The only non-conference matchup of Week 7 excluding the independents.
For such a unique matchup this late in the season, it had to produce one result: Kent State beat South Florida, 29-2.
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Kent State became the first FBS team to score exactly two points when UMass did so in a 20-2 loss to Florida Atlantic on Nov. 20.
The Golden Flashes led 2-0 after the first quarter Saturday night in Tampa. Immediately following a turnover on a drive to South Florida for 3 yards, Kent State managed to salvage some points through its defense. True freshman defensive end Dion’Dre Taylor stuffed USF running back DJ Crowther in the end zone to give the Golden Flashes their first lead against a non-conference FBS opponent since Sept. 9. 2023, when Arkansas led 3-0.
It seemed as if the state of Kent would be built on that first advantage. After the safety, the Golden Flashes drove to the USF yard line. Kent City lined up in a tush push formation, attempting a quarterback sneak to extend the lead. However, a foul shift by center field left the ball on the ground, and former 5-star defensive end recruit CJ Hicks took off and ran 99 yards for his first career touchdown.
Hicks’ momentum-swinging touchdown sparked a 29-0 run for the Bulls. Kent City stayed within one score until the last minute of the third quarter, but the Golden Flashes continued their scrambling. They failed all four attempts in the quarter, missed a field goal, and gave up a safety in the second contest.
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Kent State has sustained its struggles in the running game. The Flashes managed just 63 yards on 35 attempts, finishing their third straight MAC game with fewer than 80 rushing yards. Meanwhile, they dropped to last place nationally in scoring after claiming two points in Tampa. Kent State has been outscored 145-5 by three FBS non-conference opponents this season, without registering a touchdown in all three contests.
However, there were bright spots for Kent State’s defense which limited South Florida to 78 yards rushing on a 2.4 average and forced four sacks and eight tackles for loss. South Florida’s first half continued to be painful. After recording a defensive touchdown and a field goal in a 10-point first half, the Bulls still have three offensive first-half touchdowns in six games against FBS opponents this season.
USF’s offense finally reached the end zone late in the quarter when quarterback Lucas Kromenhoek ran in a 1-yard score outside the goal line. Then, starting quarterback Michael Van Buren Jr. Cameron Seldon found a 36-yard completion with 4:45 remaining in the game to seal the victory. Van Buren has completed seven-straight starts at South Florida without an interception, remaining without an error in 179 attempts this season.
Kent State (2-5, 1-2 MAC) concludes non-conference play with a 1-3 record. The Golden Flashes have now snapped 32 consecutive regular-season non-conference matchups against FBS opponents – the last such game being won in 2014 against Army. The Golden Flashes are now trying to put an end to their out-of-conference success in the MAC, and on Oct. 24 they return home because of the contest of the Chariot Wheel against the Posonian contest.
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South Florida (5-2, 1-2 American) swept its non-conference slate in the first year under head coach Brian Hartline, the first since 2018. The Bulls now prepare for their bye week before a tough comeback against UAB on Oct. 31.