Kent State University
Fresno State
Flashes Wrap Up Non-Con on Saturday Night
9/22/2023 1:48:00โฏPM | Football
FRESNO- Non-conference play wraps up on Saturday night as Kent State tangles with the Fresno State Bulldogs.
Kick-off is set for 10:32 ET and will air on CBS Sports Network with Dave Ryan and Dante Whitner on the call. Fans can also listen to Rob Polinsky and Tom Evans on the Kent State Radio Network, pre-game starts at 10 p.m. ET. Links to watch, listen and follow along are on the Kent State football schedule page.
This will be the first meeting between the two programs and both teams are coming in off of victories. The Flashes notched a 38-10 victory over Central Connecticut State last weekend in the home opener and getting head coach Kenni Burns his first victory as head coach. Fresno State won its 12th game in a row, a 29-0 shutout at Arizona State.
Kent State ran for nearly 300 yards in the win, led by Gavin Garcia's 125-yard, two touchdown performance. The defense held CCSU to 150 yards of offense and a meager 73 through the first three quarters. The previous week, Kent State held Arkansas to 300 yards of total offenses and Dave Duggan's unit ranks 25th against the pass in the FBS.
They'll be tasked with slowing down a Fresno passing attack led by Mikey Keene. The redshirt sophomore has thrown for at least two scores in each game this season and is completing 65 percent of his passes. The Bulldogs air raid attack has Keene averaging nearly 300 yards through the air per game.
The Bulldogs forced eight turnovers last weekend against Arizona State, tying a program record. Kemari Munier-Bailey has been a force off the edge, having a hand in three of the turnovers last week and is second in the FBS in fumble recoveries.
Both teams will have a return of familiar faces as former Kent State safety Dean Clark is now in the Fresno State secondary while former Bulldogs' wide receiver Isaiah Batton now lines up for the Flashes.
Mid-American Conference play opens up next Saturday as the Golden Flashes welcome in Miami (OH) on Parents and Family Weekend. Kick-off from Dix Stadium is set for 2:30 p.m. ET.
