The McAlary Effect
The McAlary Effect
This could be a tough game.
The McAlary Effect
Kent State tops Miami, finishes 8-0 in MAC
Kent State's second ever perfect conference record
By Don Knotts | @theotherdonknotts | November 30, 2025
@
38 | 22
Saturday, November 29 2025 | 3:15PM
Oxford, OH | Fred C. Yager Stadium
(10-2/8-0)|07|17|07|07|38
(6-6/5-3)|00|07|07|08|22
ULATOWSKI CELEBRATES A TOUCHDOWN PASS TO MCCRAY
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Oxford, Ohio - For the second time Kent State has reeled off an undefeated conference record. With their win over Miami of Ohio the Flashes will finish up the regular season with an 8-0 conference record. The win is their tenth of the season. This marks just the second time Kent State has won 10 or more games, the last time was in 2012.
The Flashes struck first, scoring on a short run by Gavin Garcia midway through the first quarter.
Miami would tie the game when Tommy Ulatowski took a big hit and coughed up the ball, allowing Miami defensive linesman Antoine Campbell Jr to scoop it up and return it for a touchdown.
Kent State then scored 17 unanswered points to close out the first half, leading 24-7 at the break.
Miami would cut into the lead in the third quarter when receiver Kamryn Perry broke off a 53 yard touchdown run.
Not to be outdone Ulatowski connected with Chrishon McCray for a 67 yard touchdown pass when McCray got behind the defender with no safety help.
Each team added a fourth quarter score to make the final 38-22.
Chrishon McCray has broken the school record for receiving yards in a season with 1;591. He is also tied for the school record for receiving touchdowns in a season with 18.
Tommy Ulatowski broke his own record for passing yards in a season with 3,822.
Kent State will now focus on winning the MAC Championship game.
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Additional Media
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Scoring
1Q KENT Gavin Garcia 1 Yd run (Will Hryszko kick)
2Q M-OH Antoine Campbell Jr 47 Yd fumble return (Will Hryszko kick)
2Q KENT Gavin Garcia 1 Yd run (Will Hryszko kick)
2Q KENT Will Hryszko 31 Yd FG
2Q KENT Chrishon McCray 8 Yd pass from Tommy Ulatowski (Will Hryszko kick)
3Q M-OH Kamryn Perry 53 Yd run (Dominic Dzioban kick)
3Q KENT Chrishon McCray 67 Yd pass from Tommy Ulatowski (Will Hryszko kick)
4Q KENT Curtis Douglas 1 Yd run (Will Hryszko kick)
4Q M-OH Danny Dunlop 1 Yd run (Dominic Dzioban kick)
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Key Statistics
Passing - T. Ulatowski 22/38 260 2TD 1Int
Rushing – G. Garcia 20Car 104Yds 2TD, T. Ulatowski 5Car 49Yds, C. Douglas 11Car 33Yds 1TD
Receiving – C. McCray 8Rec 113Yds 2TD, D. Bennett 4Rec 51Yds, J. Kelley 2Rec 26Yds, J. Kimbrough 1Rec 23Yds
Tackles – J. Hinton 9, M. Folk 5, C. Young 5
Sacks – N/A
Takeaways – J. Hinton 1 Int, H. Kutcher 1 Int
Kicking – W. Hryszko 1/3FG 5/5XP
Passing – W. Quinn 14/42 127Yds 2Int
Rushing – K. Perry 1Car 53Yds 1TD, D. Dunlop 19Car 40Yds
Receiving – D. Dunlop 7Rec 44Yds, R. Virgil 3Rec 34Yds, J. Tracy 3Rec 23Yds
Tackles – N. Ziegler 15, E. Blakey 13
Sacks – M. Yharbrough 1.0, J. Lukusa 0.5, M. McCain 0.5, J. Strickland 0.5
Takeaways – E. Blakey 1Int, T. Spurlock 1FF, M. Yharbrough 1FF, A. Campbell Jr 1FR 1TD
Kicking – D. Dzioban 2/2XP
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Up Next
MAC Conference Championship
The McAlary Effect
MAC Football Results
