plays to tie the game on 39-yard run by Reggie Corbin.
Kent State took the lead right back on an eight-play, 75-yard scoring drive. Barrett completed 5-of-5 passes on the drive and ran for his first career touchdown from four yards out.
Illinois countered with another quick scoring drive in the third quarter and Corbin scored his second TD of the game in the fourth, finishing off an 8-play 55-yard drive.
Senior linebacker Jim Jones made 11 tackles, but Kent State defense was unable to carry its momentum into the second half.
The Golden Flashes host Howard Saturday, Sept. 8, in their home opener on Parents and Families Weekend.
