Wagon Wheel
Encyclopedia
The Blue and Gold Wagon Wheel, now known simply as the Wagon Wheel, is awarded to the winner of the annual college football
game between the University of Akron
and Kent State University
.
The trophy is, as the name implies, the wheel from a horse-drawn wagon
that is painted blue and gold, the colors in which both teams play.
when his wagon became stuck in the mud. The horses pulled the wagon apart and one of the wheels ended up being buried. Buchtel would eventually settle on a site in Akron
for Buchtel College, which would eventually become the University of Akron
. In 1902, while digging for a pipeline in Kent
, the wheel was discovered and eventually came into the possession of Kent State dean of men Dr. Raymond Manchester. It was he who suggested in 1945 that the wheel be used as a trophy for the winner of the Kent State-Akron football game http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/sports/colleges/kent_state_university/15646703.htm. When the rivalry first started, Kent State dominated the series every year until 1954, when the rivalry was scrapped due to a lack of competition. It was reinstated in 1972 and has been an annual contest since. In 1992, Akron joined the Mid-American Conference
and the rivalry became a conference game. Through the 2011 game, Akron holds a 30–22–2 edge in the overall series though Kent State leads the series 21–19–1 in Wagon Wheel games.
returner Joshua Cribbs
. The Zips, led by current Oakland Raiders
quarterback Charlie Frye
, bounced back with 24-19 and 35-3 wins in both 2004 and 2005 respectively before Kent State won 37-15 at Kent in 2006. On 9 October 2010, the Flashes won 28-17 at Dix Stadium
in Kent
, which was also Kent State's Homecoming. On 12 November 2011, the Flashes won 35-3 at Infocision Stadium in Akron
. The win gives Kent State the overall Wagon Wheel series lead at 21-19-1.
Only trophy games are listed.
* Overtime game
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
game between the University of Akron
University of Akron
The University of Akron is a coeducational public research university located in Akron, Ohio, United States. The university is part of the University System of Ohio. It was founded in 1870 as a small college affiliated with the Universalist Church. In 1913 ownership was transferred to the City of...
and Kent State University
Kent State University
Kent State University is a public research university located in Kent, Ohio, United States. The university has eight campuses around the northeast Ohio region with the main campus in Kent being the largest...
.
The trophy is, as the name implies, the wheel from a horse-drawn wagon
Wagon
A wagon is a heavy four-wheeled vehicle pulled by draught animals; it was formerly often called a wain, and if low and sideless may be called a dray, trolley or float....
that is painted blue and gold, the colors in which both teams play.
History
The University of Akron and Kent State University, located just 10 miles apart, first played for the Wagon Wheel in 1946. The story goes that John R. Buchtel was searching for a site to start a new college in 1870 near what is now Kent State UniversityKent State University
Kent State University is a public research university located in Kent, Ohio, United States. The university has eight campuses around the northeast Ohio region with the main campus in Kent being the largest...
when his wagon became stuck in the mud. The horses pulled the wagon apart and one of the wheels ended up being buried. Buchtel would eventually settle on a site in Akron
Akron, Ohio
Akron , is the fifth largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Summit County. It is located in the Great Lakes region approximately south of Lake Erie along the Little Cuyahoga River. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 199,110. The Akron Metropolitan...
for Buchtel College, which would eventually become the University of Akron
University of Akron
The University of Akron is a coeducational public research university located in Akron, Ohio, United States. The university is part of the University System of Ohio. It was founded in 1870 as a small college affiliated with the Universalist Church. In 1913 ownership was transferred to the City of...
. In 1902, while digging for a pipeline in Kent
Kent, Ohio
Kent is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the largest city in Portage County. It is located along the Cuyahoga River in Northeastern Ohio on the western edge of the county. The population was 27,906 at the 2000 United States Census and 28,904 in the 2010 Census...
, the wheel was discovered and eventually came into the possession of Kent State dean of men Dr. Raymond Manchester. It was he who suggested in 1945 that the wheel be used as a trophy for the winner of the Kent State-Akron football game http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/sports/colleges/kent_state_university/15646703.htm. When the rivalry first started, Kent State dominated the series every year until 1954, when the rivalry was scrapped due to a lack of competition. It was reinstated in 1972 and has been an annual contest since. In 1992, Akron joined the Mid-American Conference
Mid-American Conference
The Mid-American Conference is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I college athletic conference with a membership base in the Great Lakes region that stretches from Western New York to Illinois. Nine of the twelve full member schools are in Ohio and Michigan, with single members...
and the rivalry became a conference game. Through the 2011 game, Akron holds a 30–22–2 edge in the overall series though Kent State leads the series 21–19–1 in Wagon Wheel games.
Recent meetings
Akron has won twelve of the last fifteen meetings against Kent State, beginning with six consecutive victories from 1997-2002. Kent State finally broke through in 2003, winning a 41-38 thriller at Akron, led by current Cleveland BrownsCleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
returner Joshua Cribbs
Joshua Cribbs
Joshua "Josh" Cribbs is an American football wide receiver and return specialist for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League. He played collegiately for Kent State University. He holds the NFL record with eight kickoff returns for touchdowns...
. The Zips, led by current Oakland Raiders
Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
quarterback Charlie Frye
Charlie Frye
Charles Frye, , is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the third round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He played college football at Akron.-Early years:...
