Nittany Lions Host Golden Flashes in Non-Conference Finale (Game Preview)

Kent State (0-3, 0-0 MAC) at No. 10 Penn State (2-0, 0-0 Big Ten)

Date: Saturday, September 21

Times: 3:30 PM

Location: Beaver Stadium (University Park, PA)

Coverage

• TV: BTN

• Radio: CommRadio (Neutral) & The Word (KSU) & LionVision (PSU)

• Live Stats: ESPN GameCast & StatBroadcast (PSU)

Storylines

The Grit & Determination of a Struggling Squad

The Golden Flashes were down 65-0 at halftime against Tennessee last Saturday and ended up losing the game 71-0. After the team leaders declined a running clock, not giving up on their team, this Kent State team will keep fighting in every game, whether they’re up by 50 or down by 50. (Source: NY Times [The Athletic])

Winston Out Indefinitely

Following an injury suffered in the first quarter against Bowling Green, Kevin Winston Jr., a safety for the Nittany Lions, was ruled out for a long period of time by head coach James Franklin. This is a good week for Penn State to figure out who could replace him in the secondary. (Source: ESPN)

Kent State at No. 10 Penn State: Team Numbers

Kent State	Offense	No. 10 Penn State
13.7	Points Per Game	34.0
147.0	Pass Yards Per Game	219.5
54.3	Rush Yards Per Game	228.0
16.67%	3rd Down %	35.00%
6 (2.00)	Turnovers (per game)	2 (1.00)

Kent State	Defense	No. 10 Penn State
49.7	Points Allowed PG	19.5
282.7	Pass Yards Allowed PG	207.5
284.7	Rush Yards Allowed PG	103.0
50.00%	Opponent 3rd Down %	39.29%
5 (1.67)	Takeaways (per game)	7 (2.33)

Nittany Lions in Control of Head-to-Head

Penn State is 6-0 against Kent State all-time, according to Winsipedia. Their last meeting was in 2018, when Penn State beat Kent State 63-10 at home. Penn State is 6-0 against Kent State at home all-time, with their last home meeting being in 2018 (see above). Penn State has won the last 6 head-to-head meetings dating back to 1965. Kent State has never beaten Penn State.

Players To Watch on Offense

Kent State

• QB Devin Kargman, Jr.

  • Passing: 45-for-81, 432 yds, 3 TD, 2 INT

• WR1 Luke Floriea, Gr.

  • Receiving: 15 rec, 209 yds, 2 TD

• WR2 Chrishon McCray, R-So.

  • Receiving: 12 rec, 121 yds, 2 TD

No. 10 Penn State

• QB Drew Allar, Jr.

  • Passing: 24-for-37, 420 yds, 5 TD, 1 INT

  • Rushing: 13 car, 51 yds, 1 TD

• RB Nick Singleton, Jr.

  • Rushing: 26 car, 233 yds, 2 TD

  • Receiving: 1 rec, 13 yds

• TE Tyler Warren, Sr.

  • Receiving: 11 rec, 176 yds, 1 TD

Players To Watch on Defense

Kent State

• DL Stephen Daley, Jr.

  • Defense: 15 tot, 1 sack, 3 TFL

• DE Kameron Olds, Jr.

  • Defense: 14 tot, 3 sacks, 3.5 TFL

• LB Rocco Nicholl, Jr.

  • Defense: 24 tot, 7 solo, 2 PD

No. 10 Penn State

• DT Zane Durant, Jr.

  • Defense: 5 tot, 1 sack, 1.5 TFL

• LB Tony Rojas, So.

  • Defense: 10 tot, 1.5 TFL, 1 INT

• S Jaylen Reed, Sr.

  • Defense: 19 tot, 2 PD, 1 FR

Quick Picks: Expert Analysis

Bryan: Penn State returns from a bye week after surviving a scare against Bowling Green. If the Nittany Lions let Kent State get close at all, sound the alarms, because Penn State should cruise on Saturday.

Pick: No. 8 Penn State