gotta ruin their senior day
The McAlary Effect
The McAlary Effect
Can't stop the Flashes
Kent State makes it three straight with 50+ points
By Don Knotts | @theotherdonknotts | November 23, 2025
@
56 | 23
Saturday, November 22 2025 | 4:00PM
Mount Pleasant, Michigan | Kelly/Shorts Stadium
(9-2/7-0)|21|14|07|14|56
(2-9/1-6)|00|20|00|03|23
MCCRAY AND LEE CELEBRATE ONE OF THIER SIX COMBINED TOUCHDOWNS
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Mount Pleasant, Michigan – Kent State looks unstoppable lately as they put up over 50 points for the third straight game and pushed their win streak to eight games with 56-23 win at Central Michigan.
Tommy Ulatowski threw six touchdown passes, including four to Chrishon McCray who caught 11 passes for 232 yards in the win.
Donte Lee Jr caught three passes for 58 yards with two scores.
Gavin Garcia went for 123 yards on 25 attempts.
Kent State will wrap up their regular season next week on the road at Miami of Ohio.
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Scoring
1Q KENT Donte Lee Jr 9 Yd pass from Tommy Ulatowski (Will Hryszko kick)
1Q KENT Jaylen Dotson 26 Yd pick six (Will Hryszko kick)
1Q KENT Chrishon McCray 1 Yd pass from Tommy Ulatowski (Will Hryszko kick)
2Q CMU Khairi Megna 41 Yd FG
2Q CMU Tyler Dewitt 7 Yd run (Khairi Megna kick)
2Q KENT Chrishon McCray 30 Yd pass from Tommy Ulatowski (Will Hryszko kick)
2Q CMU Khairi Megna 25 Yd FG
2Q KENT Donte Lee Jr 10 yd pass from Tommy Ulatowski (Will Hryszko kick)
2Q CMU Tyson Davis 72 Yd pass from Joe Labas (Khairi Megna kick)
3Q KENT Chrishon McCray 83 Yd pass from Tommy Ulatowski (Will Hryszko kick)
4Q KENT Chrishon McCray 7 Yd pass from Tommy Ulatowski (Will Hryszko kick)
4Q KENT Curtis Douglas 2 Yd run (Will Hryszko kick)
4Q CMU Khairi Menga 24 Yd FG
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Key Statistics
Passing - T. Ulatowski 21/30 360Yds 6TD 2Int, D. Kargman 1/1 8Yds
Rushing – G. Garcia 25Car 123Yds, C. Douglas 11Car 48Yds 1TD
Receiving – C. McCray 11Rec 232Yds 4TD, D. Lee Jr 3Rec 58ds 2TD, M. Hazime 2Rec 30Yds, G. Garcia 2Rec 20Yds
Tackles – H. Kutcher 8, J. Hinton 7, C. Young 7
Sacks – J. Dotson 0.5, J. Jackson 0.5
Takeaways – J. Dotson 1Int 1TD, J. Hinton 1Int
Kicking – W. Hryszko 8/8XP
Passing – J. Labas 13/31 220Yds 1TD 2Int
Rushing – T. Dewitt 19Car 65Yds 1TD, J. Labas 6Car 13Yds
Receiving – T. Davis 2Rec 78Yds 1TD, L. Lewis 6Rec 69Yds, J. Kelly 3Rec 40Yds
Tackles – J. Kwiatkowski 16, J. Alston-Jackson 12
Sacks – J. Barnett 0.5, B. Deasfernandes 0.5, D. McCloud 0.5
Takeaways – J. Alston-Jackson 1Int, J. Kwiatkowski 1Int
Kicking – K. Menga 3/3FG 2/2XP
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Up Next
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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 24, 2025
MAC Scores
Ohio 23, Western Michigan 17
Miami(OH) 28, Eastern Michigan 20
Bowling Green 16, Akron 10
Northern Illinois 17, Toledo 9
Ball State 46, Buffalo 32
Kent State 56, Central Michigan 23
MAC Players of the Week
KENT CB Jaylen Dotson 6Tkl 1Int 1TD
KENT WR Chrishon McCray 11Rec 232Yds 4TD*
*=National Player of the Week
MAC Standings
| Team | W-L | PCT | CONF | PF | PA | HOME | AWAY | STK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kent State | 9-2 | .818 | 7-0 | 429 | 244 | 5-0 | 4-2 | W8 |
| Ohio | 9-2 | .818 | 5-1 | 371 | 242 | 5-2 | 4-0 | W5 |
| Bowling Green | 7-4 | .636 | 5-2 | 259 | 259 | 4-1 | 3-3 | W3 |
| Miami(OH) | 6-5 | .545 | 5-2 | 288 | 284 | 3-3 | 3-2 | W2 |
| Western Michigan | 7-4 | .636 | 4-3 | 283 | 247 | 5-2 | 2-2 | L1 |
| Toledo | 5-6 | .455 | 3-3 | 333 | 302 | 3-3 | 2-3 | L2 |
| Akron | 4-7 | .364 | 3-4 | 264 | 301 | 3-3 | 1-4 | L1 |
| Ball State | 4-7 | .364 | 3-4 | 241 | 330 | 3-1 | 1-6 | W1 |
| Eastern Michigan | 3-8 | .273 | 2-5 | 209 | 316 | 2-3 | 1-5 | L5 |
| Northern Illinois | 3-8 | .273 | 2-5 | 174 | 290 | 2-4 | 1-4 | W1 |
| Buffalo | 1-10 | .091 | 1-6 | 212 | 334 | 0-4 | 1-6 | L2 |
| Central Michigan | 2-9 | .182 | 1-6 | 189 | 347 | 2-4 | 0-5 | L5 |
Passing Yards: KENT T. Ulatowski 3,562
Passing TDs: TOL J. Richter, OHIO C. Wither 33
Rushing Yards: WMU J. Buckley 1,221
Rushing TDs: KENT G. Garcia 12
Receiving Yards: KENT C. McCray 1,478
Receiving TDs: KENT C. McCray 16
Tackles: NIU MLB J. Gassaway 109
Sacks: BGSU G. McNeal 11.0
Interceptions: MI-OH T. Rush 5
The McAlary Effect
Coaches Corner
Offensive Coordinator Jordan McAlary
By Don Knotts | @theotherdonknotts | November 24, 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 huge win at Central Michigan.
