2023 Kent State Golden Flashes football team

Last updated

2023 Kent State Golden Flashes football
Kent State K.svg
Conference Mid-American Conference
DivisionEast Division
Record1–11 (0–8 MAC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinator Matt Johnson (1st season)
Co-offensive coordinator Matt Limegrover (1st season)
Offensive scheme Up-tempo spread
Defensive coordinator Dave Duggan (1st season)
Base defense 4–3
Home stadium Dix Stadium
Seasons
←  2022
2024  →
2023 Mid-American Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
Team W L  W L 
East Division
Miami (OH) xy$  7 –1   11 –3  
Ohio  6 –2   10 –3  
Bowling Green  5 –3   7 –6  
Buffalo  3 –5   3 –9  
Akron  1 –7   2 –10  
Kent State  0 –8   1 –11  
West Division
Toledo xy  8 –0   11 –3  
Northern Illinois  5 –3   7 –6  
Eastern Michigan  4 –4   6 –7  
Central Michigan  3 –5   5 –7  
Ball State  3 –5   4 –8  
Western Michigan  3 –5   4 –8  
Championship: Miami (OH) 23, Toledo 14
  • $ – Conference champion
  • x – Division champion/co-champions
  • y – Championship game participant

The 2023 Kent State Golden Flashes football team represented Kent State University as a member of the Mid-American Conference in the 2023 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Golden Flashes were led by former Minnesota assistant head coach Kenni Burns in his first year as Kent State's head coach. [1] They played their home games at Dix Stadium in Kent, Ohio. [2] They finished the season 1–11 and 0–8 in conference play [3] to finish with the worst record in college football. The Kent State Golden Flashes football team drew an average home attendance of 9,511 in 2023. [4]

Contents

Preseason

Preseason poll

On July 20, the MAC announced the preseason coaches poll. Kent State was picked to finish last in the East. [5]

Schedule

DateTimeOpponentSiteTVResultAttendance
August 317:00 p.m.at UCF *
 FS1 L 6–5644,088
September 94:00 p.m.at Arkansas *
 SECN L 6–2873,173
September 1612:00 p.m. Central Connecticut *
 ESPN+ W 38–1010,731
September 2310:30 p.m.at Fresno State *
 CBSSN L 10–5338,728
September 302:30 p.m. Miami (OH)
  • Dix Stadium
  • Kent, OH
ESPN+L 3–2313,598
October 73:30 p.m.at Ohio
ESPN+L 17–4222,945
October 1412:00 p.m.at Eastern Michigan
CBSSNL 14–2818,443
October 213:30 p.m. Buffalo Dagger-14-plain.png
  • Dix Stadium
  • Kent, OH
ESPN+L 6–2411,735
November 17:30 p.m.at Akron
ESPNU L 27–318,113
November 87:00 p.m. Bowling Green
  • Dix Stadium
  • Kent, OH
CBSSNL 19–496,065
November 182:00 p.m.at Ball State
ESPN+L 3–348,554
November 2512:00 p.m. Northern Illinois
  • Dix Stadium
  • Kent, OH
ESPN+L 27–375,427
  • *Non-conference game
  • Dagger-14-plain.pngHomecoming
  • All times are in Pacific time

    [6] [7]

    Game summaries

    At UCF

    Kent State Golden Flashes at UCF Knights
    Quarter1234Total
    Golden Flashes30306
    Knights1414141456

