Kent State Dominates UMass 42-6 in Homecoming Victory

Saturday, October 11

Kent, Ohio

2:30 PM ET

Kent State University

2-4 , 1-1

University of Massachusetts

0-6 , 0-2

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Massachusetts

Kent St.

Kent State Dominates UMass 42-6 in Homecoming Victory

10/11/2025 6:44:00 PM | Football

Box Score

KENT, Ohio – Kent State delivered a decisive homecoming performance, shutting down Massachusetts 42-6.

The victory marks Kent State's first MAC conference win since defeating Buffalo 30-27 in 2022 and its first homecoming win since topping Akron 33-27 that same year. With the convincing performance, the Flashes improved to 2-4 overall and 1-1 in MAC play.

Fast Start Sets the Tone

Kent State wasted no time taking the lead, with Da'Realyst Clark returning the opening kickoff 91 yards for a touchdown just 14 seconds into the game. Clark's kickoff return TD marked his second of the season.

DeShields' Career Game

Quarterback Dru DeShields orchestrated a dominant offensive display, completing 10 of 18 passes for 148 yards and four touchdowns—the first four-TD game of his college career. DeShields spread the wealth among receivers, finding Sebastian Brown for a 36-yard touchdown in the first quarter, Da'Shawn Martin for a 25-yard score in the second, Terik Mulder for a 10-yard touchdown in the third, and Ardell Banks for a 34-yard touchdown strike later in the third quarter.

Ground Game Overpowers Defense

The Kent State running game dominated Massachusetts' defense throughout the afternoon. Gavin Garcia reached a significant milestone, eclipsing 1,000 career rushing yards as the Flashes racked up 151 net rushing yards on 42 attempts. Garcia averaged 6.5 yards per carry while Jordan Nubin added 80 rushing yards and a 25-yard touchdown run in the third quarter.

Defensive Dominance

The Flashes' defense forced two interceptions and limited the Minutemen to just 227 passing yards and 44 rushing yards. Kent State recorded four sacks and 13 tackles for loss, controlling the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. The defensive pressure forced multiple turnovers that halted any potential Massachusetts momentum.

Looking Ahead

The Flashes will travel to Toledo to play the Rockets next Saturday at 2:00 p.m.

Big Plays

1st | 15:00

ELECTRIC!
Da'Realyst Clark takes it to house on the very first play of the game!

KSU - 7
UMASS - 0
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— Kent State Football (@KentStFootball) October 11, 2025

1st | 9:31

BIG SACK!
Jamond Mathis with a huge sack in the 1st!

KSU - 7
UMASS - 0
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— Kent State Football (@KentStFootball) October 11, 2025

1st | 5:47

DeShields finds Brown for a TD!

KSU - 14
UMass - 0
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— Kent State Football (@KentStFootball) October 11, 2025

1st | 0:38

What a play!
CJ Young deflects the pass and brings down the QB!

KSU - 14
UMASS - 0
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?? https://t.co/S8lqmDLcHa pic.twitter.com/t7vDuxdVRR
— Kent State Football (@KentStFootball) October 11, 2025

2nd | 5:55

ANOTHER ONE!
Dru Deshields connects with Da'Shawn Martin for a TD in the 2nd!

KSU - 21
UMASS - 3
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?? https://t.co/WEyliKGQAJ
?? https://t.co/S8lqmDLcHa pic.twitter.com/qXgMpYwRoU
— Kent State Football (@KentStFootball) October 11, 2025

2nd | 3:59

DEFENSE ON DISPLAY!
Mason Maddox forces the fumble!

KSU - 21
UMASS - 3
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?? https://t.co/WEyliKGQAJ
?? https://t.co/S8lqmDLcHa pic.twitter.com/cHUdyaFh4X
— Kent State Football (@KentStFootball) October 11, 2025

3rd | 9:57

Da'Realyst Clark connects with Zy'aire Fletcher for a 1st down!

KSU - 21
UMASS - 6
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?? https://t.co/WEyliKGQAJ
?? https://t.co/S8lqmDLcHa pic.twitter.com/ldrYp0TjSQ
— Kent State Football (@KentStFootball) October 11, 2025

3rd | 5:31

Deshields ?? Mulder

Terik Mulder pulls in the pass from Dru Deshields for a TD

KSU - 28
UMASS - 6
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— Kent State Football (@KentStFootball) October 11, 2025

3rd | 4:13

EXPLOSIVE!

Ardell Banks gets loose and connects with Dru Deshields for a TD!

KSU - 35
UMASS - 6
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?? https://t.co/WEyliKGQAJ
?? https://t.co/S8lqmDLcHa pic.twitter.com/TcWa5FBR01
— Kent State Football (@KentStFootball) October 11, 2025

3rd | 3:59

INTERCEPTED BY BOAMAH!

KSU - 35
UMASS - 6
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?? https://t.co/WEyliKGQAJ
?? https://t.co/S8lqmDLcHa pic.twitter.com/dqUdA6h7ka
— Kent State Football (@KentStFootball) October 11, 2025

3rd | 3:35

JORDAN NUBIN TO THE HOUSE!

KSU - 42
UMASS - 6
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?? https://t.co/WEyliKGiLb
?? https://t.co/S8lqmDKERC pic.twitter.com/pOy8A8hfV7
— Kent State Football (@KentStFootball) October 11, 2025

4th | 2:16

DEFLECTED & PICKED

Sayed Abuhamdeh deflects the pass and Clinton Robinson picks it off!

KSU - 42
UMASS - 6
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?? https://t.co/WEyliKGQAJ
?? https://t.co/S8lqmDLcHa pic.twitter.com/MwmMRQoTpx
— Kent State Football (@KentStFootball) October 11, 2025

Post Game Press Conference

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