Kent State: A Lesson in Resilience and Determination

Head Coach Kenni Burns is on a challenging journey after his Kent State team suffered a humiliating 71-0 defeat against the sixth-ranked Tennessee team. Despite a 65-0 deficit at halftime, Burns declined the offer of a running clock for the second half and chose to let his team continue to fight. This episode highlights the character and resilience that Burns sees in his team. Burns' decision to analyze the game footage demonstrates his belief in the growth potential of his young team. With a 0-3 record this season and a challenging game against Penn State next Saturday, he stresses the importance of learning and improvement. “With a young team, they need to see the discrepancy of what a top-five team looks like and where we stand," said Burns. This insight is meant to motivate the players to work hard and grow steadily. Team captain Oliver Billotte, who grew up near State College, Pennsylvania, is looking forward to the game against Penn State. For him, it's an emotional return, as he recalls his childhood attending Penn State games with his family. Billotte emphasizes the necessary aggressiveness and determination to compete against stronger teams. Burns, who began his college football career at Kent State in 2022, has since contributed to the design of the 2025 schedule – a smart decision to be better prepared for challenging games in the future. The marathon of games against top-10 teams like Tennessee and Penn State takes its toll, but Burns and his team are determined to learn from these encounters and emerge stronger. While Burns and his coaching staff observe the mental and physical resilience of their players, they understand the importance of finding the right balance. "How you play your pieces in the last and this week is really important as a head coach," said Burns. The insights from the past week and the preparations for the upcoming game are ultimately meant to drive the team forward. The focus is on learning from mistakes and developing, a mantra that Burns describes as “Kent GRIT” – “grow and respond with integrity, together.” Burns emphasizes the importance of not falling into "negative town," but viewing problems as valuable learning challenges. With the right mindset, these tough lessons could become the foundation of a solid and resilient future for Kent State.