    at FBC Mortgage Stadium, Orlando, Florida

    Game information
    First Quarter
    • UCF: Xavier Townsend 9-yard touchdown pass from John Rhys Plumlee (Colton Boomer Kick), 10:56
    • UCF: John Rhys Plumlee 17-yard touchdown run (Colton Boomer Kick), 6:07
    • Kent State: Andrew Glass 45-yard field goal, 3:20
    Second Quarter
    • UCF: Jordan McDonald 2-yard touchdown run (Colton Boomer Kick), 8:46
    • UCF: Alec Holler 18-yard touchdown pass from John Rhys Plumlee (Colton Boomer Kick), 0:42
    Third Quarter
    • UCF: R.J. Harvey 50-yard touchdown pass from John Rhys Plumlee (Colton Boomer Kick), 10:37
    • UCF: R.J. Harvey 48-yard touchdown run (Colton Boomer Kick), 4:07
    • Kent State: Andrew Glass 43-yard field goal, 0:49
    Fourth Quarter
    • UCF: Mark-Antony Richards 7-yard touchdown run (Colton Boomer Kick), 7:26
    • UCF: Demarkcus Bowman 5-yard touchdown (Colton Boomer Kick), 0:54
    StatisticsKENTUCF
    First downs1532
    Total yards240723
    Rushing yards95389
    Passing yards145334
    Turnovers13
    Time of possession28:3431:26
    TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
    Kent StatePassingMichael Alaimo12/31, 145 yards, INT
    RushingGavin Garcia18 rushes, 45 yards
    ReceivingChrishon McCray3 receptions, 61 yards
    UCFPassing John Rhys Plumlee 22/30, 281 yards, 3 TD, INT
    RushingJohnny Richardson12 rushes, 100 yards
    ReceivingXavier Townsend5 receptions, 81 yards, TD

    At Arkansas

    Kent State Golden Flashes at Arkansas Razorbacks
    Quarter1234Total
    Golden Flashes33006
    Razorbacks777728

    at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium • Fayetteville, Arkansas

    • Date: September 9
    • Game time: 3:00 p.m. CDT / 4:00 p.m. EDT
    • Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 83 °F (28 °C) • Wind: northeast 8 mph (13 km/h)
    • Game attendance: 73,173
    • Referee: Scott Walker
    • TV announcers (SECN): Dave Neal, Derek Mason, and Taylor Davis
    • Box score, Recap
    Game information
    First quarter
    • (3:24) Kent State – Andrew Glass 48-yard field goal (Drive: 11 plays, 51 yards, 6:52; Kent State 3–0)
    • (1:12) Arkansas – Antonio Grier 25-yard interception return (Arkansas 7–3)
    Second quarter
    • (6:29) Kent State – Andrew Glass 38-yard field goal (Drive: 10 plays, 52 yards, 5:48; Arkansas 7–6)
    • (2:20) Arkansas – Andrew Armstrong 5-yard pass from KJ Jefferson, Cam Little kick (Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 4:09; Arkansas 14–6)
    Third quarter
    • (5:50) Arkansas – Rashod Dubinion 1-yard rush, Cam Little kick (Drive: 12 plays, 91 yards, 6:28; Arkansas 21–6)
    Fourth quarter
    • (10:16) Arkansas – Andrew Armstrong 9-yard pass from KJ Jefferson, Cam Little kick (Drive: 15 plays, 73 yards, 7:54; Arkansas 28–6)
    StatisticsKENTARK
    First downs1419
    Total yards200308
    Rushing yards26172
    Passing yards174136
    Turnovers10
    Time of possession27:4432:16
    TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
    Kent StatePassingMichael Alaimo11/17, 174 yards, INT
    RushingGavin Garcia18 rushes, 68 yards
    ReceivingTrell Harris4 receptions, 78 yards
    ArkansasPassing KJ Jefferson 13/19, 136 yards, 2 TD
    RushingAJ Green15 rushes, 82 yards
    Receiving Isaac TeSlaa 3 receptions, 51 yards

    Central Connecticut

    Central Connecticut Blue Devils at Kent State Golden Flashes – Game summary
    Quarter1234Total
    Blue Devils0001010
    Golden Flashes14717038

    at Dix Stadium • Kent, Ohio

    • Date: September 16
    • Game time: 12:00 p.m. EDT
    • Game weather: Sunny, 67 °F (19 °C)
    • Game attendance: 10,731
    • Referee: William Williams
    • TV: ESPN+
    • Box score, Recap
    Game information
    First quarter
    • KENT – Gavin Garcia 2-yard run (Andrew Glass kick), 9:57. Golden Flashes 7–0. Drive: 12 plays, 76 yards, 4:56.
    • KENT – Trell Harris 40-yard pass from Michael Alaimo (Andrew Glass kick), 5:21. Golden Flashes 14–0. Drive: 8 plays, 67 yards, 3:20.

