Kent State at South Carolina - 2026 Matchup Preview

Kent State Golden Flashes at South Carolina Gamecocks

Saturday, September 5th 2026 (12:00 AM EDT)
Williams-Brice Stadium - Columbia, SC

Golden Flashes (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Mark Carney (5 - 7)
Avg Score : 21 - 34 (18 - 43 on Road)
Record Prediction: 0 - 0 (#94)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)

Our Line: South Carolina -28.5 (SP+ SC -25)
Projected Score: KENT: 12 - SC: 40 (52)
SC Win prob: 97% | Cover: 52%
KENT Travel: 495 miles

Gamecocks (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Shane Beamer (33 - 30)
Avg Score : 23 - 22 (25 - 21 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 6 - 6 (#59)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 5) (Good: 2) (Avg: 3) (Bad: 1)

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

Kent State's 2026 Schedule
Date	Matchup	Spread	Total	Result	O/U	Cover
Sat 9/5	Kent State at South Carolina	+28.5
	BYE WEEK
Sat 9/19	Kent State at Ohio State	+49
	BYE WEEK
Sat 10/17	Kent State at South Florida	+27.5

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 Kent State's Schedule

South Carolina's 2026 Schedule
Date	Matchup	Spread	Total	Result	O/U	Cover
Sat 9/5	South Carolina vs Kent State	-28.5
Sat 9/12	South Carolina vs Towson	-32.5
Sat 9/19	South Carolina vs Mississippi State	-7
Sat 9/26	South Carolina at Alabama	+12.5
Sat 10/3	South Carolina vs Kentucky	-7.5
Sat 10/10	South Carolina at Florida	+3
	BYE WEEK
Sat 10/24	South Carolina vs Tennessee	+7
Sat 10/31	South Carolina at Oklahoma	+16
Sat 11/7	South Carolina vs Texas A&M	+12.5
Sat 11/14	South Carolina at Arkansas	-1.5
Sat 11/21	South Carolina vs Georgia	+15
Sat 11/28	South Carolina at Clemson	+5

Total: Elite: 5, Good: 2, Avg 3, Bad 0, Poor 1
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 5, Good: 2, Avg 3, Bad 0, Poor 1
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for South Carolina'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
KENT	#112 (.09)	36% (126)	21.3	36% (130)	2.54 (129)	98	38% (111)	197	3.42 (98)	#93 (.19)	43% (86)	33.6	44% (90)	43% (77)	4.29 (123)	48.8	1.1	0.8
SC	#109 (.1)	37% (118)	22.7	39% (107)	2.89 (77)	112	36% (120)	225	2.61 (134)	#30 (.09)	42% (67)	22.1	39% (39)	44% (106)	3.15 (29)	57.3	1.5	1.8

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
KENT		0%		0%	0	0	0%	0	0		0%		0%	0%	0	0	0	0
SC		0%		0%	0	0	0%	0	0		0%		0%	0%	0	0	0	0

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
KENT Offense	12	21.3	17.7	36.4%	3.42	1.1	14	295	98	197	3	52%	46%	36%	38%	18%	.09
SC Defense	12	22.1	20.6	41.6%	3.15	1.8	-	-	-	-	-	51%	47%	39%	44%	16%	.09

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
KENT Defense	12	33.6	42.9	42.9%	4.29	0.8	-	-	-	-	-	51%	47%	44%	43%	14%	.19
SC Offense	12	22.7	24.9	37.2%	2.61	1.5	18	337	112	225	3.3	49%	50%	39%	36%	20%	.1

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
Kent State	12	27:44	14.3	28%	47%	6.1	48.8	1.1	0.8	5.8	2	3	28.4
South Carolina	12	27:58	17.7	32%	50%	7.3	57.3	1.5	1.8	5.3	1.8	4	26.6

Run Game Stats (2026)

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
KENT Offense	12	52% (45)	36% (130)	32.9	98.3	3	10 (132)	-.02 (127)	2.54 (129)	63% (117)	13% (129)	0.89 (103)
SC Defense	12	51% (86)	39% (39)	-	-	-	-	-.06 (8)	2.7 (31)	68% (42)	10% (49)	0.88 (24)

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
KENT Defense	12	51% (89)	44% (90)	-	-	-	-	.16 (104)	2.95 (78)	67% (37)	9% (80)	1.02 (99)
SC Offense	12	49% (73)	39% (107)	34	111.6	3.3	14 (107)	.09 (81)	2.89 (77)	62% (124)	14% (132)	1.07 (30)

Pass Game Stats (2026)

