After creating optimism in a hard fought battle at Penn State University, Â鶹´«Ã½ hosts its 2016 home opener Saturday, Sept. 10, at 6 p.m. against North Carolina A&T State. With a Dix Stadium night crowd behind them, the Kent State Golden Flashes look to win their 14th consecutive game against a Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) opponent. A fireworks display will follow the game.
Facts in a Flash
- Senior safety Nate Holley was named Mid-American Conference East Division Player of the Week after leading both sides with 17 tackles at Penn State. He has made 15 or more tackles in his last four games.
- Senior defensive end Terence Waugh forced a fumble at Penn State with a sack and two tackles for loss. In his last 11 games, he has totaled 10 sacks and 14.0 tackles for loss.
- Junior cornerback Demetrius Monday joined Holley and Waugh on the All-MAc First Team last season. Monday finished seventh in the nation in total interceptions (6) and had a pair of defensive touchdowns last year.
- Sophomore safety Juantez McRae made a career-high eight tackles at Penn State.
- As a team, the Kent State Golden Flashes led the Mid-American Conference (MAC) in sacks and ranked second in tackles for loss last season.
- Kent State’s projected starting five on the offensive line has made a combined 97 career starts.
- Sophomore center Stefano Millin was recently chosen to wear the No. 54 jersey.
- The offensive line ranked 13th in the nation for fewest sacks allowed in 2015.
- The Golden Flashes return 14 of their top 17 tacklers on defense from a year ago.
- Senior linebacker Nick Cuthbert, who had just one B in his undergraduate career, earned CoSIDA Academic All-America honors last season.
- Kent State returned 10 Academic All-MAC selections and three MAC Distinguished Scholar-Athletes.
Home Openers
Since 1946, Kent State is 41-28-1 in home openers.
The Golden Flashes have won 12 of their last 15 home openers, including a 45-13 blowout of Delaware State last season.
Immediate Impact
True freshman running back Justin Rankin got his first career start at Penn State and looked like he’d been there before. Rankin rushed for 82 yards on only 13 carries (6.1/carry), the most rushing yards by a Kent State back in their last six games. He also caught two passes for 15 yards.
Officiating History
On Saturday, Amanda Sauer will serve as head referee, becoming the first female in Dix Stadium history to serve in that role.
One Year Earlier
Almost one year to the day, during Kent State’s 2015 home opener, kicker April Goss became just the second female to record a point in Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) history.
Defensive Scores
Senior Elcee Refuge recovered a fumble and returned it 20 yards for a touchdown at Penn State, giving the Golden Flashes their fifth defensive touchdown in their last 12 games.
Ticket Information
For , including season tickets, single game, mini 3-packs and family 4-packs, call 330-672-2244 or visit.