Through five games, the UMass football team has only scored more than 10 points one time. That instance came against an FCS opponent (Bryant) in a game the Minutemen lost 27-26.
Nothing has gone right for UMass. Whether it be the injury-riddled defense, the inconsistency at quarterback or the inability to move the ball down the field, the Minutemen haven’t come close to competing with an FBS team in four tries.
Saturday is perhaps their best chance to do so, as UMass travels to Kent State (1-4) to take on a Golden Flashes team that hasn’t defeated an FBS team of their own since the final game of the 2022 season. Kent State’s lone win of 2025 came against Merrimack in Week 1, and it took a kick return touchdown in the final minutes to earn it.
Following a disappointing homecoming weekend in which UMass mustered only a field goal in a 21-3 loss to Western Michigan, head coach Joe Harasymiak is optimistic his group can get back on track this weekend against a team that mirrors the Minutemen’s recent struggles.
“First MAC road game coming up for us against a great opponent that’s kind of in a similar situation as us,” Harasymiak said of Kent State. “They’re playing hard and doing all the right things, and they’re just probably not getting the results that they want yet. It’s going to be a great game, a tight one. I’ve got a lot of respect and have coached with some of their coaches. I got a chance to sit down with [Golden Flashes head coach Mark] Carney at media day and spend some time with him, so I know he’s about the right stuff. I’m looking forward to the opportunity.”
UMass’ offense may be even more short-handed than it already is on Saturday, as Jacquon Gibson and Rocko Griffin — maybe the team’s two best offensive players through five weeks — were banged up in the Western Michigan game and were limited participants in practice earlier this week.
Harasymiak hopes that both of them will be able to suit up on Saturday, but is confident in his next group of play makers to fill their voids if not.
Everybody’s in the middle of the forest. You can’t see where you entered and you can’t see the exit.
UMass hc joe harasymiak
“[Gibson and Griffin] were out there running [in practice],” Harasymiak said. “We’ll see how they progress during the week. We’re going to need every one of these days to kind of get them back, so we’ll see how that goes. If they can’t go at all, then it’s another opportunity for guys to step up. If they can, it’s probably going to have to be somewhat of a limited role… That’s kind of where everybody’s at right now. Everybody’s in the middle of the forest. You can’t see where you entered and you can’t see the exit. But I know those two, their mindset will put them in the best position to be available so hopefully we get them back.”
In Kent State’s last four games (all losses), it has played three nationally ranked opponents on the road and hosted a Buffalo team that was picked to finish third in the MAC. The Golden Flashes lost 62-14 to Texas Tech, 66-10 to Florida State and 44-0 to Oklahoma in a game in which their starting quarterback, Dru DeShields, did not play.
Against Buffalo, however, Kent State pushed the Bulls for 60 minutes in a contest that went down to the wire. The Flashes embarked on a 21-play, 93-yard touchdown drive that took 12 minutes, 15 seconds off the clock and they took the lead 28-24 with less than three minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. Buffalo responded with a 76-yard scoring drive to win the game 31-28 in the final minute.
Showing fight against a quality opponent is something UMass has not yet done in 2025. Despite Kent State’s poor record of late, the Minutemen are still going to have their hands full.
“Their quarterback didn’t play last week, but he scares me,” Harasymiak said about DeShields. “He has the ability, when things break down, he can run, and he was out-running the Buffalo defense a lot. Their wideouts are talented. I think they have speed there. I think it’s going to be a challenge for us. The explosive plays have hurt them like it was hurting us in the beginning of the year. But again, I’ve said this before and I’ve said it against Bryant, we’re in no position to [view] anybody differently. Every opponent is a nameless and faceless opponent.”
It’s still up in the air on whether DeShields will play or not, and Harasymiak is preparing for all three — DeShields, Devin Kargman and Deante Ruffin — Kent State quarterbacks. As for UMass quarterback situation, Brandon Rose was back in the starting lineup against the Broncos last weekend. But after a below-average outing, Harasymiak benched him for AJ Hairston in the third quarter.
A starter has not been named for Saturday and similarly to UMass preparing for three arms, the Golden Flashes will also have to do so — Grant Jordan included.
“We got to go with who gives us the best chance, and I am very confident that the guy that trots out there on Saturday will do that,” Harasymiak said. “But just like we don’t know who their quarterback is, they can go ahead and prepare for everybody.”
UMass hasn’t started a season 0-6 since 2017, and will have to win on Saturday to avoid doing so. Kickoff against Kent State is slated for 2:30 p.m., and streaming is available on ESPN-plus.