Kent State University
Bowling Green
Flashes Welcome in Falcons for Homecoming, MAC Opener
9/20/2019 10:22:00 AM | Football
KENT, OHIO- Kent State returns home this weekend to host the Bowling Green Falcons in the 2019 Homecoming game as well as the Mid-American Conference Opener for both teams.
THE ANNIVERSARY AWARD
Bowling Green and Kent State play for the Anniversary Award, a traveling trophy that has been given out since 1985. The Anniversary Award trophy started as a way of celebrating the 75th anniversary of both schools being founded in 1910. Last season, the Golden Flashes snapped a five-game skid against Bowling Green and took the trophy back to Kent with a 35-28 triumph, a win that also marked Coach Sean Lewis' first Mid-American Conference victory.
HAPPY HOMECOMING
The Golden Flashes are 5-5 in their last 10 homecomings and have alternated wins and losses over the last four years, including a tough 27-26 setback against the Ohio Bobcats last season. Bowling Green has only been the homecoming opponent once in the last 40 seasons, that coming in 2009. Bowling Green wide out Freddy Barnes stole the show in that game with a 22-catch, 278 yard, 3TD performance in a 36-35 Falcon victory.
LOOKING TO START STRONG
Kent State has lost each of its previous three Mid-American Conference openers. The last victory came in 2015 with a win over Miami. The Anniversary Award has only been on the line in the MAC lid-lifter twice in the last 20 years, with each team winning once.
REFUSING TO CRUM-BLE
Quarterback Dustin Crum has made the most of his opportunity so far this season. After seeing some time against Arizona State in the opener, Crum has responded with a career-high in passing yards in each of the last two games. Crum has found a big-play connection with Isaiah McKoy, connecting on a 75-yard touchdown strike against Kennesaw State and a 54-yard touchdown connection at Auburn. The junior also has made plays on the ground as well, rushing for a 22-yard touchdown against Kennesaw and had a key 16-yard first-down run against Auburn.
THE REAL McKOY
Wide receiver Isaiah McKoy has been the big-play, "flash" receiver this season. So far this season, McKoy has touchdown grabs of 23, 54, and 75 yards. His 13 catches are tied for most on the team and his 275 yards receiving are easily a team best. McKoy is the first Golden Flashes' player to had a touchdown catch in three-straight games since Casey Pierce did it to close the 2014 season.
RUSH-ING TO JUDGEMENT
Saturday's match-up features the top two sacking defenses in the Mid-American Conference and two of the top-25 in the country. Bowling Green comes into Saturday, leading the MAC and is 14th in the nation in sacks with 11 in total. Kent State is not far behind, ranking 25th in the Nation with nine team sacks. Theo Majette leads the Mid-American Conference with three solo sacks to his credit so far this season.
SCOUTING THE OPPONENT
Bowling Green is under the direction of Scott Loeffler, who is in his first season at BG. The Michigan grad had been the deputy head coach and offensive coordinator at Boston College and has stops at Virginia Tech, Auburn and the Detroit Lions on his resume. Expect a commitment to the Falcons' run game on Saturday as they have averaged over 40 carries per game so far this season.
Andrew Clair is a All-MAC running back who has totaled over 700 yards on the ground in each of the last two seasons.
Quarterback Darius Wade has averaged about 170 yards through the air per game this season and has a trio of touchdown passes to his name. Wade is also capable of making plays on the ground, averaging over six carries per game. So far this season, Quintin Morris has been the favorite target this season, hauling in 12 catches for 171 yards and two scores so far in 2019.
Defensively, watch for Kholbe Coleman, he leads the Falcons with 25 total tackles including a pair of sacks. Coleman is one of three Falcon defenders who have at least 20 tackles so far this season.
GET YOUR TICKETS EARLY
Tickets are currently on sale for Saturday's game at a discounted $20. Day-of tickets go up to $25 dollars each, you can avoid the line and save some money by ordering your tickets here.
FOLLOW ALONG
Saturday's game is airing on ESPN3 with Michael Reghi and Jerrod Cherry on the call. You can also listen to the game on the Golden Flashes Radio Network with Ty Linder, Rob Polinsky and Jacob Pavilack doing the game. You can also follow with live stats and @KentStFootball on Twitter. All links can be found on the football schedule page.
LOOKING AHEAD
Kent State enjoys their bye week next Saturday before heading to Camp Randall and taking on the Wisconsin Badgers on October 5th. Kick-off time is still to be determined.
