Merrimack at Kent State - 2025 Matchup Preview
Merrimack logo   Merrimack Warriors at Kent State Golden Flashes  Kent State logo
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)
'25 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Our Line: -17  (SP+ KENT -19)
KENT Win prob: 67% | Cover: 51%
Golden Flashes (5 - 7) (7 - 5 - 0)
Coach Kenni Burns (1 - 23)
Avg Score : 21 - 34 (26 - 21 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 5 - 7 (#86)
'25 Opponents: (Elite: 1) (Good: 2) (Avg: 1) (Bad: 7)
 
Merrimack's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 8/30 Merrimack at Kent State+5.550.5L 17 - 21UY
BYE WEEK
Sat 9/13 Merrimack at Kennesaw State+17.544.5L 13 - 27UY

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
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 8/30 Kent State vs Merrimack-5.550.5W 21 - 17UN
Sat 9/6 Kent State at Texas Tech+48.560.0L 14 - 62OY
Sat 9/13 Kent State vs Buffalo+23.548.5L 28 - 31OY
Sat 9/20 Kent State at Florida State+44.556.5L 10 - 66ON
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/4 Kent State at Oklahoma+46.553.5L 0 - 44UY
Sat 10/11 Kent State vs Massachusetts-1.549.5W 42 - 6UY
Sat 10/18 Kent State at Toledo+25.548.5L 10 - 45ON
Sat 10/25 Kent State vs Bowling Green+7.547.5W 24 - 21UY
BYE WEEK
Wed 11/5 Kent State at Ball State+3.048.5L 13 - 17UN
Tue 11/11 Kent State at Akron+7.549.5W 42 - 35OY
Wed 11/19 Kent State vs Central Michigan+7.550.5L 16 - 28UN
Fri 11/28 Kent State at Northern Illinois+5.045.0W 35 - 31OY

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 (2024)
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
MER0%150%000%000%240%0%0000
KENT#131 (.01)30% (134)21.333% (132)2.57 (128)7829% (134)1552.89 (130)#133 (.35)50% (131)33.650% (123)51% (130)4.34 (115)35.71.70.9
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
MER0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
KENT0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2024
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
MER Offense215150%00000000%0%0%0%0%
KENT Defense1233.620.650.1%4.340.9 - - - - - 55%45%50%51%12%.35
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
MER Defense224240%00 - - - - - 0%0%0%0%0%
KENT Offense1221.326.230.5%2.891.713233781552.447%51%33%29%28%.01

Additional Stats 2024
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
Merrimack20:000NAN%0%0000000100
Kent State1226:5212.919%38%4.835.71.70.94.71.5027.2
Run Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
MER Offense20%0%000000%0%0
KENT Defense1255% (113)50% (123) - - - - .3 (132)3.58 (133)81% (115)8% (111)1.13 (122)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
MER Defense20%0% - - - - 00%0%0
KENT Offense1247% (91)33% (132)32.377.52.43 (134)-.07 (132)2.57 (128)61% (123)19% (134)0.95 (72)

Pass Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
MER Offense20%0%000000000%0%0%0
KENT Defense1245% (25)51% (130) - - - - - - 4 (125).41 (126)1.5 (23)28% (124)38% (127).42 (109)4% (127)1.8 (15)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
MER Defense20%0% - - - - - - 000%0%0%0
KENT Offense1251% (54)29% (134)11.624.5155.46.313.418 (68)13 (103).14 (109)2.1 (2)41% (134)19% (134).11 (132)8% (128)2.7 (1)

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

Average Talent
Average NEC Talent Rating is 0
Average Power Five Talent: 877.82
Average FBS Talent: 715.76

Power Ratings Matchup
Merrimack:    Kent State: -16.99

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Merrimack:    Kent State: -19.3




Kent State's Power Ratings
Kent State's Power Rating: -16.99  #130
Kent State's Offense Rating: 2.18  #129
Kent State's Defense Rating: 21.86  #121
2025 Talent Rating: 516.00  #115
Blue Chip Ratio: 0  #101
Kent State's 2025 Expected Record: 5.0 - 7.0
Kent State's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: -19.3  #130
Kent State's Offense SP+ Rating: 17.0  #125
Kent State's Defense SP+ Rating: 34.9  #120

Average Talent
Average Mid-American Talent Rating is 571
Average Power Five Talent: 877.82
Average FBS Talent: 715.76


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
Over/Under Record: 0 - 2
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 21

Projected Total Points: 45
Kent State Scoring
Offense: 21.3 PPG
Offense at Home: 26.2
Defense: 33.6 PPG
Defense at Home: 20.6

Kent State's 2025 Record
Record: 5 - 7
Record vs Spread: 7 - 5 - 0
Over/Under Record: 6 - 6
Record at home: 3 - 2
Record vs Spread at home: 3 - 2 - 0
Record as Fav vs Spread: 1 - 1 - 0
Record as Home Fav vs Spread: 1 - 1 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202508/30Kent State21Merrimack17Kent State -5.5Merrimack50.5Under
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Kent State100 Overs
Merrimack011 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams1 - 00 - 10 - 10 - 0
Road Teams0 - 11 - 00 - 01 - 0

