Kent State University
0-1 , 0-0
Pitt
1-0 , 0-0
Flashes Battle but Pitt Prevails in Opener
8/31/2024 4:30:00 PM | Football
PITTSBURGH-The Golden Flashes dropped the opener of the 2024 season in a 55-24 setback at Pittsburgh on Saturday afternoon at Acrisure Stadium.
Luke Floriea led the offense with six grabs for 104 yards and a touchdown. Floriea's touchdown answered two opening scores by the Panthers, grabbing a 36-yard strike up the middle on fourth down, getting the Flashes on the board and making it a 14-7 game.
The second quarter saw the Panthers stretch the lead to 28-7 before the Flashes took advantage of a special teams miscue by the Panthers. Pitt fumbled on the return and the ball found its way into the hands of Naim Muhammad, the defensive back sprinted 32 yards up the sideline for a scoop-and-score touchdown, making it a 28-14 ballgame. The Flashes' defense would force another turnover late in the half when Alex Branch jumped an out route, picking off the pass and returning it deep into Pitt territory. The ensuing Kent State drive stalled, and it would be a two-score game at the half.
Kent State marched down the field to open the second half, capping a 10-play, 75-yard drive with a 29-yard highlight strike from Devin Kargman to Chrishon McCray. Andrew Glass kicked his 100th career extra point, making it a 28-21 ball game. That would be as close as the Flashes would get, Glass would add a field goal at the end of the third quarter to cap the Flashes scoring as the Panthers pulled away in the fourth.
Mason Woods led the defense, flying around to make nine stops. The Flashes recorded four sacks, by four different players, Stephen Daley added a couple of tackles for loss and a pass breakup.
Kent State heads home to open the 2024 home schedule with their first match-up with the Saint Francis (PA) Red Flash. Kick-off is set for 2:30 p.m. on ESPN+.
Team Stats
KSU 0, PIT 7
PIT - Mumpfield,Konata 11 yd pass from Holstein,Eli (Sauls,Ben kick) 9 plays, 95 yards, TOP 02:59
KSU 0, PIT 14
PIT - Reid,Desmond 78 yd punt return (Sauls,Ben kick)
KSU 7, PIT 14
KSU - Floriea,Luke 36 yd pass from Kargman,Devin (Glass,Andrew kick) 8 plays, 75 yards, TOP 03:32
KSU 7, PIT 21
PIT - Davis Jr.,Derrick 2 yd run (Sauls,Ben kick), 13 plays, 79 yards, TOP 03:55
KSU 7, PIT 28
PIT - Williams,Raphael 7 yd pass from Holstein,Eli (Sauls,Ben kick) 8 plays, 55 yards, TOP 03:08
KSU 14, PIT 28
KSU - Muhammad,Naim 34 yd fumble recovery (Glass,Andrew kick)
KSU 21, PIT 28
KSU - McCray,Chrishon 29 yd pass from Kargman,Devin (Glass,Andrew kick) 11 plays, 75 yards, TOP 05:24
KSU 21, PIT 35
PIT - Reid,Desmond 46 yd run (Sauls,Ben kick), 3 plays, 69 yards, TOP 00:52
KSU 24, PIT 35
KSU - Glass,Andrew 36 yd field goal 8 plays, 57 yards, TOP 02:51
KSU 24, PIT 42
PIT - Johnson,Kenny 10 yd pass from Holstein,Eli (Sauls,Ben kick) 7 plays, 75 yards, TOP 02:14
KSU 24, PIT 45
PIT - Sauls,Ben 50 yd field goal 5 plays, 24 yards, TOP 01:41
KSU 24, PIT 52
PIT - Williams,Raphael 6 yd pass from Yarnell,Nate (Sauls,Ben kick) 5 plays, 55 yards, TOP 01:59
KSU 24, PIT 55
PIT - Sauls,Ben 39 yd field goal 11 plays, 32 yards, TOP 02:38
