MAC Releases 2016 Conference Schedule
2/22/2016 11:11:00 AM | Football
The Mid-American Conference unveiled its 2016 football schedule Monday with dates for all eight of Kent State's conference games, beginning with a Wagon Wheel showdown. Archrival Akron heads to Dix Stadium Saturday, Oct. 1, to open MAC play for the Golden Flashes.
The battle for Northeast Ohio bragging rights will be the third home game in a four-week span for Kent State fans, who can also catch the Flashes Sept. 10 & 17.Â
Ohio will be the next MAC East rival to visit Dix Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 22. Kent State will host a nationally televised game Tuesday, Nov. 8 against Western Michigan on either ESPN2 or CBS Sports Network. More television appearances and all kickoff times will be announced at later dates.
Dix Stadium will also play host to a day after Thanksgiving contest with Northern Illinois on Friday, Nov. 25.   Â
Driving around six feet of snow will likely be avoided this year as the Flashes visit Buffalo on Saturday, Oct. 8. The very next Saturday Kent State takes on Miami in Oxford.Â
For the first time since 2004, the Flashes will head to Mount Pleasant on Saturday, Oct. 29, to tangle with Central Michigan. MAC champion Bowling Green hosts Kent State on Tuesday, Nov. 15 on either ESPN2 or ESPNU.
Earlier this year, the Golden Flashes announced their four non-conference games in September, beginning with an opening day matchup with Penn State (Sept. 3). Fans can head to Dix Stadium on back-to-back Saturdays in September as Kent State hosts North Carolina A&T (Sept. 19) and Monmouth (Sept. 26). Both will be first-time program meetings. North Carolina A&T is coming off a MEAC championship and a Celebration Bowl victory.
Defending national champion Alabama hosts the Flashes Saturday, Sept. 24 to close out non-conference play.
To pre-order tickets for the Penn State and Alabama games, call the Kent State Ticket Office at 330-672-2244. Tickets will first be allocated to members of The Golden Flashes Club, then to the general public. To learn more about The Golden Flashes Club to receive priority tickets, CLICK HERE or contact them at 330-672-2078. Season ticket information will be announced at a later time.
The Golden Flashes have held three of their 15 spring semester practices, which conclude on March 18. Look for Kent State to announce its homecoming date on Tuesday, March 1.
2016 Schedule
Date | Opponent | Location | Time/TV |
Sept. 3 | Penn State | University Park, Pa. | TBA |
Sept. 10 | North Carolina A&T | Dix Stadium | TBA |
Sept. 17 | Monmouth | Dix Stadium | TBA |
Sept. 24 | Alabama | Tuscaloosa, Ala. | TBA |
Oct. 1 | Akron* | Dix Stadium | TBA |
Oct. 8 | Buffalo* | Buffalo, N.Y. | TBA |
Oct. 15 | Miami* | Oxford, Ohio | TBA |
Oct. 22 | Ohio* | Dix Stadium | TBA |
Oct. 29 | Central Michigan* | Mount Pleasant, Mich. | TBA |
Nov. 8 | Western Michigan* | Dix Stadium | ESPN2/CBS Sports |
Nov. 15 | Bowling Green* | Bowling Green, Ohio | ESPN2/ESPNU |
Nov. 25 | Northern Illinois* | Dix Stadium | TBA |
