MAC FOOTBALL KENT STATE GOLDEN FLASHES
Penalties and turnovers too much to overcome for Kent State
Flashes hold sloppy Texas Tech in check most of the game
By Don Knotts | @theotherdonknotts | September 14, 2025
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Saturday, September 13 2025 | 3:30PM
Lubbock, Texas | Jones AT&T Stadium
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DONTE LEE JR FIGHTS FOR KENT STATE'S LONE SCORE
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Lubbock, Texas – Kent State's defense had an outstanding game against Texas tech, holding the Red Raiders' offense to 153 yards and only allowing them to score one offensive touchdown. Unfortunately, a pair of scores resulting from Kent State turnovers was more than enough to secure a 24-7 win in Lubbock.
“It's disappointing to get that type of effort from one side of the ball and have it all unravel due to turnovers and penalties.” said Kent State head coach Tyson Veidt, a former defensive coordinator.
The Kent State offensive line struggled yet again, giving up six sacks and allowing the Texas Tech defense to harass Tommy Ulatowski for most of the game, leading to a pick six and a pair of fumbles, one of which was scooped up and returned for a touchdown.
The Flashes led 7-0 after Ulatowski connected with Donte Lee Jr for a nine yard touchdown midway through the second quarter. The score came after the Flashes recovered a muffed punt by Texas Tech.
Kent State relinquished the lead early in the second half when Ulatowski coughed up the ball on a sack and Texas Tech's Peyton Morgan picked it up in stride and took it 42 yards to the house. Later in the third Caleb Largo scored on a three yard run for the Red Raiders, giving them a 14-7 lead.
Kent State's offense was plagued by sacks and penalties in the second half, facing 20+ yards to go on multiple occasions.
Texas Tech added a Steve Sampson field goal early in the fourth quarter then put the game away for good when Jalon Peoples picked off an Ulatowski pass and took it 54 yards for a score. Ulatowski was hit as he attempted to connect with Chrishon McCray on an out breaking route.
“We've just got to get better.” Offensive coordinator Jordan McAlary said after the game. “Better on the field, better on the sidelines. Just better.”
In addition to their pass blocking woes the offensive line also struggled to open things up in the running game as Gavin Garcia was held to just 19 yards on ten carries and Curtis Douglas only managed four yards on three carries.
Kent State will host UMass on September 27th following a week off.
Additional Media
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Scoring
2Q KENT Donte Lee Jr 9 Yd pass from Tommy Ulatowski (Will Hryszko kick)
3Q TTU Peyton Morgan 42 Yd fumble return (Steve Sampson kick)
3Q TTU Caleb Largo 3 Yd run (Steve Sampson kick)
4Q TTU Steve Sampson 30 Yd FG
4Q TTU Jalon Peoples 54 Yd pick six (Steve Sampson kick)
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Key Statistics
Passing - T. Ulatowski 25/38 274Yds 1TD 1Int
Rushing - G. Garcia 10Car 19Yds, C. Douglas 3Car 4Yds
Receiving - C. McCray 6Rec 103Yds, M. Hazime 5Rec 66Yds, G. Garcia 7Rec 64Yds, D. Lee Jr 3Rec 23Yds 1TD
Tackles - J. Hinton 9
Sacks – R. Nichol 1.0
Takeaways – N/A
Kicking - W. Hryszko 1/1XP
Passing – B. Morton 7/11 82Yds
Rushing – C. Largo 13Car 44Yds 1TD, B. Morton 5Car 11Yds
Receiving – M. Hudson 3Rec 26Yds, J. Miller II 1Rec 23Yds
Tackles – B. Jordan 8, B. Rigsby 8
Sacks – T. Kana 2.0, B. Rigsby 2.0, J. Rodriguez 1.0, J. Peoples 1.0
Takeaways – J. Peoples 1Int 1TD, T. Kana 1FF, B. Rigsby 1FF, P. Morgan 1FR 1TD
Kicking – S. Sampson 1/1FG 3/3XP
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Up Next
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|NATL|STATE|POS|Hometown|HT|WT
|676|7|53|Colonial Heights, VA|6'1"|219