Merrimack at Kent State - 2025 Matchup Preview

Merrimack Warriors at Kent State Golden Flashes

Saturday, August 30th 2025 (12:00 PM EDT)
Kent State -5.5 (50.5) (0) Open: -6.5 | 50.5
Kent State 21 - Merrimack: 17

Warriors (0 - 2) (2 - 0 - 0)
Coach ( - )
Avg Score : 15 - 24 (15 - 24 on Road)
Wins: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Losses: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Future: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)

Our Line: -17.5 (SP+ KENT -22)
KENT Win prob: 67% | Cover: 51%

Golden Flashes (1 - 2) (2 - 1 - 0)
Coach Mark Carney (Int) (0 - 0)
Avg Score : 21 - 37 (25 - 24 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 3.8 - 8.2 (#118)
Wins: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 1)
Losses: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 0)
Future: (Elite: 1) (Good: 2) (Avg: 1) (Bad: 7)

Matchup
Schedules
MER Players
KENT Players
Stats
Run/Pass
Ratings
Scoring
History

Merrimack's 2025 Schedule
Date	Matchup	Spread	Total	Result	O/U	Cover
Sat 8/30	Merrimack at Kent State	+5.5	50.5	L 17 - 21	U	Y
	BYE WEEK
Sat 9/13	Merrimack at Kennesaw State	+17.5	44.5	L 13 - 27	U	Y

Total: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Played: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Future: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Wins: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:
Losses: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:

Predictions for Merrimack's Schedule

Kent State's 2025 Schedule
Date	Matchup	Spread	Total	Result	O/U	Cover
Sat 8/30	Kent State vs Merrimack	-5.5	50.5	W 21 - 17	U	N
Sat 9/6	Kent State at Texas Tech	+48.5	60.0	L 14 - 62	O	Y
Sat 9/13	Kent State vs Buffalo	+23.5	48.5	L 28 - 31	O	Y
Sat 9/20	Kent State at Florida State	+45.5	55.5
	BYE WEEK
Sat 10/4	Kent State at Oklahoma	+49
Sat 10/11	Kent State vs Massachusetts	-6.5
Sat 10/18	Kent State at Toledo	+30
Sat 10/25	Kent State vs Bowling Green	+6
	BYE WEEK
Wed 11/5	Kent State at Ball State	+0
Tue 11/11	Kent State at Akron	+3
Wed 11/19	Kent State vs Central Michigan	-4.5
Fri 11/28	Kent State at Northern Illinois	+15.5

Total: Elite: 1, Good: 2, Avg 1, Bad 0, Poor 8
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 1
Future: Elite: 1, Good: 2, Avg 1, Bad 0, Poor 7
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 1
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Kent State's Schedule

Important Stats (2025)

Teams	Off Explosive.	Off Success	PPG	Rush Success	OL Yds Per Att	Rush YPG	Pass Success	Pass YPG	Off ScoreZone	Def Explosive.	Def Success	Def PPG	RunD Success	Pass D Success	Def ScoreZone	Penalty YPG	TO PG	Def TO PG
MER		0%	15	0%	0	0	0%	0	0		0%	24	0%	0%	0	0	0	0
KENT	#135 (-.08)	29% (134)	21	26% (135)	1.91 (133)	102	33% (116)	215	2.33 (126)	#92 (.18)	39% (66)	36.7	40% (76)	38% (58)	4 (89)	47.7	1	1

Teams	Off Explosive.	Off Success	PPG	Rush Success	OL Yds Per Att	Rush YPG	Pass Success	Pass YPG	Off ScoreZone	Def Explosive.	Def Success	Def PPG	RunD Success	Pass D Success	Def ScoreZone	Penalty YPG	TO PG	Def TO PG
MER		0%		0%	0	0	0%	0	0		0%		0%	0%	0	0	0	0
KENT	#131 (.01)	30% (134)		33% (132)	2.57 (128)	78	29% (134)	155	2.89 (130)	#133 (.35)	50% (131)		50% (123)	51% (130)	4.34 (115)	35.7	1.7	0.9

