The McAlary Effect

[djp73]

MAC FOOTBALL KENT STATE GOLDEN FLASHES
Kent State Game Preview
Florida State
By Don Knotts | @theotherdonknotts | August 26, 2025, 3:13pm EDT

@
0-0 | 0-0
Saturday, August 30 2025 | 2:30PM
Tallahassee, Florida | Doak Campbell Stadium
2024 Record: 7-6

Injuries
Kent State: None
Florida State: None

[djp73]

MAC FOOTBALL KENT STATE GOLDEN FLASHES
Flashes flummoxed by Florida State
ACC foe too much for Kent State
By Don Knotts | @theotherdonknotts | August 30, 2025, 8:27am EDT

@
17 | 42
Saturday, August 30 2025 | 2:30PM
Tallahassee, Florida | Doak Campbell Stadium
(0-1)|00|10|00|07|17
(1-0)|07|07|14|14|42


ULATOWSKI MEETS MARVIN JONES JR
---

Tallahassee, Florida - If you'd checked the score at halftime of Ken State's game at Florida state you probably would have been surprised. If you checked again at the end of the game you probably would not have been.

The Flashes kept things close until the break, managing 10 points while only surrendering 14 to a Florida State offense that was mostly shooting itself in the foot as opposed to being stopped.

The 'Noles cleaned things up in the second half, outscoring the Flashes 28-7 and running away with a 42-17 win.

Tommy Ulatowski was under pressure the entire game and despite being sacked five times and hurried what seemed like a couple dozen time he still managed 270 yards and a score on 27 of 56 passing. He also ran for 19 yards and a score.

Gavin Garcia had nowhere to run against the fearsome Florida State front seven, managing just 23 yards on 11 carries. He did add 42 yards on five receptions.

Chrishon McCray and Dontrell Bennett were the top receivers for Kent State, picking up 85 yards on 9 receptions and 68 on 5 respectively. Bennett also secured his first touchdown.

Florida State RB Roydell Williams ran for over 200 yards and a trio of scores for the Seminoles.

Additional Media





---
Scoring
1Q FSU Destyn Hill 21 Yd pass from Luke Kromenhoek (Trumaine Massey kick)
2Q FSU Destyn Hill 12 Yd pass from Luke Kromenhoek (Trumaine Massey kick)
2Q KENT Tommy Ulatowski 6 Yd run (Will Hryszko kick)
2Q KENT Will Hryszko 42 Yd FG
3Q FSU Roydell Williams 21 Yd run (Trumaine Massey kick)
3Q FSU Roydell Williams 4 Yd run (Trumaine Massey kick)
4Q KENT Dontrell Bennett 4 Yd pass from Tommy Ulatowski (Will Hryszko kick)
4Q FSU Roydell Williams 2 Yd run (Trumaine Massey kick)
4Q FSU Earl Little II 28 Yd pick six (Trumaine Massey kick)
---
Key Statistics

Passing - T. Ulatowski 27/56 270Yds 1TD 1Int
Rushing - G. Garcia 11Car 23Yds, T. Ulatowski 11Car 19Yds 1TD, P. Taylor 1Car 4Yds, C. Douglas 1Car 3Yds
Receiving - C. McCray 9Rec 85Yds, D. Bennett 5Rec 68Yds, M. Hazime 4Rec 53Yds, G. Garcia 5Rec 42Yds, D. Lee Jr 2Rec 11Yds
Tackles - J. Hinton 8, H. Kutcher 7
Sacks - J. Jackson 1.0
Takeaways - J. Rawlison 1Int, J. Dotson 1FF
Kicking - W. Hryszko 1/2FG, 2/2XP


Passing - L. Kromenhoek 14/23 201Yds 2TD 1Int
Rushing - R. Williams 23Car 206Yds 3TD
Receiving - J. Brown 4Rec 72Yds, D. Hill 3Rec 50Yds 2TD
Tackles - O. Graham Jr 13, S. Murphy 12
Sacks - M. Jones Jr 3.0, D. Jackson Jr 2.0
Takeaways - E. Little II 1Int 1TD
Kicking - T. Massey 6/6XP
---
Up Next
@

[The JZA]

That passing attempt comparison

No faith in Garcia running the ball?

[djp73]

My OL was getting wrecked on running plays. FSUs front 7 was eating Garcia up. Then we got into 2nd and long constantly so we was chucking it.

