Game notes
- Time and date: Saturday, October 4 at 4:00 p.m. ET
- Network: SEC Network
- Location: Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium — Norman, OK
- Spread: Oklahoma (-45.5)
- Over/under: 53.5
- All-time series: Oklahoma leads, 1-0
- Last meeting: Oklahoma 33, Kent State 3 — September 10, 2022
- Current streak: Oklahoma, 1 (2022)
Setting the scene
Non-conference games are becoming a rarity as the calendar flips from September to Oklahoma, but we’ve still got one lined up in Norman, OK.
Oklahoma and Kent State scheduled another matchup after squaring
off for the first time three years ago. That was Brent Venables’ debut season at Oklahoma and he remains situated with the Sooners. Meanwhile, Kent State has seen the leadership baton passed multiple times since, and the program currently operates under interim head coach Mark Carney.
The Sooners are prohibitive favorites to collect a fifth-straight win, while the Golden Flashes search for their first FBS victory in 1,043 days.
Kent State Golden Flashes outlook
Kent State (1-3, 0-1 MAC) is almost to the finish line of arguably the most demanding non-conference gauntlet in the country. The Golden Flashes played a pair of close games against FCS Merrimack and Buffalo, but they’ve also been subjected to some lopsided road blowouts, falling 62-14 to Texas Tech and 66-10 to Florida State.
But the close games proved one thing that is certain — the 2025 Golden Flashes are leaps and bounds better than 2024 winless team that never held a lead until November. While all signs point to this being a long shot game for interim head coach Mark Carney and his crew, the progress undeniable and perhaps Kent State gains a thing or two in conference play from this gauntlet.
Kent State already solved one question in the Texas Tech game, and that involves the starting quarterback. Dru DeShields made tremendous plays in the fourth quarter in Lubbock and that allowed him to earn the starting gig vs. Buffalo. DeShields shined in that role with 279 yards and a pair of touchdowns, and overall, he’s been a positive for this offense. He averages 8.6 yards per attempt and owns a ratio of five touchdowns to one interception.
The Golden Flashes aren’t dink-and-dunk with DeShields, even against high-caliber ranked opponents. They have full confidence in letting the quarterback air it out, and he has completed a 50+ yard touchdown pass in three of four games — hitting DaShawn Martin in stride for a 75-yard score in the opening frame at Florida State. One of those frequented deep threats is wide receiver Cade Wolford. Although he only has nine receptions, Wolford has averaged 26.4 yards per snag and is responsible for four touchdowns. The next leading wide receiver Ardell Banks averages 16.8 yards per reception, proving that Kent State is often ‘go big or go home’ in the passing game.
One area Kent State is still working to improve is the run game. The Golden Flashes slightly rose from second-to-last in the FBS to fourth-to-last (at the moment) in the category, averaging 86.5 yards per game on a 2.4 average. Gavin Garcia operates as the workhorse with Jahzae Kimbrough getting secondary touches. Also, DeShields is a tough runner himself although his statistics (26 rushes for 52 yards) are somewhat misleading due to Kent State’s offensive line allowing 2.8 sacks per game.
Another facet the Golden Flashes must fix is defense. They are third-to-last in the FBS in run defense after allowing Florida State a program-record 498 rushing yards. The pass defense isn’t much better, checking in at eighth-to-last and allowing over 300 yards to Texas Tech and Buffalo. Generating defensive line pressure is a priority, and Kent State isn’t getting to the quarterback much with two sacks through three games vs. FBS competition.
However, the revamped defensive line featuring transfers Jamond Mathis and Jelani Davis has potential, and they’re among the top newcomers to this team. But the most experienced starters lie within the linebacking corps. Mason Woods and CJ Young, both returning from the 2024 team, check in at first and second in tackles with 28 and 24, respectively. Ranking right behind them is Joel Cordoba with 20 tackles. Cordoba is a true freshman who emerged as the starting strong safety, and Carney and staff are excited about the youngster’s potential.