Overall Stats 2025

Teams	Games	PPG	PPG H/R	Success Rate	Pts PerOpp	TO	1stD PG	TotalYds PG	RushYds PG	PassYdsPG	RYPA	Run Rate	Pass Rate	Run Success	Pass Success	Havoc Rate	Total PPA
MER Offense	2	15	15	0%	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0%	0%	0%	0%	0%
KENT Defense	3	36.7	24	39%	4	1	-	-	-	-	-	48%	52%	40%	38%	10%	.18

Teams	Games	PPG	PPG H/R	Success Rate	Pts PerOpp	TO	1stD PG	TotalYds PG	RushYds PG	PassYdsPG	RYPA	Run Rate	Pass Rate	Run Success	Pass Success	Havoc Rate	Total PPA
MER Defense	2	24	24	0%	0	0	-	-	-	-	-	0%	0%	0%	0%	0%
KENT Offense	3	21	24.5	29.3%	2.33	1	15	317	102	215	2.7	56%	44%	26%	33%	18%	-.08

Additional Stats 2025

Teams	Games	Possession Time	1st Downs PG	3rd Down %	4th Down %	Penalties PG	Penalty Yds PG	Off TO PG	Def TO PG	TFL PG	Sacks PG	D/ST TDs	Avg Field Pos
Merrimack	2	0:00	0	NAN%	0%	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	100
Kent State	3	31:54	15	32%	44%	6.3	47.7	1	1	4	1	1	27

Run Game Stats (2025)

Teams	Games	Run Play Rate	Run Play Success	Rush Att PG	Rush Yds PG	Rush Yds Per Att	Rushing TDs	Run Pred Pts Added	OL Yds Per Att	3rd/4th & Short	Front 7 Havoc	Run Play Explosivness
MER Offense	2	0%	0%	0	0	0	0		0	0%	0%	0
KENT Defense	3	48% (54)	40% (76)	-	-	-	-	.14 (99)	2.65 (53)	44% (15)	7% (115)	1.09 (96)

Teams	Games	Run Play Rate	Run Play Success	Rush Att PG	Rush Yds PG	Rush Yds Per Att	Rushing TDs	Run Pred Pts Added	OL Yds Per Att	3rd/4th & Short	Front 7 Havoc	Run Play Explosivness
MER Defense	2	0%	0%	-	-	-	-		0	0%	0%	0
KENT Offense	3	56% (38)	26% (135)	38	102.3	2.7	3 (95)	-.19 (135)	1.91 (133)	57% (114)	12% (116)	0.66 (129)

Pass Game Stats (2025)

Teams	Games	PassPlay Rate	PassPlay Success	Comp PG	Att PG	Yds PG	Yds PA	Yds PC	TDs	Ints	PassPlays PPA	PassPlays Expl	PassDowns Rate	PassDowns Succ Rate	PassDowns PPA	DB Havoc	PassDowns Expl
MER Offense	2	0%	0%	0	0	0	0	0	0	0		0	0%	0%		0%	0
KENT Defense	3	52% (84)	38% (58)	-	-	-	-	-	-	1 (87)	.22 (70)	1.5 (68)	33% (62)	40% (124)	.44 (105)	3% (125)	1.6 (33)

Teams	Games	PassPlay Rate	PassPlay Success	Comp PG	Att PG	Yds PG	Yds PA	Yds PC	TDs	Ints	PassPlays PPA	PassPlays Expl	PassDowns Rate	PassDowns Succ Rate	PassDowns PPA	DB Havoc	PassDowns Expl
MER Defense	2	0%	0%	-	-	-	-	-	-	0		0	0%	0%		0%	0
KENT Offense	3	44% (95)	33% (116)	15	25.7	215	8.4	14.3	5 (54)	1 (23)	.06 (123)	2 (6)	39% (126)	16% (131)	-.09 (134)	6% (92)	2.6 (8)

Merrimack's Power Ratings
Merrimack's Power Rating: #NR
Merrimack's Offense Rating: #NR
Merrimack's Defense Rating: #NR
2025 Talent Rating: #
Blue Chip Ratio: 0% #NR
Merrimack's 2025 Expected Record: -
Merrimack's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: #N/A
Merrimack's Offense SP+ Rating: #N/A
Merrimack's Defense SP+ Rating: #N/A

Average Talent
Average NEC Talent Rating is 0
Average Power Five Talent: 877.82
Average FBS Talent: 715.85