[djp73]

MAC FOOTBALL
MAC Football Results
Scores, Players of the Week and other news and notes from around the conference
By Don Knotts | @theotherdonknotts |September 1, 2025, 9:27am EDT

MAC Scores
Georgia Southern 29, Toledo 25
Central Michigan 48, FCS Northwest 17
Kennesaw State 31, Akron 23
Miami(OH) 27, Army 17
Middle Tennessee State 40, Ohio 32
Arizona State 32, Northern Illinois 21
Florida State 42, Kent State 17
Oregon 41, Ball State 17
Western Michigan 31, Louisiana-Monroe 28
Navy 17, Eastern Michigan 10
Clemson 34, Buffalo 9
Bowling Green 34, Louisiana 20

MAC Players of the Week
Bowling Green DE Garrison McNeal 5Tkl, 3.0Sck
Central Michigan WR Jordan Kelly 9Rec 303Yds 3TD, 1 Rush TD

[djp73]

MAC FOOTBALL KENT STATE GOLDEN FLASHES
Coaches Corner
Offensive Coordinator Jordan McAlary
By Don Knotts | @theotherdonknotts | September 1, 2025

Each week in the days following Kent State's game I will spend a few moments chatting with members of the coaching staff. I'll share some key points in this column.

This morning I spoke with offensive coordinator Jordan McAlary following Kent State's tough loss at Florida State.

Tough road game, hostile environment, talented opponent. What positives can you take from a game like this?
It can be difficult to find them but there are some there. We haven't fully digested the tape but I think we made some good plays in the passing game despite near constant pressure. One of the elite programs in the nation and while the game was lopsided I don't think we embarrassed ourselves there.

Kennesaw State this week. Certainly not of the caliber of Florida State. How do you adjust?
Well I think it's important not to underestimate any opponent. Kennesaw just beat Akron and Akron beat us last year so they're certainly a talented team and a formidable opponent. We hope we can be a lot more balanced in our offense against them.

Do you have a player of the week?
You probably get tired of hearing that it's Tommy so much but he was in trouble for the whole game and he made some nice plays throwing the ball and kept us alive and got us on the board with his legs. Did have the pick six but that was more of a play call and execution issue than it was solely on him.

[djp73]

MAC FOOTBALL KENT STATE GOLDEN FLASHES
Kent State Game Preview
Kennesaw State
By Don Knotts | @theotherdonknotts | September 4, 2025

@
1-0 | 0-1
Saturday, September 6 2025 | 7:00PM
Kent, Ohio | Dix Stadium
2024 Record: 4-8

Injuries
Kent State: None
Kennesaw State: HB Q. Ashley

[djp73]

MAC FOOTBALL KENT STATE GOLDEN FLASHES
Kent State's offensive explosion leads them past Kennesaw State
Flashes put up 56 points in big win
By Don Knotts | @theotherdonknotts | September 7, 2025

@
35 | 56
Saturday, September 6 2025 | 7:00PM
Kent, Ohio | Dix Stadium
(1-1)|00|14|07|14|35
(1-1)|14|14|07|21|56


TE MOHAMMED HAZIME CELEBRATES A TOUCHDOWN
---

Kent, Ohio - Kent State put up over 600 yards of total offense and scored 56 points as they defeated Kennesaw State by a final score of 56-35 yesterday at home.

"Perfection is probably a stretch." Kent State offensive coordinator Jordan McAlary said after the win. "But we're certainly pleased with most of the performance."

Tommy Ulatowski threw for 464 yards and four touchdowns while Kennesaw State's Davis Bryson also tossed 4 touchdowns along with 265 yards.

Kent State used a bit of a runningback by committee approach after Garcia's tough game against Florida State with Garcia, Curtis Douglas, Preston Taylor and Jared Kelley all getting carries. Ulatowski was productive as a runner as well. The Flashes ran for 149 yards and four scores as a team.

Chrishon McCray's nine receptions for 162 yards and two scores led all receivers.

Additional Media

---
Scoring
1Q KENT Curtis Douglas 2 Yd run (Will Hryszko kick)
1Q KENT Chrishon McCray 52 Yd pass from Tommy Ulatowski (Will Hryszko kick)
2Q KENT Lance Langford 1 Yd pass from Tommy Ulatowski (Will Hryszko kick)
2Q KENN Garrison Lokombo 23 Yd run (Britton WIlliams kick)
2Q KENT Chrishon McCray 25 Yd pass from Tommy Ulatowski (Will Hryszko kick)
2Q KENN Connor Finer 4 Yd pass from Davis bryson (Britton WIlliams kick)
3Q KENN Blake Bohannon 26 Yd pass from Davis Bryson (Britton WIlliams kick)
3Q KENT Curtis Douglas 1 Yd run (Will Hryszko kick)
4Q KENT Preston Taylor 9 Yd run (Will Hryszko kick)
4Q KENN Christian Moss 75 Yd pass from Davis Bryson (Britton WIlliams kick)
4Q KENT Mohammed Hazime 45 Yd pass from Tommy Ulatowski (Will Hryszko kick)
4Q KENN Blake Bohannon 3 Yds pass from Davis Bryson (Britton WIlliams kick)
4Q KENT Curtis Douglas 1 Yd run (Will Hryszko kick)
---
Key Statistics

