2025 Kent State Golden Flashes football team

2025 Kent State Golden Flashes football
Conference	Mid-American Conference
Record	4–6 (3–3 MAC)
Head coach	Mark Carney (1st season; interim first 8 games, official remainder of season)
Offensive coordinator	Clay Patterson (2nd season)
Offensive scheme	Spread option
Defensive coordinator	Cherokee Valeria (1st season)
Base defense	4–3
Home stadium	Dix Stadium
Seasons ←  2024 2026 →

2025 Mid-American Conference football standings

v t e	Conf.							Overall
Team		W		L					W		L
Western Michigan		5	–	1					6	–	4
Central Michigan		4	–	2					6	–	4
Ohio		4	–	2					6	–	4
Toledo		4	–	2					6	–	4
Buffalo		4	–	2					5	–	5
Miami (OH)		4	–	2					5	–	5
Ball State		3	–	2					4	–	5
Kent State		3	–	3					4	–	6
Akron*		3	–	4					4	–	7
Eastern Michigan		2	–	4					3	–	7
Northern Illinois		2	–	4					3	–	7
Bowling Green		1	–	5					3	–	7
UMass		0	–	6					0	–	10
Championship: December 6, 2025
* Ineligible for postseason play due to low APR score As of November 13, 2025

The 2025 Kent State Golden Flashes football team represents Kent State University in the Mid-American Conference during the 2025 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Golden Flashes are led by head coach Mark Carney. The Golden Flashes play home games at Dix Stadium, located in Kent, Ohio. ^[1] Carney, who was the team's offensive coordinator, was appointed interim head coach after Kenni Burns, who had led the team in 2023 and 2024, was fired in April 2025. ^[2] Carney was named the 24th head coach of Kent State football on October 30, 2025. ^[3]

Preseason

The MAC Football Kickoff was held on Thursday, July 24, 2025 at the Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan from 9:00 am EDT to 1:30 pm EDT. ^[4]

Preseason polls

Coaches Poll

On July 24 the MAC announced the preseason coaches' poll. ^[5]

MAC Coaches poll
Predicted finish	Team	Votes (1st place)
1	Toledo	135 (7)
2	Miami	131 (3)
3	Ohio	123 (3)
4	Buffalo	115
5	Northern Illinois	94
6	Bowling Green	81
7	Western Michigan	71
8	Eastern Michigan	68
9	Central Michigan	65
10	Ball State	41
T11	Akron	39
T11	Massachusetts	39
13	Kent State	12

Coaches poll (MAC Championship)
Predicted finish	Team	Votes
1	Toledo	6
2	Miami	4
3	Ohio	3

Schedule

Date	Time	Opponent	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
August 30	12:00 p.m.	Merrimack *	Dix Stadium Kent, OH	ESPN+	W 21–17	8,647
September 6	12:00 p.m.	at No. 24 Texas Tech *	Jones AT&T Stadium Lubbock, TX	TNT/TruTV	L 14–62	60,229
September 13	12:00 p.m.	Buffalo	Dix Stadium Kent, OH	CBSSN	L 28–31	11,833
September 20	3:30 p.m.	at No. 7 Florida State *	Doak Campbell Stadium Tallahassee, FL	ACCN	L 10–66	67,277
October 4	4:00 p.m.	at No. 5 Oklahoma *	Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium Norman, OK	SECN	L 0–44	83,016
October 11	2:30 p.m.	UMass	Dix Stadium Kent, OH	ESPN+	W 42–6	11,523
October 18	2:00 p.m.	at Toledo	Glass Bowl Toledo, OH	ESPN+	L 10–45	18,417
October 25	12:00 p.m.	Bowling Green	Dix Stadium Kent, OH (Anniversary Award)	ESPN+	W 24–21	9,260
November 5	7:00 p.m.	at Ball State	Scheumann Stadium Muncie, IN	ESPNU	L 13–17	5,225
November 11	7:30 p.m.	at Akron	InfoCision Stadium–Summa Field Akron, OH (Wagon Wheel)	ESPNU	W 42–35 OT	8,501
November 19	7:00 p.m.	Central Michigan	Dix Stadium Kent, OH	ESPNU
November 28	12:00 p.m.	at Northern Illinois	Huskie Stadium DeKalb, IL	ESPNU/CBSSN
*Non-conference game Rankings from AP Poll and CFP Rankings released prior to game All times are in Eastern time

