Kent State University
Penn State
Flashes Wrap Non-Con with Trip to Happy Valley
9/20/2024 12:03:00 PM | Football
KENT- The Golden Flashes wrap up the non-con with the second trip into the Keystone State to meet up with the 10/8th ranked Penn State Nittany Lions in State College on Saturday afternoon.
Kick off from Beaver Stadium is set for 3:40 on Saturday and will air on the Big Ten Network. Coverage on the Cleveland Clinic Sports Medicine Kent State Radio Network starts at 3 p.m. with Rob Polinsky and Tom Evans on the call and Dane Richardson patrolling the sidelines.
This will be the seventh meeting all-time between the schools and the first since 2018. Penn State holds a 6-0 lead all-time with each of the meetings coming in Happy Valley.
Kent State fans are likely familiar with Penn State quarterback Drew Allar after starring at Medina High School in northeast Ohio. The junior sits sixth nationally in quarterback efficiency and fourth in the nation at over 17 yards per completion. The Flashes will look to slow a run game that's 22nd at 228 yards per game on the ground through games against West Virginia and Bowling Green. Defensively, Jaylen Reed is ranked second in the Big-10 at nearly 10 tackles per game. Linebacker Abdul Carter is a consensus first-round pick.
The Flashes head into the match-up at 0-3 and face a top-10 opponent for the second-straight week. Kent State got contributions from a host of newcomers last Saturday as quarterback JD Sherrod, running back Jordan Lowe and wide receiver Jay Jay Etheridge all set their respective Kent State single-game career highs. Sherrod and Lowe paced the Flashes' run game and both averaged over four yards per tote against the Vols. Buffalo transfer Kam Olds continues to lead the MAC and ranks 12th nationally, averaging a sack per game. Kent State's return game has been on point with Luke Floriea ranking sixth nationally in punt returns and top-30 in kick returns. Andrew Glass remains on the precipice of history, sitting at 55 career made field goals, trailing only Freddy Cortez (2009-12) who owns 56.
The Blue and Gold return home next weekend for homecoming and the start of Mid-American Conference play, hosting Eastern Michigan. Kick time from Dix Stadium is set for 3:30 p.m.
