Kent State University
Ole Miss
Flashes to Make First Program Trip to Ole Miss
9/18/2018 1:16:00 PM | Football
Game Notes Golden Flashes Radio Live Video Live Stats
Kent State closes out non-conference play Saturday with its first matchup in program history against Ole Miss. Kickoff at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium is set for noon Eastern (11 Central) on SEC Network.
Facts In A Flash
• Junior Justin Rankin ranks 23rd in the nation in rushing yards per carry (6.6). Rankin had a career-high 147 rushing yards and a TD vs. Howard.
• Kent State is averaging 80.7 plays per game and its 84 snaps at Illinois were the most in 35 games.
• Senior linebacker Matt Bahr has made nine or more tackles in three of his last five games, including at Penn State and Clemson.
• Sophomore Woody Barrett ranks 35th in the nation in completions per game (20.3) and has thrown a touchdown pass in all three of his career games. Barrett put up unprecedented numbers (387 yards total offense) for a KSU quarterback in a season opener at Illinois.
• Junior Mike Carrigan has touchdown catches in each of his two games against Big Ten opponents this season, including a 47-yarder at Penn State.
• Sophomore defensive back Elvis Hines made his second career interception at Penn State.
• Junior linebacker Dalton Hicks made a career-high 12 tackles at No. 10 Penn State.
• Freshman kicker Matthew Trickett improved to 3-for-3 on field goal attempts this season.
• Receiver Antwan Dixon made a season-high five catches for 59 yards at Penn State.
• KSU did not turn the ball over at Penn State.
• The Flashes 355 rushing yards against Howard, are the most by a MAC team in a game this season and KSU's biggest rushing output since 2012.
• KSU also scored six rushing touchdowns for the first time in a decade against the Bison.
• Kent State returned 11 players who have earned Academic All-MAC honors in their career and two MAC Distinguished Scholar Athletes.
Milestones vs. Howard
The Golden Flashes enjoyed their largest margin of victory since 2004 with a dominant 54-14 win against Howard on Sept. 8. Kent State hit the 50-point milestone for the first time since 2008 and surpassed 500 yards of offense for the first time in five years, giving Sean Lewis his first career win.
TV/Video/Radio
Saturday's game game can be seen on SEC Network with David Neal (play-by-play), DJ Shcokley (analyst) and Dawn Davenport (sideline). The game can be heard live on 640 WHLO and the free Golden Flashes Radio channel on iHeartRadio with a one-hour pregame show. Ty Linder will handle 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.
The Coaches
• Sean Lewis spent the previous two seasons as co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Syracuse. He served in the same position under Dino Babers for two seasons at Bowling Green, helping the Falcons to a MAC title and two bowl appearances. Lewis also coached at Eastern Illinois, Akron and Nebraksa Omaha. He recently returned to his home state of Illinois for his head coaching debut. As a sophomore in high school, Lewis competed in the state championship game at Memorial Stadium. Just a few years later he competed in his first Big Ten game as a player at Wisconsin inside Memorial Stadium.
• Matt Luke is in his 11th season as a coach at Ole Miss and first full season as head coach. Luke took over as interim head coach last year and officially became the head coach by the end of November. Luke previously served as co-offensive coordinator and offensive line coach at his alma mater. Since 2012, he has been a part of four bowl teams at Ole Miss, including a 2015 Sugar Bowl victory. Luke also spent four seasons at Duke as offensive line coach and run game coordinator. He was also recruiting coordinator at Tennessee for two seasons. Luke began his full-time coaching career at Murray State. He started in 33 career games as a center at Ole Miss.
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.
