KENT, Ohio (Interstat) — Two teams seeking their first victory over a Football Bowl Subdivision opponent will meet Saturday when Kent State hosts Massachusetts in a Mid-American Conference matchup at Dix Stadium.

The Minutemen (0-5, 0-1 MAC) are off to a winless start, coming off a 21-3 home loss to Western Michigan where their offense was held without a touchdown. Quarterbacks AJ Hairston and Brandon Rose combined for 203 passing yards in the defeat. UMass’s five losses have come by an average margin of 26.6 points.

The Golden Flashes (1-4, 0-1) also struggled offensively in their last outing, falling 44-0 at Oklahoma. Quarterbacks Devin Kargman and Deante Ruffin were similarly unable to generate consistent production. Kent State’s lone win was a 21-17 victory over FCS-level Merrimack in its season opener.

Despite UMass’s record, betting markets have installed the Minutemen as a slight 2.5-point favorite. The over/under is set at 50.5 points. Interstat’s game simulator projects a higher-scoring affair with a Kent State victory, 38-25.

The game represents a critical opportunity for both programs to secure a conference win and build momentum for the second half of the season.