Wow! This team has looked pretty incredible these past few weeks. Aside from the Buffalo game last month you haven't played a close game in a while. How does that effect the team?
Well it's always good to win a game in convincing fashion for sure. Great for confidence. We try to temper that during the week. Not letting our heads get to big. As a coaching staff we continue to prepare for situations where you're in a tight game and you have to go out and get a win. We have a great defense as well so those sessions are pretty intense. Iron sharpens iron.
One last regular season game then likely on to the MAC Championship. Then a bowl game. Is it tricky to focus on this next game and not look ahead to what lies on the other side of it?
We're always looking at the season as a whole so you know there's discussions about that stuff at the appropriate times. When we're prepping for the game directly ahead of us we're locked in on that game.
Who's your Player of the Week?
Chrishon. Again.
The McAlary Effect
Surely Kent State has the most PPG in the NCAA
The McAlary Effect
Kent State lands three star CB Rabe
Flashes won battle vs App State for #123 CB
By Don Knotts | @theotherdonknotts | November 26, 2025
Three star cornerback Jamal Rabe from Daytona Beach, Florida has committed to Kent State. The Flashes were in a battle with Appalachian State for Rabe over the past several weeks with Kent State overtaking them for the top spot about a week ago. Rabe announced his commitment on Instagram yesterday. Rabe is extremely fast and nimble, using a quick change of direction to stay tight on receivers.
Germantown, Maryland's Zach McClung has narrowed his list down to three schools, Kent State remains at the top of the list with Old Dominion and Marshall rounding it out.
Tevin Cantrell, an interior offensive line prospect from Chesapeake, Virginia, has also narrowed his list to three schools. Kent State leads Liberty and Navy.
Zach Scmyzniak has narrowed his list to three options as well. Kent State is listed as second behind Army and ahead of UMass. Scmyzniak hails from Boston, Massachusetts and is listed as the nation's #30 LG.
Lyle Mixon, the #145 CB in the nation who hails from Atlanta, GA, has narrowed his list to three by eliminating Ball State and Marshall. Kent State is second, between Appalachian State and Ohio.
Maryland safety Layne Flanagan has reportedly moved UMass ahead of Kent State in his latest rankings. Flanagan is the #46 strong safety in the nation.
Defensive tackle Nazir Spears of Catawissa, Pennsylvania has committed to Ball State.
