Kent State Seek First Win vs. Buffalo in Final Regular Season Game

Kent State Golden Flashes Looking to Avoid Winless Season Finale Against Buffalo Bulls

The Kent State Golden Flashes (0-11, 0-7 MAC) are on the verge of a historic and unwanted distinction as they enter their season finale against the Buffalo Bulls (7-4, 5-2 MAC) on Tuesday evening. The game, set to take place at UB Stadium, kicks off at 7:00 PM ET. Kent State, coming off a disheartening 38-17 loss to Akron, is desperately seeking to avoid becoming the first team in the program’s history to lose 12 consecutive games. Meanwhile, the Bulls are riding high after a 37-20 victory over Eastern Michigan, and they aim to extend their winning streak to four games.

Kent State’s Struggles Continue in 2024: Can They Break the Losing Streak?

The Golden Flashes have been mired in one of the most challenging seasons in the history of their program. With 11 straight losses, Kent State finds itself staring down the barrel of a potentially record-breaking defeat streak. No Kent State team has ever lost 12 games in a row, and the team is on track to become the first. The school’s previous winless seasons—most recently in 1998—were marked by multiple defeats, but never 12 straight.

Offensive Woes: Kent State’s offense has struggled mightily throughout the season, averaging just 15.1 points per game. Their passing attack ranks among the worst in the conference, with a mere 161.3 passing yards per game. Freshman quarterback Tommy Ulatowski has faced significant challenges, completing only 45.4% of his passes for 1,262 yards, with 14 touchdowns and 8 interceptions. In their most recent loss to Akron, Ulatowski showed flashes of potential, completing 60% of his passes for 229 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception. Ky Thomas, Kent State’s leading rusher with 549 yards, has also struggled to find consistent success, averaging just 3.6 yards per carry.

Defensive Vulnerabilities: Kent State’s defense has also been a major liability, allowing a staggering 44.2 points per game, one of the highest totals in college football this season. They allowed 38 points in their latest loss to Akron, continuing a season-long trend of struggles against both the pass and the run.

Buffalo Bulls Seek Fourth Straight Win to Finish Strong

On the other side, the Buffalo Bulls are riding momentum as they aim to finish their season on a high note. After a rocky midseason stretch that saw them lose two straight games, Buffalo has bounced back with consecutive victories over Akron (44-20), Ball State (27-13), and Eastern Michigan (37-20). A win over Kent State would mark Buffalo’s fourth consecutive victory, a key moment for a team that has shown resilience after a midseason slump.

Offensive Powerhouse: Buffalo has shown a well-rounded offense this season, averaging 28.7 points per game. The Bulls have found success both through the air and on the ground. Quarterback C.J. Ogbonna, who leads the team with 2,051 passing yards and 16 touchdowns, has had a solid season despite some inconsistencies. In their recent win over Eastern Michigan, Ogbonna completed 64% of his passes for 260 yards and two touchdowns. He also added 42 rushing yards on 10 carries, showcasing his dual-threat ability. The Bulls’ ground game has been anchored by running back Al-Jay Henderson, who has rushed for 774 yards and 7 touchdowns on the season. Henderson’s 5.1 yards per carry has been instrumental in Buffalo’s offensive balance.

Defensive Concerns: Despite their offensive success, the Buffalo defense has been far from dominant, allowing 29.9 points per game. In their victory over Eastern Michigan, Buffalo gave up 20 points, a performance they will look to replicate against Kent State. For Buffalo to secure their fourth straight win, they will need to maintain a steady defensive effort, particularly against a Kent State offense that has shown little ability to break out this season.

Conclusion

Given Kent State’s struggles on both sides of the ball and Buffalo’s recent form, it is hard to see the Golden Flashes pulling off a surprise win. However, the prospect of ending their historic losing streak may provide an emotional boost for Kent State. Still, Buffalo’s well-rounded offense, led by Ogbonna and Henderson, should prove too much for Kent State’s defense to handle. The Bulls are likely to extend their winning streak to four and send Kent State to their 12th consecutive loss.

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