South Florida’s defense engineered a historic turnaround in Tampa, erasing an early deficit to defeat Kent State 29-2 in the final non-conference game of Week 7. The Golden Flashes briefly held a 2-0 lead after true freshman defensive end Dion’Dre Taylor stuffed USF running back D.J. Crowther in the end zone, marking Kent State’s first lead against a non-conference FBS opponent since September 2023. However, the momentum shifted instantly when former five-star recruit C.J. Hicks recovered a fumble during a botched tush push at the USF one-yard line. Hicks sprinted 99 yards for a touchdown, his first career score, effectively ending any chance for a competitive contest and igniting the USF offense.
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The result stands as a statistical anomaly in modern college football, with Kent State becoming the first FBS team to score exactly two points since UMass suffered a 20-2 loss to Florida Atlantic in November 2020. The Golden Flashes’ offensive struggles were compounded by a critical error on their best scoring opportunity, where an unclean handoff left the ball loose on the turf. This defensive miscue allowed Hicks to capitalize, turning a potential safety or field goal situation into a decisive swing that defined the rest of the night.
For South Florida, the victory serves as a crucial confidence booster heading into conference play, showcasing a defense capable of generating game-changing plays under pressure. The 29-2 final score highlights the stark contrast between the two teams’ execution, with USF’s ability to convert turnovers into points proving decisive. As the season progresses, this unique matchup will be remembered not just for the lopsided score, but for the rare instance of a team scoring only two points in the FBS era, cementing the night as a memorable footnote in college football history.
Source: Yahoo Sports
