Clark's 100-yard kickoff return ends Kent State's 21-game losing streak, 21-17 over Merrimack
AP
Aug 30, 2025
KENT, Ohio (AP) Da'Realyst Clark returned a kickoff 100-yard for a touchdown to lift Kent State Golden Flashes to a 21-17 win over Merrimack Warriors on Saturday, ending the Golden Flashes' 21-game losing streak in interim coach Mark Carney's first game.
The Warriors took their only lead on a 45-yard field goal by Carlton Thai with 5:40 to play. A turnover set up the score.
Clark then fielded the ensuing kickoff a couple yards deep in the end zone and burst up the right hash marks. He bounced off a couple of players just past the 30, kept his balance and raced to the end zone.
The last win for the Golden Flashes was a 38-10 decision over Central Connecticut, three games into the 2023 season.
A pair of touchdown receptions by Cade Wolford - from C.J. Montes for 30 yards in the second quarter and from Dru DeShields covering 79 yards early in the third - staked the Golden Flashes to a 14-3 lead.
Merrimack then scored on three of four possessions. Ayden Pereira found Seth Sweitzer behind the defense for 36 yards and then hit Aveon Smith for the 2-point conversion that made it 14-14.
The Warriors covered 34 yards in 11 plays before turning the ball over on downs at the Kent State 41 with 1:42 to play.
Wolford had the two catches for 109 yards for Kent State. Merrimack's Pereira threw for 176 yards and ran for 103.
--- Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football
Copyright 2025 STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited.
(14:16 - 1st) M.Latham rushed for 2 yards. Tackled by KENT at MRMK 7.
+7 YD
3 & 13 - MERMAK 7
(13:45 - 1st) A.Pereira rushed for 7 yards. Tackled by KENT at MRMK 14.
Punt
4 & 6 - MERMAK 14
(12:48 - 1st) M.Ryan punts 46 yards to KENT 40 Center-MRMK. W.Harris returned punt from the KENT 40. Tackled by MRMK at KENT 47. PENALTY on MRMK-M.Latham Illegal Formation 5 yards accepted.
KENT
Golden Flashes
- Downs (4 plays, 9 yards, 1:41 poss)
Result
Play
+3 YD
1 & 10 - MERMAK 48
(12:48 - 1st) G.Garcia rushed for 3 yards. Tackled by MRMK at MRMK 45.
+5 YD
2 & 7 - MERMAK 45
(12:14 - 1st) G.Garcia rushed for 5 yards. Tackled by MRMK at MRMK 40.
+1 YD
3 & 2 - MERMAK 40
(11:50 - 1st) G.Garcia rushed for 1 yards. Tackled by MRMK at MRMK 39.
No Gain
4 & 1 - MERMAK 39
(11:13 - 1st) G.Garcia rushed for 0 yards. Tackled by MRMK at MRMK 39.
MRMK
Warriors
- Punt (3 plays, 6 yards, 1:23 poss)
Result
Play
+7 YD
1 & 10 - MERMAK 39
(11:07 - 1st) A.Pereira pass complete. Catch made by J.McDonald for 7 yards. Tackled by KENT at MRMK 46.
-1 YD
2 & 3 - MERMAK 46
(10:34 - 1st) D.McElroy rushed for -1 yards. Tackled by KENT at MRMK 45.
No Gain
3 & 4 - MERMAK 45
(9:59 - 1st) A.Pereira steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for C.Lehman.
Punt
4 & 4 - MERMAK 45
(9:54 - 1st) M.Ryan punts 44 yards to KENT 11 Center-MRMK. Downed by MRMK.
KENT
Golden Flashes
- Missed FG (14 plays, 79 yards, 8:01 poss)
Result
Play
+2 YD
1 & 10 - KENTST 11
(9:44 - 1st) G.Garcia rushed for 2 yards. Tackled by MRMK at KENT 13.
+6 YD
2 & 8 - KENTST 13
(9:11 - 1st) J.Kimbrough rushed for 6 yards. Tackled by MRMK at KENT 19.
+11 YD
3 & 2 - KENTST 19
(8:30 - 1st) J.Kimbrough rushed for 11 yards. Tackled by MRMK at KENT 30.
