Kent State University
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Western Michigan University
Flashes Back on ESPN U Saturday at WMU
10/15/2021 10:00:00 AM | Football
KENT, OHIO- The Kent State Golden Flashes are on ESPN U for the second-straight week as they head to Kalamazoo for a cross-divisional match-up with the Western Michigan Broncos.
Game time is set for 3:30 on Saturday afternoon on ESPN U with John Schriffen and Rene Ingoglia on the call on the television side. Rob Polinsky and Tom Evans handling the radio broadcast on the Kent State Radio Network.
LAST TIME OUT
The Golden Flashes moved to 2-0 in the Mid-American Conference with a 48-38 victory over the Buffalo Bulls in a game seen on ESPN U's Saturday night broadcast. The Flashes withstood a third quarter Buffalo comeback with a pair of fourth touchdowns and forcing a pair of Buffalo turnovers.
Kent State rolled out over 600 yards of offense in the victory, led by the first 400 yard passing game for the Flashes since 1997. Dustin Crum threw for 407 yards, added 72 more on the ground and totaled 5 touchdowns in the win. Crum's favorite target was Dante Cephas who hauled in 13 passes for 186 yards and three touchdowns.
Defensively, it was a balanced effort for the Flashes with four defenders reaching double digit tackles for the first time this season. Matt Harmon helped to put the game away with a timely sack followed by an interception of Kyle Vantrease. KJ Sherald added a late interception for the Flashes, giving them 12 picks on the year, good for second in the FBS.
ABOUT WESTERN MICHIGAN
Western Michigan comes into the contest at 4-2 overall and 1-1 in the MAC after a 45-20 setback at home to Ball State last weekend.
Kaleb Eleby is the guy to watch on the Broncos' offense. The quarterback is averaging 230 yards passing per game in MAC play and 240 per game overall while completing about 60 percent of his passes. Eleby's running mate is La'Darius Jefferson who has eight rushing touchdowns on the season and run for a score in nine-straight games.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
Saturday will feature two of the top wideouts in the MAC, both Cephas and Western's Skyy Moore rank at or near the top of nearly every receiving category.
Both Kent State and Western rank near the top of the MAC in third down conversions in MAC play (Kent State 1 (47 percent) Western Michigan 2 (44 percent)). Defensively, Kent State has held opponents to 36 percent on third down and Western is right behind them at 38 percent against conference foes.
MIRROR MIRROR
Both offenses are averaging over 400 yards of offense per game but do it in opposite ways. Western Michigan leads the MAC in time of possession (over 37 minutes) and is second in the MAC averaging over 250 yards through the air. Kent State's FlashFAST offense averages 27 minutes of possession per game and 240 yards per game on the ground.
Their attacking defenses mirror each other as well. Kent State is second in the nation with 12 interceptions. Western Michigan is second in the nation with eight fumble recoveries.
FOLLOW ALONG
As mentioned before, Saturday's game will air on ESPN U and can be heard on the Kent State Radio Network with a 2:30 pregame start. Fans can also catch highlights and information on Twitter @KentStFootball
LOOKING AHEAD
The Golden Flashes are away from Dix Stadium again next week, traveling to Athens to take on the Ohio Bobcats. Kick time for next Saturday is set for 1 p.m.
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