The Kent State Golden Flashes entered Lubbock, TX in uncharted territory. For the first time in nearly two full calendar years, Kent State entered a matchup coming off a victory. The Golden Flashes outlasted FCS program Merrimack 21-17 in Mark Carney’s interim head coaching debut, but Week 2 presented an exponentially more intense challenge against No. 24 Texas Tech.
The Red Raiders constructed their own home base in the end zone from the get-go, building a 48-0 halftime lead before taking the foot
off the gas for a 62-14 victory.
Kent State was subject to a slew of follies in a hostile environment. Whether it was the punter catching the snap with his knee on the ground, the center whiffing on a snap, or allowing former Northern Illinois defensive tackle Skyler Gill-Howard to run back a 55-yard pick-six, it was a game reminiscent of Kent State’s 2024 non-conference shortcomings.
Texas Tech quarterback Behren Morton’s status heading into this game was unknown after suffering a leg injury in the 67-7 opener win over FCS Arkansas Pine-Bluff. Morton gave it a go and looked as if health was never an issue. The quarterback connected on 18-of-26 attempts for 258 yards and three touchdowns, taking a deserved spot on the bench at halftime due to the lopsided nature of the matchup.
Kent State faced five three-and-outs in addition to a pair of turnovers and a turnover on downs in a futile first half. Long after the game was decided, the Golden Flashes finally reached the end zone — doing so twice in a span of a minute, assisted by a Texas Tech fumble. The first touchdown was a 10-yard scramble by quarterback Dru DeShields, and then DeShields connected with Cade Wolford for the receiver’s third touchdown of the young season.
Kent State rotated between quarterbacks for the second-straight week. CJ Montes earned the start and finished 4-of-10 for 49 yards and an interception, but DeShields received the majority of playing time — including the entire second half — in a 7-of-15 effort for 115 yards and a touchdown. Kent State’s passing game moved the ball at a better rate than its run game, which averaged 1.9 yards per carry against Texas Tech’s relentless defensive line full of talented transfers. The Red Raiders logged 10 quarterbacks hurries with Georgia Tech transfer Romello Height and Houston transfer A.J. Holmes Jr. leading the charge.
Texas Tech earned points on seven of its eight possessions in the first half to score 60 points in back-to-back games for the first time since 2005. Meanwhile, it marked the second time in two seasons the Golden Flashes yielded 60 in a non-conference game, falling 71-0 to Tennessee last September.
The ranked Red Raiders continue their journey to their first Big 12 championship after one final non-conference matchup — a third-straight home game vs. Oregon State. Meanwhile, Kent State initiates MAC play the following Saturday, returning home to Dix Stadium to battle Buffalo. After taking a 48-point defeat to the Red Raiders, they’ll be on the hunt for their first win over FBS competition in 1,022 days.
