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Sacramento State Beat Kent State 31-10 for First MAC Win

The Hornets scored 25 unanswered points in the second half and forced five turnovers at Hornet Stadium, beating a favored Kent State team for their first Mid-American Conference win and their first win over an FBS opponent this season.

By Orbit Post3 min read
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Sacramento State Beat Kent State 31-10 for First MAC Win

Key points

  • Sacramento State beat Kent State 31-10 at Hornet Stadium in Sacramento on Friday night, October 30, 2026, scoring 25 unanswered points in the second half for the program's first win in the…
  • Kent State struck first and led for most of the first half.
  • Sacramento State took control in the third quarter.

Sacramento State beat Kent State 31-10 at Hornet Stadium in Sacramento on Friday night, October 30, 2026, scoring 25 unanswered points in the second half for the program's first win in the Mid-American Conference. The Hornets, who entered the game 1-7 and winless in the MAC, held Kent State scoreless after halftime and forced five turnovers to close out an upset of a team favored by 7.5 to 10 points.

Kent State struck first and led for most of the first half. Quarterback Dru DeShields hit Wayne Harris for a 92 yard touchdown at 7:41 of the first quarter, and the Golden Flashes led 10-6 at halftime after the teams traded field goals in the second quarter. Grant Meadors kept Sacramento State close with field goals from 42 yards and 28 yards before the break.

The second half turned on turnovers

Sacramento State took control in the third quarter. Meadors added a 36 yard field goal, and Isaiah Ene broke a 35 yard touchdown run at 3:06 of the quarter, then ran in the two point conversion himself to put the Hornets ahead. Kent State did not score again. The Golden Flashes finished with five turnovers, two interceptions and three lost fumbles, against one turnover by Sacramento State.

The defense sealed the game in the fourth quarter. Safety Donovan Turner returned an interception 38 yards for a touchdown at 9:19, stretching the lead to 24-10 after the extra point. Ene scored again on a 5 yard run at 2:59, and Malikai Nichols intercepted backup quarterback Nolan Good at the goal line with 2:00 left to end Kent State's last possession.

Ene carried the offense

Ene rushed 19 times for 107 yards and two touchdowns, and caught two passes for 10 yards. Quarterback Jackson Sharman completed 14 of 25 passes for 117 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions. Meadors finished 3 of 3 on field goals and made both of his extra point attempts. Boogsie Silvera led the Hornets defense with 10 tackles.

Kent State outgained Sacramento State 302 total yards to 278, but lost the rushing battle 161 yards to 93 and the possession battle, with Sacramento State holding the ball for 34:47 against 25:13. DeShields completed 16 of 33 passes for 190 yards with one touchdown and one interception, and rushed 10 times for 43 yards. Harris finished with three catches for 122 yards, most of them on the early 92 yard score.

A first win in a first FBS season

The win moves Sacramento State to 2-7 overall and 1-5 in the MAC. It is the Hornets' first MAC win and their first win over an FBS opponent this season, in the program's first FBS season as a football only MAC member after 33 years in the FCS, under first year head coach Alonzo Carter. Their only earlier win this season came against Mississippi Valley State. Kent State falls to 3-6 and 2-3 in the MAC, and stays winless on the road. It was the first ever meeting between the two programs, shown on ESPN2.

Timeline

  1. Oct 30, 2026Dru DeShields hit Wayne Harris for a 92 yard touchdown at 7:41 of the first quarter, giving Kent State a 7-0 lead.
  2. Oct 30, 2026Kent State led 10-6 at halftime after Grant Meadors kicked field goals from 42 yards and 28 yards in the second quarter.
  3. Oct 30, 2026Sacramento State scored 25 unanswered points in the second half, including a 38 yard interception return touchdown by Donovan Turner, and won 31-10 for its first MAC win.

Sources