About Our Ads Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Failure to capitalize on its early chances cost visiting Kent State dearly in a 29-2 loss to South Florida on Saturday, Oct. 17.
The Golden Flashes (2-5) turned the ball over on downs at the Bulls 2-yard line on their second possession and fumbled the ball away after reaching the South Florida 1 on their third possession.
The turnover on downs led to a safety when KSU defensive tackle Dion'Dre Taylor tackled South Florida running back D.J. Crowther in the end zone to give the Flashes a 2-0 lead. But the fumble by quarterback Dru DeShields was returned 96 yards for a touchdown by defensive end C.J. Hicks to put USF (5-2) in front for good.
Kent State Marching band alum Victoria Scott plays and leads two dozen band alums in march songs at the pre game Alumni tailgating area before the start of the Kent State football game at Dix Stadium, Saturday afternoon, October 3, 2026. Ed Hall Jr. / Special To The Beacon Journal (Ed Hall Jr., Special to the Beacon Journal) Kent State sophomore Treasure Allen, right, sits while artist Joella Nagy finishes a Flashes logo on his cheek at the pre game Alumni tailgating area before the start of the Kent State football game at Dix Stadium, Saturday afternoon, October 3, 2026. Ed Hall Jr. / Special To The Beacon Journal (Ed Hall Jr., Special to the Beacon Journal) Kent State senior Cole Ray, right, tosses a ping pong ball as friend Seth Anderson looks on during tailgating before the start of the Kent State football game at Dix Stadium, Saturday afternoon, October 3, 2026. Ed Hall Jr. / Special To The Beacon Journal (Ed Hall Jr., Special to the Beacon Journal) Tailgating outside Dix Stadium before the start of the Kent State football game at Dix Stadium, Saturday afternoon, October 3, 2026. Ed Hall Jr. / Special To The Beacon Journal (Ed Hall Jr., Special to the Beacon Journal) Brian Gendaszek, from Toledo, who's daughter is in the marching band, tending to Brats and veggies with his family before the start of the Kent State football game at Dix Stadium, Saturday afternoon, October 3, 2026. Ed Hall Jr. / Special To The Beacon Journal (Ed Hall Jr., Special to the Beacon Journal) The alumni tailgating area just outside Dix Stadium before the start of the Kent State football game at Dix Stadium, Saturday afternoon, October 3, 2026. Ed Hall Jr. / Special To The Beacon Journal (Ed Hall Jr., Special to the Beacon Journal) Kent State's Mason King scores the lone touchdown of the game for the Golden Flashes defended by Ohio's DJ Walker during conference action at Dix Stadium Saturday afternnoon, October 3, 2026. Ed Hall Jr. / Special To The Akron Beacon Journal (Ed Hall Jr., Special to the Beacon Journal) Kent State quarterback Dru DeShields, left, and Mason King (0) celebrate after King's touchdown during conference action at Dix Stadium Saturday afternnoon, October 3, 2026. Ed Hall Jr. / Special To The Akron Beacon Journal (Ed Hall Jr., Special to the Beacon Journal) Kent State's DarianBlachewicz, left, and Trey Rubinstein (32) celebrate after Rubinstein's interception and run back against Ohio during conference action at Dix Stadium Saturday afternnoon, October 3, 2026. Ed Hall Jr. / Special To The Akron Beacon Journal (Ed Hall Jr., Special to the Beacon Journal) Ohio's Caleb Chamberlin (17) blocks a punt by Kent State's Jake Stoekel during conference action at Dix Stadium Saturday afternnoon, October 3, 2026. Ed Hall Jr. / Special To The Akron Beacon Journal (Ed Hall Jr., Special to the Beacon Journal) Ohio defenders Michael Molnar (25) and Tyler Gillison leap towards Kent State quarterback Dru DeShields during conference action at Dix Stadium Saturday afternnoon, October 3, 2026. Ed Hall Jr. / Special To The Akron Beacon Journal (Ed Hall Jr., Special to the Beacon Journal) Kent State's Tanner Mintz tackles Ohio running back Victor Rosa for a loss during conference