    Second quarter

    • KENT – Gavin Garcia 25-yard run (Andrew Glass kick), 6:58. Golden Flashes 21–0. Drive: 3 plays, 44 yards, 0:57.

    Third quarter

    • KENT – Michael Alaimo 3-yard run (Andrew Glass kick), 10:27. Golden Flashes 28–0. Drive: 7 plays, 64 yards, 3:05.
    • KENT – Andrew Glass 24-yard field goal, 7:24. Golden Flashes 31–0. Drive: 6 plays, 56 yards, 2:53.
    • KENT – Jaylen Thomas 23-yard run (Andrew Glass kick), 2:28. Golden Flashes 38–0. Drive: 7 plays, 94 yards, 2:43.

    Fourth quarter

    • CCSU – Jake Barnum 22-yard field goal, 11:08. Golden Flashes 38–3. Drive: 6 plays, 18 yards, 2:13.
    • CCSU – Ricky Ortega 17-yard run (Jake Barnum kick), 2:04. Golden Flashes 38–10. Drive: 13 plays, 72 yards, 6:57.
    StatisticsCCSUKENT
    First downs1020
    Total yards153467
    Rushing yards103295
    Passing yards50172
    Turnovers21
    Time of possession26:2133:39
    TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
    Central ConnecticutPassingMatt Jenner4/14, 40 yards, 2 INT
    RushingDavion Johnson5 rushes, 35 yards
    ReceivingMichael Plaskon1 reception, 15 yards
    Kent StatePassingMichael Alaimo12/16, 172 yards, TD, INT
    RushingGavin Garcia21 rushes, 125 yards, 2 TD
    ReceivingTrell Harris3 receptions, 94 yards, TD

    At Akron

    Kent State Golden Flashes at Akron Zips – Game summary
    Quarter1234Total
    Golden Flashes6147027
    Zips7302131

    at InfoCision Stadium • Akron, Ohio

    • Date: November 1
    • Game time: 7:30 p.m. EDT
    • Game attendance: 8,113
    • TV: ESPNU
    Game information
    First quarter
    • (6:21) KENT – Tommy Ulatowski 5-yard run (Andrew Glass kick failed) (Drive: 4 plays, 51 yards, 2:14; Kent State 6-0)
    • (1:48) AKR - Daniel George 14-yard pass from Jeff Undercuffler Jr. (Owen Wiley kick) (Drive: 8 plays, 72 yards, 4:26, Akron 7-6)
    Second quarter
    • (9:36) KENT – Crishon McCray 36-yard pass from Tommy Ulatowski (Andrew Glass kick) (Drive: 5 plays, 72 yards, 2:19; Kent State 13-7)
    • (6:50) AKR - Owen Wiley 2-yard field goal (Drive: 7 plays, 57 yards, 2:39; Kent State 13-10)
    • (0:38) KENT – Luke Floriea 19-yard pass from Tommy Ulatowski (Andrew Glass kick) (Drive: 13 plays, 72 yards, 6:04; Kent State 20-7)
    Third quarter
    • (0:38) KENT – Crishon McCray 27-yard pass from Tommy Ulatowski (Andrew Glass kick) (Drive: 3 plays, 69 yards, 1:25; Kent State 27-7)
    Fourth quarter
    • (9:12) AKR - Jasaiah Gathings 22-yard pass from Jeff Undercuffler Jr. (Owen Wiley kick) (Drive: 16 plays, 87 yards, 6:32, Kent State 27-17)
    • (3:32) AKR - Lorenzo Lingard 37-yard run (Owen Wiley kick) (Drive: 6 plays, 74 yards, 1:29, Kent State 27-24)
    • (0:26) AKR - JJeff Undercuffler Jr. 5-yard run (Owen Wiley kick) (Drive: 9 plays, 57 yards, 2:43, Akron 31-27)
    StatisticsKENTAKR
    First downs1622
    Total yards346393
    Rushing yards11795
    Passing yards229298
    Turnovers00
    Time of possession30:0829:52
    TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
    Kent StatePassingTommy Ulatowski15/23, 229 yards, 3 TD
    RushingJaylen Thomas14 rushes, 36 yards
    ReceivingCrishon McCray6 receptions, 161 yards, 2 TD
    AkronPassingJeff Undercuffler Jr.23/39, 298 yards, 2 TD
    RushingLorenzo Lingard22 rushes, 106 yards, TD
    ReceivingDaniel George9 receptions, 104 yards, TD