Scores, Players of the Week and other news and notes from around the conference
By Don Knotts | @theotherdonknotts | November 30, 2025
MAC Scores
Eastern Michigan 28, Central Michigan 20
Toledo 38, Western Michigan 14
Ball State 19, Akron 16
Kent State 38, Miami(OH) 22
Northern Illinois 34, Ohio 31
Bowling Green 27, Buffalo 0
MAC Players of the Week
EMU DT Malik Tullis 4Tkl, 1Sck, 1FF, 2FR
TOL WR Tashi Braceful 12Rec 109Yds 3TD
MAC Standings
| Team | W-L | PCT | CONF | PF | PA | HOME | AWAY | STK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kent State | 10-2 | .833 | 8-0 | 467 | 266 | 5-0 | 5-2 | W9 |
| Bowling Green | 8-4 | .667 | 6-2 | 286 | 259 | 4-1 | 4-3 | W4 |
| Ohio | 9-3 | .750 | 5-2 | 402 | 276 | 5-3 | 4-0 | L1 |
| Miami(OH) | 6-6 | .500 | 5-3 | 310 | 322 | 3-4 | 3-2 | L1 |
| Toledo | 6-6 | .500 | 4-3 | 371 | 316 | 3-3 | 3-3 | W1 |
| Ball State | 5-7 | .417 | 4-4 | 260 | 346 | 4-1 | 1-6 | W2 |
| Western Michigan | 7-5 | .583 | 4-4 | 297 | 285 | 5-3 | 2-2 | L2 |
| Akron | 4-8 | .333 | 3-5 | 280 | 320 | 3-3 | 1-5 | L2 |
| Eastern Michigan | 4-8 | .333 | 3-5 | 237 | 336 | 3-3 | 1-5 | W1 |
| Northern Illinois | 4-8 | .333 | 3-5 | 208 | 321 | 2-4 | 2-4 | W2 |
| Buffalo | 1-11 | .083 | 1-7 | 212 | 361 | 0-5 | 1-6 | L3 |
| Central Michigan | 2-10 | .167 | 1-7 | 209 | 375 | 2-4 | 0-6 | L6 |
Passing Yards: OHIO C. Wither 3,833
Passing TDs: TOL J. Richter 37
Rushing Yards: WMU J. Buckley 1,284
Rushing TDs: KENT G. Garcia 14
Receiving Yards: KENT C. McCray 1,591
Receiving TDs: KENT C. McCray 18
Tackles: BUF D. Crawford 114
Sacks: BGSU G. McNeal 11.0
Interceptions: MI-OH T. Rush, MI-OH E. Blakey 5
The McAlary Effect
Coaches Corner
Offensive Coordinator Jordan McAlary
By Don Knotts | @theotherdonknotts | December 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 regular season finale win over Miami of Ohio.
Nine straight wins. Undefeated MAC season. Ranked. What have been some of the keys for success?
Well overall it's been total team football. We've had a top offense and a top defense. Put those two together and success is bound to follow. On the offensive side of the ball it's just everyone doing their job and good execution by the players on the field.
Any special preparation for the championship game in two weeks?
We've seen those guys somewhat recently so we'll certainly spend some extra time with our tapes from that game. Other than that we'll treat it like a road game and prepare for extra noise down there.
Who's your Player of the Week?
Gavin Garcia. We leaned on him pretty hard and he came through with 100 yards and a couple scores.
The McAlary Effect
Kent State secures highest rated target
New Jersey's Dalton commits, #477 nationally ranked
By Don Knotts | @theotherdonknotts | December 2, 2025
Deonte Dalton announced yesterday that he has committed to Kent State. Dalton is listed as the #477 ranked player in the nation. Dalton primarily played QB for Long Branch high school but contributed in a number of ways. He led the team in passing yardage and touchdowns as well as rushing yards. Dalton also played linebacker late in the season as injuries stacked up. Dalton has dangerous speed and a strong arm.
Kicker Pat Thompson of Merrillville, Indiana has narrowed his list to three schools, eliminating Middle Tennessee and Northwestern. Kent State leads Indiana and Ball State.
Guard Zach Scmyzniak announced his commitment to Navy.
Cornerback Lyle Mixon signed with Appalachian State.
