While the Flashes (4-7, 3-4 MAC) can't reach bowl elibility, they would like to finish 2022 on a winning note.
As for weather, the Buffalo area is expecting a high of about 49 degrees with winds picking up in the afternoon, reaching 20-30 mph. Hey, its better than last weekend ... by a BUNCH!!!
This will be a matchup of teams with different offensive play styles. The Bulls lead the MAC in time of possession (33:05), while the fast-paced Flashes rank last in the MAC in time of possession (26:28).
Buffalo leads the all-time series, 14- 13. The Flashes won the last meeting, 48-38, at Kent State last season.
Here's more on the two teams . . .
KENT STATE GOLDEN FLASHES (4-7, 3-4 MAC)
~~ After blasting Bowling Green 40-6 Nov. 9, KSU fell to Eastern Michigan 31-24 last week. After falling behind 7-0 early, the Flashes ran off 17 straight points before intermission.
EMU regrouped during the break and scored the next 24 points. Marquez Cooper's 3-yard touchdown with 41 seconds left in the game pulled Kent State within seven, but Eastern Michigan handled the onside kick and ran out the clock.
~~ EMU outgained Kent State 459-357 overall and controlled the ball for 39:19. The Eagles registered 25 first downs to 16 for KSU.
~~ Kent State committed the game's only turnover.
~~ KSU quarterbacks Collin Schlee and Devin Kargman combined to complete 13-of-31 attempts, good for 241 yards with one touchdown. That TD went to Ja'Shaun Poke, who registered six catches totaling 105 yards. Devontez Walker also notched six receptions, contributing a total of 131 yards.
~~ Cooper paced the KSU ground game with 20 carries totaling 80 yards with two TDs. Cooper already topped 1,100 yards for the season, he’s now the fourth Golden Flash all-time to record back-to-back 1,000 yard
seasons.
~~ Four Glashes registered double figures in tackles: Khali Saunders (12), Najee Jones (11), JoJo Evans (10) and D.J. Miller Jr. (10).
~~ Kent State last won in Buffalo in 2016 and are 6-6 all time in Buffalo.
~~ Kent State is averaging over 200 yards rushing per game, good for 21st in the FBS
~~ Devontez Walker caught two more touchdown passes against BG,
giving him 10 for the season, he is one of four players in the FBS with double-digit receiving touchdowns.
~~ The Flashes rate as one of the best MAC defenses in allowing explosive run plays (over 20 yards), allowing only 37 on the season, good for third in the MAC. The Flashes swarm to the ball, leading the MAC by allowing only 2.5 yards after first contact.
~~ KSU has averaged 28.5 ppg while allowing 29.2 ppg.
~~ The Flashes are No. 1 among MAC teams in rushing offense (201.7 ypg) and are No. 7 in passing (221.1 ypg). However, KSU is third in pass efficiency.
~~ Kent State's defense is eighth among MAC teams in defending the run (158.2 ypg) and 11th against the pass (282.4 ypg)
BUFFALO BULLS (5-5, 4-2 OVERALL)
~~ UB won its first five MAC games but has dropped the last two. That allowed Ohio to take over first place in the East Division, and the Bobcats will be in next week's MAC Championship tilt. Buffalo, however, can still qualify for bowl participation with a win Saturday against Kent State.
~~ Blizzard conditions wiped out sporting events across the Buffalo area last week. That included the Bulls vs. Akron Zips football game.
~~ Buffalo's last game action was a 31-27 loss at Central Michigan Nov. 9. The Bulls were up 24-7 at intermission, but CMU tied the game with 17 straight points in the third period. That rally included TD runs of 75 - and 87 yards by Bert Emanuel Jr.
Buffalo went back in front one last time with a 54-yard Alex McNulty field goal. Central Michigan, however, responded with a four-play, 61-yard TD drive. UB's final two possessions ended on a punt and downs.
~~ The Bulls had a 38:21 - 21:33 advantage in time of possession and held a 25-18 edge in first downs.
~~ Buffalo has run more plays than its opponents in seven of the ten games this season. Against Central Michigan, the Bulls ran 89 plays to the Chippewas 53 (+36).
~~ Originally a walk-on, junior Linebacker Shaun Dolac joined the starting lineup late last season. He has put on a tackling clinic in recent weeks. He registered double-digit tackles in six of the last seven games. Against Bowling Green, all of his 14 tackles were solo and in the previous game against Miami (OH), 12 of his 14 tackles were solo. He currently leads the nation in solo tackles with 77 and ranks second in the MAC in total tackles with 108.
~~ The Bulls have scored a defensive touchdown in three of the last five games.
~~ Buffalo ranks third among MAC teams in scoring (29.8 ppg) and is fifth in scoring defense, allowing 17.4 ppg.
~~ UB's offense ranks sixth in rushing (151.4 ypg) and ninth in yards per carry (3.6). Buffalo is fourth in passing (236.5 ypg) . The Bulls defense is 12th/last among MAC teams in rushing defense (183.8 ypg) and fifth against the pass (219.0 ypg).
~~ Marcus Fuqua has recorded a MAC-best five inteceptions (tied with Toledo's Quinyon Mitchell).