Kent State University
Bowling Green
Tuesday Night MACtion Comes to Dix Stadium
10/27/2017 3:04:00 PM | Football
Game Notes ESPN3 Golden Flashes Radio Live Stats
Kent State looks to improve to 3-1 at home this season, hosting Mid-American Conference East Division rival Bowling Green Tuesday night inside Dix Stadium on ESPNU. In their last home game, the Golden Flashes overcame a 14-3 halftime deficit to defeat Miami 17-14 on its homecoming.
Facts In A Flash
• Tuesday marks the first of four straight weeknight contests for the Flashes to close out the season.
• Junior quarterback George Bollas took over in the second half against Miami, completing 9-of-14 passes for 154 yards and 2 touchdowns.
• Junior linebacker Jim Jones ranks fifth in the MAC with 8.1 tackles per game.
• Senior Jon Cunningham made 3.0 tackles for loss at Ohio, as the Flashes made 9.0 TFL in all.
• Freshman Elvis Hines and sophomore Jamal Parker each made their first interceptions of the season against Miami, giving Kent State 10 picks on the year, which ranks ninth in the nation.
• Senior cornerback Demetrius Monday has 11 career interceptions and ranks 12th in the nation with four picks in his last seven games.
• Junior kicker Shane Hynes is in 5th place among Kent State career leaders with 29 field goals made.
• Sophomore Derek Adams ranks 15th in the nation in punting average. One of only seven sophomores on the The Ray Guy Award Watch List, Adams has pinned 16 punts inside the 20.
• Sophomore safety Manny Lawrence-Burke matched a career-high of 11 tackles against Miami.
• Senior Nathan Puthoff was chosen to wear the No. 54 jersey in honor of late teammate Jason Bitsko. Puthoff is also on the Rimington Trophy Watch List, honoring the nation's best center.
• Kent State returned 12 players who have earned Academic All-MAC honors in their career and three MAC Distinguished Scholar Athletes.
• In MAC only games Kent State ranks sixth in the conference in total defense (363.0 ypg).
All-Time Series
Bowling Green leads the all-time series with Kent State 59-19-6 in a matchup that dates back to the Flashes' inaugural season of 1920. BGSU has won each of the last four meetings on the way to three MAC East titles. The Falcons earned a 48-0 win the last time the teams met at Dix Stadium in 2015. Last year in Bowling Green, the Falcons claimed a 42-7 victory. The Flashes only three-game series winning streak went from 2010-2012.
TV/Video/Radio
Saturday's game game can be seen on ESPNU with Dave Lamont (play-by-play) and Ray Bentley (analyst). 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 eighth year in a row by color analyst Rob Polinsky. Jacob Pavilack will be on the sideline. iHeartRadio can be heard on a computer, smart phone or tablet.
BGSU-KSU Connections
• From four areas of Ohio, along with Baltimore, Detroit and Chicago, nine players on Bowling Green's roster share high schools with Kent State players.
• Both universities were founded in 1910. From 1985 (75th anniversary) through the 1990s, the rivals played for a traveling trophy called the Anniversary Award, which went missing.
• Carol Cartwright served as president at both institutions.
• Paul Haynes began his college coaching career
as a graduate assistant at Bowling Green in 1994.
• Recently retired KSU assistant coach Dave McMichael graduated from BGSU and was a three-year letterwinner for coach Don Nehlen.
Sack Becomes a Weapon
Through their first five game, the Flashes had only three sacks on the season. However, in its last three games, Kent State has combined for 10 sacks.
Pass Defense
In conference-only games, Kent State leads the MAC in pass defense, allowing just 142.0 yards per game.The Flashes held both Buffalo and Ohio under 150 yards passing.
Big Play Carrigan
In the first half against Miami, sophomore receiver Mike Carrigan ran 61 yards on a reverse for Kent State's longest carry of the season. In the second half, he caught an 84-yard touchdown pass, marking the longest offensive play in the MAC this season. Carrigan finished the game with a career-high 162 yards of offense.
On Third Down
Kent State's offense has seen its struggles on third downs, ranking 122nd in the nation. However, when the Flashes have had success on third downs, its been reflected in the final score. KSU went 8-for-15 on third downs in their win against Howard. Against Miami, the Flashes went 6-for-9 on third down attempts in the second half.
