Kent State falls 59-3 to Ohio State in national showcase
The Flashes were outmatched from the initial kickoff in a Saturday noon contest.
The Kent State Golden Flashes (1-2) got an opportunity to play in front of the largest audiences in program history on Saturday afternoon, but took an expected drumming at the hands of the #6 Ohio State Buckeyes (2-1), falling by a final score of 59-3.
The Buckeyes scored touchdowns on their first four possessions of the game to take a 28-0 lead with just over nine minutes remaining in the first half, with four different Ohio State players notching at least one scoring tally apiece, limiting Kent State to two three-and-outs, a turnover-on-downs and an interception in the same timeframe.
The Flashes would rebound late in the first half, showing signs of life with two defensive stops inside the redzone, forcing two turnovers-on-down in consecutive Buckeye possessions, but the offense couldn't make anything with the ball, giving Ohio State the ability to break the game for good as time expired in the second quarter when Julian Sayin found Brandon Innis to put the score at 35-0 at the break.
The Flashes would get on the scoreboard in the waning moments of the game, as Sean Leonard converted Tanner Mintz's interception of Taven St. Clair into a 30-yard field goal to break Ohio State's 59-point unanswered streak with 1:56 remaining.
Eight different Ohio State players contributed to the scoring tally, with Ja'Kobi Jackson (eight carries, 47 yards) crossing the line twice for scoring runs to lead the effort. Bo Jackson– real name Lamar– led OSU with 73 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries. Brandon Innis, Chris Henry Jr. and Nate Roberts each had a receiving touchdown.
During the contest, Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith re-wrote the OSU record book, surpassing Michael Jenkins' all-time receiving yards mark (2,898 yards), and positioned himself closer to Chris Olave's all-time touchdowns record (35) and Emeka Egbuka's career receptions record (205). Smith led OSU with 85 yards on five receptions on the day.
OSU defender Jamir Perez also got in on the scoring, with an 11-yard fumble recovery touchdown.
Five Flashes attempted at least one pass in the contest, with Dru DeShields collecting 35 yards and a pick. Brandon White (21 yards) and Donovan Delaney (20 yards) split the majority of the rushing load, with 10 Flashes getting at least one carry.
Wayne Harris' two catches for 29 yards paced KSU; Da'Realyst Clark logged 48 total yards (29 passing, 14 receiving, five return) on the day.
Quan Rhodes-McKee highlighted the defense, leading with seven tackles and two tackles-for-loss. Norey Johnson and Tanner Mintz had an interception each.
The Flashes now look forward to the start of their MAC slate, hosting Ball State for a 12 p.m. Eastern time kickoff next Saturday.
