The Kent State football team (1-0, 0-0) will fly south to take on the Texas Tech Red Raiders (1-0,0-0) in Lubbock, Texas, Saturday at noon.
This is the first time the Flashes have an opportunity to start a winning streak since September 2023. Should the team win, it’d be the first time KSU has won back-to-back games since 2021.
“I’m going Bill Belichick-style. We’re on to Texas Tech,” said coach Mark Carney. “It’s a special time. Kent’s a fun place to be right now. That student section was rocking.”
Although the Flashes’ win was certainly cause for celebration for the long-dormant program, there are a few things that Carney and the team will have to workshop.
The offensive side of the ball left much to be desired against Merrimack, as the Flashes mustered up only 14 points and were shutout in the fourth quarter, aside from a special teams score. The Warriors outgained the Flashes on offense, as Merrimack put up a total of 340 yards from scrimmage compared to KSU’s 305.
The passing game was divided among redshirt freshman Dru DeShields and redshirt senior CJ Montes. Both threw one touchdown, completed six passes and threw for at least 90 yards, with DeShields getting the better of the upperclassman by throwing for 118 yards to Montes’ 91.
“It’s going to remain competitive. Those guys bring the best out of each other,” Carney said of the two competing signal callers. “We called a really good game and allowed those guys to show their skill sets.”
The rushing game also struggled to get going but still broke the century mark and gained 110 yards on the day. Although redshirt junior Gavin Garcia led the Flashes in rushing yards with 49, look out for redshirt sophomore Jahzae Kimbrough, who averaged nearly six yards a carry on seven touches.
Six different Flashes caught passes from two quarterbacks in week one as the team showed its variety of talent in the receiver room. Redshirt freshman and team captain Cade Wolford shined in his season debut as both of his catches went for big-play touchdowns and racked up 109 yards.
The Flashes’ defensive unit really kept the game under control for Carney in his coaching debut. With multiple sacks, a fourth-down stop and solid defensive line pressure, the defense showed out strong in week one. However, the unit will need to be even stronger against this weekend’s opponent.
Enter Texas Tech, who obliterated Arkansas-Pine Bluff 67-7 in week one. The Red Raiders are coming off an 8-5 finish last season in which the team lost to Arkansas at the Liberty Bowl.
“Texas Tech’s loaded everywhere,” Carney said. “This is gonna be a real test.”
Senior quarterback Behren Morton dominated the Golden Lions, going 16 of 18 for 202 yards and four touchdowns through the air, but he might not be available to go against the Flashes. On Monday, Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire announced that Morton is dealing with a hyperextended knee and is day to day heading into Saturday’s game. As of Friday, Morton is listed as questionable.
Even if Morton won’t be available or takes limited snaps, the Flashes will still have to deal with Texas Tech’s vaunted running game. A whopping four different rushers contributed mightily for the Red Raiders against Arkansas-Pine Bluff, as the group combined for nearly 300 yards.
Led by sophomore Cameron Dickey, the Texas Tech running game against the Flashes’ defensive unit will be the matchup to watch in this one. Should the Flashes be able to rein in the Red Raiders’ quartet of backs, Texas Tech would have to rely on a banged-up Morton and the rest of its quarterback room.
In the pass-catchers department, keen-eyed Mid-American Conference fans will remember senior Reggie Virgil, who was a standout wide receiver for the Miami (OH) RedHawks. Virgil was one of six Texas Tech players who caught a touchdown in the season opener, the leader of which was junior Terrance Carter Jr., who had two.
On defense, the Red Raiders forced multiple turnovers and dominated the Golden Lions in every direction. The team combined for three total sacks and only allowed 175 yards of total offense.
Ultimately, this will be a difficult matchup for the Flashes. The Red Raiders seemed fully tuned on both sides of the ball, and this is a program that will be looking to get as many wins as possible in a wide-open Big 12 conference.
However, the team’s leader, and arguably its most important player from last weekend, is hurt. If Morton is hobbled or pulled early due to knee soreness, the Red Raiders may be forced to completely shift the offense and try something new against the Flashes.
“We have to expect this now,” Carney said. “Saturday was not the culmination of anything, it was just the beginning. Our football team knows that, and we’re looking forward to showing the rest of the world.”
Gage Wellman is a reporter. Contact him at [email protected] or @GageWellmanKSTV on X.