, bounced back with 24-19 and 35-3 wins in both 2004 and 2005 respectively before Kent State won 37-15 at Kent in 2006. On 9 October 2010, the Flashes won 28-17 at Dix Stadium
Dix Stadium
Dix Stadium is a stadium in Kent, Ohio, United States. It is primarily used for American football, and is the home field of the Kent State Golden Flashes football team. It lies at the far eastern end of the KSU campus along Summit Street, just east of State Route 261 and is the center piece of...
in Kent
Kent, Ohio
Kent is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the largest city in Portage County. It is located along the Cuyahoga River in Northeastern Ohio on the western edge of the county. The population was 27,906 at the 2000 United States Census and 28,904 in the 2010 Census...
, which was also Kent State's Homecoming. On 12 November 2011, the Flashes won 35-3 at Infocision Stadium in Akron
Akron, Ohio
Akron , is the fifth largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Summit County. It is located in the Great Lakes region approximately south of Lake Erie along the Little Cuyahoga River. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 199,110. The Akron Metropolitan...
. The win gives Kent State the overall Wagon Wheel series lead at 21-19-1.
Game results
Akron victories are shaded ██ blue. Kent State victories shaded ██ gold. Ties shaded ██ silver.Only trophy games are listed.
| Date | Site | Winning team | Losing team | Series | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| November 16, 1946 | Akron | Kent State | 13 | Akron | 6 | KENT 1-0 |
| November 14, 1947 | Kent | Kent State | 6 | Akron | 0 | KENT 2-0 |
| November 12, 1948 | Akron | Kent State | 31 | Akron | 0 | KENT 3-0 |
| November 12, 1949 | Kent | Kent State | 47 | Akron | 0 | KENT 4-0 |
| November 11, 1950 | Akron | Kent State | 19 | Akron | 7 | KENT 5-0 |
| November 10, 1951 | Kent | Kent State | 48 | Akron | 7 | KENT 6-0 |
| November 7, 1952 | Akron | Kent State | 34 | Akron | 14 | KENT 7-0 |
| November 7, 1953 | Kent | Kent State | 54 | Akron | 19 | KENT 8-0 |
| November 6, 1954 | Akron | Kent State | 58 | Akron | 18 | KENT 9-0 |
| 1955–1971 | No games played between Akron and Kent State | |||||
| September 13, 1972 | Akron | Akron | 13 | Kent State | 13 | KENT 9-0-1 |
| October 26, 1974 | Kent | Kent State | 51 | Akron | 14 | KENT 10-0-1 |
| September 15, 1979 | Akron | Akron | 15 | Kent State | 13 | KENT 10-1-1 |
| September 19, 1981 | Kent | Kent State | 17 | Akron | 6 | KENT 11-1-1 |
| September 3, 1983 | Akron | Akron | 13 | Kent State | 6 | KENT 11-2-1 |
| September 1, 1984 | Kent | Kent State | 24 | Akron | 17 | KENT 12-2-1 |
| September 14, 1985 | Akron | Akron | 24 | Kent State | 0 | KENT 12-3-1 |
| September 13, 1986 | Kent | Akron | 17 | Kent State | 7 | KENT 12-4-1 |
| September 12, 1987 | Akron | Kent State | 27 | Akron | 23 | KENT 13-4-1 |
| September 10, 1988 | Kent | Kent State | 32 | Akron | 12 | KENT 14-4-1 |
| September 9, 1989 | Akron | Akron | 40 | Kent State | 7 | KENT 14-5-1 |
| September 8, 1990 | Kent | Akron | 38 | Kent State | 10 | KENT 14-6-1 |
| October 10, 1992 | Kent | Kent State | 20 | Akron | 16 | KENT 15-6-1 |
| September 11, 1993 | Akron | Akron | 42 | Kent State | 7 | KENT 15-7-1 |
| September 17, 1994 | Kent | Kent State | 32 | Akron | 16 | KENT 16-7-1 |
| October 28, 1995 | Akron | Akron | 14 | Kent State | 6 | KENT 16-8-1 |
| October 5, 1996 | Kent | Kent State | 32 | Akron | 17 | KENT 17-8-1 |
| November 8, 1997 | Akron | Akron | 45 | Kent State | 35 | KENT 17-9-1 |
| October 10, 1998 | Kent | Akron | 45 | Kent State | 16 | KENT 17-10-1 |
| November 13, 1999 | Akron | Akron | 37 | Kent State | 34 | KENT 17-11-1 |
| November 18, 2000 | Kent | Akron | 34 | Kent State | 6 | KENT 17-12-1 |
| September 29, 2001 | Akron | Akron | 14 | Kent State | 10 | KENT 17-13-1 |
| November 23, 2002 | Kent | Akron | 48 | Kent State | 10 | KENT 17-14-1 |
| August 28, 2003 | Akron | Kent State | 41 | Akron | 38 | KENT 18-14-1 |
| September 23, 2004 | Kent | Akron | 24 | Kent State | 19 | KENT 18-15-1 |
| November 24, 2005 | Akron | Akron | 35 | Kent State | 3 | KENT 18-16-1 |
| September 30, 2006 | Kent | Kent State | 37 | Akron | 15 | KENT 19-16-1 |
| September 22, 2007 | Akron | Akron | 27 | Kent State | 20 | KENT 19-17-1 |
| October 4, 2008 | Kent | Akron* | 30 | Kent State | 27 | KENT 19-18-1 |
| November 7, 2009 | Akron | Akron | 28 | Kent State | 20 | TIE 19-19-1 |
| October 9, 2010 | Kent | Kent State | 28 | Akron | 17 | KENT 20-19-1 |
| November 12, 2011 | Akron | Kent State | 35 | Akron | 3 | KENT 21-19-1 |
* Overtime game