Calhoun's career night not enough in loss to Falcons

Tuesday, November 15

Bowling Green, OH

7 p.m.

Kent State University

3-8 , 2-5

Bowling Green

3-8 , 2-5

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Kent State

Bowling Green

Calhoun's career night not enough in loss to Falcons

11/15/2016 11:02:00 PM | Football

Box Score

BOWLING GREEN, Ohio – Ernest Calhoun scored on a 56-yard touchdown pass from Nick Holley and true freshman Jamal Parker intercepted the first two passes of his young career, but those highlights were not enough for Kent State to overcome Bowling Green in a 42-7 loss at Doyt Perry Stadium.

"It was very disappointing," said Kent State head coach Paul Haynes. "That was not Kent State football and like I told the guys in the locker room, that's on me. We did not get ourselves ready to roll tonight. I give Bowling Green credit. They came out and were more physical and played harder than we did.

"We got a pick (by Parker) early and it was kind of back and forth for a little while. But again we didn't play Kent State football tonight."

The Golden Flashes defense had a difficult time stopping the run as BGSU rolled up 597 yards on 420 rushing yards on the ground behind a trio of 100-yard performances. Donovan Wilson ran for 146 yards on 30 attempts, Josh Cleveland added 131 yards on just eight carries, and Fred Coppet finished with 105 yards on 19 attempts. All three also reached the end zone – Wilson twice on runs of 3 and 4 yards, Coppet on a 13-yard run, and Cleveland on an 85-yard sprint in the third quarter.

Bowling Green quarterback James Morgan added a pair of touchdown passes, finding Hunter Folkertsma for a 3-yard score in the second quarter and Deric Phouthavong for a 19-yarder to cap the scoring late in the final quarter.

Quarterbacks Nick Holley and George Bollas both threw for over 100 yards for Kent State. The 56-yard connection between Holley and Calhoun in the second quarter was the longest pass play for Kent State this season. Calhoun finished with a career night of 112 yards on five catches.

"Ernest plays with a lot of passion and a lot of energy," said Haynes. "It was good to see a senior perform, but we just didn't have enough of it."

The Flashes offense played turnover-free football while the defense forced three turnovers, including the two picks by Parker. The freshman's second interception came in the end zone on the final play of the first half, keeping Kent State hopes alive, down 21-7.

"Jamal is going to be a good player for us down the road," said Haynes. "He does a good job of getting his hands on guys and going up and playing the ball."

One week after a 19-tackle performance against Western Michigan that ranked No. 3 in the nation this season, Flashes linebacker Nick Cuthbert finished with 18 tackles against Bowling Green.

Kent State (3-8) will close the season on Friday, November 25 at home against Northern Illinois in a noon kickoff that will be televised on the CBS Sports Network.

Postgame Notes

Senior receiver Ernest Calhoun had a career-high 112 receiving yards on five catches and his third touchdown of the season. He also eclipsed 75 career catches. Calhoun became the first Kent State wideout with over 100 receiving yards in a game since 2014.

Freshman cornerback Jamal Parker made his first and second career interceptions and became the sixth Kent State player with an interception this season.

Senior Terence Waugh made his team-leading 13^th tackle for loss

Senior linebacker Nick Cuthbert made 18 tackles, giving him 37 tackles in his last two games. He made nine solo stops and has 2.5 tackles for loss.

Junior Nick Holley threw his fourth touchdown pass of the season.

Junior safety Kevin Bourne made a career-high 14 tackles.

Sophomore safety Juantez McRae made a career-high 14 tackles.

Senior linebacker Elcee Refuge recorded his third fumble recovery of the season.

Freshman Trey Harrell made a career-high three catches for 50 yards.