Kent State University
Kennesaw State
Golden Flashes Welcome Kennesaw State in Home Opener
9/6/2019 9:41:00 AM | Football
KENT, OHIO- The Golden Flashes have a unique challenge awaiting them in their 2019 home-opener as the triple-option attack of the 7/9 (FCS) Kennesaw State Owls comes to Dix Stadium for a noon kick-off.
It is Parents' and Families' Weekend at Kent State with Saturday's game being one of the many events going on across campus all weekend long. For a list of events and activities, please visit https://www.kent.edu/parents/parents-and-families-weekend
ABOUT KENT STATE
The Golden Flashes look to rebound after a 30-7 setback at Arizona State on the opening Thursday of the college football season. Starting quarterback Woody Barrett overcame a slow start to finish strong, completing seven of his final eight passes of the game including a 21-yard touchdown strike to Isaiah McKoy.
The Kent State defense was solid against the Sun Devils in week one, recording five sacks, one of the top national totals in the first week. Theo Majette led the pass rush with a pair of sacks, while Sekou Diaby, Nick Faulkner and Zayin West each added one sack. For Diaby and West, that was their first sack at Kent State.
Qwuantrezz Knight made an immediate impact in his first game in a Golden Flashes' uniform. The Maryland transfer had a career-high 10 stops in week one while Akeem Peters added a career-best eight tackles and forced a fumble. All of these players will be leaned on to stop one of the top rushing attacks in the FCS.
Derek Adams was rewarded for his strong punting performance, nabbing week one MAC East Special Teams Player of the Week honors. Five of Adams' nine punts landed inside the twenty, including two at the one-yard line. Adams boomed three punts over 50 yards with a long of 60.
ABOUT THE OWLS
Kennesaw State is in its fifth year as a football program and has enjoyed immediate success under head coach Brian Bohannon. Bohannan has never had a losing season at Kennesaw State, amassing a 37-12 record over four-plus years, including an 11-2 mark last year. Bohannon is a disciple of Paul Johnson, who employed the triple-option at Navy and later at Georgia Tech. They rolled up over 350 yards on the ground per game last season and despite graduating 10 of 11 players on that side of the ball, rushed for 433 yards against Point University in week one.
Seven different players had at least 40 yards rushing against the Skyhawks last week. David Daniel runs the offense and accounted for 114 yards passing, 40 yards rushing and four total touchdowns in the 59-0 thrashing.
While the offense put up gaudy numbers in week one and in 2018, the Owls' defense has been just as impressive. Kennesaw State averaged just 15 points per game last season and 250 yards. The 250 yards were good for second in the FCS last season and they return four of their top five tacklers from a season ago.
This will be just the second game against an FBS opponent for the Owls. They fell 24-20 to Georgia State in last season's opener.
ABOUT THE MATCHUP
This will be the first-ever meeting between the two schools and the first of a two-season agreement between the universities. The Owls will make another trip to Dix Stadium in 2020.
FOLLOW ALONG
Saturday's game can be seen on ESPN3 with Michael Reghi and Jerrod Cherry providing all the action. As always, Ty Linder, Rob Polinsky and Jacob Pavilack have you covered on the Golden Flashes' Radio Network. Live stats are also provided, and we encourage you to follow @KentStFootball on Twitter for in-game updates. All of your links can be found on the football schedule page as well as the Gameday Presented by Giant Eagle page.
LOOKING AHEAD
The Golden Flashes become road warriors as four of their next five games are away from Dix Stadium. Next weekend, Kent State travels down south to take on the Auburn Tigers, kick time is set for 7 p.m. next Saturday from Jordan-Hare Stadium.
