Penn State running back Nick Singleton (10) carries the ball in the first half of an NCAA football game against Kent State, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in State College, Pa.

No. 10 Penn State erupts in 2nd quarter, shuts out Kent State

Drew Allar threw for 309 yards with three touchdown passes to lead host Penn State to a 56-0 rout of Kent State on Saturday at University Park, Pa.

Allar completed 17 of 21 passes and helped the 10th-ranked Nittany Lions (3-0) break open a close game with 21 points in the final 5:49 of the first half.

Tight end Tyler Warren, who caught five passes for 50 yards and a touchdown, lined up at quarterback and found Nicholas Singleton open for a 17-yard touchdown to spark the quick barrage of points that turned a 7-0 edge into a 28-0 lead at the half.

Allar found Liam Clifford for a 14-yard touchdown pass and ran for a 5-yard score on the ensuing drive.

Singleton finished with 11 carries for 81 yards rushing.

Kent State (0-4) lost its starting quarterback on the second play of the game when Devin Kargman was hit hard on a pass rush by Penn State’s Dani Dennis-Sutton. Kargman was taken off the field on a stretcher.

JD Sherrod took over for Kargman and completed only 2 of 6 passes for 18 yards. Tommy Ulatowski also got snaps, going 0-for-6 passing.

Penn State’s defense held Kent State to 65 total yards.

The Golden Flashes threatened to make the game competitive early as Kameron Olds intercepted a screen pass on Penn State’s first drive.

But Kargman’s injury hampered Kent State’s efforts to put together any momentum on that side of the ball.

Omari Evans led all Penn State receivers with four catches for 116 yards and a touchdown.

The Nittany Lions improved to 7-0 all-time against Kent State and beat the Golden Flashes for the first time since 2018.

Penn State will host Illinois next Saturday, Sept. 28, in a battle of unbeaten teams. Kent State will try to claim its first win of the season when it hosts Eastern Michigan next Saturday.

–Field Level Media

Aug 31, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Nicholas Singleton (10) runs the ball for a touchdown during the third quarter against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-Imagn Images

No. 10 Penn State to work on ‘focus’ vs. Kent State

No. 10 Penn State returns to play Saturday, when it welcomes Kent State to State College, Pa., after each side faced their fair share of struggles the last time they stepped onto the field.

Penn State (2-0) earned a victory on Sept. 7, but one that felt far too close from a top-10 Big Ten side against unranked Bowling Green out of the Mid-American Conference. In the first two quarters, Bowling Green had 286 yards of total offense to 236 for Penn State as the Nittany Lions trailed 24-20 at the half.

Penn State scored the first 14 points of the second half to earn a 34-27 victory as Nicholas Singleton (119) and Kaytron Allen (101) each rushed for 100 yards. But future opponents were exposed to a path forward against the Nittany Lions.

Missed tackles and the wide-open style of play in the first half raised concerns for Penn State head coach James Franklin with how his defense was able to communicate throughout the opening two quarters.

“We were trying to rely specifically on the headset communication and at home that can be a little bit more challenging with the linebacker trying to verbally communicate to all 11 guys on the field,” Franklin said.

Kent State (0-3) was walloped Saturday at Tennessee, falling behind 65-0 at halftime before losing 71-0.

Playing against an opponent that is clearly overmatched this weekend, Penn State will get a chance to work on the shortcomings it showed in the first half against Bowling Green.

“The challenge is ultimately about us and our focus on Penn State and us getting better and developing and playing up to our standard week in and week out,” Franklin said. “(It) is easier said than done.”

It will be far easier than the situation Kent State is up against.

The Golden Flashes’ injury issues at running back increased Saturday, only adding to the woe felt after the humiliating defeat.

Starter Gavin Garcia already was lost for the season before the schedule even began with a knee injury. Against then-No. 7 Tennessee, running backs Curtis Douglas and Ky Thomas also sustained knee injuries after they combined to gain 25 yards on 11 carries.

“The way it’s going, you’re going to have to utilize that whole room and even maybe bring a guy into that room from another position,” Kent State head coach Kenni Burns said.

Even when taking into account what Bowling Green was able to expose with Penn State, Burns knows his team has a tall task ahead against a team that is likely to run the ball at his team all day.

On defense Saturday, the Golden Flashes were helpless as the Volunteers scored points on each of their first 11 drives. Tennessee delivered a program-record 37 points in the first quarter and piled up 740 yards of total offense against an overwhelmed Kent State defense.

“Like Tennessee, you’re not going to find very many weaknesses anywhere,” Burns said about Penn State. “I thought (Bowling Green) did a good job with some of the formational stuff to create confusion. But I think, like any good coaching staff, (Penn State is) going to make adjustments. They’re coming off the bye week. They’re going to know how to fix these things and grow. But they’re exceptional.”

