Kent State coach Mark Carney has been on the job as the Golden Flashes’ head coach for less than seven months. Even then, he was fully aware his team would be in for a fight against Oklahoma.
The Sooners rolled, 44-0, over the visiting Golden Flashes on Saturday. Kent State hasn’t beaten an FBS team since the 2022 season, though little of that is on Carney. He joined the team during the 2024 season as offensive coordinator and took over as coach after a scandal with then-head coach Kenni Burns.
Kent State managed fewer than 200 yards of total offense against Oklahoma. Entering the game, KSU ranked 130th out of 136 FBS teams in total offense. And that includes a game against FCS Merrimack in the season opener.
As for what he saw on Saturday, he appreciated the effort, but acknowledged a ways to go.
Here’s what Carney had to say after the game.
Opening statement
Disasppoint in the result. Really proud of the battle and the fight and resiliency of our locker room. I know brighter days ahead. Coming into these environments, the margin for error is really, really small. I thought the guys battled well, particularly on defense, throughout the entire first half. Got away from us there. Errors in the kicking game. Offensively gave up the sack there that led directly to a touchdown. In these games you can’t afford to make those mistakes.
On competitiveness in first half, defensively
I thought the guys battled really hard. Those plays, that one in particular, bunch formation, quick motion out of it. Eyes got criss-crossed. We’ve got to finish the sack and get the guy on the ground. Credit to him for keeping his eyes down the field and making a really, really tough throw. But, overall, battled our tails off. Super proud of that group.
On first start this year for quarterback Devin Kargman
Proud of that kid. He’s been through a lot in the last year. This game a year ago, our last power game, was when we lost him for the year. Battled hard through his rehab and put himself in this position. Credit to Dev. I thought he competed really hard. Just missed some throws that we can’t in those games.
On running back Jordan Nubin
He’s a big, strong FBS back. Power back. Losing him toward the end of training camp hurt, stung a little bit as we got going. For him to get himself right and put himself in position to compete today was really, really big. He’s going to make a difference for this football team.
On decision to play Deante Ruffin late
Our quarterback room is deep right now. We’ve recruited that position well. There’s a lot of guys competing for time. With the freshman it’s tough. Do you want to burn through their four games quickly? That played into the decision (to play Ruffin). Once we got into the locker room at halftime, it was pretty clear to us it would be Deante.
On being done with nonconference
This locker room is together right now. That’s the most important thing. These games ar ea challenge. Oklahoma, top-five team. Florida State, top-10 team. Texas Tech now top-10 team. Those are tough. But that group is together as they’ve ever been throughout all this adversity. I know better days are ahead. Excited for this week to get back into MAC play.
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