No Gain
1 & 10 - KENTST 30
(7:55 - 1st) C.Montes rushed for 0 yards. Tackled by MRMK at KENT 30.
+16 YD
2 & 10 - KENTST 30
(7:12 - 1st) C.Montes pass complete. Catch made by S.Brown for 16 yards. Tackled by MRMK at KENT 46.
+12 YD
1 & 10 - KENTST 46
(6:34 - 1st) J.Kimbrough rushed for 12 yards. Tackled by MRMK at MRMK 42.
+5 YD
1 & 10 - MERMAK 42
(5:56 - 1st) C.Montes rushed for 5 yards. Tackled by MRMK at MRMK 37.
+3 YD
2 & 5 - MERMAK 37
(5:18 - 1st) G.Garcia rushed for 3 yards. Tackled by MRMK at MRMK 34.
+4 YD
3 & 2 - MERMAK 34
(4:45 - 1st) G.Garcia rushed for 4 yards. Tackled by MRMK at MRMK 30.
+19 YD
1 & 10 - MERMAK 30
(4:06 - 1st) C.Montes pass complete. Catch made by S.Brown for 19 yards. Tackled by MRMK at MRMK 11.
No Gain
1 & 10 - MERMAK 11
(3:20 - 1st) C.Montes pass complete. Catch made by T.Mulder for 0 yards. Tackled by MRMK at MRMK 11.
+1 YD
2 & 10 - MERMAK 11
(2:34 - 1st) C.Montes rushed for 1 yards. Tackled by MRMK at MRMK 10.
No Gain
3 & 9 - MERMAK 10
(1:48 - 1st) C.Montes steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for T.Mulder.
No Good
4 & 9 - MERMAK 17
(1:46 - 1st) W.Hryszko 27 yard field goal attempt is no good Center-G.Goodell Holder-C.Durkin.
MRMK
Warriors
- Punt (4 plays, 30 yards, 2:27 poss)
Result
Play
+22 YD
1 & 10 - MERMAK 20
(1:43 - 1st) A.Smith rushed for 22 yards. Tackled by KENT at MRMK 42.
+4 YD
1 & 10 - MERMAK 42
(1:07 - 1st) A.Smith rushed for 4 yards. Tackled by KENT at MRMK 46.
+4 YD
2 & 6 - MERMAK 46
(0:48 - 1st) A.Smith rushed for 4 yards. Tackled by KENT at MRMK 50.
No Gain
3 & 2 - MERMAK 50
(15:00 - 2nd) A.Smith rushed for 0 yards. Tackled by KENT at MRMK 50.
Punt
4 & 2 - MERMAK 50
(14:42 - 2nd) M.Ryan punts 50 yards to KENT End Zone Center-MRMK. Touchback.
KENT
Golden Flashes
- Punt (5 plays, 36 yards, 2:47 poss)
Result
Play
+6 YD
1 & 10 - KENTST 20
(14:16 - 2nd) D.DeShields rushed for 6 yards. Tackled by MRMK at KENT 26. PENALTY on MRMK-R.Chapman Personal Foul / Defense 15 yards accepted.
+11 YD
1 & 10 - KENTST 41
(14:09 - 2nd) D.DeShields pass complete. Catch made by H.Hopperton for 11 yards. Tackled by MRMK at MRMK 48.
+2 YD
1 & 10 - MERMAK 48
(13:31 - 2nd) J.Kimbrough rushed for 2 yards. Tackled by MRMK at MRMK 46.
No Gain
2 & 8 - MERMAK 46
(12:55 - 2nd) C.Montes steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for T.Mulder.
+2 YD
3 & 8 - MERMAK 46
(12:51 - 2nd) D.Delaney rushed for 2 yards. Tackled by MRMK at MRMK 44.
Punt
4 & 6 - MERMAK 44
(12:11 - 2nd) J.Stoeckel punts 35 yards to MRMK 9 Center-G.Goodell. G.Rosemond returned punt from the MRMK 9. G.Rosemond ran out of bounds.
