MAC East Lead on the Line Saturday at Dix Stadium
10/20/2015 2:45:00 PM | Football
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The Mid-American Conference leaders in total offense and total defense collide Saturday, when Kent State hosts Bowling Green at Dix Stadium. The Golden Flashes (2-1 MAC) are just one game back of the Falcons (3-0 MAC) in the East Division race, following a road win at UMass. Kent State has won its last three games against East opponents and three of its last four at home.
Facts In A Flash
• Kent State leads the MAC in total defense, sacks, tackles for loss, turnovers gained and pass efficiency defense. The Flashes are 18th in the nation in rushing defense.
• With 11 tackles at UMass, Nate Holley moved up to fourth in the MAC and 20th in the nation in tackles per game (9.6).
• Kent State's defense ranks seventh in the nation with 11 interceptions among seven different Golden Flashes, after Nick Cuthbert's pick at UMass.
• Sophomore cornerback Demetrius Monday is third in the nation in total interceptions (5).
• Junior Terence Waugh ranks eighth in the nation and leads the MAC with 8.0 sacks. Waugh is also tied for the MAC lead in tackles for loss.
• Redshirt freshman Raekwon James had career-highs of 85 yards rushing and eight catches at UMass. He totaled 182 all-purpose yards.
• Redshirt freshman George Bollas completed 20-of-25 passes in his first career start at QB. It was the highest single-game completion percentage for a Kent State quarterback since 2010.
• In its last five games, Kent State is plus-8 in turnover margin.
• Senior running back Trayion Durham is one of five players in Kent State history to reach 3,000 career rushing yards (3,013).
• Kent State returned six Academic All-MAC selections and five MAC Distinguished Scholar-Athletes.
• Senior safety Jordan Italiano was tabbed Smartest Player in College Football by NFL.com this summer. The pre-med/biochemistry major carries a 3.979 grade point average.
More Turnovers
Kent State ranks seventh in the nation in turnovers gained. Eleven different Flashes have either intercepted a pass or forced a fumble.
BreakThrough Win
Kent State's win at UMass was its first road win since 2013, snapping an eight-game road losing skid. It was the first program victory over UMass. The win also gave the Flashes their first three-game winning streak against the East Division since 2012.
Next Man Up (WR)
Two of Kent State's most productive receivers (Ernest Calhoun, Antwan Dixon) were held out of action with injuries at UMass. In their absence freshmen P.J. Simmons and Johnny Woods each had career-highs of four catches. Junior receiver Charles Chandler made his first career TD grab.
• Calhoun's absence also led to freshman Zaquon Tyson's college debut at punt returner. Tyson totaled 28 yards on his first three returns.
MAC Starts
Getting off to a strong start in conference play has not come easy for Kent State in recent years.
First three MAC game records since 2007.
2007: 1-2
2008: 0-3
2009: 2-1
2010: 1-2
2011: 0-3
2012: 3-0
2013: 1-2
2014: 0-3
2015: 2-1
Third Down Defense
In seven games the Flashes have held opponents to 29-of-109 on third down attempts. Holding opponents to 27 percent ranks ninth in the nation.
Third Down Offense
Kent State's offense struggled on third downs in its first five games (17-of-94). But the Flashes best two outings have come in their last two games going 7-of-18 and 7-of-19.
Controlling the Clock
The Flashes held an opponent to under 100 yards rushing (86) for the third time this season at UMass. By more than doubling the Minutemen's output on the ground (192 yds), Kent State was able to hold a 13-minute edge in time of possession.
Tough to Score Against
Kent State's defense has allowed only six touchdowns in regulation against the five-game combination of: Delaware State (0), Minnesota (1), Marshall (2), Miami (2) and UMass (1).
Stability on O-Line
Kent State returned the bulk of its offensive line from 2014, which now ranks seventh in the nation in sacks allowed. The Flashes have surpassed 180 yards rushing in four of their last six games. The O-line showed improvement throughout 2014, despite seven different starting five combinations. The current lineup of five has been working together since the beginning of spring practice.
Limiting a Good Passer
The Golden Flashes' defense held UMass to 171 yards passing, under half of the Minutemen's average on the season (358.2) heading into the game. UMass was also held 202 yards under its total yard average prior to the game.
Extending Drives
In its first five games against FBS opponents, Kent State's highest play total on a touchdown was five. The Flashes put an 8-play TD drive together at UMass.
Melchiori's Mighty Fourth
Senior Anthony Melchiori strung together four straight impressive punts during the fourth quarter in a one-possession game at UMass. With his back foot just inside the back line of his end zone, Melchiori booted a 55-yard punt early in the fourth. His next three punts were downed on the UMass one, nine and two yard lines respectively. Monday, he was named MAC East Special Teams Player of the Week.
Rushing Battle is Key
Since 2012, Kent State is 17-3 when out-gaining opponents on the ground. It took double overtime against Marshall to break that trend this season. The Flashes are 3-21 when the opposition runs for more yards with two of those wins coming against the run-heavy Army offense in 2012 and 2014.
Take Advantage of Fumbles
At Toledo, Ryan Seibert scored his first career touchdown with a fumble recovery in the end zone. Along with Nate Terhune and Demetrius Monday fumble recoveries for scores, Kent State is third in the FBS with three defensive touchdowns.
Critical First Half
Since the beginning of 2012, Kent State is 17-1 when leading at halftime and 1-22 when trailing at the break. Marshall was the Flashes' only loss in that span when leading at the break.
Rushing, Receiving, Returning
Raekwon James ranks sixth in the conference and first among all MAC freshmen in all-purpose yards with 792.
Bollas Using His Legs
Whether buying more time in the pocket to throw or tucking the ball and going, redshirt freshman quarterback George Bollas has troubled defenses with his feet in the last two games. Bollas had career-highs of 79 yards rushing and 135 yards passing at UMass and his 20 completions were the most by a Kent State quarterback this season.
Bouncing Back on FGs
After getting his first career field goal blocked at Illinois, redshirt freshman Shane Hynes has made six of his last seven. In his first test with the pressure on, Hynes hit a 33-yarder late in the fourth quarter against Marshall, tying the game 22-22 to force overtime.
Bowling Green Connections
Paul Haynes began his college coaching career as a graduate assistant at Bowling Green in 1994.
Special Teams Coordinator and tight ends coach Dave McMichael graduated from BGSU and was a three-year letterwinner for coach Don Nehlen.
• Seven players on Kent State's roster had a high school teammate that now plays at Bowling Green.
• In the past decade, Carol Cartwright served as president at both universities.
