Preview: Merrimack Opens Against Reeling Kent State
Merrimack kicks off its season Saturday on the road at Kent State, the first of two FBS opponents on the Warriors’ schedule.
On paper, the matchup looks like an opportunity. Statistically, Kent State was one of the worst programs in FBS football a year ago. The Golden Flashes went 0-12 and were outscored by an average of 32.4 points per game.
The struggles haven’t been a one-year blip, either. Kent State has gone 1-32 in its last 33 games dating back to the middle of the 2023 season, a staggering stretch of futility.
By the Numbers
The following graphic uses 2024 statistics
Three Storylines
New Era for Kent State Under Mark Carney
Kent State will open the season with a new face in charge. Mark Carney, last year’s offensive coordinator, takes over for Kenni Burns, who was dismissed for contract violations.
Carney’s rise has been swift. He joined the Golden Flashes in 2023 as tight ends and wide receivers coach, moved into the coordinator’s chair in 2024, and now finds himself running the entire program. A former Fordham quarterback, Carney has leaned on familiar ties to start reshaping his roster.
That includes a key transfer at the most important position on the field. Carney went into the portal to bring in quarterback CJ Montes from Fordham, and Montes is projected to start Saturday’s opener.
Montes put up strong numbers for the Rams in 2023, throwing for 3,000 yards and 26 touchdowns. But last season unraveled early, when an injury in the third game sidelined him for the year. Before going down, Montes had completed 34 of 66 passes for 333 yards.
Experience Returns for Merrimack’s Offense
Merrimack enters the season with plenty of familiar faces at the skill positions, giving the Warriors a foundation of continuity as they head into Saturday’s opener.
Quarterback Ayden Pereira is back to lead the offense, and he’ll have experienced targets in Jalen McDonald and Seth Sweitzer, who are projected to start at wide receiver. Redshirt sophomore Austin Palmer is penciled in as the third starting wideout.
“Ayden is having an unbelievable camp, especially from a leadership perspective,” head coach Mike Gennetti told The Eagle Tribune. “His approach, his mentality and displaying leadership skills throughout all winter, spring and summer are really putting us in a position where we feel really confident in him.”
The backfield has a fresh look. Last year, the Warriors leaned heavily on Jermaine Corbett, but after his graduation, the job appears to belong to junior Brendon Wyatt. He showed flashes of big-play ability in limited action a year ago, averaging 8.7 yards per carry while rushing for 187 yards and three touchdowns on just 21 attempts.
Up front, though, the picture is different. Outside of right tackle Beau Lanzidelle, the offensive line is entirely rebuilt. Logan Wylie, a transfer from East Texas A&M, is projected to start at center with Tommy Dickinson at right guard. On the left side, the Warriors will roll out a pair of sophomores in tackle Steve Lizama and guard Lakeem Steele.
Don’t Be Surprised if Merrimack Stuns Kent State
On paper, this is more than just a winnable game for Merrimack — it’s a genuine opportunity to make noise against an FBS opponent. Kent State was statistically one of the worst programs in the country last season, and while the Golden Flashes have brought in plenty of new faces, cohesion doesn’t happen overnight. Week 1 is often where the cracks show, especially for a team still trying to figure out its identity.
We saw it last year when the Warriors opened against Air Force. That Falcons team was miles better than what the Golden Flashes are putting on the field this season, yet the game still highlighted how messy things can look out of the gate. Air Force beat the Warriors 21-6, but Merrimack covered the spread by more than two touchdowns.
Vegas seems to agree Merrimack has a real shot. A year ago, the Warriors were written off as 30-point underdogs at Air Force. This Saturday? Kent State is favored by just 6.5 points. And when you factor in the standard three points oddsmakers give the home team, that line suggests the Flashes are viewed as little more than a field goal better than Merrimack on neutral turf.
Put it all together, and this isn’t a case of “hoping to keep it close.” The numbers, the matchup, and the timing all point toward a real chance for Merrimack to walk out of Kent, Ohio, with its first win over an FBS opponent.