College Football

Kent State’s game-opening onside kick goes horribly wrong, ends in touchdown

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Published Oct. 14, 2023, 1:43 p.m. ET

Kent State dipped into its bag of tricks Saturday against Eastern Michigan, only to watch things go horribly wrong.

The Golden Flashes tried to catch the Eagles off-guard by attempting an onside kick to open the game.

But Andrew Glass’ short kick ended up in the hands of Eastern Michigan’s Kendric Nowling, who returned it 44 yards for a touchdown, giving the Eagles a 7-0 lead just six seconds into the game.

Kent State opened its game on Saturday, Oct. 14 with an onside kick, which Eastern Michigan recovered and returned for a touchdown.
Kent State (1-3) visited Eastern Michigan (3-3) on Saturday.
CBS Sports/X
Kent State opened its game on Saturday, Oct. 14 with an onside kick, which Eastern Michigan recovered and returned for a touchdown.
Kent State opened its game Saturday with a surprise onside kick, which Eastern Michigan recovered and returned for a touchdown.
CBS Sports/X

You can’t blame the Golden Flashes for trying some trickery, with the team hitting the road Saturday sporting an ugly 1-5 record, including 0-2 in MAC play.

Among Kent State’s lowlights is a 42-17 shellacking last week by Ohio University, which is the defending MAC East Division champion.

Bobcats quarterback Kurtis Rourke torched the Golden Flashes, passing for three touchdowns and running for another.

Kent State opened its game on Saturday, Oct. 14 with an onside kick, which Eastern Michigan recovered and returned for a touchdown.
Eastern Michigan’s Kendric Nowling recovered the onside kick.
CBS Sports/X
Kent State opened its game on Saturday, Oct. 14 with an onside kick, which Eastern Michigan recovered and returned for a touchdown.
Nowling returned the onside kick 44 yards for a touchdown.
CBS Sports/X

Ohio outgained Kent State 466-228 and turned in six sacks on defense, two by Bradley Weaver.

The Bobcats scored touchdowns on five consecutive possessions over the second and third quarters.

Eastern Michigan (3-3) took the field this weekend looking to remain perfect at home, with all three wins this season coming at “The Factory” at Rynearson Stadium.

The Eagles celebrated homecoming last weekend with a 24-10 win over Ball State in a game that featured quarterback Austin Smith throwing for 192 yards and two touchdowns.