Kent State University
Tennessee
Flashes Head to Rocky Top to Tangle with Tennessee
9/13/2024 12:19:00 PM | Football
KNOXVILLE, TN- The Golden Flashes begin a two-game road trip to close out the non-conference season, heading to Rocky Top to meet the seventh-ranked Tennessee Volunteers.
This will be the first meeting between the two schools on the gridiron, kick-off from Neyland Stadium is set for 7:45 p.m. on Saturday and can be seen on the SEC Network. The pre-game show on the Kent State Radio Network will start at 7:15 p.m. with Rob Polinsky and Tom Evans.
The Flashes are looking to bounce back from a 23-17 home setback to Saint Francis (PA) last Saturday. Kent State all but erased an early Red Flash lead with touchdown receptions from Luke Floriea and Chrishon McCray, but couldn't find the equalizer.
Floriea and McCray have each caught touchdowns in the first two games this season. Floriea's 98 yards per game average is third in the Mid-American Conference. Kameron Olds led the defense with a pair of sacks and was a part of three tackles for loss. The Buffalo transfer leads the MAC in sacks through the first two weeks.
The Volunteers come in at 2-0 on the season after a win over a ranked NC State team last weekend. They sport a top-10 offense (5th in total yards) and top-10 defense (6th in yards allowed) while averaging 60 points per contest. Josh Heupel's team runs one of the fastest offenses in the country, averaging nearly 80 plays per game. The offense is led by Nico Iamaleava, the quarterback is throwing for nearly 300 yards per game and has accounted for six touchdowns. His favorite targets have been Bru McCoy and Dont'e Thornton Jr. Thornton is averaging 35 yards a grab, while McCoy leads the team in receptions. Dylan Sampson leads the rushing attack and has been right on the team average of six yards per carry. The defense is a balanced group that has combined for 18 stops behind the line.
As mentioned above, the Flashes and Vols have never met in football. Kent State is no stranger to the SEC in recent seasons having traveled to Arkansas last year and have taken on Auburn, Texas A and M and Oklahoma in the last five seasons.
The Flashes close out the non-conference next Saturday, making the trek back into Pennsylvania to take on the Penn State Nittany Lions. Kick-off is set for 3:30 p.m. on the Big Ten Network and the Kent State Radio Network.
