Week 5 · FinalL
vs. Ohio10–13-3 margin
Pregame 22–32
Game detailsSaturday Index
Loading team intelligenceBringing the latest verified football information into focus.
Saturday Index
Loading team intelligenceBringing the latest verified football information into focus.
Mid-American · 2026 · Week 8
Photo: JonRidinger · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Cropped for display
Up next · Week 9
Away
On the road at
Friday, October 30 · 10:30 PM EDT
The season, taking shape
Final scores show Kent State first. Oldest to newest.
vs. OhioPregame 22–32
Game details
at Western MichiganPregame 15–33
Game details
at South FloridaPregame 12–39
Original full-season forecast
This forecast retains the original probabilities for the full schedule. It does not update with completed results or this week’s forecast.
2026 results
Current record, team efficiency, player production, and verified results from completed games.
Current record
3-53 wins · 5 lossesThrough 8 completed gamesLoading player usage…
Original season forecast
The original Mid-American forecast, retained alongside current results.
Mid-American projected standing
#11
3-5 projected · 2.7 expected conference wins · #11 of 13.
Preseason baseline
2025 percentiles retained as preseason context; current results and player production lead this page.
2025 FBS percentile scale · 50 is average
Incoming class
National and conference recruiting ranks, confirmed commitments, and the highest-ranked recruits in this class.
Top committed recruits
Kent State2026 transfer movement
Incoming and outgoing transfer activity, with rated FBS-to-FBS moves below.
Incoming Transfers
Kent StateOutgoing Transfers
Kent StateSeason schedule
Completed games show final results. Upcoming games use this week’s forecast where available; later games retain their published season outlook.
Detailed football intelligence
The full team identity, offense, defense, and supporting evidence.
Team identity
Last season, Kent State tried to lean on the running game; it rarely provided an easy foundation.
Why it matters
The passing game was Kent State's less difficult offensive option, but it did not provide a dependable way to stay ahead of the chains; the offense must prove that rhythm before opponents have to widen their structure.
vs. AkronPregame 27–25
Game detailsPregame comparisons use preserved published forecasts. Results include wins and losses.
At a glance
Current form leads the outlook.
2026 rates aggregate verified completed-game box scores. EPA is expected points added per play.
| Player | C/ATT | YDS | TD | INT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dru Deshields | 124/218 | 1418 | 8 | 6 |
| Da'Realyst Clark | 1/1 | 29 | 0 | 0 |
| Ethan Thanthanavong | 1/2 | 16 | 0 | 0 |
| Player | CAR | YDS | AVG | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brandon White | 68 | 251 | 3.7 | 0 |
| Dru Deshields | 66 | 217 | 3.3 | 4 |
| Mason Blakemore | 52 | 202 | 3.9 | 1 |
| Player | REC | YDS | AVG | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wayne Harris | 38 | 539 | 14.2 | 4 |
| Da'Realyst Clark | 24 | 258 | 10.8 | 1 |
| Ardell Banks | 12 | 224 | 18.7 | 0 |
| Player | TOT | SOLO | TFL | SACK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hayden Dawahare | 40 | 22 | 7 | 4 |
| Joel Cordoba | 36 | 20 | 1.5 | 1 |
| Rocco Nicholl | 36 | 20 | 4.5 | 3 |
Saturday, October 24 · Dix Stadium
Saturday, October 17 · Raymond James Stadium
Saturday, October 10 · Waldo Stadium
Profile high point
Big-play creation held the profile's highest percentile position.Profile low point
The run game held the lowest percentile position among the profile's strength measures.
Big-play creation is what Kent State can trust most.
Why it matters
The offense has its best route to changing field position without requiring flawless drive efficiency; rushing structure remains the first counter an opponent should test.
The run game is Kent State's biggest concern, and opponents can test it immediately.
What matters
Kent State's rushing structure ranked near the bottom nationally last season.
Kent State is at its best when it can lean on the running game, then let the passing game finish drives; fewer possessions make every empty drive more expensive.
What matters
Kent State's run-leaning structure played at a deliberate pace. The pass game finished below-average, while the run game finished bottom-tier.
Inside the team
Open a section for the football detail and supporting numbers.
The down-to-down question that determines whether the offense can keep both the run and pass available.
Before defenses have to adjust, Kent State must prove routine throws can keep first down on schedule.
What matters
Last season's passing results did not establish a dependable way to stay out of long-yardage.
The pace, play selection, and methods this offense uses to stay on schedule.
Kent State played at a deliberate pace in 2025.
What matters
Kent State worked with fewer possessions than most teams last season.
Kent State's prior passing record was below-average.
Why it matters
Kent State's offense needs protection, field position, or explosive variance when ordinary dropbacks do not create enough value.
Kent State's prior rushing record was bottom-tier.
Why it matters
When Kent State's run game cannot stay on schedule, protection and passing-down execution carry more of the offense.
Kent State's explosive-play upside came with real defensive volatility.
Why it matters
That mix can produce fast scoring swings in either direction and makes missed tackles or coverage busts especially expensive.
How consistently the offense creates manageable situations and the defense prevents them.
Kent State's defense was more consistent down to down than its offense.
Why it matters
Kent State's success rate shows whether it can sustain drives and get stops without relying on sacks, turnovers, or isolated big plays.
Opponent-adjusted EPA identifies the pass game as Kent State's stronger offensive unit.
Why it matters
If an opponent removes the first passing answer, the run game's lower adjusted value becomes the key counter to test.
Where the defense can create pressure, control the run, and end drives.
Kent State's prior defense was weak overall and strongest in pass defense.
Why it matters
Opponents can trust normal protection and make coverage hold through the route; Kent State needs its pass defense to tighten throwing windows before that plan settles in.
Kent State's available disruption measures ranked in the lower national range last season; a charted pressure rate is not available.
Kent State's sack production outpaced its broader disruption record.
Why it matters
Kent State's disruption can hurry an offense; sacks do more by erasing field position and ending passing downs.
Kent State's prior run-defense results were weak.
Why it matters
If Kent State's front cannot control early downs, opponents can keep every offensive option open and protect their passing game.
