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2026 Kent State Golden Flashes football team

American college football season From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The 2026 Kent State Golden Flashes football team represents Kent State University in the Mid-American Conference for the upcoming 2026 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Golden Flashes are led by head coach Mark Carney; Carney spent most of the 2025 season as interim head coach with the interim tag being removed late in the 2025 season.[1] The Golden Flashes play home games at Dix Stadium, located in Kent, Ohio.[2]

ConferenceMid-American Conference
Record1–2 (0–0 MAC)
Headcoach
OffensivecoordinatorClay Patterson (3rd season)
Quick facts Kent State Golden Flashes football, Conference ...
2026 Kent State Golden Flashes football
ConferenceMid-American Conference
Record1–2 (0–0 MAC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorClay Patterson (3rd season)
Defensive coordinatorCherokee Valeria (2nd season)
Home stadiumDix Stadium
Seasons
← 2025
2027 →
Close
More information Conf., Overall ...
2026 Mid-American Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
Team W L  W L 
Eastern Michigan 1–0  1–3 
UMass 0–0  3–0 
Central Michigan 0–0  2–1 
Toledo 0–0  2–1 
Western Michigan 0–0  2–1 
Akron 0–0  1–2 
Ball State 0–0  1–2 
Buffalo 0–0  1–2 
Kent State 0–0  1–2 
Miami (OH) 0–0  1–2 
Ohio 0–0  1–2 
Bowling Green 0–0  0–3 
Sacramento State 0–1  1–3 
Championship: December 5, 2026
As of September 22, 2026
Rankings from AP poll
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Kent State will face Wofford, South Florida, and Sacramento State for the first time in program history.[3][4]

After a turnaround season in 2025 (improving to five wins after zero wins in 2024), Kent State had a strong 2026 recruiting class, including defensive back Lennox Lemon, who was rated at the sixth-best prospect in Ohio.[5]

Schedule

More information Date, Time ...
DateTimeOpponentSiteTVResultAttendance
September 512:45 p.m.at South Carolina*
SECNL 0–5777,559
September 1212:00 p.m.Wofford*
ESPN+W 36–157,887
September 1912:00 p.m.at No. 6 Ohio State*
FOXL 3–59100,009
September 2612:00 p.m.Ball State
  • Dix Stadium
  • Kent, OH
ESPN+
October 33:30 p.m.Ohiodagger
  • Dix Stadium
  • Kent, OH
ESPN+
October 10TBAat Western Michigan
October 17TBAat South Florida*
October 24TBAAkron
October 3010:30 p.m.at Sacramento State
ESPN2
November 107:00 p.m.at Bowling Green
ESPN2/ESPNU/CBSSN
November 177:00 p.m.Miami (OH)
  • Dix Stadium
  • Kent, OH
ESPN2/ESPNU/CBSSN
November 24TBAat Eastern Michigan
ESPN2/ESPN+
  • *Non-conference game
  • daggerHomecoming
  • Rankings from Coaches' Poll released prior to the game
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[6][7][8][9]

Game summaries

at South Carolina

See also: 2026 South Carolina Gamecocks football team
Kent State Golden Flashes (0–0) at South Carolina Gamecocks (0–0) – Game summary
More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Golden Flashes 0 0 000
Gamecocks 7 22 141457
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at Williams–Brice Stadium • Columbia, South Carolina

  • Date: September 5
  • Game time: 12:45 PM EDT
  • Game weather: Sunny, 95 °F (35 °C)
  • Game attendance: 77,559
  • Referee: Steve Marlowe
  • TV announcers (SECN): Taylor Zarzour, Matt Stinchcomb and Michella Chester
More information Game information ...
Game information
First quarter
  • SC – Matt Fuller 7-yard run (Max Kelley kick), 4:18. Gamecocks 7–0. Drive: 7 plays, 87 yards, 2:42.
Second quarter
  • SC – Mazeo Bennett Jr. 18-yard pass from LaNorris Sellers (Maurice Brown II pass to Brady Hunt), 12:41. Gamecocks 15–0. Drive: 8 plays, 85 yards, 3:01.
  • SC – Jabree Coleman 60-yard run (Max Kelley kick), 6:25. Gamecocks 22–0. Drive: 6 plays, 92 yards, 1:56.
  • SC – Donovan Murph 29-yard pass from LaNorris Sellers (Max Kelley kick), 1:10. Gamecocks 29–0. Drive: 7 plays, 87 yards, 2:19.
Third quarter
  • SC – Donovan Murph 37-yard pass from LaNorris Sellers (Malik Orsan kick), 13:21. Gamecocks 36–0. Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 1:39.
  • SC – Mike Tyler 7-yard pass from Cutter Woods (Malik Orsan kick), 6:20. Gamecocks 43–0. Drive: 11 plays, 72 yards, 4:20.
Fourth quarter
  • SC – Isaiah Augustave 1-yard run (Malik Orsan kick), 9:12. Gamecocks 50–0. Drive: 11 plays, 86 yards, 10:11.
  • SC – Jabree Coleman 5-yard run (Malik Orsan kick), 2:26. Gamecocks 57–0. Drive: 8 plays, 61 yards, 5:19.
Close
More information Statistics, KENT ...
StatisticsKENTSC
First downs1035
Plays–yards48–17972–645
Rushes–yards25–10039–278
Passing yards79367
Passing: comp–att–int14–23–127–33–0
Turnovers10
Time of possession25:1334:47
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More information Team, Category ...
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Kent State Passing Dru DeShields 12/20, 63 yards
Rushing Dru DeShields 3 carries, 27 yards
Receiving Mason King 2 receptions, 21 yards
South Carolina Passing LaNorris Sellers 19/23, 270 yards, 3 TD
Rushing Jabree Coleman 4 carries, 77 yards, 2 TD
Receiving Donovan Murph 4 receptions, 92 yards, 2 TD
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vs Wofford (FCS)

