The Kent State Golden Flashes’ annual non-conference gauntlet is finally over. Kent State tested its mettle against three ranked opponents on the road — Texas Tech, Florida State, and Oklahoma — and walked
away with a collective 172-24 defeat.
The Golden Flashes spent their Saturday in Norman for the final leg of daunting slate, falling 44-0 to No. 5 Oklahoma. It marked Kent State’s first time shut out in 2025 and fourth time scoring zero in the past two seasons.
“I’m disappointed in the result, but really proud of the battle, fight, and resiliency in our locker room,” Kent State interim head coach Mark Carney said. “I know brighter days are ahead. Coming into these environments, the margin for error is really, really small.”
Kent State made an unusual choice heading into the contest. Carney decided to bench starting quarterback Dru DeShields despite no reported injury. Keeping DeShields healthy was a priority for the Golden Flashes, which lost two quarterbacks to season-ending injuries in a 56-0 shutout at Penn State in September 2024. One of quarterback injured that day was Devin Kargman, who on Saturday returned for the first time since undergoing hip surgery. Kargman earned the start in Norman, finishing 8-of-16 for 74 yards and an interception on Saturday.
“He’s been through a lot in the last year,” Carney said of Kargman. “A year ago, our last power game was when we lost him for the year. He battled hard through his rehab and to put himself in this position, credit to Dev. I thought he competed really hard and had a great week of practice. Looked really sharp but just missed some throws that we can’t in those games.”
The Golden Flashes’ offense struggled mightily without their normal starting quarterback, limited to 135 yards against the heralded Oklahoma defense which ranks first in the FBS in fewest yards allowed per game. The Sooners forced two turnovers and seven punts as Kent State only invaded Oklahoma territory twice — turning it over on downs from the 21-yard line in the second quarter and again from the 45-yard line in the fourth.
However, similar to the 2022 trip to Norman, Kent State’s defense showed poise in the first half. Although Oklahoma notched points on each of its first five series, the Golden Flashes manufactured three “4-point plays,” flipping potential touchdown drives into field goals. Although he had some difficult looks, UTSA transfer kicker Tate Sandell cashed in from 49, 39, and 55 yards to go 3-for-3 in the first half. Additionally, Oklahoma backup quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. — starting in place of John Mateer (who underwent hand surgery last week) — delivered two touchdown strikes in the first two frames to hand the Sooners a 20-0 halftime lead.
Kent State only surrendered 355 yards of offense to Oklahoma — its best defensive showing against any FBS opponent since Oct. 21, 2023. The run defense notably improved after allowing Florida State a program record in the prior outing, and Kent State managed three sacks and seven tackles for loss despite the shutout. Standout performers on that side of the ball included true freshman strong safety Derrick Jackson (team-high 8 tackles, share of a sack) and free safety Tevin Tucker (team-high 2 TFL).
“Overall, we battled our tails off and I’m super proud of that group,” Carney said of the defense.
Oklahoma (5-0, 1-0 SEC) fell to No. 6 in the AP Poll despite recording its first shutout victory since the 2023 opener. Kent State (1-4, 0-1 MAC) became the third team to fail to generate a touchdown on the Sooner defense in a 5-game sample size, dropping its fourth-straight contest. While the Sooners envision their first College Football Playoff appearance since 2019, the Golden Flashes aim to generate their first FBS victory since the 2022 finale as MAC play looms.
“This locker room is together now and that’s the most important thing,” Carney said. “These games are a challenge. Oklahoma, top 5 team. Florida State, top 10 team. Texas Tech now, top 10 team. Those are tough. But that group’s as together as they’ve ever been throughout all that adversity. I know better days are ahead, and I’m excited for this week to get back into MAC play.”
