Kent State University
Miami
Flashes Continue MAC East Play at Miami Saturday
10/9/2018 4:26:00 PM | Football
Game Notes Golden Flashes Radio ESPN+ Live Stats
After a half season of putting new offensive and defensive systems in motion, Kent State looks to turn the corner Saturday at Miami. The Mid-American Conference East Division showdown at Yager Stadium is set for 2:30 p.m. The Golden Flashes are coming off a heartbreaking 27-26 loss to MAC preseason favorite Ohio.
Facts In A Flash
• Kent State is averaging 23.0 first downs (third in the MAC) and 80.3 plays per game.
• The Flashes forced four turnovers against Ohio, including three in the redzone. Kent State ranks seventh in the nation in turnovers gained.
• Freshman Isaiah McKoy had a career-high 118 receiving yards on eight catches with a touchdown.
• Freshman Matthew Trickett was named MAC East Special Teams Player of the Week after going 4-for-4 on field goal attempts against Ohio, including a 49-yarder.
• Sophomore Woody Barrett ranks 11th in the nation in completions per game (23.7). Barrett completed 27-of-35 passes against Ohio, his highest completion rate (77%) of the season.
• Senior linebacker and Campbell Trophy semifinalist Matt Bahr ranks 31st in the nation in total tackles per game (9.5).
• Junior Mike Carrigan caught his third touchdown of the season against Ohio. Carrigan has made catches of over 40 yards in three games.
• In first halves, KSU's defense has allowed just three points at Illinois, seven at Ole Miss, seven against Ohio and kept Howard scoreless.
• Junior Justin Rankin ranks 43rd in the nation in rushing yards (461) and 20th in all-purpose yards per game (131.0).
• Junior safety Jamal Parker has six career interceptions including two this season.
• Kent State returned 11 players who have earned Academic All-MAC honors in their career and two MAC Distinguished Scholar Athletes.
All-Time Series
Miami leads the all-time series with Kent State
48-17, which dates back to 1942. The in-state rivals
have met every year since 1955. The RedHawks also lead the series in Oxford 25-7. The last time the teams met at Yager Stadium, Miami came back from 14-3 second half deficit to stun the Flashes 18-14 with a 55-yard score in the game's final two minutes. Kent State repaid the favor with a second half comeback in 2017. Trailing 14-3 at halftime Mike Carrigan and Justin Rankin each scored second half touchdowns to give the Flashes a 17-14 homecoming victory.
The matchup in 1973 remains the only time two nationally ranked teams have met in Kent and was the largest crowd in Dix Stadium history (27,363).
TV/Video/Radio
Saturday's game game can be seen on ESPN+ with Jim Barbar (play-by-play) and John Gregory (analyst). The game can be heard live on 640 AM WHLO and the free Golden Flashes Radio channel on iHeartRadio with a one-hour pregame show. Ty Linder handles the play-by-play duties and is joined by 10th-year color analyst Rob Polinsky. Jacob Pavilack will be on the sideline. By 2017, iHeartRadio reached over 100 million registered users.
Redzone Defense
Eleven different opponent trips inside Kent State's 20 yard line have resulted in no scoring as the Flashes rank fifth in the nation and first in the MAC in redzone defense.
Freshman Breakthrough
Freshman receiver Isaiah McKoy has made 18 catches in his last two games. McKoy's 10 catches at Ball State were the most by a Kent State wide receiver since 2010. He is now leading the Flashes in catches (28) and receiving yards (311).
Making it Past The Line
On rushes with yards gained the Flashes are averaging 223.1 yards per game, but Kent State is losing 44.0 yards per game on tackles for loss. Kent State is fifth in the MAC in both rushing touchdowns (12) and rushing yards per game (179.2).
