Flashes Host Central Michigan Friday at 8 p.m. on ESPN2
11/1/2011 12:00:00 AM | Football
Complete Notes in PDF
Following a 27-15 victory over Bowling Green, Kent State returns to Dix Stadium for its second game in seven days when the Golden Flashes host Central Michigan Friday (Nov. 4) on ESPN2. Kent State is one of five teams in the MAC East separated by one game in the loss column with four conference games remaining on its schedule. The Golden Flashes are 6-4 at Dix Stadium since the beginning of the 2010 season. This season, the Flashes have dropped three games by a one possession margin, two of which have come at home.
Facts In A Flash
• Junior quarterback Spencer Keith recently became the fourth quarterback in Kent State history to reach 5,000 career passing yards. Keith is coming off his highest completion rate of the season (16-of-23) against Bowling Green with a season-high 179 yards, a touchdown and no interceptions.
• Senior wide receiver Sam Kirkland leads the Flashes with 25 catches for 223 yards. Senior tight end Justin Thompson is second on the squad with 20 grabs, including two for touchdowns.
• MAC Defensive Player of the Year Roosevelt Nix has forced seven fumbles in his young career. He has already piled up 30.5 TFL in two years and 12.5 career sacks, which ranks ninth among Kent State's all-time leaders.
• MAC Defensive Player of the Week Luke Batton leads the team with 71 tackles and is on pace to hit the century mark. The junior middle linebacker has blocked a field goal, recovered a fumble and made 5.5 TFL.
• Senior punter Matt Rinehart is a two-time first team All-MAC pick and the school's career leader in punting average at 41.7 yards. He has had boots of 50 or more yards in four straight games.
• Junior college transfer C.J. Malauulu, who cracked the starting lineup in week two, has made 60 tackles in his last seven games, including 3.5 sacks, 9.0 tackles for loss, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
• The Kent State backfield has been bolstered by the addition of true freshmen Trayion Durham and An thony Meray, who have combined for 527 yards this season. Durham scored his first career touchdown against Bowling Green, from five yards out.
A Glance At The Series
Friday night's meeting with the Chippewas will be the 32nd in the cross-division matchup, which dates back to 1948. Central Michigan holds a commanding 22-9 advantage in the series, winning 12 of the last 14 contests. The teams are meeting for the first time since 2007 and for just the second time in 14 years in Kent.
Dix Debut on ESPN2
Friday's game marks the first ESPN2 broadcast from Dix Stadium. Last season ESPNU made its football debut in Kent, Ohio, when the Golden Flashes defeated Ohio 28-6 on Nov. 26. In conjunction with Friday's telecast, Dix Stadium will get a visit from the Goodyear Blimp.
Radio
For the fifth straight year, the excitement of Golden Flashes football can be found on flagship station WNIR 100.1 FM in Northeast Ohio as part of the Kent State Sports Network from IMG College. Ty Linder will handle the play-by-play duties and is joined in the booth for the second year in a row by color analyst Rob Polinsky. Kent State senior Dan Scotchmer joins the team this year as the sideline reporter.
Web Site
Live audio for all Kent State football game broadcasts, live video of select games and live stats are available via the K-Zone on the official athletic department web site (www.kentstatesports.com).
The Coaches
• Darrell Hazell (Muskingum '86) is 2-6 in his first season as a head coach, assuming the reins at Kent State on Dec. 20, 2010. Hazell spent the previous seven seasons at Ohio State and is in the midst of his 26th season on the collegiate sidelines.
• Dan Enos (Michigan State '91) is in his second season at Central Michigan, where he is 6-15 and has never faced Kent State. Prior to CMU, Enos spent four seasons as his alma mater as running backs coach and quarterbacks coach. He also spent time at Cincinnati and Western Michigan.
Up Next
Kent State looks to retain the coveted Wagon Wheel Trophy, visiting archrival Akron on Saturday, Nov. 12. Last year, the Golden Flashes took back the wheel for the first time since 2006 with a 28-17 victory in Kent. The game can also be seen on SportsTime Ohio.
As Keith Goes...So Goes The Team
For the second time this season, junior quarterback Spencer Keith (Little Rock, Ark.) did not throw an interception Saturday against Bowling Green. Kent State is 2-0 this season and 6-1 since 2010, when a Keith pass is not picked off. Conversely, the Flashes have dropped 12 straight when Keith throws an interception.
"D" Stepping up in MAC Play
The Kent State defense has held each of its last two opponents (Miami, Bowling Green) to under 50 yards rushing. The Flashes held each of its first three MAC opponents significantly under their season average on total offense. Miami was held to 166 yards offense, despite averaging 350 ypg, prior to meeting the Flashes. Northern Illinois and Ohio were held to 123 and 61 yards under their averages respectively.
Terry Hitting Milestones
Senior tailback Jacquise Terry (Phenix City, Ala.) ran for a season-high 65 yards on only eight carries against Bowling Green. His 34-yard carry was Kent State's longest run of the year. in the process, he surpassed 1,500 career rushing yards. Just one game earlier, Terry reached 2,000 yards of offense. The dual threat now has 1,547 rushing yards with 12 touchdowns along with 48 catches for 557 yards and three receiving TDs.
Gilbert Coming On Strong
Senior wide receiver Chris Gilbert (Huntersville, N.C.) made his first start of the season against Miami and earned himself more playing time with career-highs of six catches and 56 yards receiving. In his last two games, he has made nine grabs for 107 yards. Prior to the Miami game, his only career starts came in four-receiver sets. Gilbert had never made more than two grabs in one contest.
O-line Adjustments Pay Off
After starting the first seven games of the season at right tackle, junior Josh Kline was moved to left guard during the bye week, where he made his debut against Bowling Green. The move appears to have paid off as the Flashes did not allow a sack for only the second time this season, while KSU's running backs averaged 4.7 yards per carry, their most productive game of the season. Kline became the fourth player to start at left guard this year.
