The 1965 Kent State Golden Flashes football team was an American football team that represented Kent State University in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) during the 1965 NCAA University Division football season. In their second season under head coach Leo Strang, the Golden Flashes compiled a 5–4–1 record (3–2–1 against MAC opponents), finished in a tie for third place in the MAC, and outscored all opponents by a combined total of 144 to 114.[1][2] The season marked Kent's first winning season in a half-decade, its first as a major college program, and its longest unbeaten streak since 1956 that was not surpassed until 1973.[3][4]
The team's statistical leaders included Willie Asbury with 998 rushing yards, Ron Mollric with 407 passing yards, and Billy Blunt with 337 receiving yards.[5] Four Kent State players were selected as first-team All-MAC players: halfback Willie Asbury, offensive tackle Jon Brooks, defensive back Pat Gucciardo, and offensive guard Ed Musbach.[6] Asbury ,who went on to play for the Pittsburgh Steelers, was the MAC Offensive Player of the Year.[7]
^2023 Kent State Football Record Book, Kent State University, 2023, pp. 7-8, 10, kentstatesports.com/documents/2023/8/28/2023_Football_record_book.pdf Retrieved September 3, 2024.
^1965 Kent State Media Guide, Kent State University, 1965, p.10 (Kent became a major college program in 1962).