Saturday marked the end of non-conference play for the Kent State football team, as it lost 44-0 against the No. 6 Oklahoma Sooners. In the year, the Flashes finished with a record of 1-3 against teams outside the Mid-American Conference.
The loss moves KSU to 1-4 (0-1) after the first weekend in October. As for the Sooners, Oklahoma finds itself at 5-0 (1-0), one win shy of bowl eligibility for the 27th consecutive year.
“Disappointed in the result, but really proud of the battle and the fight, and the resilience of our locker room,” coach Mark Carney said. “Brighter days ahead.”
In Norman, the Flashes’ offense struggled to score in any form, being shut out for the first time this season. Every drive for KSU ended in a turnover or punt.
Redshirt freshman quarterback Dru DeShields, who has started every game for the Flashes since week three against Buffalo, was a healthy scratch for Saturday’s contest against the Sooners. Redshirt junior Devin Kargman, who was the opening day starter for KSU a year ago, filled in for DeShields; he completed eight of 16 passing attempts for 74 passing yards and an interception.
“Proud of that kid [Kargman], he’s been through a lot in the last year,” Carney said. “This game, a year ago, our last Power 4 game, is when we lost him for the year, [he] battled hard through rehab to put himself in this position.”
The Oklahoma Sooners were also without their starting quarterback, as junior John Mateer was out due to a hand injury. Redshirt sophomore Michael Hawkins Jr. won his second start of his career, as he went 16 of 24 for 162 passing yards and two passing touchdowns.
On offense, Oklahoma brought in 23 first down conversions to the box score, 15 of which on the ground. Freshman running back Tory Blaylock led the Sooners in rushing with 80 yards on 15 carries.
The Flashes’ running game, which was outpaced by Oklahoma rushers on an average of four yards per carry, continued to struggle to get any momentum going. Redshirt senior Jordan Nubin led KSU in rushing with 20 yards on seven carriers.
Kent State’s defense did show fight against the injured Oklahoma offense, holding the Sooners to just two touchdowns in the first half. Only Auburn and Michigan have held Oklahoma to two touchdowns or less in the first half this season.
“I thought the guys battled really hard,” Carney said. “Overall, [they] battled their tales off, [I’m] super proud of that group.”
With just under ten minutes left in the first quarter, junior receiver Isaiah Sategna III continued his strong start to 2025 with a 30-yard receiving touchdown. Sategna finished with four catches for 75 yards and a pair of scores.
Oklahoma scored once again in the first quarter on a field goal, before Hawkins connected on his second and final passing touchdown of the day to redshirt junior tight end Kaden Helms from three yards out. This made it a 17-0 ball game just a minute and a half in the second quarter.
Tate Sandell, the redshirt junior kicker for Oklahoma, had himself quite the day. Sandell converted on two field goal attempts in the second quarter to put OU up 23-0 heading into halftime.
It was also on a Sandell kick that the Flashes turned the ball over, which led to an Oklahoma scoop and score. Senior defensive lineman Gracen Halton stole the ball for a four-yard touchdown.
Hawkins scored his third touchdown of the game in the third quarter, a seven-yard rush to cap off a short drive. In the same quarter, Sategna similarly scored another touchdown, a nine-yard reception from the arm of Hawkins.
Although both teams didn’t score a touchdown in the fourth quarter, it was ultimately enough for the Sooners to head home with the shutout win.
Moving ahead
The Flashes will return home Saturday for a home game against the UMass Minutemen, to begin MAC play. The Minutemen are 0-5 (0-1) on the year and are currently at the second-to-last spot in the conference standings.
“This locker room is together right now,” Carney said. “That’s the most important thing.”
Gage Wellman is a reporter. Contact him at [email protected] or @GageWellmanKSTV on X.