Photo by: David Dermer
Flashes Host Buffalo Saturday to Begin Full Day of Halloween Fun
10/23/2013 3:25:00 PM | Football
ESPN3 Game Notes in PDF Live Stats
After five out-of-state road games over six weeks, Kent State returns to Dix Stadium Saturday, hosting Buffalo on Hall of Fame Weekend. The Golden Flashes will be playing the first of four consecutive games against Mid-American Conference East Division opponents to close out the regular season. With its postseason back to the wall, Kent State must win the rest of its games to become bowl eligible.
Saturday's Halloween Fun
The Portage County Food Truck will be accepting non-perishable food items at Dix Stadium
Facts In A Flash
• Last season's win over the Bulls began a program record 10-game winning streak.
• Kent State losses have come against teams with a combined record of 32-10.
• The Flashes have won nine of their last 11 games at Dix Stadium.
• Kent State has won eight of its last nine against current MAC East members.
• At South Alabama, the Kent State defense posted season-highs of 4.0 sacks and 8.0 tackles for loss.
• Junior Casey Pierce's four touchdown catches are the most by a Kent State tight end since Jason Gavadza in 1999.
• Senior Dri Archer upped his career touchdown total to 35 at South Alabama with the Flashes' longest run (74 yards) and catch (73 yards) of the year.
• Junior defensive tackle Marcus Wright recorded the first two sacks of his career at South Alabama.
• Junior Nate Vance made his team-leading third sack of the season.
• Senior David Fisher made his first career start at quarterback rushing for 106 yards and throwing for 181 yards and two touchdowns.
• Senior Tyshon Goode recently surpassed 2,000 yards receiving and is in second place among Kent State's career reception leaders with 166.
• Senior safety Luke Wollet has made 12 career interceptions including two in the last four games.
• Senior Roosevelt Nix is second among active FBS players in career tackles for loss (59.0), fifth in forced fumbles (10) and 14th in sacks (21.5).
Helmet Tributes
Since the Ball State game, Kent State has donned the initials "HD" in honor of Helen Dix, who died Oct. 2. In 2007, Kent State awarded her its University Medallion and a Distinguished Alumni Award for her of devotion to the university.
Beginning Saturday, the Flashes will also wear "DJ" stickers on their helmets in honor of Don James, who died Sunday. James served as the Flashes' head coach from 1971-74, leading KSU to the program's only outright MAC Championship and a Tangerine Bowl appearance in 1972.
All-Time Series Against UB
Kent State leads the all-time series against Buffalo 10-9, following a 23-7 victory at UB Stadium last season. Dri Archer and Julian Durden each had rushing touchdowns. Archer ran for 127 yards, while Trayion Durham ran for 112. Darius Polk had a pair of interceptions. The Bulls won the most recent meeting at Dix Stadium 9-6 in the 2009 season finale. Archer ran for 93 yards as a freshman. Buffalo has won the last three meetings at Dix Stadium.
TV/Video/Radio
Saturday's game can be seen on Time Warner Sports and ESPN3 with Mike Cairns (play-by-play) and Frank Stams (color).
All Kent State games can be heard live on 640 WHLO and Golden Flashes Radio on iHeartRadio. Ty Linder will handle the play-by-play duties and is joined in the booth for the fourth year in a row by color analyst Rob Polinsky. Matt Miller is the sideline reporter. The iHeartRadio channel works on a PC, smart phone or tablet.
WebSite, Twitter & Youtube
For Kent State football stories, statistics, photos, video and more, visit KentStateSports.com. For daily football updates follow @ksuathletics on Twitter. For an extensive video library visit the GoldenFlashesTV channel on YouTube.
The Coaches
• Paul Haynes became the first Kent State head coach to win his debut since 1988, a feat not accomplished by the previous five head coaches. Haynes was a two-time all-conference defensive back at Kent State from 1987-91, despite joining as a walk-on. He returned to his alma mater as an assistant coach in 1999 and was promoted to assistant head coach in 2000. After seven seasons on an Ohio State staff that won six Big Ten titles (2005-11), Haynes spent the 2012 season as defensive coordinator at Arkansas. (For a complete Haynes bio see page 10)
• Jeff Quinn (Elmhurst '84) is in his fourth season at Buffalo, having his best year to date. The Bulls won three of their last four games in 2012 and have won eight of Quinn's last 11 games. Buffalo has now improved on their win total in three straight seasons. Prior to Buffalo, he served as offensive coordinator and offensive line coach at Cincinnati for three seasons (2007-09). Quinn was also offensive coordinator and offensive line coach at Central Michigan, Grand Valley State and Ohio Northern.