Power Ratings Matchup
Merrimack: Kent State: -17.26

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Merrimack: Kent State: -21.7

Kent State's Power Ratings
Kent State's Power Rating: -17.26 #124
Kent State's Offense Rating: -0.51 #135
Kent State's Defense Rating: 17.31 #107
2025 Talent Rating: 516.00 #115
Blue Chip Ratio: 0 #101
Kent State's 2025 Expected Record: 3.8 - 8.2
Kent State's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: -21.7 #130
Kent State's Offense SP+ Rating: 18.2 #122
Kent State's Defense SP+ Rating: 39.6 #130

Average Talent
Average Mid-American Talent Rating is 567.54
Average Power Five Talent: 877.82
Average FBS Talent: 715.85

Merrimack Scoring
Offense: 15 PPG
Offense on Road: 15
Defense: 24 PPG
Defense on Road: 24

Merrimack's 2025 Record
Record: 0 - 2
Record vs Spread: 2 - 0 - 0
Record on Road: 0 - 2
Record vs Spread on Road: 2 - 0 - 0
Record as Dog vs Spread: 2 - 0 - 0
Record as Road Dog vs Spread: 2 - 0 - 0

Projected Score
Kent State 24
Merrimack 23

Total Points: 47

Kent State Scoring
Offense: 21 PPG
Offense at Home: 24.5
Defense: 36.7 PPG
Defense at Home: 24

Kent State's 2025 Record
Record: 1 - 2
Record vs Spread: 2 - 1 - 0
Record at home: 1 - 1
Record vs Spread at home: 1 - 1 - 0
Record as Fav vs Spread: 0 - 1 - 0
Record as Home Fav vs Spread: 0 - 1 - 0

Year	Date	Home	Score	Away	Score	Winner	Spread	Cover	Total	O/U
2025	08/30	Kent State	21	Merrimack	17	Kent State	Kent State -5.5	Merrimack	50.5	Under

Team	Wins	Covers	O/U
Kent State	1	0	0 Overs
Merrimack	0	1	1 Unders

	Wins	Covers	Favs	Dogs
Home Teams	1 - 0	0 - 1	0 - 1	0 - 0
Road Teams	0 - 1	1 - 0	0 - 0	1 - 0

(#NR) Merrimack Info
Power Rating: #NR
Offense Rating: #NR
Defense Rating: #NR
Overall SP+ Rating: #N/A
Offense SP+ Rating: #N/A
Defense SP+ Rating: #N/A
Talent Rating: #
Blue Chip Ratio: 0% #NR
Expected Record: -

Record on Road: 0 - 2 (2 - 0 - 0 vs Spread )

Merrimack Highlights
Merrimack is Undefeated vs Spread

Merrimack Deficiencies
Merrimack has a really bad Offense

Performance GradesPerf Grades
CategoryCat	KENT	MER
OverallOver	#99	—
OffenseOff	#111	—
DefenseDef	#65	—
Special TeamsST	#107	—
PassingPass	#55	—
RushingRush	#107	—
Run BlockRBLK	#116	—
Pass BlockPBLK	#119	—
Route RunningWR Rt	#76	—
TacklingTkl	#44	—
Run DefenseR Def	#38	—
Pass Rush DefPRush	#84	—
Coverage DefCov	#79	—

Rematch from Week 1
Kent State -5.5 (50.5)
Kent State won vs Merrimack this year (21-17)

Weather Forecast
Playing in Dix Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°

Team Information
Injuries: MER | KENT
Depth Chart: MER | KENT
Rosters: MER | KENT

(#124) Kent State Info
Power Rating: -17.26 #124
Offense Rating: -0.51 #135
Defense Rating: 17.31 #107
Overall SP+ Rating: -21.7 #130
Offense SP+ Rating: 18.2 #122
Defense SP+ Rating: 39.6 #130
Talent Rating: 516.00 #115
Blue Chip Ratio: 0 #101
Expected Record: 3.8 - 8.2