^{[6] [7]}

Game summaries

Merrimack (FCS)

See also: 2025 Merrimack Warriors football team

Merrimack Warriors (FCS) (0–0) at Kent State Golden Flashes (0–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Warriors (FCS)	0	3	3	11	17
Golden Flashes	0	7	7	7	21

at Dix Stadium • Kent, Ohio

• Date: August 30
• Game time: 12:00 PM EDT
• Game weather: Cloudy • Temperature: 64 °F (18 °C) • Wind: NE at 8 miles per hour (13 km/h)
• Game attendance: 8,647
• Referee: Chris La Mange
• TV announcers (ESPN+): Anthony Lima (play-by-play) and Je'Rod Cherry (analyst)

Game information

First Quarter No scoring plays Second Quarter (3:24) KENT – Cade Wolford 30-yard pass from C. J. Montes, Will Hryszko kick (Drive: 6 plays, 76 yards, 2:46; KENT 7-0) (0:01) MRMK – Carlton Thai 26-yard field goal (Drive: 8 Plays, 80 yards, 0:56; KENT 7-3) Third Quarter (9:56) KENT – Cade Wolford 79-yard pass from Dru DeShields, Will Hryszko kick (Drive: 2 plays, 80 yards, 0:45; KENT 14-3) (2:26) MRMK – Carlton Thai 37-yard field goal (Drive: 14 plays, 55 yards, 7:30; KENT 14-6) Fourth Quarter (8:38) MRMK – Seth Sweitzer 36-yard pass from Ayden Pereira, Cade Callahan Pass (Drive: 4 plays, 75 yards, 2:06; Tied 14-14) (5:40) MRMK – Carlton Thai 45-yard field goal (Drive: 4 plays, 6 yards, 2:06; MRMK 17-14) (5:28) KENT – Da'Realyst Clark 100-yard kickoff return, Will Hryszko kick (0:12; KENT 21-17)

Statistics	MRMK	KENT
First downs	17	15
Total yards	340	305
Rushing yards	164	96
Passing yards	176	209
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	15-31	12-19
Time of possession	31:31	28:29

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Merrimack	Passing	Ayden Pereira	15/31, 176 yards, 1 TD
	Rushing	Ayden Pereira	19 carries, 103 yards
	Receiving	Seth Sweitzer	3 receptions, 59 yards, 1 TD
Kent State	Passing	Dru DeShields	6/10, 118 yards, 1 TD
	Rushing	Gavin Garcia	15 carries, 49 yards
	Receiving	Cade Wolford	2 receptions, 109 yards, 2 TDs

at No. 24 Texas Tech

See also: 2025 Texas Tech Red Raiders football team

Kent State Golden Flashes (1–0) at No. 24 Texas Tech Red Raiders (1–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Golden Flashes	0	0	0	14	14
No. 24 Red Raiders	21	27	7	7	62

at Jones AT&T Stadium • Lubbock, Texas

• Date: September 6
• Game time: 11:00 AM CDT
• Game weather: Cloudy • Temperature: 58 °F (14 °C)
• Game attendance: 60,229
• Referee: Tim Rich
• TV announcers (TNT): J.B. Long (play-by-play), Mike Golic Jr. (analyst), and Allie LaForce (sideline reporter)

