Game notes
- Time and date: Saturday, September 20 at 3:30 p.m. ET
- Network: ACC Network
- Location: Doak Campbell Stadium — Tallahassee, FL
- Spread: Florida State (-44.5)
- Over/under: 56.5
- All-time series: No previous matchups
Setting the scene
Both teams in this matchup are markedly improved versions of their 2024 selves. Florida State (2-0, 0-0 ACC) already matched its prior year win total in two weeks, rising up to No. 7 in the AP Poll after a statement Week 1 win over the Alabama dynasty. Kent State (1-2, 0-1 MAC) only required one week to match its win total of 2023 and 2024 combined, snapping a 21-game losing streak to appear in the win column.
The programs combined for a 2-22 record a year ago, but that’s already at 3-2 in a brighter
2025. Although Florida State is a significant favorite, Kent State hopes to show tangible improvement in its first-ever trip to Tallahassee.
Kent State Golden Flashes outlook
Kent State did not win last week, but it was the best game the Golden Flashes played since 2022 when Sean Lewis served as the head coach. Kent State established a 14-0 lead over Buffalo to mark its first two-touchdown advantage over an FBS opponent since Nov. 9, 2022. There are a lot of “first since” moments for this Kent State team which also established its first halftime lead against FBS competition since Nov. 16, 2022.
The Golden Flashes started strong, faltered in the middle, and punched in the go-ahead touchdown with 2:38 remaining. However, fresh off a 9-4 season, Buffalo showcased its poise and talent, driving all the way down the field to reclaim its place with 63 seconds remaining. Sure, any crunch time loss stings, but Kent State faithful should be inspired by the way it challenged Buffalo for 60 minutes.
One key element Kent State uncovered in that game — it can rely on its starting quarterback. Dru DeShields split time with CJ Montes in the first two weeks, but after a strong finish at Texas Tech, DeShields earned his first collegiate starting nod for the MAC opener. He opened Kent State’s offense vertically with 279 passing yards and two touchdowns without an interception, and he also thrived as a rusher with 37 yards and that late go-ahead score on a crucial fourth down. DeShields showed grit in the face of adversity, and he prepares to showcase that again in an uphill battle against the No. 7 team in the country.
Other skill position players to keep tabs on when Kent State controls the ball include Gavin Garcia and Cade Wolford. Garcia missed the entirety of 2024 due to injury, but the powerful 5’7”, 192 pound running back bruised his way to 61 yards last week to keep Kent State’s run game afloat. While Garcia is great for short yards, Wolford is the long-range specialist. He averages an eyebrow-raising 31.9 yards per reception on seven catches — the highest average among all FBS players with at least five receptions. The electrifying deep threat scores more often than not, producing four touchdowns on his receptions — and he’s good for one or two downfield strikes per game.
Offensive line is where Kent State needs the most improvement offensively. The Golden Flashes rank seventh-to-last in rushing yards per carry at 2.6 and surrendered 3.0 sacks per game. The majority of the team’s turnovers were created by defensive pressure in the backfield, and that extends to special teams — Kent State has already seen three blocked punts in three weeks.
Defensively, Kent State appears in better shape than last year thus far although the Flashes did yield 62 points to Texas Tech, including 48 by halftime. Defending the air has been the biggest issue as Kent State allowed Buffalo quarterback Ta’Quan Roberson to shatter his career-high with 318 passing yards, guiding the Bulls down the field in 2-minute drill fashion for the win. Texas Tech quarterback Behren Morton also logged an efficient 258 yards in a half, and Kent State must improve its eye discipline and tackling in the secondary moving forward.
What has stood out defensively is the Flashes’ ability to generate stops in key moments. First and second downs have been problematic, but Kent State shines on third and fourth down, limiting teams to a 33 percent conversion rate on both. This effort is guided by linebackers Mason Woods and CJ Young, who combine for 41 tackles, along with true freshman strong safety Joel Cordoba who has thrived as a promising tackler through three collegiate games.
