By Evan Meyer
The Kent State Golden Flashes and the Buffalo Bulls begin the Mid-American Conference portion of their schedules in coming in opposite directions. KSU has lost two straight after getting dominated last week in every phase of the game at Louisville while UB has won its last two including
Here are my preview points for late afternoon kickoff at Dix Stadium.
GOLDEN FLASHES – BULLS PREVIEW POINTS
BUFFALO BULLS (2-2)
UB enters MAC play with a 2-2 non-conference mark. After losing close road games at Minnesota and Arms, the Bulls have regrouped winning winning two straight at home including last Saturday over Florida Atlantic 34-31
Buffalo has averaged 22.8 points and 379.5 yards offensively in their four games. Sophomore QB Tyree Jackson is at the controls of the offense. He has completed 55 percent of his passes (51-of-92) for 733 yards three touchdowns and an interception
The running is led by another sophomore in Emmanuel Reed with 240 yards on 55 carries and a score. The receivers are led by junior WR Anthony Johnson who has 22 catches for 369 yards and three touchdowns. The offensive line has allowed five sacks.
The Bulls defense has allowed 19.8 and 345.5 defensively garnering three sacks.
Junior LB Khalil Hodge leads the defensive 11 with 53 total tackles (21 solo) while senior DB Ryan Williamson & Cameron Lewis with an interception each
PK Adam Mitcheson was named MAC East Special teams player of the week kicking a pair of field goals including a 42-yards early I nthe fourth quarter to extend UB’s lead over the Owls
UB is 6-12 in MAC openers since they joined the conference in 1999
THE SERIES
Saturday’s game is the 23rd lifetime meeting between the two schools with the series deadlocked at 11-11. UB has won three of the last five meetings. The last came in October,2016 at UB Stadium in Amherst with the Flashes wing 44-20
KENT STATE GOLDEN FLASHES (1-3)
After defeating Howard in their home opener, the Golden Flashes have lost two straight including last Saturday at Louisville 42-7 to the Cardinals.
KSU failed to gain 200 yards in total offense for the second time this season. Junior QB George Bollas was at the controls for Nick Holley who was injured early in the game at Marshall. Bollas three just four passes completing two for 11 yards.
True freshman QB Dustin Crum saw his first action of the season and led the rushers with 68 yards on 18 carries.
The defensive 11 was led by junior LB Jim Jones with nine total tackles
Senior CB Demetrius Monday picked off his fourth pass of the season last Saturday in just three games
KSU is 21-42-2 in MAC openers