by Kent State’s 2023 season got off to a rough start last Thursday losing 56-6 against the UCF Knights and going into week two the Golden Flashes traveled to the SEC conference to face the Arkansas Razorbacks. The game started with Kent State taking their first lead of the season as Andrew Glass made a 48-yard field goal.
From the field goal, Kent State was leading the time of possession stat over the Razorbacks, and Arkansas’s offense did not take control over the rebuilding Golden Flashes. Arkansas’ first touchdown came on a pick 6, Antonio Grier picked off Michael Alaimo.
Arkansas led the first half 14-6 with Kent State still having a chance to pull off the upset, however, in the second half of the game Kent State did not score a point and Arkansas scored 14 more points. Arkansas won the game by a final score of 28-6 and for the second week of a row to start the season Kent State’s offense did not reach the endzone.
Late in the game Kent State’s offense got the ball down to the two-yard line and could not get into the endzone for the touchdown. Kenni Burn’s new Flash offense has not gotten off to a great start and looks nothing like Sean Lewis’ Flash Fast offense. Kent State’s offense had a conservative feel to it for the majority of the game.
In his second start for the Flashes, Alaimo finished the game with 11 completions, 174 passing, and no touchdown passes for the new Kent State quarterback.
Trell Harris led the Flashes in receiving yards, finishing the game with 78 receiving yards. Gavin Garcia led the Flashes in rushing yards finishing the game with 68 yards.
The Razorbacks quarterback KJ Jefferson, showcased his skills by finishing the game with 136 passing yards, and two touchdown passes, and to go with it he rushed for 48 yards showing off his athleticism.
The leader in receiving yards for the Razorbacks was Isaac TeSlaa, who finished the game with 52 yards off three receptions.
Kent State did take their first lead of the season after the first Glass field goal and hung in there for the first half, but the offense did not pop much like last week’s game.
The Flashes’ last SEC game was against Georgia last season, and Kent State hung in there for the majority of the game. In the last two seasons, Kent State has played solid enough, but not enough to pull out the win.
Kent State has its home opener next week against Central Connecticut State University, this could be one of the few wins this season.
