Kent State takes down Bowling Green for second MAC Championship
Chrishon McCray's pair of fourth quarter TDs the difference
By Don Knotts | @theotherdonknotts | December 14, 2025
24 | 38
Saturday, December 13 2025 | 1:00PM
Detroit, MI | Ford Field
(8-5/6-3)|07|07|00|10|24
(11-2/9-0)|07|14|03|14|38
KENT STATE CELEBRATES THEIR MAC CHAMPIONSHIP
---
Detroit, Michigan - Kent State held off a strong effort by Bowling Green to claim their second ever MAC Championship and their second ever since winning it in 1972.
Following a three and out by Bowling Green it was Kent State's Gavin Garcia cashing in for a touchdown run from a yard out to cap a six play drive. Bowling Green answered with an eight yard touchdown run by Marlon Gunn Jr that tied things up at 7-7.
Kent State answered that score with a 17 play scoring drive, culminating in a Curtis Douglas one yard run early in the second quarter.
Following a Bowling Green three and out Kent State gave the lead away when Tommy Ulatowski was picked off by Bowling Green cornerback Jace Henry who jumped a drag route and took the pick to the house, tying the game at 14-14.
Kent State retook the lead with around three minutes left in the half when Ulatowski connected with Mohammed Hazime for an eight yard touchdown pass. The play was reviewed due to Hazime's proximity to the endline but the play would stand. Kent State led 21-14 at the break.
Will Hryszko made it 24-14 when he hit a 20 yard field goal at then end of a fifteen play drive for Kent State to start the second half.
Bowling Green would punt then Kent State turned the ball over on downs after failing to convert a fourth down attempt in Bowling Green territory.
Kent State's Jamar Hinton got the ball back a few plays later with an interception of a Heinrich Haarberg pass on the second play of the fourth quarter.
Kent State would go three and out with Ulatowski being sacked on back to back plays. Bowling Green cut into the lead with a 28 yard Ethan Warner field goal, making the score 24-17 Kent State.
On first and ten from their own 48 yard line Ulatowski took the snap and rolled to his right before firing a pass to a wide open Chrishon McCray at the Bowling Green 44 yard line just inside the numbers. McCray secured the pass, spun around a Bowling Green defender at the 18 yard line then slipped out of another tackle attempt before sprinting to the endzone. Hryszko made it 31-17 with the kick, giving Kent State a bit of breathing room.
Bowling Green took six plays to answer the score with Haarberg connecting with tight end Harold Fannin Jr for a six yard touchdown, making it a one score game yet again at 31-24.
With time running out Bowling Green attempted an onside kick. Kent State recovered. Garcia ran for a gain of eight to the Bowling Green 44 yard line.
Facing second down with two yards to go for a first down that would help them ice the game Kent State came to the line. Bowling Green came out with eight in the box with no safety help. Ulatowski could be seen changing the play. Ulatowski took the snap and Bowling Green sent the blitz. Ulatowski launched a deep ball down the left hash and McCray ran under it, securing it for a touchdown before Bowling Green's defense could recover. Hryszko made it 38-24.
Bowling Green managed a first down before Jaire Rawlison knocked down fourth down pass attempt and Kent State ran out the clock to secure the win and start their celebration.
“We thought in that situation that they may send a blitz.” Kent State offensive coordinator Jordan McAlary replied when asked about the late touchdown. “I told Tommy to look for it and we called a few plays in the huddle. He got us in the right one and he and Chrishon executed. Ball game.”
Kent State will take some time to celebrate while they await the bowl committee's decision on which bowl game they will appear in and who they will face.
“You don't get a lot of opportunities to enjoy a win for too long.” First year head coach Tyson Veidt said following the win. “We'll savor this one for a bit and then start preparing for the next one.”
Ulatowski finished up with 295 yards and three touchdowns against one interception. He was sacked five times.
Garcia led the way with 150 yards rushing on 30 carries with a score.
Chrishon McCray, who was named the game's MVP, caught 10 passes for 172 yards and two scores.
---
Additional Media
---
Scoring
1Q KENT Gavin Garcia 2 Yd run (Will Hryszko kick)
1Q BGSU Marlon Gunn Jr 7 Yd run (Ethan Warner kick)
2Q KENT Curtis Douglas 1 Yd run (Will Hryszko kick)
2Q BGSU Jace Henry 51 Yd pick six (Ethan Warner kick)
2Q KENT Mohammed Hazime 8 Yd pass from Tommy Ulatowski (Will Hryszko kick)
3Q KENT Will Hryszko 20 Yd FG
4Q BGSU Ethan Warner 28 Yd FG
4Q KENT Chrishon McCray 52 Yd pass from Tommy Ulatowski (Will Hryszko kick)
4Q BGSU Harold Fannin Jr 6 Yd pass from Heinrich Haarberg (Ethan Warner kick)
4Q KENT Chrishon McCray 44 Yd pass from Tommy Ulatowski (Will Hryszko kick)
Key Statistics
Passing - T. Ulatowski 22/31 295Yds 3TD 1Int
Rushing – G. Garcia 30Car 150Yds 1TD, C. Douglas 4Car 18Yds 1TD
Receiving – C. McCray 10Rec 172Yds 2TD, M. Hazime 3Rec 49Yds 1TD, D. Bennett 3Rec 31Yds
Tackles – H. Kutcher 9, J. Hinton 6
Sacks – J. Jameson 0.5, R. Nicholl 0.5
Takeaways – J. Hinton 1 Int
Kicking – W. Hryszko 1/1FG 5/5XP
Passing – H. Haarberg 9/19 117Yds 1TD 1Int
Rushing – T. Stewart 16Car 121Yds, H. Haarberg 7Car 48Yds, M. Gunn Jr 1Car 8Yds 1TD
Receiving – C. McNeal 3Rec 45Yds, H. Fannin Jr 3Rec 25Yds 1TD, J. Valsin III 1Rec 19Yds
Tackles – X. Pratt 12, T. Revels 12
Sacks – D. Miles 2.0, J. Eklund 1.0, J. Shimko 1.0, J. Sipp Jr 0.5, D. White 0.5
Takeaways – J. Henry 1Int 1TD
Kicking – E. Warner 1/1FG 3/3XP
---
Up Next
BOWL SEASON