Game information

First Quarter TTU – Reggie Virgil 35-yard pass from Behren Morton (Stone Harrington kick), 11:53. Red Raiders 7–0. Drive: 8 plays, 78 yards, 3:07. TTU – Cameron Dickey 2-yard run (Upton Bellenfant kick), 9:57. Red Raiders 14–0. Drive: 3 plays, 12 yards, 1:00. TTU – Coy Eakin 42-yard pass from Behren Morton (Stone Harrington kick), 6:31. Red Raiders 21–0. Drive: 4 plays, 76 yards, 0:58. Second Quarter TTU – Upton Bellenfant 23-yard field goal, 14:19. Red Raiders 24–0. Drive: 8 plays, 32 yards, 1:42. TTU – Cameron Dickey 1-yard run (Stone Harrington kick), 10:24. Red Raiders 31–0. Drive: 7 plays, 46 yards, 2:51. TTU – Skyler Gill-Howard 55-yard interception return (Upton Bellenfant kick), 8:35. Red Raiders 38–0. TTU – Stone Harrington 47-yard field goal, 1:48. Red Raiders 41–0. Drive: 9 plays, 16 yards, 3:10. TTU – Reggie Virgil 3-yard pass from Behren Morton (Upton Bellenfant kick), 0:12. Red Raiders 48–0. Drive: 4 plays, 60 yards, 0:31. Third Quarter TTU – Bryson Jones 38-yard pass from Will Hammond (Stone Harrington kick), 5:06. Red Raiders 55–0. Drive: 4 plays, 57 yards, 1:16. Fourth Quarter KENT – Dru DeShields 10-yard run (Will Hryszko kick), 12:11. Red Raiders 55–7. Drive: 7 plays, 83 yards, 3:43. KENT – Cade Wolford 16-yard pass from Dru DeShields (Will Hryszko kick), 10:20. Red Raiders 55–14. Drive: 3 plays, 31 yards, 1:27. TTU – Will Hammond 13-yard run (Upton Bellenfant kick), 6:49. Red Raiders 62–14. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 3:31.

Statistics	KENT	TTU
First downs	10	27
Total yards	229	601
Rushing yards	64	230
Passing yards	165	371
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	11–25–1	27–38–0
Time of possession	29:57	30:03

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Kent State	Passing	Dru DeShields	7/15, 116 yards, TD
	Rushing	Gavin Garcia	12 carries, 25 yards
	Receiving	Ardell Banks	2 receptions, 49 yards
Texas Tech	Passing	Behren Morton	18/26, 258 yards, 3 TD
	Rushing	Adam Hill	16 carries, 127 yards
	Receiving	Coy Eakin	3 receptions, 59 yards, TD

Buffalo

See also: 2025 Buffalo Bulls football team

Buffalo Bulls (1–1) at Kent State Golden Flashes (1–1) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Bulls	0	10	14	7	31
Golden Flashes	7	7	7	7	28

at Dix Stadium • Kent, Ohio

• Date: September 13
• Game time: 12:00 PM EDT
• Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 76 °F (24 °C) • Wind: N at 1 mile per hour (1.6 km/h)
• Game attendance: 11,833
• Referee: Chris La Mange
• TV announcers (CBSSN): Jordan Kent (play-by-play) and Randy Cross (analyst)

Game information

First Quarter (8:54) KENT – Maurice Stephens 31-yard run, Will Hryszko kick (Drive: 3 plays, 61 yards, 1:29; KENT 7-0) Second Quarter (2:33) KENT – Cade Wolford 41-yard pass from Dru DeShields, Will Hryszko kick (Drive: 4 Plays, 71 yards, 1:49; KENT 14-0) (1:12) BUFF – Nik McMillan 38-yard pass from Ta'Quan Roberson, Jack Howes kick (Drive: 7 plays, 92 yards, 1:18; KENT 14-7) (0:00) BUFF – Jack Howes 28-yard field goal (Drive: 8 plays, 50 yards, 0:49; KENT 14-10) Third Quarter (9:28) BUFF – Chance Morrow 21-yard pass from Ta'Quan Roberson, Jack Howes kick (Drive: 4 plays, 51 yards, 1:01; BUFF 17-14) (5:18) BUFF – Al-Jay Henderson 38-yard run, Jack Howes kick (Drive: 6 plays, 85 yards, 2:16; BUFF 24-14) (2:58) KENT – Terik Mulder 50-yard pass from Dru DeShields, Will Hryszko kick (Drive: 4 plays, 75 yards, 2:17; BUFF 24-21) Fourth Quarter (2:38) KENT – Dru DeShields 3-yard run, Will Hryszko kick (Drive: 21 plays, 93 yards, 12:15; KENT 28-24) (1:03) BUFF – Victor Snow 22-yard pass from Ta'Quan Roberson, Jack Howes kick (Drive: 8 plays, 76 yards, 1:29; BUFF 31-28)

Statistics	BUFF	KENT
First downs	23	20
Total yards	457	423
Rushing yards	139	144
Passing yards	318	279
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	28–40–1	22-33–0
Time of possession	22:38	37:22