action at Dix Stadium Saturday afternnoon, October 3, 2026. Ed Hall Jr. / Special To The Akron Beacon Journal (Ed Hall Jr., Special to the Beacon Journal) Kent State players celebrate with Tanner Mintz (second from left) after his key tackle against Ohio during conference action at Dix Stadium Saturday afternnoon, October 3, 2026. Ed Hall Jr. / Special To The Akron Beacon Journal (Ed Hall Jr., Special to the Beacon Journal) Cheerleaders performing between quarters during conference action at Dix Stadium Saturday afternnoon, October 3, 2026. Ed Hall Jr. / Special To The Akron Beacon Journal (Ed Hall Jr., Special to the Beacon Journal) The Golden Flashes just missed blocking thiis first half field goal by Ohio's Hryszko (47) during conference action at Dix Stadium Saturday afternnoon, October 3, 2026. Ed Hall Jr. / Special To The Akron Beacon Journal (Ed Hall Jr., Special to the Beacon Journal) The Golden Flashes defense reacts after a key fourth quarter Ohio stop during conference action at Dix Stadium Saturday afternnoon, October 3, 2026. Ed Hall Jr. / Special To The Akron Beacon Journal (Ed Hall Jr., Special to the Beacon Journal) Kent State's Joel Cordoba, right, tackles Ohio quarterback Nick Poulos during conference action at Dix Stadium Saturday afternnoon, October 3, 2026. Ed Hall Jr. / Special To The Akron Beacon Journal (Ed Hall Jr., Special to the Beacon Journal) Ohio's Ronald Jackson Jr. (21) was called for pass interference as he defended Kent State's Wayne Harris (6) during conference action at Dix Stadium Saturday afternnoon, October 3, 2026. Ed Hall Jr. / Special To The Akron Beacon Journal (Ed Hall Jr., Special to the Beacon Journal) Kent State quarterback Dru DeShields looks to throw down field against Ohio during conference action at Dix Stadium Saturday afternnoon, October 3, 2026. Ed Hall Jr. / Special To The Akron Beacon Journal (Ed Hall Jr., Special to the Beacon Journal) Kent State's Ardell Banks is tackled after a short run during conference action at Dix Stadium Saturday afternnoon, October 3, 2026. Ed Hall Jr. / Special To The Akron Beacon Journal (Ed Hall Jr., Special to the Beacon Journal) Kent State head football coach Mark Carney during a time out against Ohio during conference action at Dix Stadium Saturday afternnoon, October 3, 2026. Ed Hall Jr. / Special To The Akron Beacon Journal (Ed Hall Jr., Special to the Beacon Journal) Kent State's Trey Rubinstein (32) races down field after an Ohio interception as Angelo Stockstill defends for him during conference action at Dix Stadium Saturday afternnoon, October 3, 2026. Ed Hall Jr. / Special To The Akron Beacon Journal (Ed Hall Jr., Special to the Beacon Journal) Kent State's Trey Rubinstein (32) celebrates after he intercepted an Ohio pass during conference action at Dix Stadium Saturday afternnoon, October 3, 2026. Ed Hall Jr. / Special To The Akron Beacon Journal (Ed Hall Jr., Special to the Beacon Journal) Kent State defender Samaj Bridgeman, left, strips the ball from Ohio quarterback Matt Vezza during conference action at Dix Stadium Saturday afternnoon, October 3, 2026. Ed Hall Jr. / Special To The Akron Beacon Journal (Ed Hall Jr., Special to the Beacon Journal) Ohio quarterback Matt Vezza (9) leaps on a loose ball that was stripped from him as he pass the ball during conference action at Dix Stadium Saturday afternnoon, October 3, 2026. Ed Hall Jr. / Special To The Akron Beacon Journal (Ed Hall Jr., Special to the Beacon Journal) Kent State's Thomas Aden, left, lays out to reach for Ohio quarterback Levi Davis (7) on his way to scoring a long touchdown run during conference action at Dix Stadium Saturday afternnoon, October 3, 2026. Ed Hall Jr. / Special To The Akron Beacon Journal (Ed Hall Jr., Special to the Beacon Journal) The Kent State Golden Flashes marching band performed at half time during conference action at Dix Stadium Saturday afternnoon, October 3, 