With fresh legs coming off a bye week, Kent State looks to hone in on the run defense and provide enough early stops for an Oklahoma offensive panic. Although the team was nearly 100 percent different in 2022, last time these teams met, Kent State played an excellent defensive first half — leading 3-0 until 18 seconds remained in the second quarter.
Oklahoma Sooners outlook
Oklahoma (4-0, 1-0 SEC) is No. 5 in the AP Poll. The Sooners saw an uncharacteristic losing campaign a year ago, but they’ve rebounded nicely to earn a top-5 ranking for the 16th season in a 19-year timeframe. Oklahoma played several marquee home games already, besting Michigan and Auburn in lower-scoring defensive bouts.
While defense is the unquestionable strength of this Brent Venables-coached team for the second-straight year, the main storyline involving the Sooners focuses on the offense. Starting quarterback John Mateer recently underwent right hand surgery performed by Oklahoma fan favorite Dr. Steven Shin, and the injury will sideline him for this upcoming matchup. This thrusts Michael Hawkins Jr. into the QB1 role, and valuable reps will be taken by the sophomore, whom the Sooners may need down the line. Hawkins is no stranger to starting though as he earned four starts in 2024, primarily thriving as a rusher across that sample size.
This year the quarterback has stronger surrounding offensive weapons. The wide receiver room was injured to an unprecedented level in 2024 with tight end Bauer Sharp and wide receiver Javian Hester ranking first and second on the team with 324 and 315 yards, respectively. In 2025, there are already four receivers — including tight end Jaren Kanak — with 210+ yards, and they’re all on pace to lap last year’s leaderboard. Isaiah Sategna, Deion Burks, and Keontez Lewis will be the main targets, assisting Hawkins in a passing attack which ranks 17th nationally. Additionally, Oklahoma is expected to see FCS All-American transfer JaVonnie Gibson for the first time this season after he eclipsed 1,200 yards at Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
Oklahoma hasn’t been as potent in the run game this year, and Mateer leads the group with 190 yards. Hawkins’ mobility should be on display, but Saturday is about invoking confidence into the running back room against the nation’s third-to-last ranked run defense. Tory Blaylock has emerged as the top dog with 179 yards through four games, but Jovantae Barnes and Xavier Robinson are among the other tailbacks searching for their best showing of the season in Week 6.
Defensively, the Sooners are home to one of the best fronts in America. Oklahoma allows 89 rushing yards per game and is tied for the nation’s lead in sacks at 4.0 per contest. R Mason Thomas and Marvin Jones man the edge spots while Jayden Jackson and Damonic Williams command the interior, and not many offenses can solve this puzzle. Michigan couldn’t, Auburn couldn’t, and this group is the primary reason the Sooners rank second in fewest yards allowed per game (208) nationally.
As sharp as the defense is, Oklahoma is actually the standalone worst team in the country at one key category — takeaways. Yes, the Sooners are the only FBS team through five weeks not to force a single turnover, but that only highlights how dominant this defense is without relying on takeaways as a crutch. Kip Lewis ran back two pick-sixes from the outside linebacker spot a year ago and will look to spearhead that effort as the Sooners’ leading tackler.
Other names to watch in the linebacking corps and secondary include Kendal Daniels and Robert Spears-Jennings. Daniels is a hybrid of a linebacker and safety and the Oklahoma State transfer is the jack of all trades with five career picks, 28 tackles for loss, and 14 pass breakups. Meanwhile, Spears-Jennings is one of the more lethal hitters from the free safety position, jarring loose four fumbles a year ago in a 66-tackle season.
Prediction
Kent State is renowned for its brutal non-conference scheduling. The Golden Flashes take three road trips to premier programs every season, and they picked the worst possible year to face the gauntlet of Texas Tech, Florida State, and Oklahoma — all unranked a year ago, yet all top 18 in the AP Poll right now.
Texas Tech and Florida State both posted 60+ points on the Flashes, and Oklahoma could likely be in for a similar result even without the services of John Mateer. The good news for the Golden Flashes is MAC play is around the corner soon, and they showed plenty of fight against Buffalo back in Week 3. But Saturday belongs to the Sooners.
Prediction: Oklahoma 56, Kent State 7