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Buffalo	Passing	Ta'Quan Roberson	28/40, 318 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT
	Rushing	Al-Jay Henderson	15 carries, 75 yards, 1 TD
	Receiving	Nik McMillan	7 receptions, 117 yards, 1 TD
Kent State	Passing	Dru DeShields	22/33, 279 yards, 2 TDs
	Rushing	Gavin Garcia	18 carries, 61 yards
	Receiving	Cade Wolford	3 receptions, 95 yards, 1 TD

at No. 7 Florida State

See also: 2025 Florida State Seminoles football team

Kent State Golden Flashes (1–2) vs. No. 7 Florida State Seminoles (2–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Golden Flashes	7	0	0	3	10
No. 7 Seminoles	35	10	14	7	66

at Doak Campbell Stadium • Tallahassee, Florida

• Date: September 20
• Game time: 3:30 PM EDT
• Game weather: Cloudy • Temperature: 94 °F (34 °C) • Wind: SE at 6 miles per hour (9.7 km/h)
• Game attendance: 67,277
• Referee: Jon Noli
• TV announcers (ACCN): Jorge Sedano (play-by-play), Rodney McLeod (analyst), and Victoria Arlen (sideline reporter)

Game information

First quarter (13:39) FSU – Gavin Sawchuk 4-yard run, Jake Weinberg kick (Drive: 4 plays, 65 yards, 1:21; Florida State 7–0) (8:19) FSU – Tommy Castellanos 12-yard run, Jake Weinberg kick (Drive: 8 plays, 95 yards, 3:23; Florida State 14–0) (8:08) KSU - DaShawn Martin 75-yard pass from Dru DeShields, Will Hryszko kick (Drive: 1 play, 75 yards, 0:11; Florida State 14–7) (7:33) FSU - Tommy Castellanos 10-yard run, Jake Weinberg kick (Drive: 2 plays, 75 yards, 0:35; Florida State 21–7) (3:18) FSU - Micahi Danzy 64-yard run, Jake Weinberg kick (Drive: 7 plays, 84 yards, 2:47; Florida State 28–7) (0:00) FSU - Gavin Sawchuk 2-yard run, Jake Weinberg kick (Drive: 4 plays, 47 yards, 1:14; Florida State 35–7) Second quarter (2:16) FSU - Samuel Singleton Jr. 15-yard run, Jake Weinberg kick (Drive: 9 plays, 73 yards, 4:11; Florida State 42–7) (0:00) FSU - Jake Weinberg 25-yard field goal (Drive: 6 plays, 47 yards, 0:35; Florida State 45–7) Third quarter (10:04) FSU - Kam Davis 1-yard run, Jake Weinberg kick (Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 3:33; Florida State 52–7) (5:02) FSU - Landen Thomas 2-yard pass from Brock Glenn, Jake Weinberg kick (Drive: 10 plays, 58 yards, 4:02; Florida State 59–7) Fourth quarter (12:41) KSU - Will Hryszko 38-yard field goal (Drive: 14 plays, 54 yards, 7:21; Florida State 59–10) (8:20) FSU - Samuel Singleton Jr. 37-yard run, Brunno Reus kick (Drive: 7 plays, 65 yards, 4:21; Florida State 66–10)

Statistics	KENT	FSU
First downs	12	37
Total yards	206	775
Rushing yards	43	498
Passing yards	163	277
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	13–27–1	16–24–1
Time of possession	25:29	34:31

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Kent State	Passing	Dru DeShields	9/18, 129 yards, TD, INT
	Rushing	Gavin Garcia	14 carries, 40 yards
	Receiving	DaShawn Martin	3 receptions, 94 yards, TD
Florida State	Passing	Tommy Castellanos	10/13, 205 yards, INT
	Rushing	Gavin Sawchuk	11 carries, 97 yards, 2 TD
	Receiving	Micahi Danzy	2 receptions, 112 yards

at No. 5 Oklahoma

See also: 2025 Oklahoma Sooners football team

Kent State Golden Flashes (1–3) vs. No. 5 Oklahoma Sooners (4–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Golden Flashes	0	0	0	0	0
No. 5 Sooners	10	13	21	0	44

at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium • Norman, Oklahoma

• Date: October 4
• Game time: 3:00 PM CDT
• Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 86 °F (30 °C)
• Game attendance: 83,016
• Referee: Matt Loeffler
• TV announcers (SECN): Dave Neal (play-by-play), Fozzy Whittaker (analyst), and Morgan Uber (sideline reporter)

Game information

First quarter (9:55) OKLA – Isaiah Satenga III 30 yard pass from Michael Hawkins Jr., Tate Sandell kick (Drive: 4 plays, 42 yards, 1:29; OKLA 7–0) (5:41) OKLA – Tate Sandell 49 yard field goal (Drive: 6 plays, 24 yards, 2:38; OKLA 10–0) Second quarter (14:28) OKLA – Kaden Helms 3 yard pass from Michael Hawkins Jr., Tate Sandell kick (Drive: 9 plays, 74 yards, 4:11; OKLA 17–0) (9:09) OKLA – Tate Sandell 39 yard field goal (Drive: 7 plays, 32 yards, 3:40; OKLA 20–0) (0:56) OKLA – Tate Sendell 55 yard field goal (Drive: 10 plays, 42 yards, 3:59; OKLA 23–0) Third quarter (10:17) OKLA – Gracen Halton 4 yard fumble return, Tate Sendell kick (Drive: 3 plays, -6 yards, 1:08; OKLA 30–0) (6:35) OKLA – Michael Hawkins Jr. 7 yard rush, Tate Sendell kick (Drive: 3 plays, 18 yards, 1:02; OKLA 37–0) (3:55) OKLA – Isaiah Satenga III 9 yard pass from Michael Hawkins Jr., Tate Sendell kick (Drive: 6 plays, 30 yards, 2:28; OKLA 44–0) Fourth quarter No Scoring Plays

Statistics	KENT	OU
First downs	7	23
Total yards	135	355
Rushing yards	17	185
Passing yards	118	170
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	10–19–1	15–27–0
Time of possession	28:58	31:02

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Kent State	Passing	Devin Kargman	8/16, 74 yards, INT
	Rushing	Jordan Nubin	7 carries, 18 yards
	Receiving	Wayne Harris	3 receptions, 18 yards
Oklahoma	Passing	Michael Hawkins Jr.	14/24, 162 yards, 3 TD
	Rushing	Tory Blaylock	15 carries, 78 yards
	Receiving	Isaiah Sategna III	4 receptions, 75 yards, 2 TD

UMass

See also: 2025 UMass Minutemen football team

UMass Minutemen (0–5) vs. Kent State Golden Flashes (1–4) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Minutemen	0	6	0	0	6
Golden Flashes	14	7	21	0	42

at Dix Stadium • Kent, Ohio

• Date: October 11
• Game time: 2:30 p.m. EDT
• Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 64 °F (18 °C) • Wind: NE at 5 miles per hour (8.0 km/h)
• Game attendance: 11,523
• Referee: Rick Warne
• TV announcers (ESPN+): Anthony Lima (play-by-play) and Doc Holliday (analyst)

Game information

First Quarter KENT – Da'Realyst Clark 91-yard kickoff return (Will Hryszko kick), 14:49. Golden Flashes 7–0. KENT – Sebastian Brown 36-yard pass from Dru DeShields (Will Hryszko kick), 5:47. Golden Flashes 14–0. Drive: 6 plays, 84 yards, 2:35. Second Quarter MASS – Derek Morris 39-yard field goal, 10:18. Golden Flashes 14–3. Drive: 22 plays, 54 yards, 7:23. KENT – Dashawn Martin 25-yard pass from Dru DeShields (Will Hryszko kick), 5:41. Golden Flashes 21–3. Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 4:33. MASS – Derek Morris 33-yard field goal, 0:00. Golden Flashes 21–6. Drive: 9 plays, 84 yards, 1:00. Third Quarter KENT – Terik Mulder 10-yard pass from Dru DeShields (Will Hryszko kick), 5:23. Golden Flashes 28–6. Drive: 16 plays, 80 yards, 6:18. KENT – Ardell Banks 34-yard pass from Dru DeShields (Will Hryszko kick), 4:07. Golden Flashes 35–6. Drive: 1 play, 34 yards, 0:06. KENT – Jordan Nubin 25-yard run (Will Hryszko kick), 3:22. Golden Flashes 42–6. Drive: 2 plays, 30 yards, 0:31. Fourth Quarter No scoring plays

Statistics	MASS	KENT
First downs	21	17
Total yards	271	337
Rushing yards	44	158
Passing yards	227	179
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	26–49–2	12–20–0
Time of possession	30:31	29:29

