SportsDirect Inc. staff
Nov 23, 2012
No. 25 Kent State 28, Ohio 6: Linebacker C.J. Malauulu returned an interception for a touchdown and forced a fumble which resulted in another score as the host Golden Flashes seized their program-best 10th consecutive victory.
Trayion Durham ran for 97 yards and added his 14th rushing score for Kent State (11-1, 8-0 Mid-American), which will face Northern Illinois in the conference championship game on Nov. 30.
Malauulu got the Golden Flashes off to a hot start after prying the ball away from Beau Blankenship. Luke Wollet scooped it up and raced 50 yards for the opening score just 1:58 into the contest.
After Durham's 15-yard touchdown gave Kent State a 14-0 lead, Malauulu upped the advantage just 12 seconds later. The senior stepped in front of Tyler Tettleton's pass and rumbled 33 yards before diving into the end zone.
Blankenship rushed for 145 yards to pass Kalvin McRae for Ohio's single-season record. Blankenship has 1,500 yards this season for the Bobcats (8-4, 4-4), who have dropped four of their last five.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Kent State has seen 13 different players record an interception this season. In addition, four different defensive players have found the end zone for the Golden Flashes. ... Tettleton's interception was just his third this season. ... Kent State's eight sacks on Friday were its most since it also recorded eight against Ohio in 1994.