The 1986 Kent State Golden Flashes football team was an American football team that represented Kent State University in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) during the 1986 NCAA Division I-A football season. In their first season under head coach Glen Mason, the Golden Flashes compiled a 5–6 record (5–3 against MAC opponents), finished in a tie for second place in the MAC, and were outscored by all opponents by a combined total of 288 to 179.