2026. Ed Hall Jr. / Special To The Akron Beacon Journal (Ed Hall Jr., Special to the Beacon Journal) Ohio head football coach John Hauser on the sidelines during conference action at Dix Stadium Saturday afternnoon, October 3, 2026. Ed Hall Jr. / Special To The Akron Beacon Journal (Ed Hall Jr., Special to the Beacon Journal) Kent State's Semaj Bridgeman, right, and DJ Barners, celebrate after Bridgeman's fumble recovery during conference action at Dix Stadium Saturday afternnoon, October 3, 2026. Ed Hall Jr. / Special To The Akron Beacon Journal (Ed Hall Jr., Special to the Beacon Journal) Kent State's Ardell Banks (1) races down field for a big run against Ohio during conference action at Dix Stadium Saturday afternnoon, October 3, 2026. Ed Hall Jr. / Special To The Akron Beacon Journal (Ed Hall Jr., Special to the Beacon Journal) Announced homecoming royalty during half time of Saturday's game against Ohio. (Ed Hall Jr., Special to the Beacon Journal) 1 / 31 See Kent State football in action vs. Ohio Kent State Marching band alum Victoria Scott plays and leads two dozen band alums in march songs at the pre game Alumni tailgating area before the start of the Kent State football game at Dix Stadium, Saturday afternoon, October 3, 2026. Ed Hall Jr. / Special To The Beacon Journal (Ed Hall Jr., Special to the Beacon Journal) 1 / 31 See Kent State football in action vs. Ohio Kent State Marching band alum Victoria Scott plays and leads two dozen band alums in march songs at the pre game Alumni tailgating area before the start of the Kent State football game at Dix Stadium, Saturday afternoon, October 3, 2026. Ed Hall Jr. / Special To The Beacon Journal (Ed Hall Jr., Special to the Beacon Journal) 2 / 31 See Kent State football in action vs. Ohio Kent State sophomore Treasure Allen, right, sits while artist Joella Nagy finishes a Flashes logo on his cheek at the pre game Alumni tailgating area before the start of the Kent State football game at Dix Stadium, Saturday afternoon, October 3, 2026. Ed Hall Jr. / Special To The Beacon Journal (Ed Hall Jr., Special to the Beacon Journal) 3 / 31 See Kent State football in action vs. Ohio Kent State senior Cole Ray, right, tosses a ping pong ball as friend Seth Anderson looks on during tailgating before the start of the Kent State football game at Dix Stadium, Saturday afternoon, October 3, 2026. Ed Hall Jr. / Special To The Beacon Journal (Ed Hall Jr., Special to the Beacon Journal) 4 / 31 See Kent State football in action vs. Ohio Tailgating outside Dix Stadium before the start of the Kent State football game at Dix Stadium, Saturday afternoon, October 3, 2026. Ed Hall Jr. / Special To The Beacon Journal (Ed Hall Jr., Special to the Beacon Journal) 5 / 31 See Kent State football in action vs. Ohio Brian Gendaszek, from Toledo, who's daughter is in the marching band, tending to Brats and veggies with his family before the start of the Kent State football game at Dix Stadium, Saturday afternoon, October 3, 2026. Ed Hall Jr. / Special To The Beacon Journal (Ed Hall Jr., Special to the Beacon Journal) 6 / 31 See Kent State football in action vs. Ohio The alumni tailgating area just outside Dix Stadium before the start of the Kent State football game at Dix Stadium, Saturday afternoon, October 3, 2026. Ed Hall Jr. / Special To The Beacon Journal (Ed Hall Jr., Special to the Beacon Journal) 7 / 31 See Kent State football in action vs. Ohio Kent State's Mason King scores the lone touchdown of the game for the Golden Flashes defended by Ohio's DJ Walker during conference action at Dix Stadium Saturday afternnoon, October 3, 2026. Ed Hall Jr. / Special To The Akron Beacon Journal (Ed Hall Jr., Special to the Beacon Journal) 8 / 31 See Kent State football in action vs. Ohio Kent State quarterback Dru DeShields, left, and Mason King (0) celebrate after King's touchdown during conference action at Dix Stadium Saturday