Kent State Snaps 21-Game Losing Streak In Thrilling Victory

The drought is officially over in Kent, Ohio. After 21 straight losses spanning nearly two full seasons, Kent State finally tasted victory again, defeating Merrimack 21-17 in a heart-stopping season opener that had everything you could ask for in college football.

Interim Head Coach Mark Carney got his first win in dramatic fashion, thanks to a spectacular 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Da’Realyst Clark with just over five minutes remaining. The junior fielded the kick a couple of yards deep in the end zone and exploded up the right sideline, bouncing off tacklers near the 30-yard line before racing untouched to pay dirt.

The timing couldn’t have been more perfect. Merrimack had just taken its first and only lead of the game on Carlton Thai’s 45-yard field goal with 5:40 left on the clock. The Warriors looked poised to spoil the party, but Clark had other plans.

Kent State Ends Nightmare Losing Streak

This victory means everything to a program that hadn’t won since beating Central Connecticut 38-10 back in September 2023. The Golden Flashes went through the rest of that season winless, then suffered through a brutal 0-12 campaign in 2024. Players transferred, coaches were fired, and hope seemed to fade with each passing week.

But something felt different on this muggy Saturday afternoon at Dix Stadium. The crowd of 8,647 sensed it. The players felt it. And when Clark crossed that goal line, you could feel the weight of 21 games worth of frustration and disappointment lift off everyone’s shoulders.

Key Moments and Performances in the Game

The heroes emerged when Kent State needed them most:

• Cade Wolford’s breakout performance: The receiver caught just two passes, but they went for 109 yards and both touchdowns. His first score came on a 30-yard strike from CJ Montes in the second quarter. The second was even more spectacular – a 79-yard bomb from Dru DeShields early in the third quarter.
• Da’Realyst Clark’s game-winner: The 100-yard kickoff return will be replayed for years to come. Clark showed incredible vision and balance, staying upright after contact and finding the open field for the decisive score.
• CJ Montes’ steady leadership: The Fordham transfer completed 5-of-6 passes for 82 yards and a touchdown in his Kent State debut, providing the steady hand this program desperately needed.
• Merrimack’s late rally: The Warriors showed real grit, scoring on three of four possessions in the second half. Ayden Pereira threw for 176 yards and ran for 103 more, nearly pulling off the upset.
• Defensive turnover: Merrimack forced a crucial Kent State fumble in the fourth quarter, setting up the go-ahead field goal and making Clark’s heroics necessary.

The game had plenty of nervous moments for Kent State faithful. The Golden Flashes led 14-3 early in the third quarter but watched Merrimack claw back. Pereira found Seth Sweitzer for a 36-yard touchdown pass, then hit Aveon Smith for the two-point conversion to tie it at 14-14.

When Thai nailed that 45-yard field goal to give Merrimack the lead, you could almost hear the collective groan from the home crowd. Here we go again, they must have thought. Twenty-two straight losses seemed like a real possibility.

But Clark had magic in his legs and redemption in his heart. His return will go down as one of the most important plays in recent Kent State history – not just because it won the game, but because it finally gave this program something to celebrate again.