Previewing Buffalo
• The Bulls have won five straight, outscoring its last two opponents 65-3 and its last four opponents 148-29.
• Buffalo ranks second in the nation with a +11 turnover margin and seventh in forced turnovers (11 interceptions, 8 fumble recoveries)
• The Bulls' defense ranks fifth in the nation in sacks (24.0) and 20th in tackles for loss (52.0).
• Buffalo has been especially strong coming out of the break, outscoring opponents 56-14 in the third quarter.
• The Bulls' rushing offense ranks fourth in the MAC, averaging 168 yards per game.
• This past weekend, Buffalo held UMass to just 13 first downs and 85 yards rushing.
Key Players To Watch
• Senior linebacker Khalil Mack was recently named to Phil Steele's Midseason All-America Team. Mack's six sacks rank 14th in the nation and his 10 tackles for loss rank 13th. He also has a pair of interceptions returned for touchdowns, totaling 80 yards.
• Senior running back Branden Oliver rushed for 216 yards and a touchdown on 43 carries against UMass. He leads the Bulls with 689 rushing yards and five touchdowns.
• Senior receiver Alex Neutz has a team-high 36 catches for 553 yards and six touchdowns. Neutz hauled in a 46 yard touchdown catch against the Flashes last season.
• Senior receiver Fred Lee caught eight passes for 70 yards and a touchdown against UMass.
• Junior safety Adam Redden was named MAC East Defensive Player of the Week on Monday. He had a game-high 12 tackles, two TFL and a half sack along with a fumble recovery and an inital hit that resulted in a safety.
• Senior defensive lineman Colby Way has five sacks and 7.5 tackles for loss.
• Senior cornerback Najja Johnson leads the team with three interceptions.
After five out-of-state road games over six weeks, Kent State returns to Dix Stadium Saturday, hosting Buffalo on Hall of Fame Weekend. The Golden Flashes will be playing the first of four consecutive games against Mid-American Conference East Division opponents to close out the regular season. With its postseason back to the wall, Kent State must win the rest of its games to become bowl eligible.
Saturday's Halloween Fun
The Portage County Food Truck will be accepting non-perishable food items at Dix Stadium
Facts In A Flash
• Last season's win over the Bulls began a program record 10-game winning streak.
• Kent State losses have come against teams with a combined record of 32-10.
• The Flashes have won nine of their last 11 games at Dix Stadium.
• Kent State has won eight of its last nine against current MAC East members.
• At South Alabama, the Kent State defense posted season-highs of 4.0 sacks and 8.0 tackles for loss.
• Junior Casey Pierce's four touchdown catches are the most by a Kent State tight end since Jason Gavadza in 1999.
• Senior Dri Archer upped his career touchdown total to 35 at South Alabama with the Flashes' longest run (74 yards) and catch (73 yards) of the year.
• Junior defensive tackle Marcus Wright recorded the first two sacks of his career at South Alabama.
• Junior Nate Vance made his team-leading third sack of the season.
• Senior David Fisher made his first career start at quarterback rushing for 106 yards and throwing for 181 yards and two touchdowns.
• Senior Tyshon Goode recently surpassed 2,000 yards receiving and is in second place among Kent State's career reception leaders with 166.
• Senior safety Luke Wollet has made 12 career interceptions including two in the last four games.
• Senior Roosevelt Nix is second among active FBS players in career tackles for loss (59.0), fifth in forced fumbles (10) and 14th in sacks (21.5).
Helmet Tributes
Since the Ball State game, Kent State has donned the initials "HD" in honor of Helen Dix, who died Oct. 2. In 2007, Kent State awarded her its University Medallion and a Distinguished Alumni Award for her of devotion to the university.