Florida State Seminoles outlook
Florida State completed the ultimate speed run from the cellar of the rankings to No. 7, completing eradicating any memory of the 2024 season during an inspiring, and somewhat decisive, 31-17 victory over Alabama. That win can work wonders for the confidence of Mike Norvell’s team, as the ACC title and College Football Playoff pictures open up nicely for the Seminoles — especially due to Clemson’s 1-2 start.
Florida State brought in former UCF head coach Gus Malzahn — who coached against Kent State in the 2023 opener — as its offensive coordinator, and the longtime ball coach displayed his wealth of knowledge against Alabama. He unleashed tempo, frequent pre-snap motions, and dug into his bag of trick plays to generate 388 yards on the Crimson Tide defense. And for a coordinator known for his love of mobile quarterbacks, he has one in his arsenal in Tallahassee in Thomas Castellanos, who played under him at UCF.
Castellanos’ multifaceted talents keep defenses on their toes. He threw for 152 on a 9-of-14 showing against Alabama but unleashed his mobility more often than he threw. His 16 rushing attempts cashed in for 78 yards and a touchdown, marking the 10th game of his college career with 70+ rushing yards. Florida State prefers to run the ball, but given its status as heavy favorites, that run game may not include Castellanos to the extent he was deployed vs. Alabama.
Instead, expect a supersized running back stable that includes but isn’t limited to Gavin Sawchuk and Jaylin Lucas to fuel the Seminole offense. Also of note is wide receiver Micahi Danzy, a jet sweep specialist who currently leads the team in rushing with 109 yards and two touchdowns on four attempts. Six different Seminole rushers exceed 30 yards per game, and they’ll likely reach well into the depth chart again Saturday vs. Kent State.
It’s a very transfer-heavy offense and one transfer expected to do plenty of damage include Duce Robinson. The former USC receiver is the premier target for Florida State, more than doubling the reception and receiving yard totals of any other Seminole in 2025. He’s up to seven and 191 on the year, respectively, generating two receiving touchdowns as an early All-ACC candidate.
The defense also showcased a giant leap from 2024 in the Alabama game, limiting the Crimson Tide to 23 completions on 43 attempts, while suffocating the run game to 87 yards on a 3.0 average. Florida State’s defensive front outplayed the Crimson Tide o-line, registering three sacks and seven tackles for loss in the two-touchdown triumph. The defensive line gained reinforcements from last year’s bunch, but nose tackle Darrell Jackson Jr. remains the impactful centerpiece.
Discipline is another quality Florida State’s defense notably exudes, checking in as one of the least penalized teams in the country (albeit a small 2-game sample size). The production has been distributed evenly throughout the unit, but one player standing out is inside linebacker Justin Cryer. The third-year Seminole is on pace for his best season yet and he ranks second on the unit with 10 tackles at the moment. One other defender to watch is leading tackler Earl Little Jr., who looks to limit Kent State’s newfound vertical playmaking as the nickel. Little secured his first interception last game and crafted a 48-yard return in a 77-3 win over East Texas A&M of the FCS.
Prediction
Two things can be true.
One, Kent State is vastly improved. The Golden Flashes are leaps and bounds above the 0-12 team they were last year, and that was on full display against Buffalo. Dru DeShields injected plenty of life into an offense desperate for it, and the defense is capable of producing stops at a higher rate. Before kickoff on Saturday, Kent State will not have beaten an FBS opponent for 1,029 days but the Flashes can be confident that streak ends before this season.
Two, Florida State is vastly improved. The Seminoles absolutely demolished their FCS opponent in a 74-point shellacking and have shown to be a complete team through two data points. Florida State is heavily favored for a reason in Tallahassee and the Seminoles shouldn’t see much resistance in a commanding victory.
Prediction: Florida State 55, Kent State 7