MRMK
Warriors
- Punt (3 plays, 1 yards, 1:03 poss)
Result
Play
No Gain
1 & 10 - MERMAK 8
(11:29 - 2nd) B.Wyatt rushed for 0 yards. Tackled by KENT at MRMK 8.
+1 YD
2 & 10 - MERMAK 8
(11:10 - 2nd) A.Pereira rushed for 1 yards. Tackled by KENT at MRMK 9.
No Gain
3 & 9 - MERMAK 9
(10:41 - 2nd) A.Pereira steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for S.Sweitzer.
Punt
4 & 9 - MERMAK 9
(10:35 - 2nd) M.Ryan punts 57 yards to KENT 34 Center-MRMK. Downed by MRMK.
KENT
Golden Flashes
- Punt (4 plays, 16 yards, 2:15 poss)
Result
Play
+10 YD
1 & 10 - KENTST 34
(10:26 - 2nd) C.Montes pass complete. Catch made by W.Harris for 10 yards. Tackled by MRMK at KENT 44.
No Gain
1 & 10 - KENTST 44
(9:57 - 2nd) J.Kimbrough rushed for yards. Tackled by MRMK at KENT 44. PENALTY on KENT-KENT Illegal Formation 5 yards accepted. No Play.
-1 YD
1 & 15 - KENTST 39
(9:07 - 2nd) C.Montes pass complete. Catch made by W.Harris for -1 yards. Tackled by MRMK at KENT 38.
No Gain
2 & 16 - KENTST 38
(8:45 - 2nd) C.Montes steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for W.Harris.
+2 YD
3 & 16 - KENTST 38
(8:39 - 2nd) D.DeShields rushed for 2 yards. Tackled by MRMK at KENT 40.
Punt
4 & 14 - KENTST 40
(8:21 - 2nd) J.Stoeckel punts 33 yards to MRMK 27 Center-G.Goodell. Downed by KENT.
MRMK
Warriors
- Punt (3 plays, 31 yards, 0:54 poss)
Result
Play
+4 YD
1 & 10 - MERMAK 27
(8:11 - 2nd) A.Pereira rushed for 4 yards. Tackled by KENT at MRMK 31.
(4:50 - 2nd) G.Garcia rushed for 5 yards. Tackled by MRMK at KENT 38.
+1 YD
2 & 10 - KENTST 38
(4:29 - 2nd) J.Kimbrough rushed for 1 yards. Tackled by MRMK at KENT 39.
Sack
3 & 9 - KENTST 39
(3:56 - 2nd) C.Montes steps back to pass. Sacked at KENT 37 for -2 yards (J.Echols).
Penalty
4 & 11 - KENTST 37
(3:19 - 2nd) PENALTY on KENT-J.Stoeckel Delay of Game 5 yards accepted.
Punt
4 & 16 - KENTST 32
(3:19 - 2nd) J.Stoeckel punts 46 yards to MRMK 22 Center-G.Goodell. G.Rosemond returned punt from the MRMK 22. Tackled by KENT at MRMK 31. PENALTY on MRMK-H.Fisher Defensive Holding 10 yards accepted.
MRMK
Warriors
- Field Goal (8 plays, 80 yards, 2:12 poss)
Result
Play
+16 YD
1 & 10 - MERMAK 11
(3:03 - 2nd) A.Pereira rushed for 16 yards. Tackled by KENT at MRMK 27.
No Gain
1 & 10 - MERMAK 27
(2:18 - 2nd) A.Pereira steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for J.McDonald.
Penalty
2 & 10 - MERMAK 27
(2:13 - 2nd) A.Pereira steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for C.Lehman. PENALTY on KENT-J.Cordoba Defensive Holding 10 yards accepted. No Play.
+5 YD
1 & 10 - MERMAK 37
(2:08 - 2nd) A.Pereira rushed for 5 yards. Tackled by KENT at MRMK 42.
+17 YD
2 & 5 - MERMAK 42
(1:56 - 2nd) A.Pereira pass complete. Catch made by C.Lehman for 17 yards. Tackled by KENT at KENT 41. PENALTY on KENT-J.Rawlison Face Mask (15 Yards) 15 yards accepted.
