Flashes to Battle Broncos Tuesday on ESPN2
11/5/2016 9:05:00 AM | Football
Game Notes  Watch ESPN  Golden Flashes Radio  Tickets
The college football nation's eyes will be on Dix Stadium Tuesday night when Kent State takes its shot at No. 14Â Western Michigan (9-0) on ESPN2. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.
Facts In A Flash
• Behind a 35-yard Shane Hynes field goal as time expired The Flashes are coming off their biggest second-half comeback victory (27-24 at Central Michigan) since the 2003 season.
• After making four interceptions at Central Michigan, Kent State ranks 10th in the nation in turnovers gained and 18th in turnover margin.
• The Flashes rank 24th in the FBS in total defense. In conference-only games the Flashes rank second in the MAC in total defense.
• Senior safety Nate Holley leads the nation with 8.9 solo tackles per game (next highest is 7.5) and ranks second in total tackles (12.3). Â
• With eight rushing TDs in his last four games, junior quarterback Nick Holley ranks 17th in the FBS in total touchdowns and 25th in rushing TDs.Â
• Academic All-American, and senior linebacker Nick Cuthbert has made 35 tackles in his last six games with a sack and recovered fumble. He was recently named a Campbell Trophy semifinalist.
• Senior apache Najee Murray is tied for fourth in the nation in passes defended per game (1.6).
• The Flashes rank eighth in the FBS in fumbles recovered.Â
• Five Kent State offensive linemen have made a combined 128 career starts.
• Sophomore center Stefano Millin was chosen to wear the No. 54 jersey. (see page 6)
• Senior defensive end Terence Waugh ranks 18th in the nation in sacks (8.0) and 29th in TFL (12.0).
• Kent State returned 10 Academic All-MAC selections and three MAC Distinguished Scholar-Athletes.
TV/Video/Radio
Tuesday night's game game can be seen on ESPN2 ans ESPN3 with Chris Cotter (play-by-play), Desmond Howard (analyst), Teddy Atlas (analyst) and Quint Kessenich (sideline). Â The game can be heard live on Fox Sports 1350 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.
All-Time Series
Western Michigan leads the all-time series with Kent State 33-20-1 and leads the all-time series in Kent 16-11. The Golden Flashes won the most recent matchup 32-14 in Kalamazoo in 2013, during the first season for both Paul Haynes and P.J. Fleck. The Flashes also won the most recent meeting at Dix Stadium 41-24 on its 2012 homecoming game.
Top Pass Defense
Kent State leads the conference in passing efficiency defense (114.34). Â In 3-of-5 conference games, opposing quarterbacks have completed less than 50 percent of their passes.
...Led By Murray
According to Pro Football Focus, senior apache Najee Murray has allowed just a 29.2 passer rating on balls thrown to his coverage when lined up over slot receivers.Â
Previewing Western Michigan
• The Broncos have scored 41 or more points in each of their last six games.
• In its first three games Western Michigan earned road victories at Northwestern and Illinois.
• The Broncos lead the MAC in rushing offense scoring offense and both third and fourth down conversion rates.
• WMU leads the nation with a plus-15 turnover ratio.
• The Broncos rank sixth in the nation in defensive touchdowns, including a 75-yard interception return in their last game at Ball State.
• Western Michigan ranks fourth in the nation in both passing efficiency and red zone offense.
Key Players To Watch
• Senior quarterback Zach Terrell ranks second in the nation in completion percentage (71.6) and is ninth in both passing efficiency and passing touchdowns (23).  Terrell earned All-MAC honors in 2015 after completing 67 percent of his passes for 3,510 yards and 29 touchdowns. Â
• At Ball State, senior wideout Corey Davis had touchdown catches of 57, 35 and 62 yards.  Davis leads the nation with 14 receiving touchdowns.  Last year, he caught 90 passes last year for 1,436 yards and 12 touchdowns.
• Jarvion Franklin ranks eighth in the nation with 1018 rushing yards
• Junior linebacker Asante Brown made 103 tackles last year with two interceptions and two forced fumbles.  Thi syear, he's made 66 tackles with 2.5 sacks and 5.5 tackles for loss
• Junior defensive back Darius Phillips has picked off three passes and returned them for a total of 230 yards.  He leads the Broncos with eight pass breakups. Phillips intercepted five passes last season and totaled 21 passes defended.Â
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