Kent State University
Eastern Michigan University
Flashes Wrap Road Swing at EMU
10/13/2023 11:29:00 AM | Football
KENT-The Golden Flashes wrap up a two-game road swing this Saturday, heading to Ypsilanti to take on the Eastern Michigan Eagles.
Kick-off time is set for noon and will air on CBS Sports Network and the Kent State Radio Network and 1220 AM WHKW. The radio tandem of Rob Polinsky and Tom Evans will have the call with the pre-game show starting at 11:30 a.m.
Kent State is coming off a 42-17 setback at Ohio last weekend. Chrishon McCray continued his breakout campaign. The redshirt freshman grabbed a pair of touchdown catches as part of a six-catch, 93-yard day. McCray currently leads the MAC in catches (16) and yards (198) in conference play. Jaylen Thomas got the bulk of the carries against the Bobcats, rushing for 67 yards against Ohio. He looks to join the rushing tandem of Gavin Garcia and Xavier Williams this weekend.
The Kent State defense continues to live by the Swarm FAST mantra. Five players have at least 22 stops this year and eight players have eight or more assisted tackles. The secondary has Capone Blue and Bryce Sheppert leading the no-fly zone, each have a trio of pass break-ups in MAC play, good for second in the conference.
They will be tasked with an Eastern Michigan team that is 3-3 overall and 1-1 in the MAC. They defeated Ball State 24-10 last weekend on homecoming at Rynearson Stadium. Junior Austin Smith does a little bit of everything for the Eagles, he tossed a pair of touchdown passes last weekend against the Cardinals and has five on the season. He's a dual-threat quarterback, averaging 10 rushes per game. Smith is part of a rushing trio with Samson Evans and Jaylon Jackson, both averaging nearly five yards a carry this year. Smith's favorite target is Tanner Knue, who has 25 catches this year and one of the longest consecutive game catch streaks in Division-I.
Boston College transfer Joe Sparacio leads the defense with 69 tackles this season out of the linebacker position. Mikah Coleman headlines the pass rush with three sacks and five quarterback hurries. Daiquan White has a pass breakup in all but one game this year and leads a group of five defenders with multiple pass breakups.
Kent State returns home next weekend for homecoming and welcomes in the Buffalo Bulls. Festivities will begin with the parade in the morning through Kent, kickoff from Dix Stadium is set for 3:30 p.m.