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
UMass	Passing	AJ Hairston	26/48, 227 yards, INT
	Rushing	Brandon Hood	10 rushes, 36 yards
	Receiving	Jake McConnachie	7 receptions, 67 yards
Kent State	Passing	Dru DeShields	10/18, 148 yards, 4 TD
	Rushing	Jordan Nubin	15 rushes, 80 yards, TD
	Receiving	Dashawn Martin	3 receptions, 42 yards, TD

at Toledo

See also: 2025 Toledo Rockets football team

Kent State Golden Flashes (2–4) vs. Toledo Rockets (3–3) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Golden Flashes	10	0	0	0	10
Rockets	7	10	21	7	45

at Glass Bowl • Toledo, Ohio

• Date: October 18
• Game time: 2:00 p.m. EDT
• Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 81 °F (27 °C) • Wind: SW at 11 miles per hour (18 km/h)
• Game attendance: 18,417
• Referee: Chris La Mange
• TV announcers (ESPN+): Shawn Kenney (play-by-play) and Ryan Cavanaugh (analyst)

Game information

First Quarter (14:50) KENT – Cade Wolford 75-yard pass from Dru DeShields, Will Hryszko kick (Drive: 1 play, 75 yards, 0:10; KENT 7–0) (7:33) KENT – Will Hryszko 38-yard field goal (Drive: 11 plays, 45 yards, 5:51; KENT 10–0) (1:18) TOL – Trayvon Rudolph 58-yard pass from Tucker Gleason, Dylan Cunanan kick (Drive: 4 plays, 89 yards, 1:19; KENT 10–7) Second Quarter (12:31) TOL – Dylan Cunanan 28-yard field goal (Drive: 8 plays, 67 plays, 2:35; Tied 10–10) (0:32) TOL – Ryder Treadway 11-yard pass from Tucker GLeason, Dylan Cunanan kick (Drive: 11 plays, 81 yards, 3:34; TOL 17–10) Third Quarter (9:24) TOL – Junior Vandeross III 21-yard pass from Tucker Gleason, Dylan Cunanan kick (Drive: 4 plays, 51 yards, 1:18; TOL 24–10) (6:04) TOL – Javon Brown 16-yard pass from Tucker Gleason, Dylan Cunanan kick (Drive: 4 plays, 57 yards, 1:54; TOL 31–10) Fourth Quarter (10:00) TOL – Terrell Crosby Jr. 18-yard pass from Kalieb Osborne, Dylan Cunanan kick (Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards, 5:11; TOL 45–10)

Statistics	KENT	TOL
First downs	9	29
Total yards	224	552
Rushing yards	65	178
Passing yards	159	374
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	12–24–1	25–32–0
Time of possession	26:12	33:48

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Kent State	Passing	Dru DeShields	12/23, 159 yards, TD, INT
	Rushing	Jordan Nubin	13 carries, 61 yards
	Receiving	Cade Wolford	3 receptions, 87 yards, TD
Toledo	Passing	Tucker Gleason	21/28, 294 yards, 4 TD
	Rushing	Kenji Christian	16 carries, 113 yards
	Receiving	Trayvon Rudolph	5 receptions, 119 yards, TD

Bowling Green (Anniversary Award)

See also: 2025 Bowling Green Falcons football team and Anniversary Award

Bowling Green Falcons (3–4) vs. Kent State Golden Flashes (2–5) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Falcons	7	7	7	0	21
Golden Flashes	0	3	14	7	24

at Dix Stadium • Kent, Ohio

• Date: October 25
• Game time: 12:00 p.m. EDT
• Game weather: Cloudy • Temperature: 50 °F (10 °C) • Wind: E at 2 miles per hour (3.2 km/h)
• Game attendance: 9,260
• Referee: William Williams
• TV announcers (ESPN+): Anthony Lima (play-by-play) and Doc Holliday (analyst)

Game information

First Quarter (9:36) BGU - Jacob Harris 13-yard pass from Baron May, Jackson Kleather kick (Drive: 9 plays, 61 yards, 3:41; BGU 7-0) Second Quarter (6:12) KSU - Will Hryszko 35-yard field goal (Drive: 10 plays, 47 yards, 4:23; BGU 7-3) (0:33) BGU - Austin Dendy 1-yard run, Jackson Kleather kick (Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards, 5:39; BGU 14-3) Third Quarter (8:47) BGU - Baron May 1-yard run, Jackson Kleather kick (Drive: 13 plays, 75 yards, 6:13; BGU 21-3) (6:24) KSU - Cade Wolford 29-yard pass from Dru DeShields, Will Hryszko kick (Drive: 7 plays, 79 yards, 2:18; BGU 21-10) (4:23) KSU - Gavin Garcia 45-yard run, Will Hryszko kick (Drive: 1 play, 45 yards, 0:10; BGU 21-17) Fourth Quarter (3:15) KSU - Wayne Harris 12-yard pass from Da'Realyst Clark, Will Hryszko kick (Drive: 7 plays, 62 yards, 3:34; KSU 24-21)

