Kent State Seek First Win vs. Miami Ohio Bowl Eligibility Hopes
Kent State Golden Flashes Still Searching for First Win; Miami Ohio Aims for Bowl Game
In a crucial Mid-American Conference (MAC) showdown on Tuesday night, the winless Kent State Golden Flashes (0-9, 2-7 ATS, 5-4 O/U) will face off against the Miami Ohio Redhawks (5-4, 4-5 ATS, 4-4-1 O/U). While Kent State has struggled all season and remains one of the few teams in FBS still without a victory, the Redhawks are in a more favorable position, battling for bowl eligibility as they push toward the postseason.
Kent State Golden Flashes: A Season of Struggles
The Golden Flashes have endured a harrowing 2024 campaign, failing to register a win in nine games thus far. Kent State’s defense has been its biggest liability, with the team allowing an average of 46 points per game—ranking them 134th in the country. Their most recent loss came at the hands of Ohio, who delivered a 41-0 thrashing, leaving Kent State with an 0-5 record in MAC play. It’s been a season marked by blowouts, with only one MAC contest being decided by fewer than 20 points.
Quarterback Tommy Ulatowski has occasionally flashed potential, especially when he topped 300 yards in two of his four starts. However, injuries have limited his availability, and he was sidelined during last week’s game. On the season, Ulatowski has passed for 940 yards with 11 touchdowns and six interceptions. Without him, backup Ruel Tomlinson struggled in a short appearance, completing just 8 of 18 passes for 62 yards.
The Golden Flashes’ rushing game hasn’t fared much better. While Ky Thomas has surpassed 100 yards in one game this season, he has struggled to find consistency overall, recording just 439 rushing yards on the year. The team will also lean on sophomore wide receiver Chrishon McCray, who has accumulated 594 receiving yards and a standout performance of 188 yards in a close loss to Eastern Michigan. However, even with playmakers like McCray and senior Luke Floriea (515 yards), Kent State’s offense has been severely limited, averaging just 235 total yards per game—ranking them 128th in the country.
The defense, as mentioned, has been porous, and they enter this game ranked 118th against the pass and 134th against the run. This marks a steep uphill battle for the Golden Flashes as they attempt to break their winless streak.
Miami Ohio Redhawks: On the Cusp of Bowl Eligibility
While Kent State struggles to find its footing, the Miami Ohio Redhawks are on a hot streak. After a 1-4 start to the season, Miami Ohio has turned its fortunes around with a four-game winning streak, most recently edging out Ball State 27-21 on the road. The Redhawks are now 5-4 overall and just one win away from securing bowl eligibility.
Quarterback Brett Gabbert has been a key figure in the Redhawks’ resurgence, passing for 1,946 yards and 16 touchdowns against only 7 interceptions. Gabbert has been consistent in recent weeks, surpassing 200 yards in three of his last five games, and he has avoided turning the ball over in the process. This stability at the quarterback position has allowed Miami Ohio to generate an offense that is averaging 352 total yards per game.
The Redhawks’ running game has also seen strong contributions from senior Keyon Mozee. Mozee has gone over 100 rushing yards in five of his last six games, and he’s currently sitting on 650 rushing yards for the season. Wide receivers Javon Tracy (514 yards) and Reggie Virgil (510 yards) have provided Gabbert with reliable targets, with Tracy putting up a season-high 118 receiving yards in a win over Central Michigan.
Defensively, Miami Ohio has been impressive in MAC play, holding opponents to 21 or fewer points in all but one conference game. They’ve been especially solid against the pass, ranking 34th in the nation in pass defense, while their rush defense sits at 60th. Miami Ohio’s defense has allowed an average of just 20 points per game, a mark that ranks them 25th in the nation. In contrast to Kent State’s defensive struggles, the Redhawks’ defense will look to stifle an offense that has yet to find its rhythm.
Conclusion
With both teams heading in opposite directions, Kent State’s winless streak looks set to continue. Miami Ohio’s defense, combined with the efficient play of quarterback Brett Gabbert and a solid running game, should be more than enough to secure the victory as the Redhawks close in on bowl eligibility. While Kent State has some talent, especially on offense, the gap between the two teams is clear—Miami Ohio is positioned for a strong finish, while Kent State has too many hurdles to overcome.
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