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
KENT Offense	12	46% (94)	38% (111)	13.6	24.4	197.1	8.1	14.5	20 (61)	6 (34)	.29 (49)	1.9 (4)	35% (121)	24% (129)	.15 (120)	5% (35)	2.2 (17)
SC Defense	12	47% (54)	44% (106)	-	-	-	-	-	-	12 (22)	.25 (72)	1.5 (40)	31% (83)	29% (68)	.14 (14)	6% (69)	1.9 (39)

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
KENT Defense	12	47% (51)	43% (77)	-	-	-	-	-	-	6 (75)	.26 (77)	1.6 (83)	32% (63)	34% (122)	.35 (97)	5% (122)	1.9 (43)
SC Offense	12	50% (63)	36% (120)	17.4	28.5	225.3	7.9	12.9	13 (121)	11 (60)	.17 (109)	1.7 (30)	36% (131)	24% (127)	.14 (125)	6% (81)	1.8 (119)

Kent State's Power Ratings
Kent State's Power Rating: -14.78 #129
Kent State's Offense Rating: 3.38 #126
Kent State's Defense Rating: 23.16 #122
2026 Talent Rating: 542.00 #112
Blue Chip Ratio: 1% #88
Kent State's 2026 Expected Record: 0.0 - 0.0
Kent State's 2026 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 546.62
Average Power Five Talent: 910.69
Average FBS Talent: 728.9

Power Ratings Matchup
Kent State: -14.78 South Carolina: 11.485

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Kent State: -19.3 South Carolina: 5.9

South Carolina's Power Ratings
South Carolina's Power Rating: 11.485 #30
South Carolina's Offense Rating: 15.17 #55
South Carolina's Defense Rating: 8.10 #23
2026 Talent Rating: 968.00 #19
Blue Chip Ratio: 32 #18
South Carolina's 2026 Expected Record: 6.0 - 6.0
South Carolina's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 5.9 #49
South Carolina's Offense SP+ Rating: 24.6 #86
South Carolina's Defense SP+ Rating: 20.2 #31

Average Talent
Average SEC Talent Rating is 996.13
Average Power Five Talent: 910.69
Average FBS Talent: 728.9

Kent State Scoring
Offense: 21.3 PPG
Offense on Road: 17.7
Defense: 33.6 PPG
Defense on Road: 42.9

Kent State's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record on Road: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 0 - 0

Projected Score
South Carolina 40
Kent State 12

Projected Total Points: 52

South Carolina Scoring
Offense: 22.7 PPG
Offense at Home: 24.9
Defense: 22.1 PPG
Defense at Home: 20.6

South Carolina's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record at home: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 0 - 0 - 0

Year	Date	Home	Score	Away	Score	Spread	Cover	Total	O/U

Team	Wins	Covers	O/U
South Carolina	0	0	0 Overs
Kent State	0	0	0 Unders

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

(#129) KENT at (#30) SC

Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCat	KENT	SC
Net PPPPPP	NR	NR
Power RatePwr	#129	#30
SP+SP+	#130	#49
Perf GradeGrade	NR	NR
OffenseOff	NR	NR
DefenseDef	NR	NR
Spec TeamsST	NR	NR
TalentTal	#112	#19
Blue ChipsBC%	#88	#18

Kent State Notes(2/24) HC Carney went 4-4 in MAC (KS was 0-16 prev)
Kent State Injury Report

South Carolina Notes(2/14) Vibes: Low, Beamer era shaky, '25 was bummer
(3/3) OT Peak has sig knee inj, may be ready for fall
(3/3) OT Josiah Thompson out for season (surgery LB)
(2/6) OL allowed pressure on 52% of drop backs LY
(1/29) New OC Briles is an upgrade, but how much?
(1/29) QB Sellers back. Regressed LY & ran a lot less
(1/29) RB1 unclear. 3 portals, Clark (Tex) best option?
(1/29) WR big boost w/ Tuggle, Harbor back. Have depth
(1/29) OL added portal 7 starters + 2 return. Big upgrade
(1/29) Most OL snaps played in CFB w all the adds
South Carolina Injury Report

Kent State on Offense

Balanced offense, Pass: 46%, Run: 52%
CategoryCat	KENT Off	SC Def
PPPOffPPP	NR	NR
Perf GradePerf	NR	NR
SuccessSuc	#126	#67
ExplosiveExp	#12	#36
PPAPPA	#112	#30
PowerPwr	#126	#23
SP+SP+	#125	#31
Pts POPPO	#98	#29
HavocHav	#117	#61

Kent State Run Game

Balanced offense, Pass: 46%, Run: 52%
CategoryCat	KENT Off	SC Def
Run GameRun	NR	NR
Run SuccessRSuc	#130	#39
Run ExplRExp	#103	#24
PPAExp	#127	#8
Run BlockR Blk	NR	-
OL YdsOLY	#129	#31
Stuff RateStuff	#110	#26
TackleTak	-	NR

