Merrimack Warriors vs. Kent State Golden Flashes: 2025 Week 1 Recap

Quick answer

Kent State Golden Flashes defeated Merrimack Warriors 21–17 in Week 1, 2025. Final score: Merrimack Warriors 17, Kent State Golden Flashes 21.

Game summary

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Team	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	Final
Merrimack Warriors	0	3	3	9	17
Kent State Golden Flashes	0	6	6	6	21

Stars of the game

Top passers, rushers, and receivers from cfbfastR play-by-play.

Passing

• CJ Montes (Kent State) — 86.0 yds · 1 TD · +0.44 EPA/play +4.83 EPA
• Dru DeShields (Kent State) — 129.0 yds · 1 TD · +0.42 EPA/play +4.62 EPA
• Ayden Pereira (Merrimack) — 176.0 yds · 1 TD · -0.01 EPA/play -0.42 EPA

Rushing

• Ayden Pereira (Merrimack) — 120.0 yds +0.00 EPA
• Gavin Garcia (Kent State) — 49.0 yds -0.53 EPA
• Brendon Wyatt (Merrimack) — 11.0 yds -0.50 EPA

Receiving

• Jalen McDonald (Merrimack) — 4 rec · 25.0 yds -0.37 EPA
• Seth Sweitzer (Merrimack) — 3 rec · 59.0 yds +0.78 EPA
• Cooper Lehman (Merrimack) — 2 rec · 54.0 yds +0.23 EPA

Quarterback report card

Attempts, efficiency, and EPA.

Player	Team	Att	Cmp%	Yds	TD	EPA/play	Total EPA
CJ Montes	Kent State	11	54.5%	86	1	+0.44	+4.83
Dru DeShields	Kent State	11	54.5%	129	1	+0.42	+4.62
Ayden Pereira	Merrimack	33	45.5%	176	1	-0.01	-0.42

Team EPA comparison

Stat	Merrimack	Kent State
Plays	65	56
EPA / play	-0.103	-0.036
Total EPA	-6.70	-2.00
Success rate	32.3%	35.7%
Pass EPA / play	-0.013	+0.429
Rush EPA / play	-0.196	-0.337
Yards	347	335

Drive chart

Key possessions and results.

Qtr	Offense	Plays	Yards	EPA	Result
Q1	Merrimack	2	9	-0.60	Punt
Q1	Kent State	4	9	-5.31	Ended
Q1	Merrimack	3	6	-2.75	Punt
Q1	Kent State	13	79	+2.59	Missed FG
Q1	Merrimack	4	30	-0.30	Punt
Q2	Kent State	5	36	-0.44	Punt
Q2	Merrimack	3	1	-2.05	Punt
Q2	Kent State	4	11	-2.02	Punt
Q2	Merrimack	3	16	-0.56	Punt
Q2	Kent State	6	61	+5.16	Pass TD
Q2	Merrimack	3	8	-0.92	Punt
Q2	Kent State	3	4	-1.35	Punt
Q2	Merrimack	7	70	+1.84	Field goal
Q3	Kent State	3	0	-3.14	Punt
Q3	Merrimack	6	28	-1.35	Missed FG
Q3	Kent State	2	80	+6.23	Pass TD

Biggest EPA swings

1. Q3 · Kent State Golden Flashes · Dru DeShields pass to Cade Wolford for a touchdown (79 yards) (+6.97 EPA)
2. Q4 · Kent State Golden Flashes · Kickoff (+5.85 EPA)
3. Q2 · Kent State Golden Flashes · CJ Montes pass to Cade Wolford for a touchdown (30 yards) (+4.55 EPA)
4. Q4 · Merrimack Warriors · Ayden Pereira pass to Seth Sweitzer for a touchdown (36 yards) (+3.55 EPA)
5. Q1 · Kent State Golden Flashes · Gavin Garcia rushes for no gain (4th & 1) (-3.42 EPA)
6. Q3 · Merrimack Warriors · Brendon Wyatt rushes for a loss of 10 yards (2nd & 2) (-3.41 EPA)
7. Q3 · Merrimack Warriors · Ayden Pereira pass to Seth Sweitzer for 14 yards (3rd & 11) (+3.4 EPA)
8. Q1 · Kent State Golden Flashes · Field goal missed (-3.31 EPA)

Key takeaways

• Kent State Golden Flashes controlled the final (21–17) in Week 1.
• Passing edge: CJ Montes (Kent State) — 86.0 yds, 1 TD.
• EPA edge: Kent State at -0.036 EPA/play.
• Full EPA, scoring map, and play-by-play live in CFB Analytics Box & Scores.

Frequently asked questions

What was the final score of Merrimack Warriors vs Kent State Golden Flashes?

Merrimack Warriors 17, Kent State Golden Flashes 21 in Week 1 of the 2025 college football season.

Who won Merrimack Warriors vs Kent State Golden Flashes?

Kent State Golden Flashes won with a final score of 17–21.

Where can I find the Merrimack Warriors vs Kent State Golden Flashes box score?

See EPA, scoring timeline, and full play-by-play on FantasyHQ CFB Analytics: /cfb-analytics?game=401762792.

Who led Merrimack Warriors vs Kent State Golden Flashes in passing?

CJ Montes (Kent State) led passers with 86.0 yards and 1 touchdowns.

Full analytics box score

Explore every snap, drive chart, and the interactive scoring map for Merrimack Warriors at Kent State Golden Flashes in FantasyHQ CFB Analytics Box & Scores.