Dix Stadium, Kent, OH
ESPN
First Meeting
By EVAN MEYER
The Kent State Golden Flashes battled the North Carolina A&T Aggies through a two-hour rain delay and four overtimes last Saturday, (the longest in school history), only to see KSU’s record fall to 0-2 with a 39-36 defeat.
This Saturday, the Blue and Gold look for their first victory of the 2016 season as they play their second Football Championship Subdivision team . . .
KENT STATE GOLDEN FLASHES (0-2):
LAST TIME OUT: The Golden Flashes fell to the Aggies of North Carolina A&T, 39-36, in four overtimes in the home opener at Dix Stadium. It was the Flashes first loss to an FCS team since 2000, when they lost to Youngstown State.
Redshirt freshman QB Mylik Mitchell, in his first collegiate start, completed 17-of-32 passes for 182 yards and three touchdowns. Two of the scores went to TE Brice Fackler, with the second coming at the end of the third quarter to give the Flashes a 17-10 lead only.
The KSU defense forced four turnovers (two interceptions and two recovered fumbles). They were led again by DB Nate Holley, who had 13 total tackles (nine solo).
PREVIOUSLY: The Golden Flashes opened the 2016 season losing to the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium, 33-13.
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING:
OFFENSE:KSU is averaging 24.5 points & 277 yards per game
RUSHING: Justin Rankin 26 carries-118 yards-one touchdown
PASSING: Mylik Mitchell 23-44-1 523 yards three touchdowns
RECEIVING: Ernest Calhoun 5 receptions-64 yards
DEFENSE: The Golden Flashes are allowing 36 points & 380 yards per game
TOTAL TACKLES: Nate Holley 14-16-30
TACKLES FOR LOSS: Terance Waugh 4-35 yards
SACKS: Waugh 3-25 yards
INTERCEPTIONS: Najee Murray & Juantez McRae each with one
SPECIAL TEAMS:
PUNTING: Derek Adams 15 – 37.5 avg. per kick
PLACE KICKING: Shane Hynes 5-6 FG / 4-4 PAT
KICK RETURNS: Kavious Price 5-23.4 yds per return
PUNT RETURNS: Nick Holley 3-28
NOTES:
DB Nate Holley leads and the MAC and is second in the Football Bowl Subdivision with 30 total tackles averaging 15 per game…QB Mylik Mitchell’s three touchdown pass vs NC A&T were the most by a KSU quarterback since Josh Cribbs in 2004…LB Elcee Refuge’s recovered fumble in the second quarter was his second in as many games…DB Najee Murray collected his first ever collegiate interception…DL Terence Waugh has 12 sacks over his last 12 games dating back to last season..KSU had a 14-game winning streak against FCS competition end last Saturday and are 2-0 lifetime against the Big South Conference (both wins against Liberty at home)….Amanda Sauer was the referee for the game on Saturday the first female referee in Dix Stadium history
MONMOUTH HAWKS (2-0)
LAST TIME OUT: Monmouth played its second of three consecutive road games to start the 2016 season, traveling to Dover, Delaware and defeating the Hornets of Delaware State, 34-20. The visitors opened a 27-0 lead only to see it dwindle in the fourth quarter. MU had 451 yards of total offense, led by RB Ed Royds. He had 92 yards on 25 carries and two touchdowns, including the clinching score midway through the final period. WR Reggie White Jr owned 11 catches for 129 yards. The defense held DSU to just 221 total yards.
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING:
OFFENSE; MU is averaging 28.5 points & 427 yards per game
RUSHING: Lavon Chaney 34 carries-165 yards two touchdowns
PASSING: Cody Williams 31-48-1 325 yards-one touchdown
RECEIVING: Reggie White Jr. 14 receptions-147 yards
DEFENSE: The Hawks are allowing 20.5 points & 230 yards per game
TOTAL TACKLES: Mike Basile 13-4-17
TACKLES FOR LOSS: Zach Talley 1.5-four yards
SACKS: Four with one
SPECIAL TEAMS:
PUNTING: Matt White 4-39.0 yds
PLACE KICKING: White 3-5 FG / 6-7 PAT
KICK RETURNS: Devin Phillips 2-29
PUNT RETURNS: Vinny Grasso 2-15
NOTES:
Monmouth is located in New Jersey about a hour away from New York City. The Hawks play football in the Big South Conference, while they compete in the Mid-Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) in other sports, including men’s and women’s basketball…The Hawks were picked fourth in the pre-season Big South Conference poll…with a win MU will go 3-0 for just the fifth time in school history and is just one of 24 undefeated teams in the FCS through week three…The Hawks blocked a school record five kicks against DSU…the game with KSU is the second against FBS competition as last season they lost at Central Michigan 31-10…MU’s defense has not allowed a point in the first half ion their first two games so far this season…MU’s offensive line has allowed just one sack in the first two games 10th best in the FCS…Reggie White Jr. was named Big South Offensive Player of the Week for his career high 11 receptions for 129 yards while RB Ed Royds set a career mark with 25 carries (92 yards) against the Hornets.