Kent State University
Auburn
Flashes Look to Spoil Auburn's Homecoming
9/12/2019 2:06:00 PM | Football
KENT, OHIO- Kent State football heads south this weekend, traveling to Auburn, Alabama for a date with the #8 Auburn Tigers on Saturday for a 7:05 ET kick-off in a game that can been seen on ESPN-2 and heard on the Golden Flashes Radio Network.
It's the first time the Golden Flashes and Tigers will meet on the football field and will be the third time in four seasons that Kent State has taken on an opponent out of the SEC (2018-Ole Miss, 2016-Alabama).
ABOUT KENT STATE
The Golden Flashes are coming off a 26-23 overtime win over FCS #7/9 Kennesaw State in Saturday's home opener. Sophomore Matt Trickett tied a career high with four field goals including the game-tying field goal with nine seconds left and the game-winner in overtime. Trickett earned the MAC East Special Teams player of the Week for his efforts, marking the second-straight week a Kent State specialist earned the honor (Derek Adams, week one).
THE REAL McKOY
Wide receiver Isaiah McKoy has had a knack for big plays so far this season. He hauled in a 23-yard touchdown from Woody Barrett in week one against Arizona State and followed it up with a seven-catch, 125-yard, one-touchdown performance last weekend. His big day included a "Flash" play, 75-yard pitch-and-catch from Dustin Crum that put Kent State up 17-16. So far this season, McKoy is averaging nearly 17 yards per catch.
HE GOES TO WORK
Running back Jo-El Shaw has been the workhorse back for the Golden Flashes early this season. Shaw has 33 carries through two games this season, good for second in the MAC. Shaw is also second in the conference with 160 yards on the ground with a long of 54. That 54-yard run is the longest since his 65-yard burst last year against Howard.
BAHR-NONE
Graduate student linebacker Matt Bahr's familiarity with the triple-option dates to his high school playing days in Kenton, Ohio. It showed on Saturday, as Bahr had a career-high 15 tackles and his first collegiate fumble recovery in the victory. His 15 stops were the most by a Kent State defender since Dalton Hicks had 14 in last year's win over Bowling Green.
MAJETTE-STIC
Theo Majette leads the MAC and is ninth in the country with three sacks so far this season. He recorded a pair against Arizona State and added another against Kennesaw State. The defensive lineman showed Saturday that he's not just a pass rush specialist, recording a career high 11 stops against the Owl's triple option.
ABOUT AUBURN
Auburn comes into the game 2-0 on the season after a 24-6 triumph against Tulane. Quarterback Bo Nix has garnered well-deserved headlines after orchestrating a comeback win over Oregon in week one and threw for another score in the win over Tulane. Nix has spread the ball to 10 different receivers this year, Will Hastings leads the Tigers' receiving corps with 113 yards on six grabs. Auburn also sports a solid running game behind JaTarvious Whitlow. He is averaging over 100 yards per game on the ground and nearly five yards per carry.
The Auburn defense has been impressive this season, allowing an average of 13 points per game and holding Tulane to just 223 yards of offense and two field goals. They rank eighth in the country in third-down defense allowing their opponents to convert just 21 percent of the time so far this season.
FOLLOW ALONG
Saturday's match-up kicks of at 7:05 ET/6:05 CT on ESPN 2 with Anish Shroff, Ahmad Brooks and Kris Budden calling the game for the world-wide leader. The game can also be heard on the Golden Flashes Radio Network with Ty Linder, Rob Polinsky and Jacob Pavilack on the call. You can also follow @KentStFootball on Twitter and Instagram for highlights and an inside look at the contest.
LOOKING AHEAD
The Golden Flashes return home for their 2019 homecoming game as they welcome in Bowling Green for the MAC opener. Kick-off from Dix Stadium is set for 3:30 p.m. and will air on ESPN 3 as well as the Golden Flashes Radio Network.
