Kent State University
Northern Illinois University
Flashes to Close Season Friday with Northern Illinois
11/20/2016 11:41:00 PM | Football
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Sixteen Kent State seniors will be recognized Friday as the Golden Flashes close out their 2016 season against Northern Illinois on CBS Sports Network. The Huskies and Flashes will be meeting for the 27th time.
Facts In A Flash
• Senior left guard Wayne Scott is slated to make his 40th consecutive career start and senior left tackle Reno Reda will make his 39th career start.
• Kent State's eight-game series losing streak against the Huskies is by far its longest active streak against any MAC opponent.
• The Flashes rank 11th in the nation in turnovers gained, eighth in turnover margin and ninth in fumbles recovered.
• Kent State ranks 43rd in the FBS in total defense.Â
• Academic All-American, and senior linebacker Nick Cuthbert has made 37 tackles in his last two games.Â
• Senior apache Najee Murray is seventh in the nation in passes defended per game (1.5).
• Senior defensive end Terence Waugh, who ranks 30th in the nation in sacks (8.0), recorded his the 13th tackle for loss at Bowling Green.
• Freshman cornerback Jamal Parker made his first and second career interceptions at Bowling Green.
• Senior receiver Ernest Calhoun had a career-high 112 receiving yards on five catches and his third touchdown of the season.Â
• Safeties Kevin Bourne and Juantez McRae each posted career-highs of 14 tackles.
• Kent State returned 10 Academic All-MAC selections and three MAC Distinguished Scholar-Athletes.
• Sophomore lineman Stefano Millin was chosen to wear the No. 54 jersey. (see page 6)
 • In seven games at QB Nick Holley has rushed for nine touchdowns and thrown for four TDs.
All-Time Series
Northern Illinois leads the all-time series 19-7 and carries a 7-5 edge in Kent. The last time the teams met, NIU hung on for a 17-14 win two years ago in DeKalb. Â The Huskies spoiled Kent State's 2013 homecoming the last time the teams met in Dix Stadium 38-24. Â The Golden Flashes last win in the series came in 2001. Â The Huskies have won 16 of the last 18 meetings, including the 2012 MAC Championship Game in double overtime.
TV/Video/Radio
Friday's game game can be seen on CBS Sports Network with Ben Holden (play-by-play), Jay Feely (analyst) and Jjll Savage. Â 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 seventh year in a row by color analyst Rob Polinsky. Â Jacob Pavilack will be the sideline reporter. iHeartRadio can be heard on a computer, smart phone or tablet.
Previewing Northern Illinois
• The Huskies have won three of their last four games.  With some help from various teams around the nation, a win could help NIU get into a bowl game at 5-7.
• Northern Illinois is 2-1 in MAC road games with its only loss coming against No. 14 Western Michigan.  The Huskies have not lost a regular season game to an East Division opponent since 2009.
• The Huskies rank second in the nation in sacks allowed, giving up only seven in 11 games.
• The Northern Illinois offense ranks 16th in the nation in first downs, averaging 23.1 per game.
• The Huskie defense has intercepted 13 passes and averages 5.7 tackles for loss per game.
• NIU leads the MAC in redzone defense as opponents have come up scoreless on 11 different redzone trips this year.
Key Players To Watch
• With three interceptions and 11 pass breakups junior cornerback Shawn Lurry ranks 10th in the nation in passes defended.
• Senior receiver Kenny Golladay ranks eighth in the nation receptions per game (7.5), 14th in receiving yards (1,065) and 27th in receiving touchdowns (8).
• Junior tight end Shane Wimann is also a scoring threat with six receiving touchdowns.
• Senior Aregeros Turner had a 97-yard kick return for a touchdown and has made 39 catches for 408 yards and three scores..
• Senior tailback Joel Bouagnon has rushed for 752 yards and six touchdowns.
• Senior linebacker Jamaal Payton has a team-leading 8.5 tackles for loss and a team-high 47 solo tackles.
Season Finales
The Flashes have earned victories each of the last three times they have closed their regular season at home (2014, 2012, 2010). The last time Kent State closed out its season at Dix Stadium, Colin Reardon found Chris Humphrey in the back of the end zone with 1:00 to play to give Kent State a 27-24 over archrival Akron in 2014.
Black Friday
Since 2008 in Buffalo, Julian Edelman's final college game, the Golden Flashes have played seven times on the day after Thanksgiving, going 4-3 This season will be the Flashes' first Black Friday game against any MAC West opponent.
East vs. West
Kent State looks to post a winning record against MAC West Division foes for the first time since 2012. Â The Flashes win at Central Michigan this season snapped a six-game losing skid against the West.