afternnoon, October 3, 2026. Ed Hall Jr. / Special To The Akron Beacon Journal (Ed Hall Jr., Special to the Beacon Journal) 9 / 31 See Kent State football in action vs. Ohio Kent State's DarianBlachewicz, left, and Trey Rubinstein (32) celebrate after Rubinstein's interception and run back against Ohio during conference action at Dix Stadium Saturday afternnoon, October 3, 2026. Ed Hall Jr. / Special To The Akron Beacon Journal (Ed Hall Jr., Special to the Beacon Journal) 10 / 31 See Kent State football in action vs. Ohio Ohio's Caleb Chamberlin (17) blocks a punt by Kent State's Jake Stoekel during conference action at Dix Stadium Saturday afternnoon, October 3, 2026. Ed Hall Jr. / Special To The Akron Beacon Journal (Ed Hall Jr., Special to the Beacon Journal) 11 / 31 See Kent State football in action vs. Ohio Ohio defenders Michael Molnar (25) and Tyler Gillison leap towards Kent State quarterback Dru DeShields during conference action at Dix Stadium Saturday afternnoon, October 3, 2026. Ed Hall Jr. / Special To The Akron Beacon Journal (Ed Hall Jr., Special to the Beacon Journal) 12 / 31 See Kent State football in action vs. Ohio Kent State's Tanner Mintz tackles Ohio running back Victor Rosa for a loss during conference action at Dix Stadium Saturday afternnoon, October 3, 2026. Ed Hall Jr. / Special To The Akron Beacon Journal (Ed Hall Jr., Special to the Beacon Journal) 13 / 31 See Kent State football in action vs. Ohio Kent State players celebrate with Tanner Mintz (second from left) after his key tackle against Ohio during conference action at Dix Stadium Saturday afternnoon, October 3, 2026. Ed Hall Jr. / Special To The Akron Beacon Journal (Ed Hall Jr., Special to the Beacon Journal) 14 / 31 See Kent State football in action vs. Ohio Cheerleaders performing between quarters during conference action at Dix Stadium Saturday afternnoon, October 3, 2026. Ed Hall Jr. / Special To The Akron Beacon Journal (Ed Hall Jr., Special to the Beacon Journal) 15 / 31 See Kent State football in action vs. Ohio The Golden Flashes just missed blocking thiis first half field goal by Ohio's Hryszko (47) during conference action at Dix Stadium Saturday afternnoon, October 3, 2026. Ed Hall Jr. / Special To The Akron Beacon Journal (Ed Hall Jr., Special to the Beacon Journal) 16 / 31 See Kent State football in action vs. Ohio The Golden Flashes defense reacts after a key fourth quarter Ohio stop during conference action at Dix Stadium Saturday afternnoon, October 3, 2026. Ed Hall Jr. / Special To The Akron Beacon Journal (Ed Hall Jr., Special to the Beacon Journal) 17 / 31 See Kent State football in action vs. Ohio Kent State's Joel Cordoba, right, tackles Ohio quarterback Nick Poulos during conference action at Dix Stadium Saturday afternnoon, October 3, 2026. Ed Hall Jr. / Special To The Akron Beacon Journal (Ed Hall Jr., Special to the Beacon Journal) 18 / 31 See Kent State football in action vs. Ohio Ohio's Ronald Jackson Jr. (21) was called for pass interference as he defended Kent State's Wayne Harris (6) during conference action at Dix Stadium Saturday afternnoon, October 3, 2026. Ed Hall Jr. / Special To The Akron Beacon Journal (Ed Hall Jr., Special to the Beacon Journal) 19 / 31 See Kent State football in action vs. Ohio Kent State quarterback Dru DeShields looks to throw down field against Ohio during conference action at Dix Stadium Saturday afternnoon, October 3, 2026. Ed Hall Jr. / Special To The Akron Beacon Journal (Ed Hall Jr., Special to the Beacon Journal) 20 / 31 See Kent State football in action vs. Ohio Kent State's Ardell Banks is tackled after a short run during conference action at Dix Stadium Saturday afternnoon, October 3, 2026. Ed Hall Jr. / Special To The Akron Beacon Journal (Ed Hall Jr., Special to the Beacon Journal) 21 / 31 See Kent State football in action vs. Ohio Kent State head football coach Mark Carney during a time out against Ohio