(#) MER at (#130) KENT
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatMERKENT
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwrNR #130
SP+SP+NR #130
Perf GradeGradeNR #128
OffenseOffNR #119
DefenseDefNR #126
Spec TeamsSTNR #116
TalentTalNR #115
Blue ChipsBC%NR #101
Kent State Notes
(11/28) Beat NIU to finish 4-3. Incredible job by Mark Carney
(11/5) Coaching malpractice by Carney vs Ball St
(11/5) Blew game vs Ball St. Coaching & stupidity
(10/31) Huge W over BG, but BG had no one at QB
(10/31) WR Cade Wolford a name to know, 26.3 ypc, 6 TD
(10/31) QB Deshields can play, just so bad on OL/DL
(10/30) Mark Carney interim no more, permanent HC
(9/13) Off much improved vs Buffalo. Impressive
(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
Kent State Injury Report
Merrimack on Offense
CategoryCat
MER OffKENT Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNR #126
SuccessSucNR #131
ExplosiveExpNR #79
PPAPPANR #133
PowerPwrNR #121
SP+SP+NR #120
Pts POPPONR #115
HavocHavNR #127
Merrimack Run Game
CategoryCat
MER OffKENT Def
Run GameRunNR #122
Run SuccessRSucNR #123
Run ExplRExpNR #122
PPAExpNR #132
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLYNR #133
Stuff RateStuffNR #133
TackleTak -  #98
Merrimack Pass Game
CategoryCat
MER OffKENT Def
Pass GamePassNR #132
Pass SuccessPSucNR #130
Pass ExplPExlNR #23
PPAExpNR #126
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNR #58
F7 HavocF7NR #111
DB HavocDBNR #127
Kent State on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 46%, Run: 52%
CategoryCatKENT OffMER Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerf #119NR
SuccessSuc #134NR
ExplosiveExp #1NR
PPAPPA #131NR
PowerPwr #129NR
SP+SP+ #125NR
Pts POPPO #130NR
HavocHav #134NR
Kent State Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 46%, Run: 52%
CategoryCat
KENT OffMER Def
Run GameRun #128NR
Run SuccessRSuc #132NR
Run ExplRExp #72NR
PPAExp #132NR
Run BlockR Blk #96 -
OL YdsOLY #128NR
Stuff RateStuff #126NR
TackleTak - NR
Kent State Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 46%, Run: 52%
CategoryCatKENT OffMER Def
Pass GamePass #108NR
Pass SuccessPSuc #134NR
Pass ExplPExl #2NR
PPAExp #109NR
Pass Block/RushP Blk #136NR
F7 HavocF7 #134NR
DB HavocDB #128NR
Program Comparison
KENT 5 Year Profile: Consistent Poor G5
'25 Profile: Remains Poor G5

MER 5 Year Profile: Consistent Poor G5
'25 Profile: Remains Poor G5

Weather Forecast
Playing in Dix Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
Rematch from Week 1
Kent State -5.5 (50.5)
Kent State won vs Merrimack this year (21-17)

Previous Matchups
Kent State beat Merrimack last year (21-17)

  
MER's OC ()
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Ayden Pereira15931051%1846976.0
Aveon Smith92438%119135.0
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Ayden Pereira19385674.432
Brendon Wyatt7330434.263
DeMarcus McElroy5825614.463
Aveon Smith5124014.729
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Seth Sweitzer31403313.036
Austin Palmer21287213.766
Cade Callahan19279314.750
Hayden Fisher22231010.543

View Merrimack's Full Roster

MER's DC ()
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Kendal Sims171000
DJ Frazier161110
Rajahn Cooper130001
RJ Chapman110000
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Bryce Warrick11110
Jabari Echols11100
Markeith Hogan31100
Cidney Johnson31100
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Rajahn Cooper130001
Garry Rosemond Jr.81001
Nate Palanica Jr.31001

KENT's OC Mark Carney (in his second season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Dru Deshields13624057%20301838.5
CJ Montes (Tr)101953%140117.4
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Gavin Garcia14664734.445
Jordan Nubin (Tr)7925313.225
Jahzae Kimbrough399702.512
Cade Wolford129718.131
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Cade Wolford19509726.879
Dashawn Martin33507415.475
Wayne Harris35383110.942
Ardell Banks12205217.138

View Kent State's Full Roster

KENT's DC Kody Morgan (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Mason Woods9411231
CJ Young898323
Joel Cordoba662011
Jaire Rawlison522106
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jamond Mathis (Tr)288663
CJ Young898323
Jelani Davis (Tr)244340
Mason Woods9411231
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jaire Rawlison522106
Terrell Miller301006
Jamond Mathis (Tr)288663