Kent State University
University at Buffalo
Flashes Host Buffalo Saturday to Open MAC Play
9/26/2017 1:55:00 PM | Football
Notes Golden Flashes Radio Tickets ESPN3 Live Stats
Mid-American Conference play begins with a clean slate for Kent State and Buffalo Saturday afternoon at Dix Stadium. The East Division matchup includes a halftime recognition of Kent State's 2017 Varsity "K" Hall of Fame class.
Facts In A Flash
• Senior cornerback Demetrius Monday has 11 career interceptions, including a nation-leading four picks in his last three games.
• Senior linebacker James Alexander has made eight tackles in each of his last two games and has 4.0 tackles for loss on the season.
• Sophomore Jamal Parker has made 19 tackles and four pass breakups in his last two games.
• Junior kicker Shane Hynes made a career-long 48-yard field goal, and sits in sixth place among Kent State career leaders with 24 field goals made.
• Sophomore Derek Adams ranks 17th in the nation in punting average. One of only seven sophomores on the The Ray Guy Award Watch List, Adams has pinned seven punts inside the 20.
• True Freshman QB Dustin Crum made his collegiate debut at Marshall and completed a 40-yard pass on his second attempt. The following week he rushed for 62 yards at Louisville.
• The Golden Flashes are looking for a 2-0 start at home for the first time since 2012.
• Kent State ranks 13th in the nation in time of possession at 33:26.
• 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.
• Junior Raekwon James has 1,528 career all-purpose yards.
• Kent State returns 12 players who have earned Academic All-MAC honors in their career and three MAC Distinguished Scholar Athletes.
• Sophomore safety Mandela Lawrence-Burke has made 16 tackles in his last two games.
All-Time Series
Buffalo and Kent State are tied in the all-time series 11-11, as the road team has won each of the last seven meetings. Last year in Buffalo, Nick Holley ran for 224 yards and four touchdowns, leading the Flashes to a 44-20 win. The last time the teams met at Dix Stadium, the Bulls overcame a 17-6 deficit after three quarters and took the lead with 58 seconds remaining on the way to an 18-17 win in 2015.
TV/Video/Radio
Saturday's game game can be seen on ESPN3 with Michael Reghi (play-by-play) and Je'Rod Cherry (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.
MAC Openers
Since joining the Mid-American Conference in 1951, the Flashes are 21-42-2 in conference openers, having dropped five of their last seven. In Kent State's MAC opener last season, Akron scored a touchdown in the final 30 seconds to top the Flashes 31-27. Saturday will be just the second time Kent State has faced Buffalo in a MAC opener. The Flashes topped the Bulls 23-7 in 2012.
Chasing Them Down
Six opponent punt returns in the last two games have gone for negative yardage. As a result, the Golden Flashes now rank 18th in the nation in net punting (42.5). Four of Marshall's five punt returns against the Flashes netted negative yardage (-1, -2, -8, -9). Redshirt freshman Miles Daniel was in on three of those tackles, while freshman Elvis Hines was in on two.
More Special Teams Impact
True freshman Raymond James made his debut at punt returner at Marshall and recorded the Flashes' longest return of the season at 16 yards.
Pressure on the QB
Junior defensive end Jordan Robinson is turning into a valuable pass rusher. Robinson recorded five quarterback hurries at Marshall.
On Third Down
Kent State's third down conversion rate has been a key indicator of the offense's performance. The Flashes went 8-for-15 on third downs in their win against Howard. In losses at Clemson, Marshall and Louisville, Kent State went 4-for-16, 4-for-15 and 5-of-15 respectively.
Big Rushing Day
Kent State's 294 yards rushing against Howard are the third most by any MAC team in a game this season.
Buffalo KSU Connections
Kent State guard Nate Warnock and Buffalo linebacker Matt Otwinski were teammates for four seasons at Laporte High School in Indiana. Both schools have players from IMG Academy in Florida. UB freshman quarterback Kyle Vantrease graduated from Stow-Munroe Falls High School in 2017. From 2005-07, co-defensive coordinator/safeties coach Jeff Burrow worked on the same Notre Dame staff as Rob Ianello, Buffalo's associate head coach and recruiting coordinator.
Forcing Turnovers
With a boost from Demetrius Monday, the Flashes defense ranks 16th in the nation in passes intercepted. Kent State's D also ranks 35th in fumbles recovered.
MAC Play
Four conference teams opened Mid-American Conference play this past Saturday as the East Division went 2-0 against the West. Six more teams open MAC play this Saturday. In each of the past two seasons, Kent State has gone 2-6 in conference play.
Supporting MD Research
Kent State and Buffalo will join football staffs around the country wearing a Coach to Cure MD patch to raise awareness and funding for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy research. Fans can donate online at www.Coachto CureMD.org or donate $10 by texting CURE to 50555. Coach to Cure MD is the national game day charity project of the American Football Coaches Association. Over the last nine years, Coach to Cure MD has raised over $1.5 million.
Versatile Freshman
True freshman Kesean Gamble has seen action at both linebacker and running back. Gamble finished with 21 yards rushing and two tackles at Clemson. He then scored the first two rushing touchdowns of his career against Howard. At Louisville, Gamble rushed for 45 yards, most of which came after contact. He was also a two-way star in high school.
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.
Previewing Buffalo
• The Bulls have won each of their last two games, averaging 33.5 points in that stretch.
• Buffalo's defense leads the nation in fewest passing yards allowed (115.5).
• In its win over Florida Atlantic this past Saturday, Buffalo piled up 28 first downs with a balanced attack of 204 yards rushing and 254 yards passing.
• The Bulls' offense has only thrown one interception in four games and ranks 16th in turnovers lost.
• Buffalo's offense ranks 10th in the nation in fewest tackles for loss allowed.
• The Bulls are third in the MAC in passing efficiency and first in pass efficiency defense.
Key Players To Watch
• Junior linebacker Khalil Hodge leads the MAC with 52 tackles. Last season, Hodge was named to the All-MAC Second Team after making 123 tackles.
• Sophomore quarterback Tyree Jackson has completed 51 passes for 733 yards and three touchdowns. Jackson has also rushed for 227 yards and four touchdowns.
• Sophomore running back Emmanuel Reed rushed for 107 yards in the win over Flordia Atlantic.
• Junior receiver Anthony Johnson made six catches for 87 yards and a touchdown against FAU. Johnson ranks 24th in the nation in receiving yards.
• Junior cornerback Tatum Slack ranks 11th in the nation in passes defended with seven. Slack also has a forced fumble and a tackle for loss.
• Junior kicker Adam Mitcheson has made 29 career field goals.
