Flashes Take Momentum to Minnesota Saturday
9/15/2015 11:01:00 PM | Football
Game Notes Golden Flashes Radio
Coming off one of its best defensive performances in program history, Kent State visits Minnesota Saturday at 12 p.m. Eastern. In a 45-13 victory over Delaware State, the Golden Flashes held the Hornets to just five yards passing, one first down and negative-38 yards rushing.
Facts In A Flash
• Offensively, Kent State's 492 total yards were its most since its 2013 season finale and its 91 plays were the most in the last decade.
• Junior QB Colin Reardon ranks 4th in career completions (440) at Kent State, and sixth in both career passing yards (4,721) and TD passes (29).
• In two games the Flashes have held opponents to 3-of-23 on third down conversion attempts.
• Junior safety and Thorpe Award Watch List member Nate Holley had an interception and a sack against Delaware State.
• Junior defensive tackle Terence Waugh has three sacks in two games.
• Sophomore cornerback Demetrius Monday has two interceptions in his last three games.
• Junior running back Nick Holley has four touchdowns in his last three games (2 rush, 2 receiving).
• Kent State returns 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.
• Senior April Goss became the second female in FBS history to record points in a game with a second-quarter extra point against Delaware State.
• Senior DE Nate Terhune scored his second career TD against DSU on a fumble recovery.
• Junior left tackle Reno Reda was chosen to wear number 54 this season, to carry on the legacy of former teammate Jason Bitsko.
• Senior Anthony Melchiori ranked 12th in the nation in punting average in 2014, helping the Flashes rank 16th in net punting.
ALL-TIME SERIES
In the only meeting between the two programs, Minnesota became the first Big Ten team to play at Dix Stadium in 2006. Led by former Flashes' Head Coach Glen Mason, the Golden Gophers blanked Kent State 44-0 in the season opener. Julian Edelman made his debut for the Flashes at quarterback.
TV/Video/Radio
Saturday's game can be seen on Big Ten Network with Anthony LaPanta (play-by-play), Stanley Jackson (analyst) and Jamie Hersch (reporter). All Kent State games can be heard live on 640 WHLO and Golden Flashes Radio on iHeartRadio. Ty Linder will handle the play-by-play duties and is joined in the booth for the sixth year in a row by color analyst Rob Polinsky. Matt Miller is the sideline reporter. iHeartRadio can be heard on a computer, smart phone or tablet.
Previewing Minnesota
• The Golden Gophers are coming off a 23-20 overtime road win at Colorado State. A forced fumble and a field goal in the extra period sealed the victory.
• Minnesota forced four Colorado State turnovers and rank sixth in the nation in turnovers gained. The Gophers also rank third in fumbles recovered.
• After two games the Minnesota offensive line is ranked 20th in the nation in tackles for loss allowed.
• The Gopher defense held Colorado State to just 142 yards passing.
• In its opener, Minnesota took No. 3 TCU down to the wire in a 23-17 loss.
• Last season, the Gophers went 6-1 at home, with its only loss coming against Ohio State (31-24).
Key Players To Watch
• Sophomore quarterback Mitch Leidner ranks 35th in the nation in completions per game has not thrown an interception in two games.
• Redshirt freshman running back Rodney Smith ran for 108 yards on 21 carries at Colorado State.
• Junior receiver Drew Wolitarsky had nine catches for 114 yards and one touchdown at Colorado State.
• Senior Peter Mortell averaged 47.2 yards on nine punts against the Rams. He ranks 12th in the nation in punting average.
• Sophomore defensive tackle Steven Richardson recorded seven solo tackles at Colorado State, including 3.0 tackles for loss, a sack and a forced fumble.
• Senior defensive back Damarius Travis had 10 tackles against TCU.
NFL Night to Remember
The NFL's 2015 opening game Steelers vs. Patriots featured more players from Kent State (5) than any other school. All five (Julian Edelman, Josh Kline, James Harrison, Dri Archer, Roosevelt Nix) got very little college attention coming out of high school due to their size. Three were undrafted free agents.
Reardon Trifecta
Junior quarterback Colin Reardon completed 11-of-16 passes for three touchdowns and no interceptions against Delaware State. It was the third time in seven games Reardon hit the three touchdown mark. This time it came within the first three minutes of the second half.
Solid Second Option
Redshirt freshman quarterback George Bollas scored his first career touchdown against Delaware State on a five-yard run. He also ran for a two-point conversion and threw a two-point conversion to tight end Brice Fackler. In two games, Bollas has completed 11-of-16 passes.
Fingers Crossed
The Flashes have had weather-related postponements in each of their last two road trips, dating back to Buffalo, last November. Kent State's opener at Illinois was pushed back a day due to several hours of lightning. The Flashes spent four days in Buffalo last year without playing a game when the area was hit with six feet of snow.
Rushing Battle is Key...
Since 2012, Kent State is 15-2 when outgaining opponents on the ground. The Flashes are 3-19 when the opposition runs for more yards with two of those wins coming against the run-heavy Army offense in 2012 and 2014.
Critical First Half
Kent State's win over Delaware State came with what has become a critical component, a halftime lead. Since the beginning of 2012, Kent State is 16-0 when leading at halftime and 1-20 when trailing at the break.
