Watch: Kent State's surprise onside kick was spectacular failure

Kent State Golden Flashes defensive lineman Macyo WIlliams. Jeff Lange / USA TODAY NETWORK

Watch: Kent State's surprise onside kick to open game was spectacular failure

By Adam Gretz | Last updated 10/14/23

Kent State dropped a 28-14 MAC game to Eastern Michigan on Saturday, and the opening kickoff helped set the tone for the Golden Flashes sixth loss of the season.

In trying to catch the Eagles by surprise, or perhaps just to give their own season a spark, Kent State decided to open the game with a surprise onside kick in an effort to steal a possession and gain possession of the ball.

That is not at all what happened.

In fact, the play turned out to be a spectacular failure as Kent State's onside attempt was picked up by Eastern Michigan's Kendric Nowling and returned 44 yards for what might have been one of the easiest touchdowns on the Saturday slate of college games.

Kent State tried opening the game with a sneak onside-kick…

Eastern Michigan ended up returning it for a touchdown

(via @CBSSports) pic.twitter.com/34doSw94ZB
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 14, 2023

That is not how the Golden Flashes drew it up.

That set the stage for Eastern Michigan to jump out to a 21-0 lead on its way to the win. Kent State has now lost four games in a row and has not been even remotely competitive in any of them. Kent State's only win this season came against FCS team Central Connecticut.

Eastern Michigan won Saturday's game despite completing just nine of 25 passes for 118 yards and rushing for only 100 yards. When you get what amounts to a free touchdown to open the game, you get a little margin for error if your offense is not quite on its game.

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