The 2023 Kent State Golden Flashes football team represented Kent State University as a member of the Mid-American Conference in the 2023 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Golden Flashes were led by former Minnesota assistant head coach Kenni Burns in his first year as Kent State's head coach. They played their home games at Dix Stadium in Kent, Ohio. They finished the season 1–11 and 0–8 in conference play to finish with the worst record in college football. The Kent State Golden Flashes football team drew an average home attendance of 9,511 in 2023.
Preseason Preseason poll On July 20, the MAC announced the preseason coaches poll. Kent State was picked to finish last in the East.
Schedule
Game summaries At UCF
Statistics KENTUCF First downs 15 32 Total yards 240 723 Rushing yards 95 389 Passing yards 145 334 Turnovers 1 3 Time of possession 28:34 31:26 Team Category Player StatisticsKent State Passing Michael Alaimo 12/31, 145 yards, INT Rushing Gavin Garcia 18 rushes, 45 yards Receiving Chrishon McCray 3 receptions, 61 yardsUCF Passing John Rhys Plumlee 22/30, 281 yards, 3 TD, INT Rushing Johnny Richardson 12 rushes, 100 yards Receiving Xavier Townsend 5 receptions, 81 yards, TD
At Arkansas
Statistics KENTARK First downs 14 19 Total yards 200 308 Rushing yards 26 172 Passing yards 174 136 Turnovers 1 0 Time of possession 27:44 32:16 Team Category Player StatisticsKent State Passing Michael Alaimo 11/17, 174 yards, INT Rushing Gavin Garcia 18 rushes, 68 yards Receiving Trell Harris 4 receptions, 78 yardsArkansas Passing KJ Jefferson 13/19, 136 yards, 2 TD Rushing AJ Green 15 rushes, 82 yards Receiving Isaac TeSlaa 3 receptions, 51 yards
Central Connecticut
Statistics CCSUKENT First downs 10 20 Total yards 153 467 Rushing yards 103 295 Passing yards 50 172 Turnovers 2 1 Time of possession 26:21 33:39 Team Category Player StatisticsCentral Connecticut Passing Matt Jenner 4/14, 40 yards, 2 INT Rushing Davion Johnson 5 rushes, 35 yards Receiving Michael Plaskon 1 reception, 15 yardsKent State Passing Michael Alaimo 12/16, 172 yards, TD, INT Rushing Gavin Garcia 21 rushes, 125 yards, 2 TD Receiving Trell Harris 3 receptions, 94 yards, TD
Buffalo
At Akron
Statistics KENTAKR First downs 16 22 Total yards 346 393 Rushing yards 117 95 Passing yards 229 298 Turnovers 0 0 Time of possession 30:08 29:52 Team Category Player StatisticsKent State Passing Tommy Ulatowski 15/23, 229 yards, 3 TD Rushing Jaylen Thomas 14 rushes, 36 yards Receiving Crishon McCray 6 receptions, 161 yards, 2 TD Akron Passing Jeff Undercuffler Jr. 23/39, 298 yards, 2 TD Rushing Lorenzo Lingard 22 rushes, 106 yards, TD Receiving Daniel George 9 receptions, 104 yards, TD
Bowling Green
Statistics BGSUKENT First downs 18 20 Total yards 476 358 Rushing yards 190 74 Passing yards 286 284 Turnovers 1 2 Time of possession 30:29 29:31 Team Category Player StatisticsBowling Green Passing Connor Bazelak 13/19, 188 yards, TD, INT Rushing Ta'ron Keith 9 rushes, 103 yards, TD Receiving Ta'ron Keith 8 receptions, 130 yards, TDKent State Passing Tommy Ulatowski 23/40, 284 yards, 2 TD, INT Rushing Jaylen Thomas 18 rushes, 73 yards, TD Receiving Luke Floriea 9 receptions, 95 yards
References