Third Down Defense
In their four conference games, the Flashes rank second in the MAC in third down defense with opponents converting just 24.5 percent of the time.
Go-to-Guy on Third Down
On Kent State's 14-play, 75-yard scoring drive against Miami, sophomore running back Justin Rankin kept the chains moving with a pair of clutch third down catches. Then on 3rd-and-goal at the four, Rankin caught a TD pass from Bollas to finish the drive.
Long Drives
The Flashes third quarter touchdown drive against Miami was their longest of the year in both plays (14) and duration (6:17). KSU's second quarter field goal drive was its longest of the year in yardage (90).
Winning the Run Game
With its win over Miami, Kent State improved to 22-6 since 2012 when out-gaining opponents on the ground. Conversely, the Flashes are 3-38 when the opposition runs for more yards in that span.
Scoring in the Third
In its first six games, Kent State had only scored two points in the third quarter, but the Flashes came out firing after halftime against Miami with 14 third quarter points.
Hitting 27 Helps
KSU's win over Miami marked the first time since 2015 the Flashes won without scoring at least 27 points in a game. Kent State is 9-1 when scoring 27 or more points in regulation since the beginning of the 2013 season. Kent State is 5-40 when falling short of 27 during that time.
Overcoming 1st Half Deficit
Overcoming a 14-3 halftime deficit against Miami was a rare occurrence for the Flashes. Kent State is just 2-36 when trailing at the break since 2012. The Flashes are 20-6 when leading at halftime during that stretch.
Don't Run at Cunningham
Senior defensive tackle Jon Cunningham made a career-high seven tackles against Miami, including five solo stops. Six of the seven tackles were for gains of two yards or less. Three of Cunningham's four tackles at Ohio were for a loss.
Rankin's Dual Threat
Sophomore running back Justin Rankin is the only player in the MAC to lead his team in both receptions and rushing yards.
Rankin combined for 88 yards of offense against Buffalo (39 rush, 49 rec.). Last year, according to Pro Football Focus, Rankin was fourth among true freshmen for highest elusive rating. He totaled 846 yards of offense (rushing/receiving) and scored four TDs.
Rankin had six offensive plays of 30 yards or more last year. His 181 yards receiving vs. Akron were the most by a KSU player since 2009.
Honoring Tyler Heintz
The initials T.H. will be on the back of Golden Flashes' helmets throughout the season, honoring Tyler Heintz, who passed away in June, following the second morning of summer workouts. The incoming freshman had just graduated from Kenton High School, where several other Flashes had attended before him. The helmet decal will be in blue and red, representing the colors of both Kenton and Kent State.
Up Next
Kent State visits defending MAC champion Western Michigan under the lights at Waldo Stadium on Wednesday, Nov. 8.
Second Half Shutout
In their homecoming victory, Kent State held an opponent (Miami) scoreless in the second half for the first time in 11 games.
Previewing Bowling Green
• The Falcon offense picked up 18 first downs and rushed for 192 yards in a recent loss to Northern Illinois.
• Bowling Green won its lone conference road game this season, a 37-29 victory over Miami.
• The Falcons are eighth in the nation in net punting (43.1 ypg), which leads the MAC.
• Bowling Green leads the nation in fumbles recovered with 12.
• The Falcons rank 19th in the nation in red zone offense, scoring 92 percent of the time.
Key Players To Watch
• Freshman running back Andrew Clair rushed for 108 yards against Northern Illinois. Clair has 454 rushing yards, two rushing TDs and one receiving TD.
• Senior running back Josh Cleveland leads the Falcons with 504 rushing yards. Last season, he ran for 649 yards.
• Junior defensive lineman David Konowalski forced two fumbles and had five solo tackles against Northern Illinois. Since 2016, Konowalski has made 82 tackles, including 9.0 tackles for loss.
• Junior Brandon Harris has recovered three fumbles, forced one and returned one 93 yards for a touchdown against Miami. Harris also leads the Falcons with 62 tackles. He has three career interceptions.
• Junior defensive back Marcus Milton has two interceptions and three pass breakups. He also serves as the team's punt returner, averaging 10.3 yards on nine returns.
• Junior receiver Scott Miller was an All-MAC First Team selection last season after making 10 touchdown grabs. This year, Miller leads the Falcons with 40 catches for 452 yards.
