The last time Kent State defeated an FBS was Nov. 26, 2022.
The Golden Flashes dropped 23 straight to FBS competition and 16 consecutive to MAC opponents, entering their 2025 MAC opener determined to turn things around. Significant progress was shown by the Golden Flashes as the game remained in balance until the literal final play. But thanks to a Buffalo touchdown with just over a minute remaining, the Bulls escaped 30-27 in the first MAC vs. MAC matchup of the season.
Buffalo wide receiver Victor
Snow emerged as the hero at Dix Stadium on Saturday, capturing a 22-yard touchdown strike from Ta’Quan Roberson with 63 seconds remaining. Snow turned around and reached for the pylon after his reception, giving Buffalo the touchdown it needed to win its fifth-straight matchup over conference competition.
Saturday was a true test of Buffalo’s resiliency. Not only did the Bulls require a touchdown in the waning minutes to stave off an improved Golden Flashes squad, but they also needed to eradicate a 14-0 deficit in the second quarter. It had been 658 days (the 2023 regular season finale) since Kent State held an end-of-quarter lead over an FBS opponent, but the Golden Flashes secured advantages at the end of the first and second quarters.
Kent State received an offensive boost behind quarterback Dru DeShields, who earned his first collegiate start after a strong Week 2 finish at Texas Tech. DeShields added much-needed verticality to the offense, firing for 279 yards and two touchdowns with 22 completions on 29 attempts. The first-time starter also excelled as a runner, lowering his shoulder on defenders to pick up 55 yards and a rushing touchdown.
Both DeShields touchdown strikes were on explosive plays. In the second quarter, connected with Cade Wolford — who entered the contest averaging over 30 yards per reception — for a 41-yard touchdown. Then in the third quarter, he found tight end Terik Mulder, a refugee of a folded Division II Limestone College football program, for a 50-yard strike.
Buffalo’s offense faced early adversity, burdened by three turnovers and a punt on its first four series. One of those turnovers, immediately after a blocked punt, transpired on the Kent State 8-yard line as Roberson was strip-sacked by Antoine Campbell Jr. But Buffalo shook off the offensive challenges thanks to a career day from its quarterback.
The seventh-year senior Roberson set a new personal-bests with 318 passing yards, complemented by three touchdowns in the comeback victory. He found Nik McMillan downfield for a 38-yard touchdown to initiate the Bulls’ scoring effort in the second quarter. Then he manufactured the team’s first lead right after halftime, sending a 21-yard air mail down the right sideline to Chance Morrow. The run game fed off Roberson’s success, as Al-Jay Henderson housed a 38-yard scamper to provide Buffalo 24 unanswered.
Kent State showed as much fight as the Golden Flashes have displayed in years. Unfazed by the double-digit deficit, DeShields brought Kent State back in front. His touchdown to Mulder sliced the deficit to one score. Then trailing by three with 2:37 remaining on a critical 4th and inches, DeShields pushed his way into the end zone on a 3-yard QB keeper.
However, Buffalo got the last laugh in a thrilling matchup which featured 884 yards of total offense. In addition to Roberson’s stellar outing, the Bulls received substantial boosts from McMillan and Morrow who combined for 12 receptions and 210 receiving yards, each responsible for a score. Henderson added 75 rushing yards to set the Bulls at 2-1 and atop the early MAC standings.
Buffalo (2-1, 1-0 MAC) returns to non-conference play for the next two weeks, traveling back home to face Troy and subsequently UConn. Kent State (1-2, 0-1 MAC) remains in search of that elusive victory over FBS competition. The Golden Flashes showcased their ability to compete, but they’ll need an extra push to snap their 1,022-day skid without an FBS win.