Team Profile
Run heavy Offense 56%, Pass: 44%
Awful Offense Success Rate of 29%
Awful Offensive Explosiveness
Awful in Scoring Position 2.33 PPO
Awful Run Success 26%
Awful Pass Success 33%
Awful OL Grades, Awful OL Yds Per Rush
Avg DL Grades, Awful Sacks/Turnovers
Avg Defense Success Rate of 39%
Poor in Scoring Position 4 PPO
Bad Run Def Success 40%
Avg Pass Def Success 38%
Awful Pressure/Havoc/Forcing TOs
Avg Field Position

Record at home: 1 - 1 (1 - 1 - 0 vs Spread)

Kent State Notes
(9/10) Two QB system w/ Deshields and Montes. Meh
(9/6) Physically does not look like FBS level ball
(8/30) QB DeShields/Montes meh, Run Off awful
(4/11) HC Burns fired, OC Carney Int HC for '25
(3/26) QB Kargman some exp, glorious hair
(3/26) RB rebuild, awful LY, Nubin (Minn) added.
(3/26) WR rebuild, surprisingly decent depth/options
(3/26) OL worst in CFB, 3/5 back, only 2 portals?
(3/26) Def near worst, 6 portals, 4 DBs
(3/26) Worst CFB team of last 4 years LY

Kent State Highlights

Kent State Deficiencies
Kent State Can Not Run the Ball (#122)
Kent State offense is really bad (#134)
Kent State offense is bad in Scoring Opportunities (#126)
Kent State run game is really bad (#135)
Kent State pass game is really bad (#116)
Kent State offense is bad on 3rd Downs
Kent State Defense Gives up a Lot of Points
Kent State does not Sack the QB (#112)

Merrimack's OC

Player Name	COMP	ATT	PCT	YDS	TD	INT	YPA
Ayden Pereira	47	81	58%	596	2	0	7.4
Aveon Smith	2	4	50%	50	0	1	12.5

Player Name	CAR	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Ayden Pereira	50	203	1	4.1	27
Brendon Wyatt	27	101	1	3.7	39
DeMarcus McElroy	18	64	0	3.6	14
Aveon Smith	6	42	1	7.0	22

Player Name	REC	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Jalen McDonald	12	169	0	14.1	34
Seth Sweitzer	9	143	1	15.9	36
Hayden Fisher	7	90	0	12.9	33
Cade Callahan	5	66	1	13.2	27

View Merrimack's Full Roster

Merrimack's DC

Top Def	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Kendal Sims	17	1	0	0	0
DJ Frazier	16	1	1	1	0
Rajahn Cooper	13	0	0	0	1
RJ Chapman	11	0	0	0	0

Sacks	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS
Bryce Warrick	1	1	1	1
Markeith Hogan	3	1	1	0
Jabari Echols	1	1	1	0
DJ Frazier	16	1	1	1

Pass D	Tack	TFL	PD
Rajahn Cooper	13	0	1
Garry Rosemond Jr.	8	1	1
Nate Palanica Jr.	3	1	1

Kent State's OC Mark Carney

Player Name	COMP	ATT	PCT	YDS	TD	INT	YPA
Dru Deshields	35	57	61%	513	4	0	9.0
CJ Montes (Tr)	10	19	53%	140	1	1	7.4

Player Name	CAR	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Gavin Garcia	45	135	0	3.0	11
Dru Deshields	24	61	2	2.5	10
Jahzae Kimbrough	16	45	0	2.8	12
Maurice Stephens	1	31	1	31.0	31

Player Name	REC	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Cade Wolford	7	223	4	31.9	79
Terik Mulder (Tr)	7	89	1	12.7	50
Wayne Harris	7	75	0	10.7	27
Ardell Banks	4	75	0	18.8	38

View Kent State's Full Roster

Kent State's DC Kody Morgan

Top Def	Tack	TFL	PRESS	PD
CJ Young	21	0	2	0
Mason Woods	20	2	1	0
Jaire Rawlison	19	2	0	2
Joel Cordoba	16	0	1	0

Sacks	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS
A.J. Campbell	6	2	1	0
Jamond Mathis (Tr)	6	1	1	5
Jelani Davis (Tr)	6	2	1	1
Thomas Aden (Tr)	6	1	1	0

Pass D	Tack	TFL	PD
Jaire Rawlison	19	2	2
Terrell Miller	3	0	2
Darian Blachewicz	3	1	1