Kent State University
Marshall University
Flashes Looking for Second Win at Marshall
9/12/2017 4:38:00 PM | Football
Game Notes Golden Flashes Radio CUSA.tv Live Stats
Former Mid-American Conference member Marshall (1-1) hosts Kent State (1-1) Saturday for the first time since 2003 Saturday at Edwards Stadium. Coming off a 38-31 win over Howard, the Golden Flashes look to avenge a double overtime loss against the Thundering Herd in 2015.
Facts In A Flash
• Head Coach Paul Haynes officially returned this week after a two-week medical leave of absence to begin the season.
• Senior Nick Holley now has 11 rushing touchdowns and six 100-yard rushing performances in nine career games as a quarterback. Holley has rushed for over 50 yards in 8-of-9 starts at QB.
• Kent State's offensive line has not allowed a sack in two games.
Sophomore Derek Adams ranks 25th in the nation in punting average. One of only seven sophomores on the The Ray Guy Award Watch List, Adams pinned 4-of-5 punts inside the 20 against Howard.
• Senior Nathan Puthoff was chosen to wear the No. 54 jersey in honor of late teammate Jason Bitsko. Puthoff is also on the Rimington Trophy Watch List, honoring the nation's best center.
• True freshman Kesean Gamble scored his first two career rushing touchdowns in the fourth quarter against Howard.
• Junior Raekwon James entered the season with 1,441 career all-purpose yards and Saturday he scored his first career touchdown against Howard.
• Senior cornerback Demetrius Monday ended the game with his eighth career interception.
• Sophomore running back Justin Rankin scored his fifth career touchdown against Howard.
• The Flashes finished eighth in the nation in turnover margin last season and did not commit a turnover at Clemson.
• Kent State returns 12 players who have earned Academic All-MAC honors in their career and three MAC Distinguished Scholar Athletes.
All-Time Series
Kent State has played Marshall more than any other program outside of the Mid-American Conference and its all-time series with Thundering Herd is tied 18-18. The series dates back to 1952 when the teams began playing every year for 24 consecutive seasons. Marshall has won the last 11 meetings, including a double overtime road win in 2015 at Dix Stadium. The rivalry included eight MAC matchups from 1997-2004. The Golden Flashes' last win in the all-time series came in 1978 in Kent. The Flashes last road win was 1974.
TV/Video/Radio
Saturday's game game can be seen on CUSA.tv with Mark Martin (play-by-play) and Bobby Carpenter (analyst). It can also be seen in the greater Charleston/Huntington area on select cable & satellite providers. The game can be heard live on WHLO 640 and Golden Flashes Radio on iHeartRadio. Ty Linder will handle the play-by-play duties and is joined in the booth for the eighth year in a row by color analyst Rob Polinsky. Jacob Pavilack will be on the sideline. iHeartRadio can be heard on a computer, smart phone or tablet.
The Coaches
• Paul Haynes is in his fifth year at his alma mater. In 2013, Haynes became the first Flashes' head coach to win his debut since 1988. He was a two-time All-MAC safety at Kent State from 1987-91, despite joining as a walk-on. He returned as an assistant in 1999 and was promoted to assistant head coach in 2000. After seven seasons on an Ohio State staff that won six Big Ten titles (2005-11), Haynes spent 2012 as defensive coordinator at Arkansas. His current tenure has also brought Kent State's academic achievements to new heights with the highest term and cumulative team grade point averages in program history.
• Doc Holliday (West Virginia, '79) is in his eighth season as head coach of the Thundering Herd. In 2014 Holliday led Marshall to the program's first Conference USA title and a No. 23 ranking in the final AP poll of that season. At the conclusion of 2014 he was named Conference USA Coach of the Year and received a six-year contract extension. Holliday has over 30 years of college coaching experience, including stops at Florida, West Virginia and North Carolina State.
Previewing Marshall
• Since 2014, Marshall is 16-5 at home, including a 31-26 victory over Miami this season.
• The win over the RedHawks included two kick returns for touchdowns and an interception returned for a touchdown.
• Last week, Marshall jumped out to a 20-10 second quarter lead at NC State, before the Wolfpack scored 27 unanswered points.
• The Herd returned seven starters on both offense and defense.
• Marshall ranks 23rd in the nation in net punting and 24th in sacks allowed.
• Since the beginning of the 2016 season, Marshall has posted five 300-yard passing games.
Key Players To Watch
• Junior receiver Tyre Brady leads the Herd with 14 catches for 302 yards and four touchdowns. Brady sat out last season after transferring from the University of Miami.
• Junior quarterback Chase Litton has completed 46 passes for 558 yards and three touchdowns in two games. In Marshall's 2015 victory over Kent State, Litton threw a pair of touchdown passes, including a game-saving throw in overtime.
• Junior Keion Davis has three career kick returns for touchdowns. Davis also has a 53-yard carry on the season.
• Senior Kaare Vedvik is averaging 46.8 yards on punts. He is also 3-of-4 on field goal attempts, including a 45-yarder.
• Junior linebacker Chase Hancock leads Marshall with 3.0 tackles for loss and has made 20 total tackles on the year. Hancock began his career as a walk-on.
• Sophomore safety Malik Gant leads the Herd with 21 tackles, including 12 solo stops.
