by It would be a Week 7 matchup where the Kent State Golden Flashes hosted the Massachusetts Minutemen. The battle between 1-4 Kent State and 0-5 UMass. The Minutemen came in with a 16-game losing streak against FBS opponents, while the Golden Flashes were on a 26-game losing streak themselves.
In their powder blue uniforms, and it being homecoming weekend, it felt destined that Kent State would find a way to win. They did just that coming out on top 42-6, completely dismantling UMass ending their FBS losing streak. “I’m pleased with this result. Proud of this locker room, and it feels really good to get this one”, head coach Mark Carney said following the win.
A huge part to the Golden Flashes success was thanks to a very balanced running attack, sprinkled in with splashy throws from Dru DeShields. Jordan Nubin finished with 15 carries for 80 yards, and one touchdown. While Gavin Garcia finished with 11 carries for 71 yards. “Coming in, I thought it was a week that we could have success running the football”, Carney said.”
Kent State could not have asked for a better start as Da’Realyst Clark returned the opening kickoff all the way back for a 99-yard touchdown to give the Golden Flashes a 7-0 lead. The UMass offense could not get much going on offense and Kent State took advantage of it on their third drive of the game. A 36-yard touchdown pass from Dru DeShields to Sebatian Brown would extend the lead to 14-0 with 5:47 left in the first quarter.
The struggling start for the Minutemen would be an understatement. They struggled to run the ball as they had just 6 yards on 10 attempts in the first quarter. While the passing game was not much better, going 5-for-10 with just 23 total yards.
UMass could simply not move the ball down the field. At least that would be until a facemask call on the Kent State defense to give the Minutemen good field position. UMass would finally have themselves a respectable drive offensively, drawing up 22 plays for a total of 54 yards. But they would have to settle for a field goal, and the Golden Flashes still had a 14-3 lead with 10:18 left in the first half.
Kent State would respond right back with a long drive of their own going 10 plays for 75 yards, but the big difference was that it ended with a touchdown. DeShields continued to feel it as he dropped in his second touchdown pass of the day perfectly to Da’Shawn Martin from 25 yards out. It would put the Golden Flashes lead all the way up to 21-3 with 5:46 left in the second quarter.
The saying “bend but don’t break” was in full effect for the Kent State defense. As UMass had their second redzone appearence of the day, the Golden Flashes came up with a key strip sack on 4th down and they came up with the ball.
It would be a quiet the rest of the second quarter as Kent State held onto a 21-6 lead following one more UMass field goal on their final drive of the first half.
The Golden Flashes would start off the third quarter with a bang after forcing a three and out. The offense then took over once again with a 16-play, 80-yard drive taking off 6:18 off the clock. It would be DeShields throwing his third touchdown pass of the day to Terik Mulder, making the lead 28-6.
Unfortunately for UMass, their offensive struggles would continue in the second half. After turning it over on downs going for it on fourth down, Kent State would make things worse scoring on the very next play. DeShields dropped a 34-yard bomb to Ardell Banks, making it a 35-6 Golden Flahes lead with still 4:07 left in the third quarter.
A.J. Hairston would finally break for UMass and throw an interception late in the third quarter, and you guessed it. Kent State responded quickly once again thanks to a 25-yard run from Nubin. With a 42-6 lead in the third quarter, DeShields day would be over as he would finish going 10-for-18, 148 yards, along with four touchdowns.
The fourth quarter would be a snooze fest as expected. But a blank-yard intercepttion return from Kent State’s would be the highlight at the end, officially letting the Golden Flashes kneel it out for their second win of the season.