See also: 2026 Wofford Terriers football team
Wofford Terriers (FCS) (2–0) at Kent State Golden Flashes (0–1) – Game summary
More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Terriers (FCS) 3 12 0015
Golden Flashes 7 7 02236
Close

at Dix Stadium • Kent, Ohio

  • Date: September 12
  • Game time: 12:00 PM EDT
  • Game weather: Rain • Temperature: 74 °F (23 °C) • Wind: SW 5 MPH
  • Game attendance: 7,887
  • Referee: Rick Warne
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Michael Reghi and Patrick Murray
More information Game information ...
Game information
First quarter
  • KENT – Dru DeShields 12-yard run (Sean Leonard kick), 10:23. Golden Flashes 7–0. Drive: 9 plays, 83 yards, 4:32.
  • WOF – Sam Spence 28-yard field goal, 3:20. Golden Flashes 7–3. Drive: 6 plays, 14 yards, 1:30.
Second quarter
  • WOF – Gerald Modest Jr. 10-yard run (Sam Spence kick), 9:29. Terriers 10–7. Drive: 5 plays, 36 yards, 1:56.
  • WOF – Team safety, 3:04. Terriers 12–7.
  • KENT – Rafael Terrero Jr. 63-yard interception return (Sean Leonard kick), 1:50. Golden Flashes 14–12.
  • WOF – Sam Spence 50-yard field goal, 0:02. Terriers 15–14. Drive: 7 plays, 44 yards, 1:50.
Third quarter
  • No scoring plays.
Fourth quarter
  • KENT – Jakorion Caffey 5-yard run (Dru DeShields–Wayne Harris pass), 14:21. Golden Flashes 22–15. Drive: 6 plays, 85 yards, 2:39.
  • KENT – Dru DeShields 20-yard run (Sean Leonard kick), 8:27. Golden Flashes 29–15. Drive: 7 plays, 68 yards, 4:15.
  • KENT – Wayne Harris 10-yard pass from Dru DeShields (Sean Leonard kick), 4:16. Golden Flashes 36–15. Drive: 5 plays, 57 yards, 2:57.
Close
More information Statistics, WOF ...
StatisticsWOFKENT
First downs1021
Plays–yards54–17372–253
Rushes–yards26–5844–195
Passing yards115253
Passing: comp–att–int13–27–217–28–2
Turnovers23
Time of possession22:3837:22
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More information Team, Category ...
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Wofford Passing Ethan Drumm 9/16, 100 yards, 2 INT
Rushing Gerald Modest Jr. 14 carries, 56 yards, TD
Receiving Isaiah Scott 3 receptions, 47 yards
Kent State Passing Dru DeShields 16/25, 248 yards, TD, 2 INT
Rushing Dru DeShields 10 carries, 74 yards, 2 TD
Receiving Darealyst Clark 5 receptions, 90 yards
Close

at No. 6 Ohio State

See also: 2026 Ohio State Buckeyes football team
Kent State Golden Flashes (1–1) at No. 6 Ohio State Buckeyes (1–1) – Game summary
More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Golden Flashes 0 0 000
No. 6 Buckeyes 0 0 000
Close

at Ohio Stadium • Columbus, Ohio

More information Game information ...
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Close
More information Statistics, KENT ...
StatisticsKENTOSU
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Turnovers
Time of possession
Close
More information Team, Category ...
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Kent State Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Ohio State Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Close

vs Ball State

See also: 2026 Ball State Cardinals football team
Ball State Cardinals (1–2) at Kent State Golden Flashes (1–2) – Game summary
More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Cardinals 0 0 000
Golden Flashes 0 0 000
Close

at Dix Stadium • Kent, Ohio

  • Date: September 26
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. EDT
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Michael Reghi and Je'Rod Cherry
More information Game information ...
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Close
More information Statistics, BALL ...
StatisticsBALLKENT
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Turnovers
Time of possession
Close
More information Team, Category ...
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Ball State Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Kent State Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Close

