The Bulls conclude the regular season with four-straight victories, while extending Kent State’s losing streak to 21.
Imperfection was officially attained Tuesday night at UB Stadium.
The Buffalo Bulls hammered the final nail in the coffin in a 43-7 rout, completing the Kent State Golden Flashes’ winless season.
Kent State concluded the year as the only winless FBS team at 0-12. They became the first 0-12 finisher since 2019 Akron after Tuesday night’s annihilation. Kent State’s defeat at Buffalo marked its 21st-straight loss, tying a program record set in 1983. The Golden Flashes chalked up a 1-23 record across the past two seasons under head coach Kenni Burns, including an 0-22 record vs. FBS competition and an 0-16 record vs. MAC opponents.
On Tuesday night, the Golden Flashes lost their 10th game of the year in wire-to-wire fashion, trailing 26-0 at halftime before attaining their first point in the third quarter. Buffalo ensured Kent State would never lead by more than seven or lead after a first quarter in the entire 2024 season. The Bulls more than doubled Kent State in the yardage department and limited the Golden Flashes to a 1-of-11 showing on third down and an 0-of-2 performance on fourth down.
Meanwhile, Buffalo improved to 8-4 after attaining its fourth-straight victory. It’s been a highly successful November for the Bulls under first-year head coach Pete Lembo, especially on the offensive end, as Tuesday represented their fourth-consecutive game scoring 37+ points.
Running back Al-Jay Henderson shattered his career-high with 185 rushing yards, punching in a 20-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. Quarterback CJ Ogbonna shined as a dual-threat, tossing three touchdowns and 193 yards on 14 completions, while adding two touchdowns and 51 yards as an effective runner. Wide receiver Victor Snow rounded out the spectacular individual performances as the only Bull to corral multiple receptions. He snagged eight of Ogbonna’s passes, taking them for 99 yards and one touchdown.
Buffalo’s defense also overwhelmed a Kent State offense which entered the night last in the FBS in yardage. The Bulls invaded the backfield on the regular with six sacks and 13 tackles for loss with the effort spearheaded by star inside linebacker Shaun Dolac. Dolac, who was snubbed as a Bednarik Award finalist despite leading the country in tackles and interception return yards, made quite a statement with 13 tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks in a commanding performance. Red Murdock, Dion Crawford, and Kobe Stewart also racked up multiple tackles for loss as Buffalo’s front limited Kent State to 2.9 yards per rushing attempt.
Kent State trotted into Buffalo fielding a -11 turnover margin and the Golden Flashes actually improved that statistic on the road, winning the turnover battle 2-1. However, Buffalo’s defense simply generated stop after stop, forcing nine attempts from Kent State punter Josh Smith. Kent State’s offense was hampered by the unavailability of star wide receiver Chrishon McCray. In his absence, the Golden Flashes recorded just 102 passing yards with every reception landing in the hands of Luke Floriea or Jay Jay Etheridge.
Kent State (0-12, 0-8 MAC) is one of two FBS teams to complete its 2024 season. The Golden Flashes will regroup in the offseason with plenty to address after recording the first 0-12 campaign of the 2020s decade. For the second-straight year, Kent State posts the standalone worst winning percentage in the FBS, and this time, there is nowhere to go but up.
Buffalo (8-4, 6-2 MAC) is technically alive for the MAC Championship Game after accumulating its fourth-straight win. The Bulls must rely on Miami (OH) to defeat Bowling Green, Eastern Michigan to defeat Western Michigan, and Northern Illinois to defeat Central Michigan in order to face Ohio for the conference crown. While Buffalo hopes the balls bounce their way, they await a bowl bid to conclude a highly-successful inaugural year under Lembo.