Penn State is 31-3 all-time against MAC programs and earned a 63-10 victory over Kent State the last time the programs met in 2018.

–Field Level Media

Tennessee running back Dylan Sampson (6) scores a touchdown during a NCAA game between Tennessee and Kent State in Neyland Stadium in Knoxville on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024.

No. 7 Tennessee pummels Kent State with 65-point first half

Dylan Sampson rushed for four touchdowns and DeSean Bishop added two during a program-record 65-point first half as No. 7 Tennessee steamrolled Kent State 71-0 on Saturday night in nonconference play at Knoxville, Tenn.

Bishop rushed for 120 yards on seven carries and Sampson had 101 on 13 attempts as the Volunteers (3-0) annihilated the Golden Flashes over the first 30 minutes. Tennessee has outscored its three opponents 191-13.

Tennessee’s 37-point first quarter was a program record for any period and the Volunteers followed it with 28 points in the second quarter. Tennessee also set a school mark with 740 yards of total offense.

Nico Iamaleava completed 10 of 16 passes for 173 yards and one touchdown before leaving with Tennessee leading by 51 midway through the second quarter. Backup Gaston Moore threw two touchdown passes and Peyton Lewis rushed for 99 yards on 10 attempts.

Devin Kargman completed 9 of 15 passes for 58 yards for Kent State (0-3). Rocco Nicholl had 10 tackles.

Tennessee scored points on each of its first 11 drives – including touchdowns on its first nine drives — before being stopped on fourth down at the Kent State 5-yard line with 1:58 remaining.

The Volunteers limited the Golden Flashes to 112 yards. Tennessee had edges of 456-54 on rushing yards and 32-8 in first downs.

Sampson scored on a 22-yard run to start the onslaught. After the Volunteers notched a safety, Sampson scored from the 1 to make it 16-0 with 8:11 left in the first quarter.

Tennessee next scored on a long ball as Iamaleava connected with Chris Brazzell II in stride on a 53-yard touchdown with 5:56 remaining. Bishop broke loose on a 53-yard scamper to make it a 30-0 lead with 3:35 left before Sampson completed the opening-quarter spree with a 1-yard run with two seconds left.

In the second quarter, Bishop broke loose for a 47-yard touchdown with 13:06 left in the half. More than five minutes later, Sampson scored from the 14 to make it 51-0.

Moore threw touchdown passes of 15 yards to Miles Kitselman and 18 to Mike Matthews to culminate the 65-point first half. The Volunteers outgained Kent State 541-23 in the half.

Max Gilbert kicked field goals of 36 and 21 yards in the second half for Tennessee.

–Field Level Media

Nov 25, 2023; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers quarterback Nate Yarnell (19) prepares to throw the football during the second half of the game against Duke Blue Devils at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-USA TODAY Sports

Pitt, amid QB competition, kicks off season against Kent State

Pitt will look for favorable results in two different competitions on Saturday afternoon when it opens its season against visiting Kent State.

In addition to facing the Golden Flashes, the Panthers will continue their quarterback competition between Nate Yarnell and Eli Holstein.

Yarnell, a redshirt junior, threw for 595 yards and four touchdowns, with one interception, in four games last season. He appeared to be strides ahead of Holstein at the start of training camp before the redshirt freshman transfer from Alabama closed the gap.

“I believe we have two really good quarterbacks — I really do,” Panthers coach Pat Narduzzi said. “And again, Nate was the starter coming out of spring ball, as we’ve talked through camp, and Eli made some major, major improvements. It’s like he caught up.”

The Panthers hope their whole offense can catch up after the team finished 3-9 in 2023. The win total was Pitt’s lowest since 1998, when it went 2-9 under coach Walt Harris.

Kade Bell has assumed the role of offensive coordinator after guiding high-powered Western Carolina at the FCS level. By comparison, the Panthers recorded ACC-low averages in both total offense (317.9 yards) and scoring offense (20.2 points) under Frank Cignetti Jr.

Pitt will test its mettle against Kent State, which the preseason coaches’ poll predicted to finish 12th in the 12-team Mid-American Conference this season after posting a 1-11 overall record and an 0-8 conference mark in 2023.

Tommy Ulatowski is expected to be under center after throwing for 737 yards and seven touchdowns, with two interceptions, last season. Chrishon McCray and Luke Floriea likely will be his favorite targets this season after reeling in 41 and 39 catches, respectively.

“We’ve got more of a connected team,” Kent State coach Kenni Burns said. “We talked about the word ‘inter-connected’ all fall camp, and those guys did that. (I’m) excited about the growth of our football team. It doesn’t guarantee anything, but it gives you a chance. And going into Week 1 here with that growth, I’m excited about the potential of what this team can become.”