Statistics	BGSU	KENT
First downs	22	14
Total yards	379	294
Rushing yards	207	122
Passing yards	172	172
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	14–28–0	14–23–0
Time of possession	36:52	23:08

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Bowling Green	Passing	Baron May	12/22, 142 yards, TD
	Rushing	Austyn Dendy	20 carries, 93 yards, TD
	Receiving	Jyrin Johnson	3 receptions, 53 yards
Kent State	Passing	Dru DeShields	13/22, 160 yards, TD
	Rushing	Gavin Garcia	6 carries, 55 yards, TD
	Receiving	Cade Wolford	2 receptions, 66 yards, TD

at Ball State

See also: 2025 Ball State Cardinals football team

Kent State Golden Flashes (3–5) vs. Ball State Cardinals (3–5) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Golden Flashes	0	3	7	3	13
Cardinals	3	7	0	7	17

at Scheumann Stadium • Muncie, Indiana

• Date: November 5
• Game time: 7:00 p.m. EDT
• Game weather: Clear • Temperature: 52 °F (11 °C) • Wind: NW at 17 miles per hour (27 km/h)
• Game attendance: 5,225
• Referee: Rick Warne
• TV announcers (ESPNU): Matt Schumacker (play-by-play) and Dustin Fox (analyst)

Game information

First Quarter (11:59) BALL – DC Pippin 25-yard field goal (Drive: 4 plays, 5 yards, 1:54; Ball State 3–0) Second Quarter (13:31) BALL – TJ Horton 1-yard pass from Kiael Kelly, DC Pippin kick (Drive: 13 plays, 50 yards, 6:34; Ball State 10–0) (6:18) KENT – Will Hryszko 39-yard field goal (Drive: 13 plays, 56 yards, 7:06; Ball State 10–3) Third Quarter (4:42) KENT – Donovan Delaney Jr. 4-yard run, Will Hryszko kick (Drive: 2 plays, 10 yards, 0:40; Tied 10–10) Fourth Quarter (11:07) KENT – Will Hryszko 28-yard field goal (Drive: 9 plays, 56 yards, 4:28; Kent State 13–10) (1:53) BALL – Kameron Anthony 29-yard pass from Kiael Kelly, DC Pippin kick (Drive: 4 plays, 37 yards, 1:52; Ball State 17–13)

Statistics	KENT	BALL
First downs	14	15
Total yards	301	238
Rushing yards	89	65
Passing yards	212	173
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	15–28–1	17–29–0
Time of possession	27:42	32:18

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Kent State	Passing	Dru DeShields	15/27, 212 yards
	Rushing	Gavin Garcia	12 carries, 59 yards
	Receiving	Wayne Harris	5 receptions, 87 yards
Ball State	Passing	Kiael Kelly	17/29, 173 yards, 2 TD
	Rushing	Kiael Kelly	21 carries, 53 yards
	Receiving	Kameron Anthony	2 receptions, 39 yards, TD

at Akron (Wagon Wheel)

See also: 2025 Akron Zips football team and Wagon Wheel (trophy)

Kent State Golden Flashes (3–6) vs. Akron Zips (4–6) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	OT	Total
Golden Flashes	7	7	14	7	7	42
Zips	3	14	0	18	0	35

at InfoCision Stadium–Summa Field • Akron, Ohio

• Date: November 11
• Game time: 7:30 PM EST
• Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 33 °F (1 °C) • Wind: at 21 miles per hour (34 km/h)
• Game attendance: 8,501
• Referee: Marcel Kerr
• TV announcers (ESPNU): Chuckie Kempf (play-by-play) and Darius Walker (analyst)

