The Kent State Golden Flashes celebrated one of the biggest wins in head coach Sean Lewis’ brief tenure last Saturday as they defeated arch-rival Akron 23-6 to regain possession of the Wagon Wheel trophy.
It was KSU’s third victory of the 2019, surpassing last season’s win total and also kept the Flashes atop the MAC East with a 2-0 mark. Kent State last started 2-0 in MAC play back in 2002.
This week figures to be KSU’s biggest . . .
This is the 36th lifetime game in Athens, with Ohio having a 21-14 edge
at
Ohio Bobcats (2-4, 1-1 MAC)
Saturday, Oct. 19 – Noon
Peden Stadium – Athens, OH
CBS Sports Network
ABOUT OHIO
-- Northern Illinois spoiled the ‘Cats homecoming celebrations last week, defeating the Green and White 39-36 with a field goal on the game’s final play. It was a game that saw 75 total points and 948 yards in total offense.
-- In the preseason, Ohio was just about everyone’s pick not only to win the Eastern Division, but also the championship game in Detroit. The ‘Cats started 2019 with a home win over FCS member Rhode Island. Since then they have lost four of their last five games and are 1-1 in MAC competition.
-- Head coach Frank Solich is in his 15th season at head coach in Athens. He is the dean of MAC head coaches, compiling a 108-79 record at Ohio, 166-98 overall, and 71-43 in MAC play
-- Offensively, Ohio is averaging 27.3 points and 378.2 yards per game
-- The Bobcats are led by senior QB Nathan Rourke. The pre-season MAC Player of the Year is completing 58.2 percent of his passes (95-of-162) for 1,270 yards with eight touchdowns and four interceptions. He also leads the team in rushing
-- The receivers are led by redshirt freshman WR Shawn Hooks with 15 catches for 322 yards and three scores
-- Ohio’s defense has allowed 29.5 points and 457.3 yards per game. It is led by fifth year senior DB Javon Hagan with 54 total tackles (23 solo).
-- Ohio heads on the road next week to Ball State
ABOUT KENT STATE
-- Last Saturday, the Golden Flashes defeated arch-rival Akron Zips 23-6, ending a four-game losing streak to UA and regaining possession of the Wagon Wheel Trophy
-- KSU is 2-0 in MAC play for the first time since 2002 and has surpassed its win total for all of last season
-- QB Dustin Crum extended his streak of consecutive passes without an interception to 153 -- the longest current streak in the Football Bowl Subdivision -- going 16-for-21 for 149 yards and a touchdown last week.
-- Sophomore WR Isiah McKoy is fourth in MAC receiving with 28 catches for 381 yards and four touchdowns. He had seven receptions for 80 yards against the Zips and a touchdown on the game’s first possession
-- RB Will Matthews gained 126 yards rushing and a touchdown. He was the third KSU running back to gain over 100 yards this season (Jo-El Shaw & Joachim Bangda were the others -- both against Bowling Green)
-- PK Matthew Trickett tied a career high with four field goals (which he had in the overtime win over Kennesaw State on September 7th) and was named MAC East Special Teams Player of the Week