Kent State Flashes Host Delaware State Saturday in Opener

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KENT, Ohio  -- Kent State welcomes Delaware State for its 2015 home opener Saturday at 6 p.m. The Golden Flashes have won two of their last three games at Dix Stadium, including a 27-24 victory over Akron to close out the 2014 season. The Flashes will be looking for their 13^th consecutive victory over an FCS opponent.

Game Day Festivities

• The game will be followed by Portage County's largest fireworks display of the year presented by AMETEK.
• Just prior to kickoff, the Kent State Aviation Flight Team will perform a flyover
• Official tailgating begins at 4 p.m.
• Student tailgate will include a cornhole tournament
• The West Gate of Dix Stadium will feature two live bands during tailgating
• At 4:30, fans can come to the main entrance to welcome the Golden Flashes into the stadium
• Discounts on select food and drinks are available at concession stands during Happy Hour (4:30-5:30)
• The Family Fun Zone with rock wall, inflatables and other activities will be on the northwest side of the stadium
• Sunglasses will be given to the first 500 students
• Two thousand freshmen will get t-shirts to run onto the turf, as the Golden Flashes take the field
• Earlier in the day, President Warren will be on hand for the dedication of the Adam S. Hamilton West Entrance of Dix Stadium at 1 p.m

Facts In A Flash
• The Flashes returned their top 11 tacklers from 2014, including junior safety Nate Holley, who ranked third in the FBS in tackles per game (12.5).
• Kent State returned the bulk of its offensive line from 2014, which has not allowed more than one sack in its last eight games.
• Junior QB Colin Reardon ranks 4th in career completions (429) at Kent State, and sixth in both career passing yards (4,579) and TD passes (26).
• Junior left tackle Reno Reda was chosen to wear number 54 this season, to carry on the legacy of former teammate Jason Bitsko.
• The Flashes held Illinois to 3-of-13 on third down conversion attempts.
• Redshirt freshman Raekwon James made his debut as a kick returner at Illinois, highlighted by a 43-yard return in the first half.
• In his last home game, junior running back Nick Holley had a career best two-touchdown game with 95 rushing yards on 14 carries against Akron.
• Senior safety Jordan Italiano was tabbed Smartest Player in College Football by NFL.com this summer. The pre-med/biochemistry major carries a 3.979 grade point average.
• Kent State returned six Academic All-MAC selections and five MAC Distinguished Scholar-Athletes.
• Senior Anthony Melchiori ranked 12th in the nation in punting average in 2014, helping the Flashes rank 16th in net punting. 
• Sophomore cornerback Demetrius Monday has an interception in each of his last two games.
• With the Illinois game originally scheduled for Friday night (lightning), the Flashes have had postponements in each of their last two road trips, dating back to Buffalo, last November.



ALL-TIME SERIES
In the only two meetings between the two programs, Kent State defeated Delaware State in back-to-back seasons in 2007 and 2008.  Both matchups came in the month of September at Dix Stadium and resulted in convincing wins for the Flashes, 38-7 and 24-3 respectively.

TV/Video/Radio
Saturday night's game can be seen on ESPN3 with Dave Wilson (play-by-play) and Marcus Ray (analyst).  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 sixth year in a row by color analyst Rob Polinsky.  Matt Miller is the sideline reporter.  iHeartRadio can be heard on a computer, 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 @kentstathletics and @kentstfootball on Twitter and Kent State Golden Flashes Football on Facebook.  For an extensive video library visit GoldenFlashesTV on YouTube.

Game Captains
In a change from previous years, the Flashes did not name captains prior to its season.  Each week, game captains will be named, while season captains will be named at the end of the year.
Game one: Anthony Melchiori, Anthony Pruitt, Reno Reda and Nate Terhune.

Home Momentum
Kent State finished the 2014 season with a dramatic 27-24 victory over archrival Akron, denying the Zips of bowl eligibility.  With a minute to play in the game on a third-and-goal at the five, Colin Reardon found Chris Humphrey in the back of the end zone for the game-winning TD.   Jordan Italiano sealed the win with an interception at midfield.

Getting Broken In
Twenty three players made career debuts for the Golden Flashes at Illinois.  Freshman lineman Stefano Millin, redshirt freshman Raekwon James and sophomore defensive lineman Anthony Johnson each made their first career start.

Costly Mistakes
The Flashes had touchdowns called back on penalties in each half against the Illini.
All four Kent State turnovers in the first half led to Illinois touchdowns, three of which came on one-play drives.



COURTESY KENT STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS