For the first time all season, Kent State football did not score in the first half of a game.

Saturday in Ypsilanti, Mich., the Flashes lost 28-14 to Eastern Michigan.

The team lost four consecutive games for the first time since 2018.

“You can tell that they’re a very disciplined team who wasn’t going to beat themselves, and we have to learn from it and play better,” coach Kenni Burns said. “There were some positives, and we have to be better in some areas of the game, but like I just told the team, we all have to continue to make growth.”

The Flashes fell to 1-6 overall and are last in the Mid-American Conference East Division at 0-3. 

EMU improved to 4-3 on the season and is now in second place in the MAC West Division at 2-1. 

Miami (5-1, 2-1) leads the East, and Toledo (5-1, 2-0) leads the West.

To start the game, the Flashes attempted a surprise onside kick; however, EMU recovered the ball and returned it to the endzone for the game’s first touchdown, taking a 7-0 lead.  

“We saw something on tape and wanted to do a surprise onside right away because of how deep their first guy played on kickoffs,” Burns said.

This was the third kick return touchdown of the season for the Eagles. 

“We just didn’t know when, and then we decided on Thursday that the best time to do it right away,” Burns said. “For the reason we had more time and more game to make up for it if it didn’t go our way.”

The KSU defense limited the Eastern Michigan offense to eight total yards and five consecutive three-and-outs in the first half before allowing a 12-play 85-yard drive, which saw EMU running back Samson Evans rush for 19 yards for the game’s first offensive touchdown. The score was then 14-0. 

“We’ve to capitalize on field position in the first half and find ways to score points,” Burns said. “Our defense did exactly what I thought they were going to do after they scored; they created opportunities for us.”

KSU’s offense started 5 of 8 drives in the first half on its 40-yard line or better. 

Burn’s offense in the first struggled to gain momentum as it managed only one drive that saw more than five plays. 

“In the first half, you saw both quarterbacks in there, Tommy and Mike both, and that’s really what we want to do,” Burns said. “But the conditions kind of told us at halftime, this is going to be more of a running type game.”

Kent State trailed 14-0 at the break – the first time this season the Flashes were held scoreless.

During the first half, KSU led in yards (123-96), first downs (7-5) and time of possession (16:45-12:45)

After redshirt junior quarterback Mike Alaimo completed two of his eight passes for 11 yards in the first half, Burns elected to start sophomore quarterback Tommy Ulatowski in the second half.

The Eagles forced the Flashes to a failed fourth down conversion on their first drive after the break.

EMU would immediately work their way down the field after a seven-play 59-yard drive, ending with an 18-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Austin Smith. The score was now 21-0. 

Ulatowski led the Flashes to their first scoring drive of the game on a 14-yard completion to senior wide receiver Luke Floriea, making the score 21-7.

“Tommy gave us the best ability to run the ball to use his feet and use his legs and get out the pocket,” Burns said. “And then, as the game got going, we thought to ourselves, let’s just let him get in a rhythm and run with it.”

Eight minutes later, EMU responded with another score as Evans rushed for his second touchdown, making the score 28-7. 

With six minutes remaining in the game, Ulatowski connected once again with Floriea for a 43-yard touchdown. The score was now 28-14.

“I’m proud of how they fought to the end and are battling till the end of games,” Burns said, “which is good to see. We have a lot to build off on where we’re at right now.”

Ulatowski was 12-of-28 for 169 yards and two touchdowns. 

Redshirt freshman Chrishon McCray caught a team-high five passes for 70 yards; he has caught five passes in three consecutive games.

Floriea recorded three receptions for 63 yards and two touchdowns – his first scores of the season and first since 2021.

Redshirt senior running back Jaylen Thomas recorded a season-high 94 yards on 23 carries.

KSU totaled eight quarterback hits – EMU had 17.  

Looking ahead

KSU will now return home against Buffalo Oct. 21 at 3:30 p.m.

The Bulls have won two consecutive games and are 2-4 on the season, sitting in third place in the East Division at 2-0.

All-time Kent State is 14-14 against BU, winning three of the previous four matchups.

Buffalo is ranked third in the conference, averaging 28.2 points per game, and they allow the fifth most points per game at 33.5.

“We are all kind of growing at different paces right now,” Burns said. “Eventually, it just all comes together. Hopefully, we can figure that out sooner rather than later.”

Jacob Shondel is sports editor. Contact him at [email protected].