No Gain
1 & 10 - KENTST 26
(1:40 - 2nd) A.Pereira steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for C.Lehman.
+12 YD
2 & 10 - KENTST 26
(1:36 - 2nd) A.Pereira pass complete. Catch made by J.McDonald for 12 yards. Tackled by KENT at KENT 14.
+5 YD
1 & 10 - KENTST 14
(1:23 - 2nd) A.Pereira pass complete. Catch made by D.McElroy for 5 yards. Tackled by KENT at KENT 9.
Field Goal
2 & 5 - KENTST 16
(1:05 - 2nd) C.Thai 26 yard field goal attempt is good Center-MRMK Holder-MRMK.
KENT
Golden Flashes
- Punt (3 plays, 5 yards, 0:49 poss)
Result
Play
Kickoff
(0:51 - 2nd) MRMK kicks 19 yards from MRMK 35 to the KENT 46. KENT returns the kickoff. Tackled by MRMK at KENT 46.
MRMK
Warriors
- Missed FG (7 plays, 28 yards, 1:23 poss)
Result
Play
Kickoff
(15:00 - 3rd) M.Ryan kicks 50 yards from MRMK 35 to the KENT 15. C.Wolford returns the kickoff. Tackled by MRMK at KENT 25. PENALTY on KENT-A.Stockstill Defensive Holding 10 yards accepted.
No Gain
1 & 10 - KENTST 15
(14:46 - 3rd) G.Garcia rushed for 0 yards. Tackled by MRMK at KENT 15.
No Gain
2 & 10 - KENTST 15
(14:37 - 3rd) C.Montes steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for W.Harris.
No Gain
3 & 10 - KENTST 15
(14:34 - 3rd) C.Montes steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for W.Harris.
Penalty
4 & 10 - KENTST 15
(14:17 - 3rd) PENALTY on KENT-J.Stoeckel Delay of Game 5 yards accepted.
Punt
4 & 15 - KENTST 10
(14:17 - 3rd) J.Stoeckel punts 37 yards to KENT 47 Center-G.Goodell. Downed by KENT.
KENT
Golden Flashes
- Touchdown (2 plays, 80 yards, 2:51 poss)
Result
Play
No Gain
1 & 10 - KENTST 47
(14:11 - 3rd) A.Pereira steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for J.McDonald.
No Gain
2 & 10 - KENTST 47
(14:08 - 3rd) A.Pereira rushed for 0 yards. Tackled by KENT at KENT 47.
+25 YD
3 & 10 - KENTST 47
(13:59 - 3rd) A.Pereira rushed for 25 yards. Tackled by KENT at KENT 22.
+1 YD
1 & 10 - KENTST 22
(13:47 - 3rd) D.McElroy rushed for 1 yards. Tackled by KENT at KENT 21.
+7 YD
2 & 9 - KENTST 21
(13:33 - 3rd) A.Pereira pass complete. Catch made by D.McElroy for 7 yards. Tackled by KENT at KENT 14.
-5 YD
3 & 2 - KENTST 14
(13:12 - 3rd) A.Pereira rushed for -5 yards. Tackled by KENT at KENT 19.
No Good
4 & 7 - KENTST 26
(12:59 - 3rd) C.Thai 36 yard field goal attempt is no good Center-MRMK Holder-MRMK.
MRMK
Warriors
- Field Goal (13 plays, 75 yards, 7:31 poss)
Result
Play
+1 YD
1 & 10 - KENTST 20
(12:48 - 3rd) C.Wolford rushed for 1 yards. Tackled by MRMK at KENT 21.
+79 YD
2 & 9 - KENTST 21
(12:13 - 3rd) D.DeShields pass complete. Catch made by C.Wolford for 79 yards. TOUCHDOWN.
PAT Good
(11:57 - 3rd) W.Hryszko extra point is good.
KENT
Golden Flashes
- Punt (4 plays, 20 yards, 2:07 poss)
Result
Play
Kickoff
(9:57 - 3rd) W.Hryszko kicks 65 yards from KENT 35 to the MRMK End Zone. Touchback.