vs Ohio

See also: 2026 Ohio Bobcats football team
Ohio Bobcats (0–0) at Kent State Golden Flashes (0–0) – Game summary
More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Bobcats 0 0 000
Golden Flashes 0 0 000
Close

at Dix Stadium • Kent, Ohio

  • Date: October 3
More information Game information ...
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Close
More information Statistics, OHIO ...
StatisticsOHIOKENT
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Turnovers
Time of possession
Close
More information Team, Category ...
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Ohio Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Kent State Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Close

at Western Michigan

See also: 2026 Western Michigan Broncos football team
Kent State Golden Flashes (0–0) at Western Michigan Broncos (0–0) – Game summary
More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Golden Flashes 0 0 000
Broncos 0 0 000
Close

at Waldo Stadium • Kalamazoo, Michigan

  • Date: October 10
More information Game information ...
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Close
More information Statistics, KENT ...
StatisticsKENTWMU
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Turnovers
Time of possession
Close
More information Team, Category ...
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Kent State Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Western Michigan Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Close

at South Florida

See also: 2026 South Florida Bulls football team
Kent State Golden Flashes (0–0) at South Florida Bulls (0–0) – Game summary
More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Golden Flashes 0 0 000
Bulls 0 0 000
Close

at Raymond James Stadium • Tampa, Florida

  • Date: October 17
More information Game information ...
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Close
More information Statistics, KENT ...
StatisticsKENTUSF
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Turnovers
Time of possession
Close
More information Team, Category ...
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Kent State Passing
Rushing
Receiving
South Florida Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Close

vs Akron (Wagon Wheel)

See also: 2026 Akron Zips football team and Wagon Wheel
Akron Zips (0–0) at Kent State Golden Flashes (0–0) – Game summary
More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Zips 0 0 000
Golden Flashes 0 0 000
Close

at Dix Stadium • Kent, Ohio

  • Date: October 24
More information Game information ...
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Close
More information Statistics, AKR ...
StatisticsAKRKENT
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Turnovers
Time of possession
Close
More information Team, Category ...
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Akron Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Kent State Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Close

at Sacramento State

See also: 2026 Sacramento State Hornets football team
Kent State Golden Flashes (0–0) at Sacramento State Hornets (0–0) – Game summary
More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Golden Flashes 0 0 000
Hornets 0 0 000
Close

at Hornet Stadium • Sacramento, California

  • Date: October 30
More information Game information ...
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Close
More information Statistics, KENT ...
StatisticsKENTSAC
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Turnovers
Time of possession
Close
More information Team, Category ...
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Kent State Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Sacramento State Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Close

at Bowling Green (Anniversary Award)

See also: 2026 Bowling Green Falcons football team and Anniversary Award
Kent State Golden Flashes (0–0) at Bowling Green Falcons (0–0) – Game summary
More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Golden Flashes 0 0 000
Falcons 0 0 000
Close

at Doyt Perry Stadium • Bowling Green, Ohio

  • Date: November 10
More information Game information ...
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Close
More information Statistics, KENT ...
StatisticsKENTBGSU
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Turnovers
Time of possession
Close
More information Team, Category ...
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Kent State Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Bowling Green Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Close

vs Miami (OH)

See also: 2026 Miami RedHawks football team
Miami RedHawks (0–0) at Kent State Golden Flashes (0–0) – Game summary
More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter 1 2 34Total
RedHawks 0 0 000
Golden Flashes 0 0 000
Close

at Dix Stadium • Kent, Ohio

  • Date: November 17
More information Game information ...
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Close
More information Statistics, M-OH ...
StatisticsM-OHKENT
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Turnovers
Time of possession
Close
More information Team, Category ...
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Miami (OH) Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Kent State Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Close

at Eastern Michigan

See also: 2026 Eastern Michigan Eagles football team
Kent State Golden Flashes (0–0) at Eastern Michigan Eagles (0–0) – Game summary
More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Golden Flashes 0 0 000
Eagles 0 0 000
Close

at Rynearson Stadium • Ypsilanti, Michigan

  • Date: November 24
More information Game information ...
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Close
More information Statistics, KENT ...
StatisticsKENTEMU
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Turnovers
Time of possession
Close
More information Team, Category ...
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Kent State Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Eastern Michigan Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Close

Coaching staff

More information Name, Title ...
Name Title Year at school
Mark Carney Head coach[1] 4th
Clay Patterson Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks 3rd
Cherokee Valeria Defensive coordinator/safeties 2nd
Isaac Vance Wide receivers 1st
Braxton Chapman Running backs 1st
Alex Stadler Offensive line 1st
Bill Teerlinck Defensive line 3rd
Kevin Snyder Linebackers 2nd
Bart Tanski Cornerbacks 2nd
Close

[10][11]

References

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