In Week 9 of the 2025 college football season, the Bowling Green Falcons travel to Dix Stadium in Kent, OH, to play against the Kent State Golden Flashes. Scheduled for Saturday, October 25, 2025, the game kicks off at 12:00 PM and will be aired on ESPN+. Both teams are members of the Mid-American Conference and are looking to improve their standings.
Bowling Green enters the game with a 3-4 record, struggling on the road with a winless 0-3 away record. They are coming off a 27-6 loss against Central Michigan at home. Despite a strong home performance with three wins, the Falcons have yet to secure a victory away from Doyt L. Perry Stadium.
Kent State, with a 2-5 overall record, has shown better form at home, winning 2 out of 3 games at Dix Stadium. Their recent outing resulted in a heavy 45-10 loss against Toledo on the road. The Golden Flashes aim to recover and deliver a performance akin to their dominant 42-6 home victory over Massachusetts in Week 7.
Kent State vs Bowling Green At a Glance
- Game Time: Saturday, October 25, 2025 at 12:00 PM (Afternoon Game)
- Venue: Dix Stadium in Kent, OH
- Broadcast: Available on ESPN+
- Bowling Green Record: 3-4 overall; 0-3 on the road
- Kent State Record: 2-5 overall; 2-1 at home
- Odds: Bowling Green favored with a -8.5 spread; Kent State at +262 moneyline
Kent State Golden Flashes: A Deep Dive into Their 2025 Football Campaign
Team Overview
Kent State Golden Flashes have had a challenging 2025 season so far. They are currently positioned as 8.5-point underdogs for their upcoming home game against Bowling Green Falcons. With a recent defeat against Toledo Rockets, the team is looking to bounce back and make a statement at Dix Stadium.
Their offensive production has been subpar, ranking 86th nationally with 125 points scored this season. Their passing and rushing yards are also near the bottom, with ranks of 104th and 124th, respectively. First downs are slightly better at 69th place, showcasing some capability to advance the ball.
Key Players
Quarterback Dru DeShields leads the team with 949 passing yards, ranking him 110th nationally. Despite his efforts, the Golden Flashes have struggled with turnovers, as DeShields has thrown two interceptions. The uncertainty around his participation due to injury adds to the team’s concerns.
Running back Gavin Garcia has been a focal point of their ground game, accumulating 268 rushing yards. While his numbers aren’t eye-popping, they indicate his role as a workhorse in Kent State’s offense. His contribution will be crucial in their upcoming games.
Defensive Analysis
Defensively, Kent State’s struggles are evident, having allowed 271 points against, ranking them 132nd. Despite this, their ability to generate turnovers has been a bright spot, with four interceptions and two fumble recoveries, placing them in the top 10 nationally in both categories.
Their pass rush has been effective, ranking 18th with 11 sacks on the season. This ability to apply pressure will be crucial as they attempt to disrupt opposing quarterbacks and create defensive opportunities.
Recent Performance
In recent games, Kent State showed resilience in their 42-6 victory over Massachusetts Minutemen. However, they faced heavy defeats against top teams like Oklahoma and Florida State, indicating struggles against high-caliber opponents. Their close loss to Buffalo Bulls highlighted their potential to compete in tightly contested games.
Overall, the Golden Flashes’ season has been a mix of highs and lows. Their ability to capitalize on turnovers and maintain pressure on the quarterback will be critical in upcoming matchups.
Betting Trends
- O/U – After Win: Last 4 Games (2023–2025) → 4-0 (100.0%)
- SU – As Favorite: Last 21 Games (2020–2025) → 16-5 (76.2%)
- O/U – As Underdog: Last 29 Games (2022–2025) → 19-10 (65.5%)
- O/U – Away Games: Last 19 Games (2022–2025) → 12-7 (63.2%)
- O/U – All Games: Last 29 Games (2023–2025) → 17-12 (58.6%)
- ATS – After Loss: Last 4 Games (2025) → 3-1 (75.0%)
- ATS – Totals ≥ 50: Last 4 Games (2025) → 3-1 (75.0%)
The Bowling Green Falcons’ Road Challenge: Navigating the Season
Offensive Performance
The Bowling Green Falcons have faced challenges on the offensive front this season. With 140 points scored, they rank 76th nationally, illustrating a need for improvement in their scoring ability. Their passing game has struggled, accumulating only 1,148 yards, which places them at 112th in the rankings.
