Kent State University
Bowling Green
Flashes Welcome in Falcons for Homecoming White Out
10/1/2021 10:04:00โฏAM | Football
KENT, OHIO- The Golden Flashes return home this Saturday, welcoming in the Bowling Green Falcons for a white out and the annual homecoming game at Dix Stadium.
HAPPY HOMECOMING
Homecoming starts a two-game homestand for the Golden Flashes as they open up Mid-American Conference play against the Falcons. This will be a rematch of the 2019 homecoming game, and the 2019 conference opener, won by the Flashes 62-20. Kent State is 28-45 all-time in homecoming games and 14-15-2 in conference home openers.
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY
Bowling Green and Kent State play for the Anniversary Award, a travelling trophy that commemorates the two schools being founded in 1910. The trophy was first awarded in 1985 celebrate the 75th anniversary of both schools. This will be the 36th time the trophy has been up for grabs with Kent State winning 10 of those contests, including the last three.
ABOUT THE GOLDEN FLASHES
The Flashes are coming off a hard-fought loss against Maryland last Saturday. It will be a battle of strengths on both sides of the ball on Saturday. Kent State leads the MAC and is 14th in the FBS with an average of 237 yards rushing per game. Bowling Green is second in the MAC in rush defense, allowing an average of 170 yards per game on the ground.
PART OF A BALANCED OFFENSE
Kent State has four rushers that have at least 100 yards on the season and a fifth with 97. It is part of a balanced rushing attack that is averaging nearly five yards per carry. In the passing game, Dustin Crum is averaging 190 yards through the air per game. He topped 300 yards passing for the first time this season last week at Maryland. Crum has spread the wealth on offense with three receivers with double-digit receptions this season and 12 different players catching at least one pass.
AN ATTACKING DEFENSE
The Golden Flashes lead the Mid-American Conference and are second in the FBS with 12 forced turnovers through four games this season. Kent State has forced at least one turnover in every game so far this season. Leading the way are the starting cornerbacks Elvis Hines and Montre Miller. Both are near the top of the FBS in interceptions with three interceptions each. Hines leads the MAC with six passes defended while Miller is right behind him with five break-ups.
ABOUT BOWLING GREEN
The Falcons are coming off one of the premier victories in the non-conference, knocking off Minnesota 14-10 in Minneapolis last weekend. Quarterback Matt McDonald has been a steadying force in the passing game, completing 67 percent of his passes so far this season. He's also made an impact in the rushing game, scoring three times on the ground through four games including both touchdowns against the Golden Gophers.
The Falcons' defense has been their calling card this year. Through four games, the Falcons have held opponents to 20 points per game. They have been able to get the quarterback at an alarming rate this year, recording 14 sacks including four last Saturday at Minnesota. The pass rush has come from a variety of areas with five different defenders having at least two sacks.
FOLLOW ALONG
Saturday's game will air on ESPN + with Anthony Lima and Ryan Shazier on the call. The game can also be heard on the Kent State Radio Network with the broadcast team of Rob Polinsky, Tom Evans and Tyler Henry.
LOOKING AHEAD
While fans are encouraged to wear white for this Saturday's game, it will be a gold out next Saturday night. The Golden Flashes welcome in the Buffalo Bulls next Saturday in a game that has been flexed on to ESPN U. Kick-off from Dix Stadium next Saturday is set for 7 p.m.
