Despite taking a double-digit lead after its first two drives of the game, the Kent State football team was blown out on the road against the Toledo Rockets, losing 45-10. The Flashes produced some offensive fireworks early in the first quarter, but ultimately, KSU was unable to score a single point after the first quarter. 

With the loss, the Flashes moved to 2-5 (1-2), just a week after winning its first conference game of 2025. The Rockets now hold a winning record of 4-3 (2-2), even with the shaky start to conference play with losses against Western Michigan and Bowling Green. 

“Disappointing result, I thought our guys came in ready to play,” coach Mark Carney said. “Our inconsistencies showed up.”

The Rockets had three players go over the century mark in yards from their respective scrimmage category, with senior quarterback Tucker Gleason, junior running back Kenji Christian and senior wide receiver Trayvon Rudolph all besting the Flashes for over 100 yards. 

Christian filled in for senior running back Chip Trayanum, who was downgraded to out as a game-time decision. On 16 carries, Christian burned the Flashes for 116 rushing yards, averaging 7.1 yards per attempt.   

Gleason had by far his best game of the season as the signal caller out of Tampa, FL, he picked apart the Flashes secondary for 294 passing yards. Gleason completed 21 passes on 28 attempts, throwing four touchdown passes to four different receivers. 

As for Gleason’s top target of the day, Rudolph tied his season-high for catches in a game with five against KSU, whilst also setting a season-high in receiving yards with 119, for an average of 23.8 yards on each reception. Rudolph also caught his first touchdown of 2025 against the Flashes. 

On the first play of the game from scrimmage, redshirt sophomore quarterback Dru Deshields found redshirt freshman wide receiver Cade Wolford on a 75-yard dime for the Flashes first and only touchdown of the day. This was Wolford’s fifth-receiving

touchdown of the season, and the 10th-passing touchdown for DeShields. 

Following a Toledo three-and-out, the Flashes marched the ball into Rockets territory largely off the arm of DeShields, who completed five passes on the second drive of the game for KSU. Senior kicker Will Hryszko lined up for a 38 yard-field goal, making good on the attempt which gave the Flashes a 10-0 lead. 

However, the Rockets dominated the rest of the contest, as Toledo’s defense would not allow KSU to score for the rest of the day. Not only that, Gleason and the Rockets offense was unchecked throughout the entire game, scoring 45 unanswered points. 

To end the first quarter, Gleason located Rudolph deep down the field for his longest completion of the day, a 58-yard touchdown to bring the Rockets within three. This big play touchdown kicked the Rockets offense into overdrive. 

Early in the second quarter, sophomore Toledo kicker Dylan Cunanan tied the game on a 28-yard field goal. This eight-play, 67-yard drive fully swung the momentum of the game in favor of the Rockets. 

To end the first half, Toledo took a 17-10 lead off the back of Gleason’s second passing touchdown of the day, this one finding its way into the hands of freshman wide receiver Ryder Treadway. This was Treadway’s first receiving touchdown of his career. 

Senior wide receiver Junior Vandeross III put his mark on the game in the third quarter, as he gave the Rockets a 24-10 lead on a 21-yard touchdown reception from Gleason. 

With just over six minutes left in the third quarter, Gleason tossed his fourth and final passing touchdown of the game to give the Rockets a 31-10 lead. Freshman Javon Brown caught this touchdown from 16 yards out, his first touchdown of his career. 

In the fourth quarter, freshman quarterback Kalieb Osborne came in relief of Gleason, completing all four of his passing attempts for 80 yards and one touchdown. The touchdown, an 18-yard strike to junior wide receiver Terrell Crosby Jr. which gave the Rockets a 45-10 lead. 

Both teams did not score in the final 10 minutes of the contest, as KSU lost its fifth contest of the season even though it opened the game on a hot streak. 

The Flashes couldn’t get any traction going on offense after the big play to Wolford, as DeShields threw his second interception of the season early in the third quarter. KSU struggled especially with penalties, committing eight for 57 yards. 

“We’ve got to be efficient in the way we execute,” Carney said. “We cannot afford to have the holding penalties that put us behind the chains.”

KSU’s secondary was picked on by Toledo, as Rocket receivers combined for 374 yards on 25 catches. Six different Rockets had a reception of at least 20 yards. 

Redshirt senior running back Jordan Nubin ended up as a bright spot for the Flashes on offense, ending the game with 61 yards on 13 carries. Since returning to the lineup against UMass, Nubin has led the Flashes in rushing yards each game. 

Moving ahead

To end the month of October, the Flashes will return to Dix Stadium to battle with the Bowling Green Falcons. The Falcons are coming off a 27-6 loss against the Central Michigan Chippewas. 

In 22 matchups against the Falcons, KSU has a record of 9-13. The last win in this conference matchup for the Flashes came in 2021. 

“This is a really good football team,” coach Carney said. “Lots of positive days ahead of us.”

Gage Wellman is a reporter. You can contact him at [email protected] or @GageWellmanKSTV on X.