Dix Stadium Hosts Gold Out Against Monmouth Saturday
9/14/2016 11:22:00 AM | Football
ESPN3 Golden Flashes Radio Game Notes Tickets
Kent State's ability to bounce back will be tested Saturday as the Golden Flashes host Monmouth on Hall of Fame Day inside Dix Stadium. The Flashes 39-36 quadruple overtime loss against North Carolina A&T State was the longest game in program history and began with a weather delay lasting over two hours. At 2-0, the Hawks come to Kent looking for their first program win over an FBS opponent.
Fans are encouraged to "Get Your Gold On" Saturday during Parents and Families Weekend. The first 500 students will receive a gold t-shirt.
Facts In A Flash
• Senior safety Nate Holley ranks second in the nation and leads the MAC with 15.0 tackles per game. After making 17 tackles at Penn State, he was named MAC East Defensive Player of the Week.
• Senior defensive end Terence Waugh ranks eighth in the nation in sacks (3.0) and has 12.0 sacks in his last 12 games played.
• Redshirt freshman quarterback Mylik Mitchell threw three touchdown passes in his first career start Saturday, matching the most in a game by any Kent State quarterback since 2004 (Josh Cribbs).
• Following a career-high eight tackles at Penn State, sophomore safety Juantez McRae forced two turnovers against NC A&T (Int & fumble).
• Senior linebacker Elcee Refuge recovered a fumble for the second time in as many games.
• Senior apache Najee Murray made his first career interception in the first half and recovered a fumble in the second half.
• Five Kent State offensive linemen have made a combined 101 career starts.
• Sophomore center Stefano Millin was chosen to wear the No. 54 jersey (see page 6).
• Senior linebacker Nick Cuthbert, who had just one B in his undergraduate career, earned CoSIDA Academic All-America honors last season.
• Kent State returned 10 Academic All-MAC selections and three MAC Distinguished Scholar-Athletes.
• Picked to finish last in the MAC East in both the media and coaches polls, the Flashes will play a familiar role of underdog throughout the year.
All-time Series & Big South
Saturday will be the first program meeting between Kent State and Monmouth, who will be facing an FBS opponent for just the second time in their history. The Flashes are 2-0 all-time against the Big South, with both wins coming against Liberty, including the beginning of the Paul Haynes era in 2013. In a MAC matchup, the Hawks fell at Central Michigan last season, 31-10.
TV/Video/Radio
Saturday's game can be seen on ESPN3 with Michael Reghi (play-by-play) and Jerod Cherry (analyst) on the call for the second straight week. 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 seventh year in a row by color analyst Rob Polinsky. Jacob Pavilack will be the sideline reporter. iHeartRadio can be heard on a computer, smart phone or tablet.
The Coaches
• Paul Haynes is in his fourth year at his alma mater. In 2013, Haynes became the first Flashes' head coach to win his debut since 1988. He was a two-time All-MAC safety at Kent State from 1987-91, despite joining as a walk-on. He returned as an assistant in 1999 and was promoted to assistant head coach in 2000. After seven seasons on an Ohio State staff that won six Big Ten titles (2005-11), Haynes spent 2012 as defensive coordinator at Arkansas. His current tenure has also brought Kent State's academic achievements to new heights with the highest term and cumulative team grade point averages in program history.
• Kevin Callahan (Rochester '77) carries a record of 133-108 since starting Monmouth's football program in 1993. Callahan ranks 13th among active FCS coaches in victories. He led Monmouth to five Northeast Conference titles, before the Hawks joined the Big South in 2014. Between the two leagues, he carries a conference record of 73-52 .In 2004, Monmouth finished 10-1 overall. Callahan spent eight seasons as defensive coordinator at Colgate and three years as defensive coordinator at Wagner. He also spent a year at the FBS level at Syracuse.
WebSite, Twitter & YouTube
For Kent State football stories, statistics, photos, video and more, visit KentStateSports.com. For daily football updates follow @kentstathletics and @kentstfootball on Twitter and Kent State Golden Flashes Football on Facebook. For an extensive video library visit GoldenFlashesTV on YouTube.
Previewing Monmouth
• The Hawks have won their last four games dating back to last November, including three road contests.
• Allowing only 230 yards per game, the Monmouth defense ranks 10th in the FCS in total defense.
• The Hawks' offensive line has allowed only one sack in two games, while paving the way for 210.5 rushing yards per game.
• Monmouth is averaging 23.0 first downs per game, while holding opponents to 12.5.
• Opponents have yet to score on Monmouth in the first half this season.
• In its win over Delaware State Saturday, the Hawk defense allowed 97 yards passing.
Key Players To Watch
• Sophomore receiver Reggie White Jr. is coming off an 11-catch game against Delaware State, totaling 129 receiving yards. White had five touchdowns last season.
• Junior defensive back Mike Basil earned All-Big South honors last year after setting Monmouth's single-season record of 119 tackles.
• Senior running back Lavon Chaney was on the all-conference team last season, finishing third in the Big South in rushing.
• Senior center Alex Thompson was also named to the All-Big South Team in 2015.
• Senior running back Ed Royds rushed for 92 yards and a pair of touchdowns against Delaware State.
• Junior middle linebacker Payton Minnich earned second team all conference honors last season.
Hynes in the Clutch
In wet conditions Saturday, sophomore kicker Shane Hynes went 3-for-3 on field goal attempts against North Carolina A&T State. He made a pair of clutch field goals in overtime from 40 and 42 yards out. On the season, Hynes is 5-for-5 on field goal attempts from inside 50 yards.
Fackler's Night to Remember
Senior tight end Brice Fackler had career-highs of 58 yards receiving and two touchdowns against NC A&T. He also matched a career-high of three catches and became the first Golden Flash in the last 12 games with two TD grabs in the same contest.
Against the FCS
Saturday's setback snapped Kent State's 14-game winning streak against FCS opponents. The last time Kent State had fallen to an FCS (Div. I-AA) opponent was in 2000 against a Jim Tressel-led Youngstown State team. The Flashes' victories have included YSU, Delaware State, Bucknell, New Hampshire, Cal Poly, Southeast Missouri State, Coastal Carolina, Murray State, Liberty and Towson.
Muir to be Inducted
Former defensive lineman Daniel Muir will be inducted into Kent State's "Varsity K" Hall of Fame on the morning Sept. 17. He and seven other members of the 38th induction class will be recognized at halftime of Saturday's game. A captain and All-MAC First Team selection, Muir played seven seasons in the NFL, including a Super Bowl appearance with the Colts.
Immediate Impacts
True freshman running back Justin Rankin rushed for 82 yards on only 13 carries (6.1/carry) in his first career start at Penn State. It was the most rushing yards by a Kent State back in the team's last six games. and looked like he'd been there before. Saturday against NC A&T, Rankin scored his first career touchdown in overtime.
• True freshman quarterback Justin Agner and redshirt freshman quarterback Mylik Mitchell also both made their debut at Penn State and showed the ability to move the offense down the field using both their arms and legs.
Big Returns
True freshman Kavious Price had a 51-yard kick return in the second half Saturday, the Flashes' longest kick return since Dri Archer's 100-yard touchdown against Northern Illinois in 2013.
• Junior Nick Holley had a 26-yard punt return, the Flashes' longest punt return since 2014.