    Bowling Green

    Bowling Green Falcons at Kent State Golden Flashes – Game summary
    Quarter1234Total
    Falcons141402149
    Golden Flashes337619

    at Dix Stadium • Kent, Ohio

    • Date: November 8
    • Game time: 7:00 p.m. EST
    • Game weather: Sunny, 53 °F (12 °C) • Wind: E 8 mph (13 km/h)
    • Game attendance: 6,065
    • Referee: Andrew Speciale
    • TV: CBSSN
    Game information
    First quarter
    • (08:58) KENT – Andrew Glass 48-yard field goal (Drive: 11 plays, 39 yards, 5:56; Kent State 3-0)
    • (02:01) BGSU – Camden Orth 1-yard run (Alan Anaya kick) (Drive: 5 plays, 31 yards, 2:49; Bowling Green 7-3)
    • (00:16) BGSU – Harold Fannin Jr. 47-yard pass from Connor Bazelak (Alan Anaya kick) (Drive: 1 play, 47 yards, :09; Bowling Green 14-3)
    Second quarter
    • (11:39) KENT – Andrew Glass 32-yard field goal (Drive: 7 plays, 55 yards, 3:30;Bowling Green 14-6)
    • (05:18) BGSU – Ta'ron Keith 45-yard pass from Camden Orth (Alan Anaya kick) (Drive: 3 plays, 80 yards, 1:20;Bowling Green 21-6)
    • (00:51) BGSU – Camden Orth 2-yard run (Alan Anaya kick) (Drive: 8 plays, 64 yards, 3:24; Bowling Green 28-6)
    Third quarter
    • (05:00) KENT – Hayden Junker 21-yard pass from Tommy Ulatowski (Andrew Glass kick) (Drive: 3 plays, 32 yards, :54; Bowling Green 28-13)
    Fourth quarter
    • (12:55) BGSU – Ta'ron Keith 2-yard run (Alan Anaya kick) (Drive: 12 plays, 75 yards, 7:05; Bowling Green 35-13)
    • (07:36) KENT – Jaylen Thomaas 2-yard run (run failed) (Drive: 8 plays, 55 yards, 2:38; Bowling Green 35-19)
    • (05:00) BGSU – Jaison Patterson 3-yard run (Alan Anaya kick) (Drive: 5 plays, 40 yards, 2:25; Bowling Green 42-19)
    • (02:01) BGSU – Lucian Anderson III 1-yard run (Alan Anaya kick) (Drive: 5 plays, 15 yards, 1:17; Bowling Green 49-19)
    StatisticsBGSUKENT
    First downs1820
    Total yards476358
    Rushing yards19074
    Passing yards286284
    Turnovers12
    Time of possession30:2929:31
    TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
    Bowling GreenPassing Connor Bazelak 13/19, 188 yards, TD, INT
    RushingTa'ron Keith9 rushes, 103 yards, TD
    ReceivingTa'ron Keith8 receptions, 130 yards, TD
    Kent StatePassingTommy Ulatowski23/40, 284 yards, 2 TD, INT
    RushingJaylen Thomas18 rushes, 73 yards, TD
    ReceivingLuke Floriea9 receptions, 95 yards

    References

    1. ↑ "Kent State hires Kenni Burns to be new head football coach". ESPN.
    2. ↑ "Dix Stadium". Kent State Athletics.
    3. ↑ "MAC College Football Standings - 2023". espn.com. ESPN. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
    4. ↑ "2023 FBS Attendance Trends". D1.ticker. Retrieved December 14, 2024.
    5. ↑ "MAC football preseason poll: Toledo picked to win conference championship; BGSU tabbed to finish fourth in MAC East". wtol.com. WTOL 11. July 20, 2023. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
    6. ↑ "2023 Kent State Football Schedule". FB Schedules. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
    7. ↑ "2023 Kent State Football Schedule". ESPN. Retrieved February 25, 2023.


    This page is based on this Wikipedia article
    Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
    Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.