In terms of rushing, the Falcons have been more effective, gathering 1,008 yards and ranking 77th. This suggests that their ground game is slightly more robust, but there is still room for growth. The team has achieved 114 first downs, positioning them at 58th overall.
Defensive Highlights
Defensively, the Falcons have given up 179 points, ranking them 97th, which indicates areas that need tightening. However, their pass rush has been commendable, with 14 sacks positioning them 15th in the nation. Interceptions have also been a strong suit, as they have snagged 4, earning a ranking of 5th.
The Falcons’ ability to recover fumbles has been notable, with 7 recoveries placing them 3rd nationally. This aspect of their defense could be crucial in upcoming games. The team will need to leverage these strengths to curtail their opponents’ scoring opportunities.
Recent Game Insights
Bowling Green’s recent games have been a mixed bag. Their last outing saw them lose 27-6 against Central Michigan, showcasing their struggles in finding the end zone. However, they managed a narrow 28-23 victory over Toledo, highlighting their potential when executing well.
Earlier games, such as the 35-20 loss to Ohio and the 40-17 defeat by Louisville, point to defensive lapses. The Falcons will need to shore up their defense and find more consistency on offense to improve their performance. Their win against Liberty, 23-13, showed that when both sides of the ball click, they can secure victories.
Player Contributions
Quarterback Drew Pyne has been a key player, with 830 passing yards and 4 touchdowns, though his 5 interceptions indicate areas for improvement. Running back Chris McMillian leads the ground game with 266 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns, providing a reliable option. Wide receiver RJ Garcia II has been a focal point in the passing game, with 22 receptions for 227 yards.
Tight end Jacob Harris has contributed significantly with 3 receiving touchdowns, enhancing the Falcons’ red zone efficiency. The combination of these players will be vital in future games. Their contributions will be pivotal in reversing the team’s fortunes.
Injury Concerns
Injuries could impact the Falcons, with key players like Drew Pyne listed as questionable. This could affect their offensive capabilities significantly. The defense might also feel the absence of players like Dorian Pringle, who is out for the season.
These injuries might require adjustments and contributions from backup players. Their ability to adapt to these changes will be crucial in upcoming games.
Bowling Green Falcons Betting Trends
- ATS – As Underdog: 9-1 (90.0%) in the last 10 games
- O/U – Totals ≤ 42: 4-0 (100.0%) in the last 4 games
- SU – As Favorite: 14-4 (77.8%) in the last 18 games
- O/U – As Underdog: 3-0 (100.0%) in the last 3 games
- O/U – Away Games: 3-0 (100.0%) in the last 3 games
- SU – After Loss: 13-5 (72.2%) in the last 18 games
- ATS – Away Games: 11-4 (73.3%) in the last 15 games
- ATS – After Win: 9-4 (69.2%) in the last 13 games
Kent State vs Bowling Green Prediction: ‘Kent State +8.5’
The Bowling Green Falcons have struggled on the road this season with a record of 0-3 away from home. This presents a significant opportunity for Kent State, who have a 2-1 home record, to cover the spread. Given Bowling Green’s road woes, this game could be closer than the spread suggests.
Despite their 2-5 record, Kent State has a track record of covering spreads after a loss, going 3-1 ATS in such situations this season. As 8.5-point underdogs at home, Kent State’s ATS performance after losses, combined with Bowling Green’s travel struggles, makes them a compelling pick.
The historical head-to-head data also leans towards a competitive game, with Kent State covering the spread in their last matchup against Bowling Green. Furthermore, the Golden Flashes have shown resilience in recent games, suggesting they can keep this one within the margin.
With the spread at +8.5 and considering Kent State’s ability to cover at home and following a loss, it seems wise to back Kent State to cover. The projected final score supports this pick, with a narrow Bowling Green victory: Bowling Green 28 – Kent State 24.
- Kent State vs Bowling Green Prediction: Kent State +8.5
- Kent State vs Bowling Green Score: Bowling Green 28 – Kent State 24