Passing - T. Ulatowski 34/43 464Yds 4TD 1Int
Rushing - C. Douglas 10Car 52Yds 3TD, G. Garcia 10Car 38Yds, T. Ulatowski 8Car 37Yds, P. Taylor 4Car 18Yds 1TD
Receiving - C. McCray 9Rec 162Yds 2TD, M. Hazime 4Rec 87Yds 1TD, G. Garcia 6Rec 66Yds, P. Taylor 3Rec 50Yds, J. Kelly 3Rec 50Yds
Tackles - H. Kutcher 10, O. Bilotte 9
Sacks - J. Studio 1.0
Takeaways - H. Kutcher 1Int, J. Hinton 1Int 1FF2 2FR
Kicking - W. Hryszko 8/8XP


Passing - D. Bryson 16/24 265Yds 4TD 2Int
Rushing - G. Benyard 24Car 76Yds, G. Lokombo 3Car 47Yds 1TD
Receiving - C. Moss 3Rec 97Yds 1TD, B. Bohannon 7Rec 92Yds 2TD, C. Finer 2Rec 32Yds 1TD
Tackles - D. Johnson 12, M. Redding 10
Sacks - J. grimes 0.5, D. Westmoreland 0.5
Takeaways - I. Paul 1Int, T. Walker 1FF
Kicking - B. Williams 5/5XP
---
Up Next
@

[djp73]

MAC FOOTBALL
MAC Football Results
Scores, Players of the Week and other news and notes from around the conference
By Don Knotts | @theotherdonknotts |September 8, 2025

MAC Scores
Northern Illinois 24, Western Kentucky 21
FCSMW 31, Buffalo 10
Ohio 46, Troy 43
Middle Tennessee 24, Miami(OH) 21
Bowling Green 38, FCSMW 34
Auburn 40, Akron 7
Western Michigan 35, Florida International 19
Virginia Tech 38, Ball State 15
Tulsa 38, Eastern Michigan 23
Toledo 37, Mississippi State 25
Kent State 56, Kennesaw State 35

MAC Players of the Week
Kent State FS Jamar Hinton 7Tkl, 1Int, 1FF, 2FR
Kent State WR Chrishon McCray 9Rec 162Yds 2TD

MAC Standings
Bowling Green 2-0/0-0
Western Michigan 2-0/0-0
Central Michigan 1-0/0-0
Kent State 1-1/0-0
Miami(OH) 1-1/0-0
Northern Illinois 1-1/0-0
Ohio 1-1/0-0
Toledo 1-1/0/0
Akron 0-2/0-0
Ball State 0-2/0-0
Buffalo 0-2/0-0
Eastern Michigan 0-2/0-0

MAC Leaders
Passing Yards: KENT T. Ulatowski 734
Passing TDs: OHIO C. Wither, TOL J. Richter 7
Rushing Yards: WMU J. Buckley 244
Rushing TDs: KENT C. Douglas 3
Receiving Yards: CMU J. Kelly 303
Receiving TDs: Several tied with 3
Tackles: NIU J. Gassaway 20
Sacks: BGSU G. McNeal 5.0
Interceptions: CMU B. Deasfernandes 2

[djp73]

MAC FOOTBALL KENT STATE GOLDEN FLASHES
Coaches Corner
Offensive Coordinator Jordan McAlary
By Don Knotts | @theotherdonknotts | September 8, 2025

Each week in the days following Kent State's game I will spend a few moments chatting with members of the coaching staff. I'll share some key points in this column.

This morning I spoke with offensive coordinator Jordan McAlary following Kent State's big win against Kennesaw State.

The offense put up 56 points, that's a big number. What was clinking in order for that to happen?
Well certainly some great play from the offensive line. The back had good running lanes and no sacks on Tommy so that's where it all starts.

Seemed like a real focus on the passing attack. Light load for Garcia especially. Intentional or flow of the game?
Well Curtis (Douglas) had three rushing touchdowns so I would say we used the running game when it was appropriate. Gavin had a tough game last week and wasn't really 100%. So it's a schematic thing, it's some wear and tear and it's some flow of the game. Wanting to get other guys touches and opportunities. A number of factors.

Player of the week?
You know it would be easy to say Tommy again but let's talk about Curtis Douglas, Chrishon McCray. Those guys both stepped up and produced for us too.