Kent State Set To Host Delaware State On Saturday

Courtesy: Kent State Athletic Communications

Complete Delaware State Game Notes (PDF Format)
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Kent State (0-2) vs.
Delaware State (1-0)
Saturday, September 13, 2008 • 2:00 p.m. EDT
Dix Stadium (25,000/FieldTurf) • Kent, Ohio
WNIR 100.1 FM (Tom Linder, Reggie Crook & Ty Linder)

THE OPENING KICK

Kent State will debut the new-look Dix Stadium on Saturday when the Golden Flashes welcome Football Championship Series opponent Delaware State to Kent for the second consecutive season. Last year, the Flashes earned a 38-7 victory, handing the Hornets their only regular season setback against 10 victories.

In last year’s match-up, Eugene Jarvis rushed for 136 yards and a touchdown, while also catching a 42-yard TD pass as part of a 267-yard passing day for quarterback Julian Edelman. Shawn Bayes started the scoring with a 42-yard touchdown grab before closing out the game with a 95-yard kickoff return with 22 seconds remaining.

SATURDAY'S SCHEDULE IS PACKED

Beginning when doors open on Tailgate Alley at 11:30 a.m. right up until the end of the game, the Heroes’ Day activities surrounding Kent State’s home opener Saturday against Delaware State will have fans excited, entertained and most importantly, educated.

The day will begin at Tailgate Alley with interactive displays and demonstrations from the four branches of the armed forces and local fire, police and rescue squads. In addition, the Flight 93 exhibit and timeline that spent all week at the M.A.C. Center will also be set up.

Prior to the game, the Army Fast Track Jump team will deliver the game ball and the Air Force will conduct a fly-over following a national anthem performance that will be highlighted by the unveiling of a 47’ x 90’ American flag on the field. In addition, family members of the Flight 93 passengers and crew, members of the U.S. Army and a Wounded Warrior representative will be on hand for the coin toss involving a special Flight 93 commemorative coin.

FLASH FACTS

• Running back Eugene Jarvis moved within 12 yards of taking over fourth place in the KSU rushing annals with his 139-yard performance at Iowa State. The junior now has 2,657 yards in just over two seasons.

• Quarterback Julian Edelman has completed 55.6 percent of his passes en route to throwing for 294 yards in the first two games. He is also the team’s second-leading rusher with 97 yards.

• Linebacker Derek Burrell extended his double-digit tackles streak to six games with 11 stops at Iowa State. After two games, he leads the MAC with 25 tackles.

• Delaware State is the only school out of the MEAC that Kent State has faced in its 86-year history.

A GLANCE AT THE SERIES

Kent State won last year’s contest, 38-7, in the first meeting between the two schools. The loss was the only regular season setback for the Hornets as the Flashes improved to 26-22-1 all-time against FCS opponents. DSU is the only MEAC school KSU has ever faced.

KSU VS. FCS OPPONENTS UNDER MARTIN

Year Opponent Result Score
2003 Youngstown State W 16-13
2007 Liberty W 38-10
2007 SE Missouri State W 33-12
2007 Delaware State W 38-7

TELEVISION

None. However, the game can be seen on http://www.kentstatesports.com/ as part of the premium content on the K-Zone.

RADIO

For the second straight year, the excitement of Golden Flashes football can be found on flagship station WNIR 100.1 FM in Northeast Ohio as part of the Kent State ISP Sports Network. New for this year, Tom Linder slides over from the analyst chair to handle the play-by-play duties, with Reggie Crook (defensive back at KSU, 1998-01) joining the team as the color analyst. Once again, Ty Linder will roam the sidelines for all of the broadcasts.

WEB SITE

Live audio for all Kent State football game broadcasts, live video of select games and live stats are available via the K-Zone on the official athletic department web site (http://www.kentstatesports.com/).

THE COACHES

• Doug Martin (Kentucky ‘85) is in his fifth season as a head coach, owning a 15-33 record at the helm of the Golden Flashes. He was promoted to head coach March 1, 2004, after serving as Kent State’s offensive coordinator in 2003. (For a complete Martin bio see page 12.)

• Al Lavan (Colorado State ‘70) has a 30-16 record in his fifth season at Delaware State. Overall, he is 32-17 in six seasons as a head coach, including a 2-1 mark at Eastern Michigan in 2003 after taking over for Jeff Woodruff, who was fired after the Eagles started 1-8.

UP NEXT

The Golden Flashes embark on a two-game road trip beginning at Louisiana-Lafayette on Sept. 20. Following the first-ever meeting between the two schools, Kent State will open up MAC play the following weekend at Ball State in a game that will be televised on ESPN Plus.