+8 YD
1 & 10 - MERMAK 25
(9:57 - 3rd) B.Wyatt rushed for 8 yards. Tackled by KENT at MRMK 33.
No Gain
2 & 2 - MERMAK 33
(9:19 - 3rd) B.Wyatt rushed for yards. Tackled by KENT at KENT 32. PENALTY on MRMK-MRMK Offensive Holding 10 yards accepted. No Play.
+1 YD
2 & 12 - MERMAK 23
(8:46 - 3rd) A.Pereira rushed for 1 yards. Tackled by KENT at MRMK 24.
+14 YD
3 & 11 - MERMAK 24
(8:10 - 3rd) A.Pereira pass complete. Catch made by S.Sweitzer for 14 yards. Tackled by KENT at MRMK 38.
No Gain
1 & 10 - MERMAK 38
(7:29 - 3rd) A.Pereira steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for J.McDonald.
+22 YD
2 & 10 - MERMAK 38
(7:20 - 3rd) A.Pereira pass complete. Catch made by C.Lehman for 22 yards. Tackled by KENT at KENT 40.
No Gain
1 & 10 - KENTST 40
(6:42 - 3rd) A.Pereira rushed for 0 yards. Tackled by KENT at KENT 40.
+16 YD
2 & 10 - KENTST 40
(6:01 - 3rd) A.Pereira rushed for 16 yards. Tackled by KENT at KENT 24.
No Gain
1 & 10 - KENTST 24
(5:19 - 3rd) B.Wyatt rushed for 0 yards. Tackled by KENT at KENT 24.
+12 YD
2 & 10 - KENTST 24
(4:36 - 3rd) A.Pereira pass complete. Catch made by A.Palmer for 12 yards. Tackled by KENT at KENT 12.
+2 YD
1 & 10 - KENTST 12
(3:57 - 3rd) B.Wyatt rushed for 2 yards. Tackled by KENT at KENT 10.
No Gain
2 & 8 - KENTST 10
(3:10 - 3rd) A.Pereira steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for H.Fisher.
Sack
3 & 8 - KENTST 10
(3:09 - 3rd) A.Pereira steps back to pass. Sacked at KENT 20 for -10 yards (J.Mathis).
Field Goal
4 & 18 - KENTST 27
(2:33 - 3rd) C.Thai 37 yard field goal attempt is good Center-MRMK Holder-MRMK.
MRMK
Warriors
- Punt (3 plays, 9 yards, 1:27 poss)
Result
Play
Kickoff
(2:26 - 3rd) C.Thai kicks 46 yards from MRMK 35 to the KENT 19. C.Wolford returns the kickoff. Tackled by MRMK at KENT 26.
+15 YD
1 & 10 - KENTST 26
(2:22 - 3rd) D.DeShields pass complete. Catch made by S.Brown for 15 yards. S.Brown ran out of bounds.
+1 YD
1 & 10 - KENTST 41
(1:52 - 3rd) D.Delaney rushed for 1 yards. Tackled by MRMK at KENT 42.
+4 YD
2 & 9 - KENTST 42
(1:10 - 3rd) D.DeShields pass complete. Catch made by J.Etheridge for 4 yards. J.Etheridge ran out of bounds.
No Gain
3 & 5 - KENTST 46
(0:50 - 3rd) D.DeShields steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for C.Wolford.
Punt
4 & 5 - KENTST 46
(0:25 - 3rd) J.Stoeckel punts 42 yards to MRMK 12 Center-G.Goodell. Fair catch by G.Rosemond.
KENT
Golden Flashes
- Punt (5 plays, 18 yards, 3:08 poss)
Result
Play
+3 YD
1 & 10 - MERMAK 12
(0:19 - 3rd) B.Wyatt rushed for 3 yards. Tackled by KENT at MRMK 15.
+1 YD
2 & 7 - MERMAK 15
(15:00 - 4th) B.Wyatt rushed for 1 yards. Tackled by KENT at MRMK 16.
No Gain
3 & 6 - MERMAK 16
(14:25 - 4th) A.Pereira steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for J.McDonald.
