Kent State University
University of South Florida
Kent State Heads to Tampa for Saturday’s 7 p.m. Matchup at South Florida
10/16/2026 2:46:00 PM | Football
TAMPA, Fla. — Kent State football steps out of Mid-American Conference play on Saturday evening, traveling south to Tampa for a 7 p.m. matchup against South Florida at Raymond James Stadium. The Flashes (2-4, 1-2 MAC) enter looking to rebound from a 7-38 road setback at Western Michigan last week, while the Bulls (4-2, 1-2 AAC) return home after a 24-31 conference loss at UTSA. Saturday's contest marks the first-time meeting between the two programs. The Golden Flashes' return to an NFL stadium after traveling to face Pitt at Acrisure Stadium in 2024.
Kent State Offense
Dru DeShields continues to direct an offense looking to gain traction entering the second half of the season. Through six games, he has completed 89 of 155 passes for 980 yards and four touchdowns while rushing 49 times for 177 yards and three more scores, generating 192.83 yards of total offense per game. His dual-threat versatility provides a key dimension for the Flashes, who have protected him well before last week's game.
Wayne Harris and Da'Realyst Clark form Kent State's top receiving tandem, combining for 47 receptions and 621 yards through six contests. Harris leads the team with 27 catches for 368 yards and a touchdown, averaging 61.33 receiving yards per game (fifth in the MAC). Clark adds 20 catches for 253 yards and a score while averaging 42.17 receiving yards per game, in addition to serving as the team's primary kick returner with 174 yards on 10 returns. Ardell Banks acts as the unit's premier deep threat, averaging 23.86 yards per reception on seven catches for 167 yards. Mason King anchors the ground attack out of the backfield with 202 rushing yards and a touchdown on 52 carries, complemented by Brandon White's 154 yards on 47 attempts.
Where Kent State must clean up its act is in reducing unforced errors that stall momentum. The Flashes have committed 10 turnovers (11th in the MAC) and 57 penalties for 449 yards (74.83 yards per game, last in the MAC). South Florida's red zone defense surrenders scoring drives on 92.9 percent of opponent trips (117th nationally and 10th in the AAC), offering Kent State a crucial window to finish drives with touchdowns rather than settling for field goal attempts.
Kent State Defense
The Dark Side Defense has held opponents to a 35.38 percent conversion rate on third down, fourth in the MAC and 60th nationally. The pass rush supports that efficiency, registering 12 sacks through six games (2.00 per game, fifth in the MAC and 69th nationally).
Joel Cordoba leads the team with 30 total tackles (16 solo) along with 1.5 tackles for loss and a sack. Rocco Nicholl anchors the linebacking group with 28 tackles, leading the squad with 4.5 TFLs and 3.0 sacks. Hayden Dawahare has added 26 tackles, 4.0 TFLs, and a sack across five appearances. Jaihien Roy provides pass-rush disruption with two sacks, four quarterback hurries, and an interception. Rafael Terrero Jr. highlighted the turnover efforts with a 63-yard interception return for a touchdown against Wofford. This defense will face a stress test on Saturday against a South Florida offense that converts 42.42 percent of its third-down attempts (sixth in the AAC and 60th nationally).
Stopping South Florida's ground game will be the priority in the run-stopping department. D.J. Crowther leads the Bulls with 94 carries for 476 yards and seven touchdowns at 5.1 yards per attempt, averaging 79.33 yards per game (eighth in the AAC), and gives USF a physical early-down option. Jason Collins Jr. adds 189 yards and a touchdown on 41 carries. Kent State has allowed 152.0 rushing yards per game (eighth in the MAC), and controlling the line of scrimmage on early downs will be central to the game plan to set up manageable third-down situations.
Kent State Special Teams
Jake Stoeckel has pinned opponents deep consistently across the first six games, averaging 43.15 yards per punt on 26 attempts with 11 landing inside the opponent's 20-yard line (seventh in the MAC and 39th nationally). Sean Leonard connected on a 53-yard field goal against Ball State and remains flawless on extra points (9-for-9).
Scouting South Florida
Quarterback Michael Van Buren Jr. operates USF's passing attack with exceptional ball security, completing 93 of 152 passes for 1,073 yards and five touchdowns. Van Buren Jr. has not thrown an interception through six games, leading a unit that ranks first nationally in fewest passes had intercepted. He adds 95 rushing yards and two scores on the ground. His primary target, Bryson Rodgers, averages 52.0 receiving yards per game on 27 catches for 312 yards and two touchdowns. Joshua Porter adds 20 catches for 254 yards and two scores (42.33 YPG), while Wyatt Sullivan and Cameron Seldon serve as reliable intermediate targets.
Defensively, South Florida surrenders just 17.33 points per game, first in the AAC and 26th nationally, while holding opponents to 183.7 passing yards per game (third in the AAC and 33rd nationally) and 341.3 total yards per contest. The Bulls generate consistent penetration with 6.8 tackles for loss per game (second in the AAC and 24th nationally). Ayden Jackson leads the USF defense with 37 tackles (3.0 TFLs, 1.0 sack), while safety Tavin Ward has recorded 32 tackles and an interception. Zavier Hamilton (30 tackles, 3.0 TFLs, 1.0 sack) and Sam Robinson (30 tackles, 3.5 TFLs) solidify an active front seven. Additionally, USF's red zone offense is a perfect 19-for-19 with 13 touchdowns (first nationally).
South Florida presents impactful special teams specialists of its own. Kicker Nico Gramatica has made 8 of 10 field goals, including a 53-yarder, for an 80.0 percent conversion rate that ranks second in the AAC and 49th nationally, while remaining perfect on PATs (19-for-19). Punter Luke Goater averages 45.19 yards per punt with 11 downed inside the 20, driving USF to a 43.81 net punting average that ranks second in the AAC and 17th nationally. Punt returner Joshua Porter averages 13.0 yards per return (fifth in the AAC and 34th nationally), while Cameron Seldon averages 23.8 yards on kickoff returns. Kent State's coverage units will need to be disciplined on every kick to maintain field position.
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