| Recruiting Class (Listed by National Ranking) | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| POS | NAME |  | NATL | STATE | POS | Home | HT | WT |
| 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(QB) | Deonte Dalton | | 477 | 17 | 39 | Long Branch, NJ | 5'11" | 218 | Top 3: Kent State, UMass, Temple |
| 02 | ATH(WR/TE) | Nick Sumner | | 516 | 18 | 31 | Dayton, OH | 6'1" | 230 | Top 3: Kent State, Ohio, New Mexico |
| 03 | ATH(TE) | Zach McClung | | 592 | 18 | 34 | Germantown, MD | 6'5" | 227 | Top 3: Kent State, Old Dominion, Marshall |
| 04 | FS | Jeremy Skaggs | | 978 | 7 | 39 | Urbandale, IA | 6'1" | 205 | Top 3: Kent State, Eastern Michigan, Western Michigan |
| 05 | ATH(G/C) | Tevin Cantrell | | 1030 | 22 | 32 | Chesapeake, VA | 6'2" | 287 | Top 3: Kent State, Liberty, Navy |
| 06 | RG | Tyrese Vernon | | 1202 | 23 | 55 | Erie, PA | 6'2" | 305 | Top 3: Kent State, Ohio, Buffalo |
| 07 | LG | Zach Scmysniak | | 1471 | 8 | 30 | Boston, MA | 6'5" | 306 | Top 3: Army, Kent State, UMass |
| 08 | TE | Brian Durant | | 1515 | 30 | 89 | Downingtown, PA | 6'5" | 238 | Top 5: Kent State, UMass, Navy, Buffalo, Western Michigan |
| 09 | RE | Cornell Heggie | | 1527 | 126 | 94 | Smyrna, GA | 6'5" | 291 | Top 5: Kent State, Charlotte, Eastern Michigan, Marshall, Coastal Carolina |
| 10 | ROLB | Nathan Lucien | | 1553 | 32 | 67 | Pittston, PA | 5'11" | 222 | Top 5: Kent State, UMass, Ohio, Buffalo, Marshall |
| 11 | SS | Layne Flanagan | | 1574 | 42 | 46 | Upper Marlboro, MD | 6'1" | 211 | Top 5: UMass, Kent State, Buffalo, Eastern Michigan, Marshall |
| 12 | MLB | Vernon Davey | | 1610 | 66 | 92 | Broadview Heights, OH | 6'1" | 221 | Top 5: Kent State, Ohio, Ball State, Buffalo, Northwestern |
| 13 | ATH(LB) | Ethan Boyett | | 1633 | 44 | 93 | Severn, MD | 6'3" | 234 | Top 5: Kent State, Buffalo, Eastern Michigan, Marshall, Charlotte |
| 14 | 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 |
| 15 | C(JUCO) | Larry Morris | | 1695 | 70 | 51 | Stow, OH | 6'3" | 292 | Top 5: Kent State, Ohio, Ball State, Buffalo, Marshall |
| 16 | CB | Lyle Mixon | | 1835 | 149 | 145 | Atlanta, GA | 5'10" | 176 | Top 5: Appalachian State, Kent State, Ohio |
| 17 | K | Pat Thompson |  | 2464 | 47 | 45 | Merrillville, IN | 5'9" | 172 | Top 5: Kent State, Indiana, Ball State, Middle Tennessee, Northwestern |
The McAlary Effect
And don't call me Shirley.
The McAlary Effect
Kent State OC expected to be hot commodity this cycle
McAlary's Flashes' offense one of the best in the nation
By Martin Green | @mgreenmacsports | November 26, 2025
Two years ago Kent State went 1-11 and averaged 14.7 points per game.
Enter offensive coordinator Jordan McAlary and with one game left in the season Kent State has one of the best offenses in the nation.
Here's a look at some of their numbers this season and how they rank nationally:
Total Offensive Yards: 5,447 (1st)
Pass Yards: 3,605 (3rd)
Rush Yards: 1,835 (5th)
Points Per Game: 39.0 (2nd)
Rushing Touchdowns: 28 (1st)
First Downs: 300 (1st)
Third Down %: 56% (1st)
Redone %: 73% (2nd)
McAlary also has some of his players playing at n incredible level. Wide receiver Chrishon McCray, who considered transferring before the season, leads the nation in receptions (88), Yards (1,478) and touchdowns (16). He is the current favorite for the Biletnikoff Award.
QB Tommy Ulatowski is third in the nation with 3,562 passing yards. RB Gavin Garcia is sixth nationally with 1,008 yards and is tied for the lead with 12 touchdowns.
Kent State head coach Tyson Veidt never misses an opportunity to heap praise upon McAlary.
“You guys get to see it on game day but we're witnessing it almost every day. Just the attention to detail on every aspect of every play. The ability to coach a wide variety of players and their learning styles. Always finding innovative ways to work different looks into the playbook. It's quite a thing to witness.”
Veidt, who took over in January after Kenni Burns shocked the program by leaving for the Michigan State defensive coordinator job, said he only needed one interview with McAlary to decide to retain his services.
“Just high level stuff from the moment I met him. Incredibly fortunate to have him in the mix here. We're glad to have him before he's on to something bigger.”
Talk among the analysts and experts is that McAlary will probably have his pick of the available offensive coordinator openings this winter and will almost certainly have a number of head coach offers.
McAlary was quick to shut down any talk of him leaving Kent State, insisting he was solely focused on this season, recruiting and the task at hand here.
Kent State is currently 9-2 with their final regular season game against Miami of Ohio this Saturday.
Kent State has only won more than nine games once, when they went 11-3 in 2012. This is just their fourth season with eight or more wins.
The McAlary Effect
Kent State Game Preview
Miami of Ohio
By Don Knotts | @theotherdonknotts | November 26, 2025
@9-2/7-0 | 6-5/5-2
Week 14
Saturday, November 29 2025 | 3:15PM
Oxford, OH | Fred C. Yager Stadium
2024 Record: 6-7/5-3
Team Leaders:
QB Wyatt Quinn 1,832Yds 10TD 4Int
HB Jordan Brunson 488Yds 9TD
WR Kamryn Perry 849Yds 6TD
LB Nolan Ziegler 72Tkl
DT Jamar Stackhouse 6.0Sck
CB TJ Rush 5Int
Injuries
Kent State: None
Miami(OH): HB J. Brunson, WR M. Reuben, LT W. Jados, LG B. Lawhorn Moore, K K. McLaughlin