Kent State Pass Game

Balanced offense, Pass: 46%, Run: 52%
CategoryCat	KENT Off	SC Def
Pass GamePass	NR	NR
Pass SuccessPSuc	#111	#106
Pass ExplPExl	#4	#40
PPAExp	#49	#72
Pass Rush/BlockP Blk	NR	NR
F7 HavocF7	#129	#49
DB HavocDB	#35	#69

South Carolina on Offense

Balanced offense, Pass: 50%, Run: 49%
CategoryCat	SC Off	KENT Def
PPPDefPPP	NR	NR
Perf GradePerf	NR	NR
SuccessSuc	#118	#86
ExplosiveExp	#19	#88
PPAPPA	#109	#93
PowerPwr	#55	#122
SP+SP+	#86	#120
Pts POPPO	#134	#123
HavocHav	#130	#107

South Carolina Run Game

Balanced offense, Pass: 50%, Run: 49%
CategoryCat	SC Off	KENT Def
Run GameRun	NR	NR
Run SuccessRSuc	#107	#90
Run ExplRExp	#30	#99
PPAExp	#81	#104
Run BlockR Blk	NR	-
OL YdsOLY	#77	#78
Stuff RateStuff	#44	#82
TackleTak	-	NR

South Carolina Pass Game

Balanced offense, Pass: 50%, Run: 49%
CategoryCat	SC Off	KENT Def
Pass GamePass	NR	NR
Pass SuccessPSuc	#120	#77
Pass ExplPExl	#30	#83
PPAExp	#109	#77
Pass Block/RushP Blk	NR	NR
F7 HavocF7	#132	#80
DB HavocDB	#81	#122

Program Comparison
SC 5 Year Profile: Consistent Below Avg P4
'26 Profile: Remains Below Avg P4

KENT 5 Year Profile: Consistent Poor G5
'26 Profile: Remains Poor G5

Weather Forecast
Playing in Williams-Brice Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°

No Matchups Past 4 Years

KENT's OC Clay Patterson (in his first season)

Player Name	COMP	ATT	PCT	YDS	TD	INT	YPA
Dru Deshields	136	240	57%	2030	18	3	8.5
Nolan Good	5	10	50%	38	0	0	3.8

Player Name	CAR	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Dru Deshields	61	38	3	0.6	15
Mason Blakemore	9	38	0	4.2	14
Maurice Stephens	1	31	1	31.0	31
Marques Hicks	4	18	0	4.5	14

Player Name	REC	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Wayne Harris	35	383	1	10.9	42
Ardell Banks	12	205	2	17.1	38
Terik Mulder	19	198	4	10.4	50
Da'Realyst Clark	3	108	1	36.0	89

View Kent State's Full Roster

KENT's DC Cherokee Valeria (in his first season)

Top Def	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Joel Cordoba	66	2	0	1	1
Derrick Jackson	48	1	0	0	2
Sayed Abuhamdeh	39	2	1	0	2
DJ Barnes	28	2	0	0	0

Sacks	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Thomas Aden	24	4	2	1	0
Darian Blachewicz	19	5	2	0	1
Jaihien Roy	15	3	2	2	1
Sayed Abuhamdeh	39	2	1	0	2

Pass D	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Sayed Abuhamdeh	39	2	1	0	2
Derrick Jackson	48	1	0	0	2
Joel Cordoba	66	2	0	1	1

SC's OC Kendal Briles (in his first season)

Player Name	COMP	ATT	PCT	YDS	TD	INT	YPA
Lanorris Sellers	178	293	61%	2437	13	8	8.3
Lucian Anderson III (Tr)	26	41	63%	245	2	3	6.0

Player Name	CAR	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Lanorris Sellers	149	270	5	1.8	26
Matthew Fuller	72	260	2	3.6	72
Christian Clark (Tr)	55	236	2	4.3	22
Lucian Anderson III (Tr)	30	138	1	4.6	75

Player Name	REC	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Nyck Harbor	30	618	6	20.6	80
Nitro Tuggle (Tr)	34	505	4	14.9	36
Jayden Sellers	22	337	1	15.3	75
DJ Black (Tr)	22	273	2	12.4	82

View South Carolina's Full Roster

SC's DC Clayton White (been DC for 3 years)

Top Def	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Justin Okoronkwo	63	4	0	2	1
Fred Johnson	62	4	1	4	3
Peyton Williams	50	2	1	0	2
Shawn Murphy	49	4	0	1	1

Sacks	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Caleb Herring (Tr)	15	6	4	6	2
Dylan Stewart	31	12	4	6	2
Drew Collins (Tr)	6	4	3	2	0
Tomiwa Durojaiye (Tr)	16	5	2	3	1

Pass D	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Vicari Swain	28	1	1	0	5
Fred Johnson	62	4	1	4	3
Peyton Williams	50	2	1	0	2