It was only two years ago that folks were writing off the program entirely. Honestly, who could blame them? After a soul-crushing 2024 season where the Kent State Golden Flashes football team finished 0-12—literally the worst record in the FBS—the vibes around Dix Stadium were, well, pretty grim. They weren't just losing; they were getting historically dismantled, finishing dead last in both scoring offense and scoring defense.
But football is weird.
Fast forward to right now, January 2026, and the narrative has done a complete 180. Under Head Coach Mark Carney, who took over the reins officially in October 2025 after a stint as the interim, the Flashes just pulled off one of the most improbable "bounce-back" years in Mid-American Conference (MAC) history. They went from zero wins to five. That’s the fourth-largest turnaround in the country.
If you haven't been paying attention to what's happening in Kent, Ohio, you've missed a masterclass in roster stabilization.
The Mark Carney Era: Stability Over Hype
When Kenni Burns was let go in April 2025, the program was at a crossroads. They needed a fixer. Carney, who had been the offensive coordinator, didn't come in with a flashy "new era" marketing campaign. He basically just went to work.
He stabilized a locker room that had every reason to quit.
The 2025 season saw the Flashes finish 5-7 overall and 4-4 in the MAC. While that might not sound like a national championship run to a casual fan, it’s basically a miracle considering where they started. They capped the year with a gritty 35-31 win over Northern Illinois on the road. That game sort of mirrored their whole season: tough, slightly messy, but ultimately successful.
Why the Offense Finally Clicked
The biggest difference-maker was the development of sophomore quarterback Dru DeShields. In 2024, the QB room was a revolving door of interceptions and sacks. In 2025, DeShields took the leap. He threw for over 2,000 yards and 18 touchdowns, showing a level of poise that simply wasn't there during the winless drought.
He had help, too.
Cade Wolford turned into a legitimate problem for MAC secondaries, racking up seven receiving touchdowns and averaging a ridiculous 26.8 yards per catch. When you have a guy who can take the top off a defense like that, it opens up everything for the run game. Gavin Garcia took advantage, grinding out nearly 650 yards on the ground.
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It wasn't always pretty. They still got thumped by the big boys—Texas Tech, Florida State, and Oklahoma all put up 40+ points on them—but they stopped losing the games they were supposed to be competitive in. That's the first step to respectability.
The "Dark Side" Defense and the Clark Factor
You can't talk about Kent State Golden Flashes football without mentioning Da’Realyst Clark. The kid is a human highlight reel. He was recently named a Hero Sports G5 All-American and the MAC Special Teams Player of the Year.
Why? Because he’s a threat to score every time he touches the ball.
He had a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the season opener against Merrimack that set the tone for the entire year. It broke a massive losing streak and reminded the fans that winning actually feels good.
On the defensive side, the "Dark Side Defense" (as they call it) started to find its identity under coordinator Cherokee Valeria. They aren't the biggest unit in the world, but they've become opportunistic. They went from giving up 44 points a game in 2024 to being a group that can actually get off the field on third down.
The Portal Reality
Look, we have to be real about the modern game.
Just this week, news broke that wide receiver Da'Shawn Martin is heading to the portal to join Virginia. It hurts. Martin had over 500 yards and a 75-yard touchdown against Florida State last year. This is the "tax" that successful MAC programs pay. When you develop talent, the Power 4 schools come knocking with NIL checks.
Carney has to replace that production, and he’s doing it through a heavy emphasis on Ohio talent. The 2026 early signing class features 14 players from the Buckeye State, including Mentor’s Jackson Farley, who is a touchdown machine.
Looking Ahead to the 2026 Gauntlet
If you think 2025 was a test, look at the 2026 schedule. It’s brutal.
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- September 5: at South Carolina
- September 19: at Ohio State
These "buy games" are the lifeblood of the athletic department's budget, but they are physical grinds. Opening at Williams-Brice Stadium is going to be an atmosphere most of these recruits have never seen. Then, two weeks later, they head to the Horseshoe to face the Buckeyes.
The goal for 2026 isn't necessarily to beat Ohio State—let's be honest—it’s to survive those games healthy and use that experience to dominate the MAC.
What Most People Get Wrong About Kent State
There's this weird misconception that Kent State is a "basketball school" or that the football program is just a placeholder. People forget the history. This is the school that produced Nick Saban, Lou Holtz, and James Harrison. Julian Edelman played quarterback here.
The DNA for winning exists; it just needs the right environment.
Carney seems to be building that. He’s focused on "Football Excellence Funds" and upgrading the facilities at Dix Stadium to keep up with the Toledos and Miamis of the world. The gap is closing.
Actionable Insights for Flashes Fans
If you're looking to follow the team this off-season or get more involved, here’s what you should actually be doing:
- Watch the Transfer Portal closely: With Da'Shawn Martin out, the Flashes need a veteran WR. Watch for Carney to bring in a "bounce-back" player from a Power 4 school who needs more targets.
- Monitor the O-Line depth: The 2026 class has five big offensive linemen, including 6'6" Gavin Kanar. If these guys can play early, Dru DeShields might actually have time to throw.
- Check out the 2026 Early Signees: Keep an eye on Kendall McNutt, a linebacker from St. Louis. The defense needs a thumper in the middle, and his high school tape is aggressive.
- Support the local NIL collectives: If you want to keep guys like Clark or DeShields from jumping to the portal next year, the "Football Excellence Fund" is basically where that battle is won or lost.
The Kent State Golden Flashes football program is no longer the "easy win" on everyone's schedule. They’ve got a coach who actually wants to be there, a quarterback with a pulse, and a chip on their shoulder that only an 0-12 season can provide.
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The climb back to a bowl game is officially on.