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Ohio vs Kent State: 3 big things to know in a tough MAC test

Dustin Judge
Dix Stadium in Kent, Ohio, where Ohio vs Kent State will be played

Ohio vs Kent State sets up as a Mid-American Conference matchup between two 2-2 teams on Saturday, Oct. 3. Kickoff is 3:30 p.m. ET at Zoeller Field at Dix Stadium in Kent, Ohio, with streaming on ESPN+.

It is the league opener for the Bobcats. The Golden Flashes already have one conference game behind them, a 26-13 win over Ball State on Sept. 26.

Ohio vs Kent State: how the Bobcats got here

Ohio lost 49-21 at Nebraska in its opener, then beat Jacksonville State 29-27 in four overtimes. A 41-36 loss at South Alabama followed before a 35-7 win over Stonehill, in which the Bobcats outgained the Skyhawks 523-124, according to the Associated Press.

Quarterback Matt Vezza threw for 207 yards and a touchdown and ran for two more scores against Stonehill. Victor Rosa added two rushing touchdowns, and Riley Nelson caught five passes for 113 yards.

What Kent State brings to the matchup

Kent State opened with a 57-0 loss at South Carolina, beat Wofford 36-15 and then fell 59-3 at Ohio State, a game we covered here. The Golden Flashes answered against Ball State, their first win in a conference opener since 2022, per the school.

Quarterback Dru DeShields completed 16 of 25 passes for 189 yards and two touchdowns in that game and ran for 76 yards and a score. Kicker Sean Leonard made a 53-yard field goal, a program record, and Ball State managed only 46 rushing yards.

Series history and what to watch

Ohio leads the all-time series 47-27-2. The Bobcats won the last meeting 41-0 on Nov. 6, 2024. Ohio vs Kent State doubles as Kent State’s homecoming game.

The key question in Ohio vs Kent State is whether Kent State’s run defense can repeat its Ball State effort against an Ohio offense that piled up 523 yards against Stonehill. For another look at the conference, see our Bowling Green vs. Miami preview.

Dustin Judge is the Founder and CEO of Total Apex Media, bringing more than 20 years of writing and editorial experience to the company's growing network of digital publications. He specializes in sports, sports betting, fantasy sports, and digital publishing, with a focus on producing accurate, timely, and engaging content for readers. Dustin oversees editorial strategy, content development, and publishing operations across Total Apex Media while remaining actively involved in sports, betting, and fantasy sports coverage.