Game information

First Quarter (8:43) AKR – Matthew Schramm 29-yard field goal (Drive: 9 plays, 63 yards, 4:43; AKR 3-0) (3:51) KSU – Gavin Garcia 3-yard run, Will Hryszko kick (Drive: 2 plays, 9 yards, 0:26; KSU 7-3) Second Quarter (7:51) AKR – Jordan Grant 4-yard run, Matthew Schramm kick (Drive: 8 plays, 90 yards, 4:11; AKR 10-7) (2:50) KSU – Da'Realyst Clark 89-yard pass from Dru DeShields, Will Hryszko kick (Drive: 1 play, 89 yards, 0:11; KSU 14-10) (0:10) AKR – Marcel Williams 30-yard pass from Ben Finley, Matthew Schramm kick, (Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards, 2:40; AKR 17-14) Third Quarter (8:52) KSU – Cade Wolford 43-yard pass from Dru DeShields, Will Hryszko kick (Drive: 7 plays, 77 yards, 2:38; KSU 21-17) (6:18) KSU – Terik Mulder 7-yard pass from Dru DeShields, Will Hryszko kick (Drive: 3 plays, 12 yards, 1:12; KSU 28-17) Fourth Quarter (14:04) KSU – DaShawn Martin 27-yard pass from Dru DeShields, Will Hryszko kick (Drive: 2 plays, 31 yards, 0:41; 35-17) (10:53) AKR – Marcel Williams 12-yard pass from Ben Finley, Matthew Schramm kick (Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 3:11; KSU 35-24) (7:12) AKR – Matthew Schramm 20-yard field goal (Drive: 8 plays, 37 yards, 3:41; KSU 35-27) (1:59) AKR – Israel Polk 13-yard pass from Ben Finley, Ben Finley-Marcel Williams pass (Drive: 9 plays, 58 yards, 3:11; Tied 35-35) Overtime KSU – Ardell Banks 25-yard pass from Dru DeShields, Will Hryszko kick (Drive: 1 play, 25 yards, 0:00; KSU 42-35)

Statistics	KENT	AKR
First downs	14	32
Total yards	374	530
Rushing yards	57	106
Passing yards	317	424
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	17-25	32-59-1
Time of possession	21:20	38:40

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Kent State	Passing	Dru DeShields	17/25, 317 yards, 5 TDs
	Rushing	Gavin Garcia	7 carries, 39 yards, 1 TD
	Receiving	DaShawn Martin	4 receptions, 71 yards, 1 TD
Akron	Passing	Ben Finley	32/59, 424 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT
	Rushing	Jordan Gant	22 carries, 96 yards, 1 TD
	Receiving	Marcel Williams	14 receptions, 206 yards, 2 TDs

Central Michigan

See also: 2025 Central Michigan Chippewas football team

Central Michigan Chippewas (0–0) vs. Kent State Golden Flashes (0–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Chippewas	-	-	-	-	0
Golden Flashes	-	-	-	-	0

at Dix Stadium • Kent, Ohio

• Date: November 19
• Game time: 7:00 PM EST

Statistics	CMU	KENT
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Central Michigan	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Kent State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

at Northern Illinois

See also: 2025 Northern Illinois Huskies football team

Kent State Golden Flashes (0–0) vs. Northern Illinois Huskies (0–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Golden Flashes	-	-	-	-	0
Huskies	-	-	-	-	0

at Huskie Stadium • DeKalb, Illinois

• Date: November 28
• Game time: 11:00 AM CST

Statistics	KENT	NIU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Kent State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Northern Illinois	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

References

1. "2025 Football Coaching Staff". Kent State Golden Flashes. Retrieved March 14, 2025.
2. Thai, Xuan (April 11, 2025). "Kent State fires coach Kenni Burns after 0-12 season". ESPN . Retrieved April 11, 2025.
3. Kalland, Robby (October 30, 2025). "Kent State promotes Mark Carney as full-time coach after turning around program with interim title". CBS Sports . Retrieved October 30, 2025.
4. "2025 Division I FBS Media Days". www.sportswriters.net. FWAA. Retrieved June 28, 2025.
5. "Toledo Selected as Favorite in Head Coaches Preseason Football Poll". getsomemaction.com. Mid-American Conference. July 24, 2025. Retrieved July 24, 2025.
6. "2025 Kent State Football Schedule". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved March 14, 2025.
7. "2025 Football Schedule". Kent State Golden Flashes. Retrieved March 14, 2025.