Kent State University
Central Connecticut State University
Week Three Preview: CCSU
9/15/2023 12:37:00 PM | Football
KENT-The Golden Flashes welcome in the Central Connecticut State Blue Devils to Dix Stadium on Saturday afternoon, for the home opener of the Kent GRIT era of Kent State football.
Kick-off is at noon but the festivities start on Saturday morning with the First Home Game 5K. Registration is still open on race day, starting at 8 a.m. with the race starting at nine.
Tailgating outside Dix Stadium will open at 9 a.m. with DJ Smillz providing the music. El Patron will be selling breakfast burritos and tacos, Big Shots Golf will have a golf simulator and Raisin Cane's will have a prize tent.
Full details on the pre-game festivities are available here.
ABOUT THE FLASHES
Kent State is coming into the home opener off a four-quarter battle at Arkansas. The Flashes' defense frustrated the Razorbacks for much of the game, holding them to 300 yards offense and only 21 points. Bryce Sheppert led the defense with 10 total tackles while Devin Nicholson had seven stops and his first sack as a Golden Flash.
Quarterback Michael Alaimo continues to build a quick chemistry with Trell Harris and Chrishon McCray. Harris led the Flashes with four catches for 78 yards while McCray had a 33-yard grab. McCray is amongst the D-1 leaders in yards per catch, averaging over 23 yards per grab.
On the ground, Gavin Garcia led the charge with 18 carries for 68 yards. The sophomore ran through contact and had a long of 15 against the Razorback front. Last week also saw Colorado State transfer Jaylen Thomas get some carries, joining Garcia and Xavier Williams as part of the rushing tandem.
ABOUT THE BLUE DEVILS
Central Connecticut is 1-1 on the season under first-year head coach Adam Lechtenburg. CCSU won its season opener over American International College, a D-II team out of Boston. Last week, they dropped the Northeast Conference opener to Stonehill, 33-30. The Blue Devils stormed back with 23 points in the fourth quarter to tie it, only to lose on a walk-off field goal.
The Blue Devils own the top two pass rushers in the NEC, as Dan Toatley and Ahmad Craig top the list. It headlines a defense that has been stingy against the pass, allowing only 114 yards through the air per game.
Offensively, CCSU has averaged 474 yards of offense per game. Isiah Williams leads the offense with 13 catches and 156 yards through two weeks. Davian Johnson has been a do-it-all player, averaging 136 all-purpose yards between receiving, rushing and returning.
FOLLOW ALONG
Saturday's game will air on ESPN + ($) with Dave Wilson and Jerod Cherry on the call. Fans can also tune into the Kent State Radio Network, 1220 AM, with Rob Polinsky and Tom Evans on the call. Live stats will also be provided. Fans can also follow @KentStFootball on X for in-game highlights and updates. All links are available on the football schedule page.
LOOKING AHEAD
Kent State heads west next week for a match-up with the Fresno State Bulldogs. Kick-off next Saturday from the Golden State is set for 10:30 p.m. ET/7:30 PT and will air on CBS Sports Network and the Kent State Radio Network.
