Kent State University
Eastern Michigan
Flashes Host EMU for Homecoming and MAC Opener
9/24/2024 1:59:00 PM | Football, General
KENT- The Golden Flashes return home to the friendly confines of Dix Stadium to take on Eastern Michigan for the start of Mid-American Conference play and the annual homecoming game.
Kick-off is set for 3:30 p.m. with homecoming festivities starting on Saturday morning. The annual homecoming parade will start at 10:30 on Saturday morning. For full information on Kent State homecoming, visit the homecoming headquarters page.
Tailgating will open three hours before kick-off at Dix Stadium. Get to the stadium early because there will be plenty of great tailgating options. Â 717 Credit Union, the official banking partner of the Golden Flashes, will be hosting a tailgate that is open to everyone. There will be free food and the chance to win some great prizes. The Kent State Alumni tailgate will also be going on inside the Kent State tent. Â
Fans will also want to get to the stadium to welcome home the Golden Flashes with the GRIT walk into the stadium at 1 p.m. Gates will open at 2 p.m. and the first 1,500 fans will get an over-sized Kent State chain and a black rally towel. Halftime will feature the homecoming court as well as a performance from the marching Golden Flashes.
Kent State returns home after back-to-back road games against top-10 opponents. The Flashes remain the most disciplined team in the FBS, leading the nation in fewest penalties and penalty yardage. Josh Smith held the Penn State return game in check on his 10 punts against the Nittany Lions. The Australia native averaged over 43 yards per punt and netted 40 yards per kick, pinning Penn State inside the 20 on five occasions. On the flip side, Luke Floriea is fourth in the country in punt return average. Defensively, Rocco Nicholl continues to impress. The linebacker had a career high 14 tackles last Saturday and now ranks 22nd in the country at nine stops per game.
This will be the 35th meeting all-time between the Eagles and Golden Flashes. The teams have been frequent opponents in recent history, splitting four meetings since 2019. Kent State will look to stop EMU's two-game win streak in the series. It is the first time since 2020 the teams have met in the season opener.
The Eagles bring a balanced attack to Dix Stadium. Their rushing attack is led by Elijah Jackson-Anderson and Delbert Mimms III, both average over 10 carries per game. Buffalo transfer Cole Snyder has not thrown an interception this season and averages 186 yards per game to go along with his three TD passes. His favorite target has been Oran Singleton, ranking among the MAC leaders with his 260 receiving yards.
Four defenders have multiple sacks on the season, led by Peyton Price and Justin Jefferson with three each, tying the Flashes' Kameron Olds for tops in the conference. EMU leads the conference in sacks and sacks allowed. Zach Mowchan leads the team with 26 tackles and done so in three games, missing last week's shutout of Saint Francis. Jesus Gomez is one of the top kickers in the MAC, hitting on 11 field goals already this season.
Saturday's game will air on ESPN+ as well as the Kent State Radio Network. Rob Polinsky and Tom Evans will have the call starting at 3 p.m. Dane Richardson will be pacing the sideline for in-game updates.
Tickets for Saturday's game are on sale now! Ticket deals include the Family Four Pack, the deal includes four tickets, four hot dogs, four chips and four drinks and a 20 percent savings! Tickets, packages and more are available at KSUTix.com.
Both the Flashes and Eagles will have a bye week on October 5th. Kent State remains at home on October 12th, hosting Ball State. Kick time for the game against the Cardinals has not yet been set.