–Field Level Media

Sep 2, 2023; Little Rock, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback KJ Jefferson (1) and wide receiver Andrew Armstrong (2) celebrate after a touchdown against the Western Carolina Catamounts at War Memorial Stadium. Arkansas won 56-13. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

Arkansas hopes to get running game going vs. Kent State

Arkansas coach Sam Pittman knows the importance of running the ball and hopes his Razorbacks can figure out how to do it effectively soon.

That chance may come on Saturday afternoon in Fayetteville, Ark., when the Razorbacks host Kent State.

Fortunate to have talented, experienced leaders in quarterback KJ Jefferson and running back Raheim Sanders, Arkansas (1-0) saw one piece of its offense (the passing game) excel while the other (the running game) came up short in the opener.

Jefferson completed 18 of 23 passes for 246 yards and three touchdowns as the Razorbacks began the season in Little Rock with a 56-13 rout of Western Carolina, an FCS program.

However, Sanders — a hard-nosed back who rushed for 1,443 yards (6.5 per carry) and 10 touchdowns last season — finished with just 42 yards on 15 attempts. He did score twice against the Catamounts, though.

As a team, Arkansas produced just 105 yards on the ground, averaging a feeble 2.9 per rush.

“We’ve got to run the football better,” said Pittman, who is in his fourth year as the Razorbacks’ coach. “We are throwing and catching and protecting pretty good.

“The run game wasn’t what we wanted it to be, but the passing was what we wanted it to be.”

Kent State (0-1) opened as a five-plus-touchdown underdog against Arkansas after getting drilled 56-6 by UCF in Orlando on Aug. 31.

The Golden Flashes, a Mid-American Conference East Division school, return no offensive starters from last year’s squad and only four starters total.

Against UCF, quarterback Michael Alaimo threw for 145 yards and an interception, and the offense ventured into the red zone just once.

First-year Kent State coach Kenni Burns said his defense’s main concern on Saturday will be containing Jefferson.

“It starts on the offensive side with the quarterback,” Burns said. “(Jefferson) is a phenomenal athlete. He’s big, he’s strong and he’s got a big arm. He’s a guy we’ve got to bring down and really suffocate him and put pressure on him.

“If you let him sit back there and do what he does, he’ll eat you alive.”

–Field Level Media

Aug 31, 2023; Orlando, Florida, USA; UCF Knights quarterback John Rhys Plumlee (10) jumps over Kent State Golden Flashes safety Bryce Sheppert (27) during the first quarter at FBC Mortgage Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports battle for the ball

UCF crushes Kent State in first official game as Big 12 program

John Rhys Plumlee passed for three touchdowns and added a rushing score to lead UCF to a dominating 56-6 victory over Kent State on Thursday night in the season opener for both schools at Orlando, Fla.

Plumlee completed 22 of 30 passes for 281 yards and rushed for 90 yards on eight attempts in the nonconference contest that marked UCF’s first official game as a Big 12 program. The Knights left the American Athletic Conference.

RJ Harvey rushed for 84 yards and one touchdown on 10 carries and also had a scoring reception for UCF. Xavier Townsend had five catches for 81 yards and one touchdown, Alec Holler had a scoring grab and Johnny Richardson had 100 yards on 12 carries for the Knights.

Kent State was outgained 723 to 240 in its first game under new coach Kenni Burns. UCF had 389 rushing yards.

Mike Alaimo, a transfer from Purdue, was 12-of-31 passing for 145 yards and one interception for the Golden Flashes in his first career college start. Nick Giacolone and D.J. Miller each collected interceptions off Plumlee.

UCF outgained Kent State 357-99 in the first half while taking a 28-3 lead.

Plumlee capped a game-opening 12-play, 75-yard drive with a 9-yard scoring pass to Townsend. Plumlee tacked on a 17-yard touchdown run with 6:07 left in the quarter to make it 14-0 before Andrew Glass’s 45-yard field goal put Kent State on the board with 3:20 remaining.

Jordan McDonald scored on a 2-yard run with 8:46 left in the first half to make it 21-3. The Knights later moved 94 yards on eight plays in 66 seconds with Holler catching an 18-yard touchdown pass from Plumlee with 42 seconds left in the half.

UCF advanced 78 yards on five plays in 1:57 in its first third-quarter possession. Harvey caught Plumlee’s pass inside the Kent State 35-yard line and scampered the rest of the way for a 50-yard score to make it 35-3 with 10:37 left in the third quarter.

Harvey exploded on a 48-yard touchdown run to boost the lead to 39 with 4:07 left in the period. Glass booted a 43-yard field goal with 49 seconds remaining in the quarter to cut the Golden Flashes’ deficit to 42-6.

