Kent State can't stand the heat in 57-0 loss to South Carolina
The Flashes start 0-1 after a hot one in Columbia.
The Kent State Golden Flashes (0-1) took a tough loss to SEC foe South Carolina (1-0) on Saturday afternoon, as the Gamecocks tore up the Golden Flashes to the tune of a 57-0 final score at Williams-Brice Stadium.
The game started off promising for the visitors in the first quarter, as linebacker Rocco Nicholl corralled LaNorris Sellers in the backfield on third-and-14 to force a South Carolina punt on their first series of the game.
By quarter's end, Kent State had only given up one score to the Gamecocks, a seven-yard rush from Matt Fuller.
That would be close as it got, as South Carolina dribbled the defense to the tune of 22 points in the second quarter, then 14 more in the third and fourth quarters respectively to put the game away.
It was South Carolina's first game of 600+ offensive yards since 2022, when they collected 606 yards on Tennessee, eclipsing that mark with 645 against the Flashes today.
LaNorris Sellers finished 19-of-23 for 270 yards and three touchdowns, while Cutter Woods also contributed a passing touchdown on 6-of-8 passing for 73 yards. Donovan Murph led the team with 92 receiving yards and two touchdowns on the day, with Nyck Harbor (five catches, 70 yards) leading in receptions.
Matt Fuller and (10 carries, 74 yards, TD) and Jabree Coleman (four carries, 77 yards, two TDs) led the rushing charts for the Gamecocks.
Judge Collier led the team in tackles (four), while Anthony Addison led the team in sacks (one) and Kosi Barnes nothced a late interception.
For Kent State, it was a struggle.
Dru DeShields averaged 4.4 yards per pass on 12-of-20 completions and led the team with 27 yards. Wayne Harris (three catches, 15 yards) led all receivers.
A'tiq Muhammed had seven total tackles (five solo) to lead the team, while Trey Rubenstein, Hayden Dawahare and Rocco Nicholl each had a TFL. The defense totaled 57 tackles.
Both teams draw an FCS foe next week, as Kent State hosts Wofford for a game at noon Eastern and South Carolina faces Towson for a night-cap game at 7 p.m. Eastern.
