Keith leads Kent St. over Murray St.

Associated Press

KENT

Spencer Keith threw for 275 yards and three touchdowns to lead Kent State to a 41-10 season-opening victory over Murray State on Thursday night.

Two of Keith’s scoring passes went to Jacquise Terry, including a 49-yarder that gave the Golden Flashes a 24-10 lead 1:13 before halftime. Keith’s other scoring pass went to Sam Kirkland, who had nine catches for 126 yards.

The loss spoiled Chris Hatcher’s Murray State coaching debut. Hatcher compiled a 94-27 record in previous jobs at Valdosta State and Georgia Southern.

Anthony Bowman’s 92-yard kickoff return to start the second half widened Kent State’s lead to 31-10 over its Football Championship Series opponent.

Jeff Ehrhardt was 30-for-47 for 258 yards for Murray State, which finished with minus-65 yards rushing as Ehrhardt was sacked five times for 44 yards. The Racers didn’t score in the final 39:17.

Buffalo 31, Rhode Island 0

AMHERST, N.Y.

Jerry Davis threw for 302 yards and four touchdowns as Buffalo routed Rhode Island in Jeff Quinn’s coaching debut with the Bulls.

Davis completed 21 of 35 passes with one interception. He threw for three scores in the second quarter alone: a 5-yard touchdown to Ed Young, a 38-yarder to Marcus Rivers and a 21-yard TD to Alex Neutz with 0:40 left as Buffalo took a 24-0 lead at halftime.

Rivers had 10 catches for 155 yards and one touchdown. Neutz caught five passes for 99 yards. Davis added another 17-yard TD in the third quarter to Terrel Jackson.

Rhode Island quarterback Steve Probst was 18-for-42 for 145 yards with one interception. The Rams were held to 207 yards of total offense while Buffalo had 423.

Buffalo’s last shutout was a 44-0 win over Ohio in 2001.

Central Michigan 33, Hampton 0

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich.

Ryan Radcliff threw for 242 yards and a touchdown and ran for another score as Central Michigan defeated Hampton.

Paris Cotton rushed for 94 yards and a TD, and Carl Volny added a rushing score for the Chippewas (1-0). Volny also caught three passes for 60 yards.