KENT: Kent State coach Doug Martin implored his team to begin creating turnovers heading into the game Saturday with its rival, the University of Akron.

The Golden Flashes responded by making up for lost time with three interceptions — all in the first half.

The school-record-tying three picks by sophomore safety Brian Lainhart weren't enough, though, to keep the Flashes from a heartbreaking 30-27 double-overtime loss at Dix Stadium.

''I could care less if I only had one tackle [as long as] we won,'' Lainhart said. ''I really don't care what I [do individually] when we lose.''

Despite some key mistakes, the Flashes (1-5, 0-2 in the Mid-American Conference) dominated a majority of the game statistically, led by senior quarterback Julian Edelman. He rushed for 113 yards on 18 carries and threw for 157 more with two touchdown passes, accounting for 270 yards of offense.

KSU also outrushed UA (3-3, 1-1) 256 yards to 58, outgained the Zips by 413 total yards compared to 301 and came up with the defensive turnovers. The Zips had none.

''We battled and played hard but just made some mistakes down the line that cost us the game,'' Martin said. ''Our players just can't make those crucial mistakes. You can't go out and just drop a punt, and you can't miss two chip-shot field goals.''

Having scored after two of Lainhart's interceptions, the Flashes held a 21-10 halftime lead.

UA came out and scored 14 consecutive points in the second half to take a brief 24-21 lead, an offensive spurt capped by a controversial catch in the corner of the end zone by junior receiver Deryn Bowser.

It was two mistakes, though, that Martin eluded to that put the Flashes in trouble in the first place. Junior Nate Reed missed a 27-yard field-goal attempt early in the fourth quarter with KSU holding a 21-17 lead.

Then, with 4:24 to go in regulation, KSU return man Phil Garner fumbled a punt that the Zips' Tyler Campbell pounced on, turning it into a huge momentum-changing play.

''He's been great all year,'' Martin said of Garner. ''I don't know what happened. He just didn't catch that one.''

With 1:28 left in the fourth quarter, Edelman engineered a last-shot drive that included a highlight-reel 34-yard sprint to set up a Reed field goal. The ball just sailed over the cross bar, despite being partially blocked and beginning with a low snap. The kick tied the score 24-24 to send the game into overtime.

In the first extra period, the teams traded field goals. In the second overtime, the Zips made their second field goal, but the Flashes were unable to answer when Reed missed on a 23-yard attempt.

As Reed's kick was waved off by the referees, holder Edelman remained crouched on the field, his head hung in the reality of defeat. Within seconds, UA junior safety Bryan Williams huddled over Edelman and, in an act of friendship, tried to bring him to his feet.

Edelman stayed put.

''He just told me, 'Win some games,' '' Edelman said. ''That's all he said.''