Kent State Golden Flashes is 0-0 on the season, 0-0 against the spread, and holds a power rating of -18.2. Kent State Golden Flashes enters the season with a power rating of -18.2, placing them below average relative to the FBS midpoint. The Kent State Golden Flashes head to South Carolina next in Week 1. In 2025, Kent State Golden Flashes went 5-7 overall, 6-6 against the spread, and 6-6 on totals.
In Week 0 of 2026 the Kent State Golden Flashes Power Rating of -18.2 is 18.4 points below the FBS average according to Blue Chip Analytics. Kent State Golden Flashes have logged 0 miles of travel so far, out of a season total of 8,290 miles, ranking 52th heaviest in the FBS.
| Week | Opponent | Distance | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 0 | — | Bye | |
| Week 1 | South Carolina | 494 mi | 989 mi |
| Week 2 | Wofford | Home | 989 mi |
| Week 3 | Ohio State | 119 mi | 1,227 mi |
| Week 4 | Ball State | Home | 1,227 mi |
| Week 5 | Ohio | Home | 1,227 mi |
| Week 6 | Western Michigan | 235 mi | 1,698 mi |
| Week 7 | South Florida | 910 mi | 3,518 mi |
| Week 8 | Akron | Home | 3,518 mi |
| Week 9 | Sacramento State | 2,122 mi | 7,761 mi |
| Week 10 | — | Bye | |
| Week 11 | Bowling Green | 121 mi | 8,004 mi |
| Week 12 | Miami (OH) | Home | 8,004 mi |
| Week 13 | Eastern Michigan | 143 mi | 8,290 mi |
| Week 14 | — | Bye | |
| Week 15 | — | Bye | |
| Week 16 | — | Bye | |
DeShields returns after a strong 2025 season in which he threw 18 touchdowns with only three interceptions and completed 57% of his passes. He is the top player on the team and gives Kent State a chance to improve on last season's 21.3 points per game. His ability to avoid turnovers and make plays in a backyard style has earned him the trust of his teammates and coaches.
Spring ball did not produce a clear No. 1 tailback, leaving Cincinnati transfer Jakorion Caffey, Illinois State transfer Mason King, Brandon White, and Donovan Delaney Jr. to compete in the fall. This position has the most uncertainty heading into the season and will be critical to establishing offensive balance.
The unit finished 125th in FBS last season, but returns key pieces like defensive tackle Thomas Aden, edge rushers Jaihien Roy and Antonio Bottiggi, and linebacker Rocco Nicholl. Both starting safeties Derrick Jackson III and Joel Cordoba are back, and nickel DJ Barnes played 70% of snaps. However, the cornerback positions will feature new starters and could face a learning curve.
Da'Realyst Clark was first-team All-MAC as a kick returner after taking two kickoffs back for touchdowns last season. Wayne Harris averaged a MAC-best 13.2 yards per punt return and also scored on a punt return. Their explosiveness gives Kent State a field-position advantage that can swing games.
Head coach Mark Carney took over a program that went 1-23 the previous two seasons and led them to a 5-7 record and a 4-4 mark in MAC play in his first year. An opposing MAC assistant noted that the team's effort and belief were obvious on film. Retaining DeShields and building on that foundation has raised expectations, though a bowl game may still be just out of reach.
Kent State Golden Flashes is 0-0 against the spread in the 2026 season.
Kent State Golden Flashes holds a Blue Chip Analytics power rating of -18.2, representing their expected point margin against an average FBS team on a neutral field.
Kent State Golden Flashes's home field advantage rating is 2.4 points, the venue adjustment Blue Chip Analytics applies for games at their home stadium.
Kent State Golden Flashes travels 8,290 miles in the 2026 season, ranking 52th heaviest in the FBS.
Cumulative travel distance counts both the outbound and return journey for every away game. For example, if a team travels 374 miles to play an away game, Blue Chip Analytics counts 748 miles (374 miles there, 374 miles back) toward the cumulative total. Home games and bye weeks add zero miles. The per-week Distance column shows the one-way distance only, as the return trip happens after the game is played.
Kent State Golden Flashes: 0-0 overall, 0-0 ATS, power rating -18.2.
