Monmouth University (2-0, 0-0 Big South) at Kent State University (0-2, 0-0 MAC)
Saturday, September 17, 2016; 3:30 p.m.
Dix Stadium (25,319), Kent, OH
Radio Coverage: Shore Sports Network, WOBM 1160AM and 1310AM, shoresportsnetwork.com
Matt Harmon (Play by Play); Eddy Occhipinti (Color Analyst)
Ticket Info:
For tickets call (330) 672-2244 (TIXX)or visit HERE for more information.
Directions to Dix Stadium:
For directions visit HERE
Television: ESPN3
Michael Reghi (Play by Play); Je'Rod Cherry (Color Analyst)
A LOOK AT THE GAME:
Both Monmouth and Kent State will play their third game of the season, with the Hawks looking to stay undefeated and the Flashes looking to break into the win column. Monmouth opened up the year with a win over Lehigh then followed it up with a win last week over Delaware State. Kent State fell to Penn State in their first game of the year, then battled North Carolina State A&T in a four overtime game that ended shortly after midnight last Saturday. Today's game will air on ESPN3 with Michael Reghi and former NFL defensive back Je'Rod Cherry. Monmouth fans can also listen to the game on the Shore Sports Network.
The Hawks put together an impressive 55 minutes against Delaware State, holding a 27-0 lead late in the third quarter before the Hornets used explosive plays on offense and special teams to cut the lead to 27-20. Monmouth senior Ed Royds and sophomore Devell Jones took over in the fourth quarter as Monmouth took a 34-20 lead and was able to run out the clock. Seven different Hawks ran the ball as MU dominated time of possession while the defense held the Hornets to just three of 10 on third down and 97 yards passing. Monmouth blocked a record four kicks in the game, earning Mike Basile conference player of the week honors. Monmouth is looking for its first win over a FBS school (in two attempts) while also trying to open up 3-0 for the fifth time in school history.
Kent State was selected to finish sixth in the 2016 MAC East Preseason Media and Coaches Poll. The Golden Flashes feature senior defensive end Terence Waugh, one of 28 players named to the Ted Hendricks Award Preseason Watch List. Waugh has recorded 12 sacks in the last 12 games, including three of Kent State's four sacks in 2016. Freshman Mylik Mitchell has taken the majority of snaps for the Golden Flashes, throwing for 241 yards with three touchdowns. In their first game with Penn State, the Golden Flashes went into halftime down just 16-13 before PSU pulled away in the second half. Kent State will face top-ranked Alabama after today's game with the Hawks.
THE COACHING MATCHUP:
Kevin Callahan begins his 24th season at Monmouth as the Hawks' head coach. Callahan owns a 133-108 career coaching record, all with Monmouth. Coming into the season, Callahan's 131 victories ranked him 13th among active coaches in the Football Championship Subdivision. The only coach in Monmouth history, he has led the Blue & White to five conference championships, in 1996, 1998, 2003, 2004 and 2006. Callahan has earned conference coach of the year accolades in 1998, 2003 and 2006. Prior to arriving in West Long Branch, Callahan served as defensive coordinator at Colgate for eight seasons and at Wagner for three years. He began his coaching career as an assistant coach at Albany (1977-79) and Syracuse (1980) before becoming a Seahawk assistant in 1981.
Kent State is led by Paul Haynes, who is in his fourth season as the head coach of the Golden Flashes. Haynes owns a 9-28 overall record and a 6-17 MAC record. He has mentored 15 All-MAC selections in his first three seasons, with all-purpose back Dri Archer becoming the fifth Kent State player taken in the first three rounds on the NFL draft since 1974. Prior to taking over the reigns at his alma mater, Haynes served as Defensive Coordinator at Arkansas for one season. He spent six seasons at Ohio State as defensive backs coach and was co-defensive coordinator for the 2011 season. Haynes played defensive back for the Golden Flashes, earning All-MAC honors three times in his career.
HEAD TO CJ McLOONES IN SHREWSBURY FOR THE OFFICAL MU FOOTBALL VIEWING PARTY
Can't make it to the game this Saturday against Kent State at 3:30pm? You can watch the Hawks on the big screen TV's at CJ McLoone's in Tinton Falls (560 Shrewsbury Avenue) all season long! Food and drink specials available during the game! No RSVP is required, just come and wear your BLUE and Fly Hawks!
INSIDE THE MU-KENT STATE SERIES
§ Today marks the first meeting between Monmouth and Kent State
MONMOUTH AGAINST THE MAC
§ Monmouth owns a 0-1 record against Mid-American Athletic Conference members, playing Central Michigan last season
§ Monmouth's first two FBS games are against MAC opponents
§ Central Michigan scored 24 of its points in the second quarter, including a trio of Cooper Rush touchdown passes. Monmouth's defense held CMU out of the endzone in the final 30 minutes but ultimately fell by the score of 31-10.
BIG SOUTH REACHES AGREEMENT WITH ATLANTIC SUN
§ The Big South Conference and ASUN Conference (ASUN) announced Tuesday a unique FCS member partnership which takes effect immediately, guarantees a football “home” within the Big South Conference for ASUN members that play scholarship football. Current or future ASUN Conference members that sponsor scholarship football will automatically be admitted as associate football members into the Big South Conference.
NOTES ON THE DELAWARE STATE WIN
§ Monmouth is now 2-0 all-time against Delaware State
§ The Hawks are now 1-1 in the state of Delaware and 3-1 against members of the MEAC
§ The Hawks opened the season 2-0 for the fifth time in school history and first time since 2014
§ MU won two of eight scheduled away games this season so far
§ MU has outscored Delaware State 86 to 41 in the two meetings
§ Monmouth committed 10 penalties for 98 yards, and has now committed 17 penalties in the first two games of the season
§ Last season MU was ranked 17th nationally in penalty yardage assessed
DID YOU KNOW?
Former Kent State star Julian Edelman and former Hawk Chris Hogan are both wide receivers for the New England Patriots. Edelman was a three year starter at QB for the Golden Flashes. Hogan, a four-year lacrosse player at Penn State, played wide receiver and cornerback in his only year of college football at Monmouth.
LISTEN TO THE GAME ON YOUR MOBILE PHONE OR TABLET FOR FREE
Fans with a mobile phone or tablet using Apple's IOS or Googles Android operating systems can download the FREE Radio Pup app, then select 1160 WOBM-AM as the station and you are set to go!
MU Football Social Media Links:
MU Football on twitter: www.twitter.com/MUHawksfb
MU Football on facebook: www.facebook.com/MUfootball
MU Athletics on YouTube: www.youtube.com/monmouthawks
