KENT, Ohio -- Kent State scored 17 unanswered fourth-quarter points, including Luke Batton's 83-yard fumble return for a touchdown, as the Golden Flashes defeated Western Michigan 41-24 Saturday.

Kent State (6-1, 4-0 Mid-American Conference), off to its best start since 1973, went ahead 31-24 on its first possession of the fourth quarter, getting a 33-yard Spencer Keith pass to Dri Archer and a 33-yard run by Trayion Durham before Archer scored on a 10-yard run.

Dana Brown intercepted Tyler Van Tubbergen's pass on the Broncos' next play, setting up Freddie Cortez's 43-yard field goal.

Western Michigan (3-5, 1-3) then drove from its 31 to the Kent State 11 before C.J. Malauulu forced a Brian Fields fumble that Batton returned all the way.

Durham carried 19 times for 124 yards for Kent State.

Western Michigan's Van Tubbergen completed 30 of 57 passes for 333 yards, including an 81-yard touchdown to Josh Schaffer.