Frisco, TX – In the third ever Frisco Bowl, the Kent State Golden Flashes (7-6) defeated the Utah State Aggies (7-6) 51-41. Kent State extended their winning streak to four after winning their last three regular season games to become bowl eligible.
“There’s been some narratives about MAC football but we have played two games we are 2-0,” coach Sean Lewis on Friday nights bowl win.
This is the 8th time making a bowl game in the past 9 seasons for Utah State and they are now 4-4 in those games.
After surrendering 51 points to Kent State, Utah States head coach Gary Andersen described his teams defensive performance as “not good.”
Heading into the 2019 season, there was a lot of hype around red-shirt Junior Jordan Love and the Aggies. The Aggies were expected to make a run at a conference championship and Love was supposed to build off a sophomore season that saw him throw 28 touchdowns and just five interceptions. Instead, they went 7-6 after losing in the Frisco Bowl and Love saw his production dip.
Love is headed to the NFL and coach Andersen said his legacy will live on forever. Love finished his college career by completing 29 of 38 passes for 308 yards and three touchdowns and one interception.
“Jordan Love is the best quarterback I have ever played with.” Sophomore receiver Deven Thompkins said when asked what it was like to play with Love. He mentioned that Love was his host when he went to Utah State on his recruiting visit and the bond was created immediately.
The Aggies jumped out to a quick 7-0 lead on their first offensive possession with a 10 play, 75 yard drive that took just 2:58.
The Golden Flashes responded by scoring the next 17 points and took a 23-17 lead into the half led by quarterback Dustin Crum. Crum had a big night completing 21 of 26 passes for 289 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for 149 yards on 21 carries and a touchdown. That performance was good enough to take home the Frisco Bowl offensive MVP.
With 12:48 left in the 4th and Utah State down 34-27, Thompkins scored his second touchdown of the night on a 57 yard rush to tie the game at 34.
This game was won for the Golden Flash in the turnover department. They were able to get three takeaways, including a huge fumble recovery with 9:09 left in the 4th quarter.The Golden Flash would kick a field goal to make the score 44-34 with 6:08 left in the 4th.
Utah State scored a touchdown with 3:24 left in the 4th to cut the lead to three, 44-41 but would give up a 46 yard kickoff return. Crum scored the game clinching touchdown on 4th and 1 with 1:59 left.
After being outscored 25-14 in the 4th quarter, Thompkins was asked what decided tonight’s game, “they finished and we didn’t. We pride ourselves on finishing and tonight we didn’t do that.” That is something coach Andersen said will be the focus in 2020.
Kent State sophomore receiver Isaiah McKoy was the Golden Flashes leading receiver coming into tonight and he caught six passes for 103 yards and a touchdown. This was Kent State fourth ever bowl appearance and first win in a bowl game in the schools history and they will look to build on the strong finish to the season in 2020.
