Defense Forces Four Turnovers, but Flashes Fall at Louisville

Saturday, September 23

Louisville, KY

12:00 p.m.

Kent State University

1-3

University of Louisville

3-1 , 1-1

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

KENT STATE

LOUISVILLE

Defense Forces Four Turnovers, but Flashes Fall at Louisville

9/23/2017 5:28:00 PM | Football

Box Score

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Kent State's defense forced four turnovers, including two interceptions of 2016 Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson, but it was not enough to keep the Golden Flashes from falling to No. 19 Louisville 42-3 at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium on Saturday.

Demetrius Monday recorded both picks, giving him 11 interceptions for his career.

"Defensively, it was bend-but-don't-break and we kept getting turnovers," said Kent State head coach Paul Haynes. "Demetrius with two interceptions, and Elvis Hines… Was ripping the ball out. If we continue to do those things, then will have a chance in our upcoming games."

Despite rushing for a team total of 139 yards behind an impressive performance by freshman Dustin Crum, Kent State's lone points were scored on a career-long 48-yard field goal by Shane Hynes to trim the Cardinals' lead to 28-3 at halftime.

"Louisville is a good football team with a lot of dynamic players, but I thought our guys battled," said Haynes. "We are kind of shooting ourselves in the foot with turnovers when we start to move the football."

The Flashes fumbled twice, losing both. They also suffered an interception that was returned 37 yards by Trumaine Washington, putting the Cardinals ahead 21-0 at the end of the first quarter. Jackson closed out the win for Louisville with a touchdown run just before halftime and a pair of second-half scoring throws.

Crum ran for 62 yards on 18 carries while freshman Kesean Gamble added another 45 yards on 12 attempts.

"Look at Crum, who is a true freshman quarterback we threw into the mix and who did some really good things," said Haynes. "You never know how a young kid is going to do until you throw him into the fire. He did a lot of good things out there. There are a lot of good things you can take from this type of a young freshman quarterback where you can say we can win some football games with him."

Kent State returns home to open Mid-American Conference play against Buffalo Sept. 30 at Dix Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.

"This is when our season really starts in terms of going against teams that are like us," said Haynes, whose Flashes finished the non-conference schedule at 1-3.