Kent State's surprise onside kick to start game backfires in worst way possible

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Kent State wanted to gain immediate momentum in their game Saturday afternoon – however, they got anything but.

The Flashes were set to kick to Eastern Michigan, but to the Eagles' surprise, Kent State went for the onside kick instead.

It didn't work out, as Eastern Michigan's Kendric Nowling was able to recover it. And he gained possession of the ball standing up with room to run.

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Eastern Michigan Eagles running back Samson Evans runs for a touchdown against the Kent State Golden Flashes on Saturday Oct. 14, 2023, at Rynearson Field in Ypsilanti, Michigan. (Steven King/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

So, he took off, and instead of what Kent State thought was the worst-case scenario in simply just playing defense at their own 45-yard line, Nowling took it all the way to the house for a game-opening kick return for a touchdown.

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That was the beginning of Kent State's 28-14 loss to the Eagles, as they fell to 1-6 on the season.

Kent State was held scoreless until the end of the third quarter. In their first nine drives, they punted five times, turned it over on downs twice and fumbled once. The other was the end of the first half. The Flashes also lost fumbles on two of their three final drives as they tried to come back.

It was an ugly game in ugly weather overall, as both teams combined for 18 punts. Kent State actually outgained EMU, 343-218, but they were unable to fight back from their attempt at immediate satisfaction.

The Eastern Michigan Eagles break through their