Fresh off the first of their two bye weeks, Penn State football is back in action this week against the Golden Flashes of Kent State. Let’s dive into some notes and key figures for this Big Ten-MAC matchup.
Penn State vs. Kent State Football History
Just like Bowling Green two weeks ago, Penn State is facing an opponent they have never lost to. The Nittany Lions are 5-0 all-time against the Golden Flashes; the last win came in a big way, 63-10, back during the 2018 season. Penn State also has two shutouts in this series, during the 2010 and 2013 college football season. Kent State has never scored more than 13 points in a game in this series.
Key Players for Penn State
Quarterback Drew Allar is off to a strong start this season. He is 24-for-37 for 420 yards with five touchdowns and just one interception. He also has a rushing touchdown to boot. A quick shoutout as well to backup quarterback Beau Pribula. He continues to provide a nice change of pace and can rush the ball as well.
Meanwhile, running back Nick Singleton has back-to-back 100-yard rushing games to start the season — 114 vs. West Virginia, 119 vs. Bowling Green — and he’s only carried the ball 26 times. He’s found the end zone three times this season, twice on the ground and once in the air.
The leading receiver through two games has been tight end Tyler Warren. The senior has 11 catches for 176 yards and a touchdown. He has more than double the number of catches of any other receiver. The next-highest is Harrison Wallace III, who has five catches for 117 yards and two touchdowns. Warren had a big day against Bowling Green with eight catches for 146 yards.
The secondary remains one of the key cogs of the Penn State defense. Safety Jaylen Reed is currently the leading tackler for the Lions with 19. Meanwhile, fellow safety Kevin Winston Jr. has the most solo tackles with eight. Reed also leads the way with two passes defended. Penn State has allowed just two passing touchdowns through two games.
Key Players for Kent State
Junior quarterback Devin Kargman — from just outside of Philadelphia in Camden, NJ — has 432 yards on 45-of-81 passing with three touchdowns and two interceptions. The downside is that is through three games and he has yet to have a 200-yard passing day this season. His highest so far is 193 in a loss to St. Francis (PA).
The Golden Flashes have been splitting work in the backfield between senior Ky Thomas (36 carries, 89 yards) and sophomore Curtis Douglas (22 carries, 73 yards).
Senior Luke Floriea and sophomore Chrishon McCray lead the charge in the passing game. Floriea has 15 catches for 209 yards and two touchdowns while McCray has 12 catches for 121 yards and two touchdowns.
Two players on defense have reached 20 tackles. Those two are junior linebacker Rocco Nicholl (24) and senior linebacker Khalib Johns (20). Nicholl also leads with two passes defended. Junior linebacker Mason Woods helps complete the trio with 18 tackles .
Keys to victory for Penn State
Take away the rushing attack
Kent State has struggled to run the football through three games. Even taking away Kargman’s negative-29 yards, Kent State is only averaging 2.2 yards per attempt. Penn State hasn’t allowed more than 57 yards to a single rusher through two games. If Penn State can keep that stretch going, they’ll force Kent State to have to pass to keep up, which they may have to do anyway with the possibility of this game getting out of hand.
Clean up execution before Big Ten play
The Lions certainly aren’t looking past Kent State, but the reality is this is a Kent State team that is hurting. They’ve been put through the wringer already this season, losing a stunner to St. Francis (PA) and are fresh off of a 71-0 loss against Tennessee. This is a good chance for Penn State to clean up their execution, particularly on offense, as they get more comfortable in Andy Kotelnicki’s system. Penn State begins Big Ten football play next week against Illinois.
Get off to fast start, gets players out early if possible
If things go right on Saturday, this game shouldn’t even be close. If that becomes the case, get the top players out early and give them some extra rest going into conference play next week. It may not be 71-0 like the Tennessee game, but Penn State should cruise comfortably Saturday.
