Kent State University
University of Arkansas
Game Two Preview: Flashes Head to Arkansas to Face Razorbacks
9/8/2023 10:11:00โฏAM | Football
KENT-The Golden Flashes are back on the road again this weekend, travelling to Arkansas to take on the Razorbacks on Saturday afternoon.
It will be the first meeting between the teams and the Flashes first trip to the Natural State. The Flashes did play Arkansas State in the 2013 GoDaddy Bowl played in Mobile, Alabama.
ABOUT KENT STATE
The Flashes forced three turnovers in last week's setback at Central Florida, that mark ties for the Mid-American Conference lead with Ohio and a mark that is top-10 in the FBS. Devin Nicholson led the defense with 11 solo tackles, a total that ties for the individual lead in the FBS.
Offensively, the Flashes are led by quarterback Mike Alaimo who established a quick rapport with receivers Chrishon McCray and Trell Harris against UCF. ย McCray helped stretch the field and averaged over 20 yards a reception against the Knights.
On the ground, sophomore Gavin Garcia was the primary back with 18 carries against the Knights. The Flashes used three backs in week one with Xavier Williams and Curtis Douglas also getting carries. Alaimo was also utilized in the running game with seven carries including a long of 23.
ABOUT THE RAZORBACKS
Kent State will be tasked with facing a Razorback offense led by quarterback KJ Jefferson. Jefferson threw for 246 yards and three scores against Western Carolina and ran for a fourth score in the 56-13 victory. Jefferson is on a litany of pre-season watch lists and has accounted for 71 touchdowns in his Razorback career to date.
Raheim "Rocket" Sanders ran for over 1400 yards last season and ran for two scores against the Catamounts, he pairs with AJ Green in the Razorback backfield. Andrew Armstrong leads the receiving corps after transferring from Texas A and M at Commerce where he had over 1,000 yards receiving a year ago.
The Arkansas defense forced five turnovers last week including four interceptions. It was a balanced defensive effort with four guys posting five or more tackles and nine players combining for 10 tackles for loss. The interceptions are nothing new for the Razorback defense under Sam Pittman, Arkansas has picked off 37 passes in 39 games under Pittman. It's a unit that is looking to improve upon its 30 points per game allowed last season, a mark that was 101st in the FBS.
FOLLOW ALONG
Saturday's game will kick at 4 pm ET/3 pm CT and will air on the SEC Network with Dave Neal and Derek Mason in the booth and Taylor Davis on the sideline. The game can also be heard on 1220 AM and the Kent State radio network with Rob Polinsky and Tom Evans on the call, pre-game show starts at 3:30 ET/ 2:30 pm CT. Arkansas will also have live stats available for the game, links to watch, listen and follow along are on the football schedule page.
LOOKING AHEAD
The Flashes will open the 2023 home schedule next Saturday with a noon kickoff against Central Connecticut State out of the Northeast Conference. The home weekend festivities start with a 5K run ending at the stadium, the race starts at 9 a.m. and more information can be found here.