| Recruiting Class (Listed by National Ranking) | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| POS | NAME |  | NATL | STATE | POS | Home | HT | WT |
| ATH | Deonte Dalton |  | 477 | 17 | 39 | Long Branch, NJ | 5'11" | 218 |
| ATH | Lawrence Hamm | | 676 | 7 | 53 | Colonial Heights, VA | 6'1" | 219 |
| P | Hasheem Gwacham | | 749 | 25 | 9 | Rockwood, MI | 6'2" | 206 |
| ATH | Sal Bryant | | 1408 | 28 | 130 | Chesterfield, VA | 5'11" | 208 |
| OLB | Andy Durant | | 1472 | 29 | 62 | Homestead. PA | 6'2" | 232 |
| CB | Jamal Rabe | | 1550 | 188 | 123 | Daytona Beach, FL | 5'10" | 176 |
| Recruiting Targets (Listed by National Ranking) | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ## | POS | NAME | | NATL | STATE | POS | Home | HT | WT | Stage: Schools |
| 01 | ATH(WR/TE) | Nick Sumner | | 516 | 18 | 31 | Dayton, OH | 6'1" | 230 | Top 3: Kent State, Ohio, New Mexico |
| 02 | ATH(TE) | Zach McClung | | 592 | 18 | 34 | Germantown, MD | 6'5" | 227 | Top 3: Kent State, Old Dominion, Marshall |
| 03 | FS | Jeremy Skaggs | | 978 | 7 | 39 | Urbandale, IA | 6'1" | 205 | Top 3: Kent State, Eastern Michigan, Western Michigan |
| 04 | ATH(G/C) | Tevin Cantrell | | 1030 | 22 | 32 | Chesapeake, VA | 6'2" | 287 | Top 3: Kent State, Liberty, Navy |
| 05 | RG | Tyrese Vernon | | 1202 | 23 | 55 | Erie, PA | 6'2" | 305 | Top 3: Kent State, Ohio, Buffalo |
| 06 | TE | Brian Durant | | 1515 | 30 | 89 | Downingtown, PA | 6'5" | 238 | Top 5: Kent State, UMass, Navy, Buffalo, Western Michigan |
| 07 | RE | Cornell Heggie | | 1527 | 126 | 94 | Smyrna, GA | 6'5" | 291 | Top 5: Kent State, Charlotte, Eastern Michigan, Marshall, Coastal Carolina |
| 08 | ROLB | Nathan Lucien | | 1553 | 32 | 67 | Pittston, PA | 5'11" | 222 | Top 5: Kent State, UMass, Ohio, Buffalo, Marshall |
| 09 | SS | Layne Flanagan | | 1574 | 42 | 46 | Upper Marlboro, MD | 6'1" | 211 | Top 5: UMass, Kent State, Buffalo, Eastern Michigan, Marshall |
| 10 | MLB | Vernon Davey | | 1610 | 66 | 92 | Broadview Heights, OH | 6'1" | 221 | Top 5: Kent State, Ohio, Ball State, Buffalo, Northwestern |
| 11 | ATH(LB) | Ethan Boyett | | 1633 | 44 | 93 | Severn, MD | 6'3" | 234 | Top 5: Kent State, Buffalo, Eastern Michigan, Marshall, Charlotte |
| 12 | ATH(DE) | Alami Kumar | | 1652 | 43 | 99 | West Bloomfield, MI | 6'3" | 250 | Top 5: Kent State, Eastern Michigan, New Mexico State, Temple, Georgia State |
| 13 | C(JUCO) | Larry Morris | | 1695 | 70 | 51 | Stow, OH | 6'3" | 292 | Top 5: Kent State, Ohio, Ball State, Buffalo, Marshall |
| 14 | K | Pat Thompson |  | 2464 | 47 | 45 | Merrillville, IN | 5'9" | 172 | Top 3: Kent State, Indiana, Ball State |
The McAlary Effect
Kent State ranked for the first time in 13 years
Flashes were last ranked in 2012
By Martin Green | @mgreenmacsports | December 2, 2025
Kent State is ranked #20 in the most recent version of the college football poll. The last time Kent State was ranked was in 2012 when they spent four weeks ranked at the end of the season before losing to Arkansas State in the GoDaddy.com Bowl to drop out of the polls. They climbed as high as 18th during that run.
The only other time the Golden Flashes cracked the top 25 was in 1973 when they were ranked 17th for one week after starting their season 7-1. A loss to Miami of Ohio knocked them out of the rankings.
Kent State will face Bowling Green for the MAC Championship this Saturday. Should they win they could secure the highest ranking ever for the school.
Kent State defeated Bowling Green by a score of 35-10 on November 1st.
The McAlary Effect
Kent State Game Preview
Miami of Ohio
By Don Knotts | @theotherdonknotts | November 26, 2025
10-2/8-0 | 8-4/6-2
Saturday, December 13 2025 | 1:00PM
Detroit, MI | Ford Field
Team Leaders:
Passing
QB Frederick Collie 1,617Yds 10TD 8Int
Rushing
HB Terion Stewart 810Yds 7TD
QB Frederick Collie 358Yds 2TD
HB Marlon Gunn Jr 196Yds 5TD
Receiving
TE Harold Fannin Jr 491Yds 3TD
WR Jimmy Valsin III 462Yds 1TD
WR Finn Hogan 347Yds 1TD
Defense
CB Xander Pratt 57Tkl
LB Justin Eklund 54Tkl
FS Tracy Revels 52Tkl
DE Garrison McNeal 11.0Sck
DE Joe Shimko 7.0Sck
FS Tracy Revels 3Int
FS TJ Nelson 3Int
CB Kal-El Pascal 2Int
Injuries
Kent State: None
Bowling Green: WR RJ Garcia II
The McAlary Effect
Kent State has been balling all season. Don't see Bowling Green upsetting them here in the conference championship
The McAlary Effect
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