Mark-Antony Richards and Demarkcus Bowman tacked on rushing scores in the final stanza.

–Field Level Media

Sep 4, 2021;  College Station, Texas, USA;  Kent State Golden Flashes wide receiver Dante Cephas (14) receives the pass from Kent State Golden Flashes quarterback Dustin Crum (not shown) during the second quarter against the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports

Penn State lands coveted transfer WR Dante Cephas

Former Kent State wide receiver Dante Cephas, considered one of the best players in the transfer portal this offseason, committed Sunday night to Penn State.

Cephas was a first-team All-MAC selection in both 2021 and 2022. He had 82 receptions for 1,240 yards and nine touchdowns in 2021 and 48 catches for 744 yards and three TDs last season, playing just nine games while battling an injury.

The Nittany Lions have sent several receivers to the NFL in recent years, including Chris Godwin, K.J. Hamler and Jahan Dotson. Penn State wideout Parker Washington is likely to be a draft pick in April.

Cephas’ decision came on the same day that Penn State parted ways with receivers coach Taylor Stubblefield in a surprise move.

–Field Level Media

Sep 3, 2022; Seattle, Washington, USA; Kent State Golden Flashes quarterback Collin Schlee (19) rushes against the Washington Huskies during the second quarter at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Ex-Kent State QB Collin Schlee heading to UCLA

Quarterback Collin Schlee is transferring to UCLA from Kent State.

He announced the move late Saturday on Twitter, posting a photo illustration that showed him wearing UCLA garb along with the word “committed.”

As a redshirt junior this season, Schlee appeared in 11 games for the Golden Flashes. He threw for 2,109 yards and 13 touchdowns with five interceptions while rushing for 492 yards and five touchdowns.

Kent State was 5-7 on the season.

The Bruins will be looking to replace longtime starter Dorian Thompson-Robinson. In his fifth season at UCLA, Thompson-Robinson led the team to a 9-3 mark.

UCLA’s 2023 recruiting class also includes quarterback Justyn Martin, a four-star recruit from nearby Inglewood, Calif.

–Field Level Media

Sep 25, 2021; College Park, Maryland, USA;  Kent State Golden Flashes head coach Sean Lewis walks with players at the beginning of the fourth quarter against the Maryland Terrapins at Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Kent State focusing on Kenni Burns as new coach

Kent State is closing in on a deal to hire Minnesota assistant Kenni Burns as its new head coach, according to multiple reports.

Burns is Minnesota’s assistant head coach and also coaches the running backs. He has been with the Golden Gophers for the past six seasons, the last four with the assistant head coach tag.

Kent State has been searching for a new head coach since Sean Lewis left after five seasons to serve as offensive coordinator at Colorado under Deion Sanders.

Burns, 39, has spent the past seven seasons working under Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck. He spent one season at Western Michigan before he followed Fleck to Minnesota when the latter was hired as coach following the 2016 season.

Burns played college football for Indiana from 2003-06 and was a three-time letterwinner.

Kent State went 5-7 in 2022.

–Field Level Media

Sep 3, 2022; Seattle, Washington, USA; Kent State Golden Flashes head coach Sean Lewis reacts following a penalty in favor of the Washington Huskies during the second quarter at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Colorado set to hire Kent State’s Sean Lewis as OC

New Colorado head coach Deion Sanders is set to bring in Kent State head coach Sean Lewis as his offensive coordinator, multiple media outlets reported Monday night.

Lewis, 36, produced a 24-31 record with the Golden Flashes, guiding the team to two bowl games in five seasons. They beat Utah State in the 2019 Frisco Bowl, the first bowl victory in school history. Kent State went 5-7 this year, 4-4 in the Mid-American Conference.

As the play-caller for Kent State, Lewis became known for his team’s hurry-up pace. According to ESPN, the Golden Flashes had the fourth-fastest offensive pace in the nation this year, averaging 30.1 seconds of actual time between snaps.

According to multiple media reports, Lewis was a candidate to be the new head coach at Cincinnati, but the Bearcats hired ex-Louisville coach Scott Satterfield earlier Monday.

Sanders arrives at Colorado after a successful stint at Jackson State, where he went 27-5 in three seasons. In his first meeting with the Buffaloes players, he encouraged them all to enter the transfer portal, saying he plans to bring in his own players.

The incoming group is expected to be headed by Sanders’ son, Shedeur Sanders, who threw for 6,614 yards and 66 touchdowns over the past two seasons at Jackson State.

As a result, incumbent Colorado quarterback Owen McCown entered the transfer portal on Monday.

The Buffaloes went 1-11 in 2022, firing head coach Karl Dorrell after an 0-5 start and then finishing up under interim coach Mike Sanford. Colorado lost its last six games.

–Field Level Media