Already tremendously overmatched, Kent State essentially threw in the towel before kickoff and decided not play its most important player against the No. 5 Oklahoma Sooners.
According to the OU pregame radio broadcast, Kent State starting quarterback Dru DeShields will not play against the Sooners on Saturday at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in what's a final tune-up game for OU.
Dru DeShields healthy scratch vs. Sooners
OU sideline reporter Gabe Ikard initially reported that DeShields was in street clothes during pregame warmups, which was a clear sign the Golden Flashes had no intentions of playing him. However, according to the pregame crew, DeShields is healthy, but Kent State wants to keep him that way for conference play, so opted to make DeShields a healthy scratch against the Sooners' dominant defense.
DeShields, a redshirt sophomore, did not start until Kent State's third game of the season, which was a loss to Buffalo. He also started the next game against Florida State. In four appearances and two starts, DeShields had thrown for 642 yards and five touchdowns with one interception. He also has two rushing TDs.
Redshirt junior Devin Kargman got the start for Kent State instead for his first action of the season.
In Kent State's defense, the Sooners sacked Auburn quarterback Jackson Arnold a program record-tying nine times in their last outing. OU is tied for second in the country with 4.0 sacks a game this season. Kent State has the weakest offensive line the Sooners' defensive front will face this season.
The Sooners will also be starting their backup QB in Michael Hawkins Jr. Usual starter John Mateer is out after injuring his throwing hand against Auburn and needing surgery. OU will also be without two starting defensive linemen in Jayden Jackson and Damonic Williams.
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