Sat Sep 20 18:30:00 UTC 2025: **FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
**#9 Florida State Set to Face Kent State in Final Tune-Up Before ACC Play**
**TALLAHASSEE, FL – September 19, 2025** – The No. 9 Florida State Seminoles (FSU) are set to host the Kent State Golden Flashes today at Doak Campbell Stadium in a non-conference matchup before diving into the heart of their ACC schedule and College Football Playoff aspirations. This is the first-ever meeting between the two programs.
Kent State enters the game with a 1-2 record under first-year head coach Mark Carney. The Golden Flashes are struggling, coming off a 2-25 record since 2023, and are coming off a close loss to Buffalo last week after surrendering a late touchdown. Before this, Kent State had a successful season where they played in the MAC championship in 2021.
The Seminoles are heavily favored and are looking to build momentum heading into a crucial stretch that includes a road game against Virginia next week and a highly anticipated home game against No. 6 Miami the following week.
FSU owes Kent State $1.2 million for the game. This “buy game” payment is significantly more than the $500,000 Florida paid USF earlier this month when the Bulls upset the Gators in Gainesville. FSU also paid East Texas A&M $450,000 for their matchup in Tallahassee, where the Seminoles secured a 77-3 victory.
After facing Florida State, Kent State will travel to face No. 12 Oklahoma next week.
First Piper 