Kent State University
Northern Illinois University
Flashes Welcome in Huskies on Senior Day Saturday
11/22/2023 1:59:00 PM | Football
KENT- The Golden Flashes will celebrate 10 seniors in a pre-game ceremony and welcome in the Northern Illinois Huskies on Saturday in the regular-season finale and a noon kick at Dix Stadium.
The Flashes will recognize: Tyler Baylor, Capone Blue, Dallas Craddieth, Javier Duran, D.J. Miller Jr., Devin Nicholson, Nolan Rumler, Khali Saunders, Bryce Sheppert and Jaylen Thomas during the pre-game ceremony.
Kent State will look to prevent Northern Illinois from reaching bowl eligibility as the Huskies come into the game at 5-6 on the season and send the seniors out with a victory in the season finale.
To do so, the Flashes will have to slow the MAC's top rushing attack at over 211 yards per game in MAC play. Kent State has been stout against the run in conference, holding three teams to 100 yards or fewer and five teams below their conference average.
Bryce Sheppert has led the defense, averaging better than seven stops a game. The up front tandem of CJ West and Stephen Daley will be tasked with adding to their team-leading stops behind the line, both have six heading into Saturday. The task at hand is slowing Antario Brown who leads the MAC with an astounding eight yard per carry average and leads the MAC at 127 yards per game.
The veteran Flashes' secondary will look to stop Rocky Lombardi. The three-year starter is the only starter with a better touchdown-to-interception ratio than Tommy Ulatowski with the senior owning a 8-to-1 mark against MAC foes. Capone Blue is second in the MAC with seven passes defended this season. Trayvon Rudolph has been the top target with 44 grabs this year, 23 more than anyone else on the squad.
Offensively, the Flashes will go up against a defense that shutout Western Michigan last time out but does surrender 159 yards per game on the ground. The Flashes will look for Jaylen Thomas, Gavin Garcia and company to carry the load against the Huskies. Through the air, both Luke Floriea and Trell Harris have stepped up in the absence of Chrishon McCray. Both have averaged better than four catches per game down the stretch with Harris averaging over 15 yards per catch.
Northern Illinois leads the all-time series 22-8 dating back to the first meeting in 1949. The Flashes won the last meeting between the clubs at Dix Stadium, a 52-47 shootout on November 3, 2021.
Saturday's game will stream on ESPN+ with Dave Wilson and Ryan Cavanaugh on the call. Fans can also tune into 1220AM WHKW starting at 11:30 a.m. as Rob Polinsky and Tom Evans bring you all the action.
In addition to senior day, it is also group appreciation day as well as a Kent GRIT hat giveaway to the first 1,000 fans. For tickets and info, visit KSUTix.com.