Beginning Saturday, the Flashes will also wear "DJ" stickers on their helmets in honor of Don James, who died Sunday. James served as the Flashes' head coach from 1971-74, leading KSU to the program's only outright MAC Championship and a Tangerine Bowl appearance in 1972.
All-Time Series Against UB
Kent State leads the all-time series against Buffalo 10-9, following a 23-7 victory at UB Stadium last season. Dri Archer and Julian Durden each had rushing touchdowns. Archer ran for 127 yards, while Trayion Durham ran for 112. Darius Polk had a pair of interceptions. The Bulls won the most recent meeting at Dix Stadium 9-6 in the 2009 season finale. Archer ran for 93 yards as a freshman. Buffalo has won the last three meetings at Dix Stadium.
TV/Video/Radio
Saturday's game can be seen on Time Warner Sports and ESPN3 with Mike Cairns (play-by-play) and Frank Stams (color).
All Kent State games can be heard live on 640 WHLO and Golden Flashes Radio on iHeartRadio. Ty Linder will handle the play-by-play duties and is joined in the booth for the fourth year in a row by color analyst Rob Polinsky. Matt Miller is the sideline reporter. The iHeartRadio channel works on a PC, smart phone or tablet.
WebSite, Twitter & Youtube
For Kent State football stories, statistics, photos, video and more, visit KentStateSports.com. For daily football updates follow @ksuathletics on Twitter. For an extensive video library visit the GoldenFlashesTV channel on YouTube.
The Coaches
• Paul Haynes became the first Kent State head coach to win his debut since 1988, a feat not accomplished by the previous five head coaches. Haynes was a two-time all-conference defensive back at Kent State from 1987-91, despite joining as a walk-on. He returned to his alma mater as an assistant coach in 1999 and was promoted to assistant head coach in 2000. After seven seasons on an Ohio State staff that won six Big Ten titles (2005-11), Haynes spent the 2012 season as defensive coordinator at Arkansas. (For a complete Haynes bio see page 10)
• Jeff Quinn (Elmhurst '84) is in his fourth season at Buffalo, having his best year to date. The Bulls won three of their last four games in 2012 and have won eight of Quinn's last 11 games. Buffalo has now improved on their win total in three straight seasons. Prior to Buffalo, he served as offensive coordinator and offensive line coach at Cincinnati for three seasons (2007-09). Quinn was also offensive coordinator and offensive line coach at Central Michigan, Grand Valley State and Ohio Northern.
Previewing Buffalo
• The Bulls have won five straight, outscoring its last two opponents 65-3 and its last four opponents 148-29.
• Buffalo ranks second in the nation with a +11 turnover margin and seventh in forced turnovers (11 interceptions, 8 fumble recoveries)
• The Bulls' defense ranks fifth in the nation in sacks (24.0) and 20th in tackles for loss (52.0).
• Buffalo has been especially strong coming out of the break, outscoring opponents 56-14 in the third quarter.
• The Bulls' rushing offense ranks fourth in the MAC, averaging 168 yards per game.
• This past weekend, Buffalo held UMass to just 13 first downs and 85 yards rushing.
Key Players To Watch
• Senior linebacker Khalil Mack was recently named to Phil Steele's Midseason All-America Team. Mack's six sacks rank 14th in the nation and his 10 tackles for loss rank 13th. He also has a pair of interceptions returned for touchdowns, totaling 80 yards.
• Senior running back Branden Oliver rushed for 216 yards and a touchdown on 43 carries against UMass. He leads the Bulls with 689 rushing yards and five touchdowns.
• Senior receiver Alex Neutz has a team-high 36 catches for 553 yards and six touchdowns. Neutz hauled in a 46 yard touchdown catch against the Flashes last season.
• Senior receiver Fred Lee caught eight passes for 70 yards and a touchdown against UMass.
• Junior safety Adam Redden was named MAC East Defensive Player of the Week on Monday. He had a game-high 12 tackles, two TFL and a half sack along with a fumble recovery and an inital hit that resulted in a safety.
• Senior defensive lineman Colby Way has five sacks and 7.5 tackles for loss.
• Senior cornerback Najja Johnson leads the team with three interceptions.
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