during conference action at Dix Stadium Saturday afternnoon, October 3, 2026. Ed Hall Jr. / Special To The Akron Beacon Journal (Ed Hall Jr., Special to the Beacon Journal) 22 / 31 See Kent State football in action vs. Ohio Kent State's Trey Rubinstein (32) races down field after an Ohio interception as Angelo Stockstill defends for him during conference action at Dix Stadium Saturday afternnoon, October 3, 2026. Ed Hall Jr. / Special To The Akron Beacon Journal (Ed Hall Jr., Special to the Beacon Journal) 23 / 31 See Kent State football in action vs. Ohio Kent State's Trey Rubinstein (32) celebrates after he intercepted an Ohio pass during conference action at Dix Stadium Saturday afternnoon, October 3, 2026. Ed Hall Jr. / Special To The Akron Beacon Journal (Ed Hall Jr., Special to the Beacon Journal) 24 / 31 See Kent State football in action vs. Ohio Kent State defender Samaj Bridgeman, left, strips the ball from Ohio quarterback Matt Vezza during conference action at Dix Stadium Saturday afternnoon, October 3, 2026. Ed Hall Jr. / Special To The Akron Beacon Journal (Ed Hall Jr., Special to the Beacon Journal) 25 / 31 See Kent State football in action vs. Ohio Ohio quarterback Matt Vezza (9) leaps on a loose ball that was stripped from him as he pass the ball during conference action at Dix Stadium Saturday afternnoon, October 3, 2026. Ed Hall Jr. / Special To The Akron Beacon Journal (Ed Hall Jr., Special to the Beacon Journal) 26 / 31 See Kent State football in action vs. Ohio Kent State's Thomas Aden, left, lays out to reach for Ohio quarterback Levi Davis (7) on his way to scoring a long touchdown run during conference action at Dix Stadium Saturday afternnoon, October 3, 2026. Ed Hall Jr. / Special To The Akron Beacon Journal (Ed Hall Jr., Special to the Beacon Journal) 27 / 31 See Kent State football in action vs. Ohio The Kent State Golden Flashes marching band performed at half time during conference action at Dix Stadium Saturday afternnoon, October 3, 2026. Ed Hall Jr. / Special To The Akron Beacon Journal (Ed Hall Jr., Special to the Beacon Journal) 28 / 31 See Kent State football in action vs. Ohio Ohio head football coach John Hauser on the sidelines during conference action at Dix Stadium Saturday afternnoon, October 3, 2026. Ed Hall Jr. / Special To The Akron Beacon Journal (Ed Hall Jr., Special to the Beacon Journal) 29 / 31 See Kent State football in action vs. Ohio Kent State's Semaj Bridgeman, right, and DJ Barners, celebrate after Bridgeman's fumble recovery during conference action at Dix Stadium Saturday afternnoon, October 3, 2026. Ed Hall Jr. / Special To The Akron Beacon Journal (Ed Hall Jr., Special to the Beacon Journal) 30 / 31 See Kent State football in action vs. Ohio Kent State's Ardell Banks (1) races down field for a big run against Ohio during conference action at Dix Stadium Saturday afternnoon, October 3, 2026. Ed Hall Jr. / Special To The Akron Beacon Journal (Ed Hall Jr., Special to the Beacon Journal) 31 / 31 See Kent State football in action vs. Ohio Announced homecoming royalty during half time of Saturday's game against Ohio. (Ed Hall Jr., Special to the Beacon Journal) Kent State had a chance to cut into its deficit late in the second quarter, but Sean Leonard missed a 46-yard field goal attempt. The Bulls capitalized when Nico Gramatica nailed a 49-yard field goal with five seconds left in the first half to make it 10-2 at halftime.
South Florida then outscored the Flashes 19-0 in the second half to pull away.
DeShields finished 17-of-30 passing for 165 yards without a TD or interception. Brandon White led Kent State with 39 yards rushing on 10 carries.
The Flashes host Akron in the "Wagon Wheel Game" at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Kent State football score at South Florida. Flashes don't capitalize on chances in loss
Source: Sports
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