Punt
4 & 6 - MERMAK 16
(14:18 - 4th) M.Ryan punts yards to KENT 36 Center-MRMK. W.Harris returned punt from the KENT 36. Tackled by MRMK at KENT 47. PENALTY on MRMK-MRMK Illegal Formation 5 yards accepted. No Play.
Punt
4 & 6 - MERMAK 11
(14:02 - 4th) M.Ryan punts 50 yards to KENT 39 Center-MRMK. W.Harris returned punt from the KENT 39. Tackled by MRMK at KENT 41. PENALTY on KENT-A.Stockstill Offensive Illegal Block Above the Waist 10 yards accepted.
MRMK
Warriors
- Touchdown (4 plays, 75 yards, 2:07 poss)
Result
Play
+9 YD
1 & 10 - KENTST 31
(13:52 - 4th) C.Montes pass complete. Catch made by J.Etheridge for 9 yards. Tackled by MRMK at KENT 40.
+2 YD
2 & 1 - KENTST 40
(13:15 - 4th) D.Delaney rushed for 2 yards. Tackled by MRMK at KENT 42.
Sack
1 & 10 - KENTST 42
(12:28 - 4th) C.Montes steps back to pass. Sacked at KENT 39 for -3 yards (C.Johnson).
+2 YD
2 & 13 - KENTST 39
(11:51 - 4th) J.Kimbrough rushed for 2 yards. Tackled by MRMK at KENT 41.
+8 YD
3 & 11 - KENTST 41
(11:11 - 4th) G.Garcia rushed for 8 yards. Tackled by MRMK at KENT 49.
Punt
4 & 3 - KENTST 49
(10:52 - 4th) J.Stoeckel punts 26 yards to MRMK 25 Center-G.Goodell. Out of bounds.
KENT
Golden Flashes
- Fumble (3 plays, -2 yards, 0:40 poss)
Result
Play
+27 YD
1 & 10 - MERMAK 25
(10:44 - 4th) A.Pereira rushed for 27 yards. A.Pereira ran out of bounds.
+3 YD
1 & 10 - KENTST 48
(10:25 - 4th) A.Pereira pass complete. Catch made by B.Wyatt for 3 yards. Tackled by KENT at KENT 45.
+9 YD
2 & 7 - KENTST 45
(9:31 - 4th) A.Pereira pass complete. Catch made by S.Sweitzer for 9 yards. Tackled by KENT at KENT 36.
+36 YD
1 & 10 - KENTST 36
(8:44 - 4th) A.Pereira pass complete. Catch made by S.Sweitzer for 36 yards. TOUCHDOWN.
+2 YD
(8:37 - 4th) TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. A.Smith steps back to pass. Catch made by C.Callahan for yards. TWO-POINT ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.
MRMK
Warriors
- Field Goal (4 plays, 16 yards, 2:16 poss)
Result
Play
Kickoff
(8:37 - 4th) M.Ryan kicks 65 yards from MRMK 35 to the KENT End Zone. Touchback.
-2 YD
1 & 10 - KENTST 25
(8:37 - 4th) D.DeShields rushed for -2 yards. Tackled by MRMK at KENT 23.
No Gain
2 & 12 - KENTST 23
(8:04 - 4th) D.DeShields steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for H.Hopperton.
Sack
3 & 12 - KENTST 19
(6:02 - 4th) D.DeShields steps back to pass. Sacked at KENT 19 for 0 yards (B.Warrick). D.DeShields FUMBLES forced by B.Warrick. Fumble RECOVERED by MRMK-A.Rufo at KENT 19. Tackled by KENT at KENT 19. PENALTY on MRMK-D.Frazier Unsportsmanlike Conduct / Defense 15 yards accepted.
MRMK
Warriors
- Downs (11 plays, 34 yards, 3:49 poss)
Result
Play
+3 YD
1 & 10 - KENTST 34
(7:57 - 4th) A.Pereira steps back to pass. A.Pereira pass complete. Catch made by J.McDonald for 3 yards. Tackled by KENT at KENT 31.
+2 YD
2 & 7 - KENTST 31
(7:31 - 4th) A.Pereira rushed for 2 yards. Tackled by KENT at KENT 29.