Pinned
Link copied
The Kent State Golden Flashes are staying on the road on Saturday to face off against the Maryland Terrapins at 3:30 p.m. ET Sept. 25 at Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium. Maryland will be strutting in after a win while the Golden Flashes will be stumbling in from a loss.
Kent State found themselves the reluctant recipients of an unfortunate 30-7 punch to the gut against the Iowa Hawkeyes last week. One thing holding Kent State back was the mediocre play of QB Dustin Crum, who did not have his best game: he passed for only 185 yards on 23 attempts.
Meanwhile, it was all tied up 3-3 at the half for Maryland and the Illinois Fighting Illini last Friday, but Maryland stepped up in the second half for a 20-17 victory. QB Taulia Tagovailoa and RB Tayon Fleet-Davis were among the main playmakers for the Terrapins as the former passed for one TD and 350 yards on 43 attempts and the latter punched in one rushing touchdown in addition to catching that TD.
Maryland's defense was a presence as well, as it embarrassed the Fighting Illini's offensive line to sack QB Brandon Peters six times for a total loss of 53 yards. The heavy lifting was done by LB Durell Nchami and DL Greg Rose, who each racked up two sacks.
The Golden Flashes have to know they'll be fighting an uphill battle given the 14.50 point spread they are up against. Those betting on them against the spread shouldn't have high expectations for them since the squad is 0-2 ATS when expected to lose.
Kent State is now 1-2 while the Terrapins sit at 3-0. A couple defensive stats to keep an eye on: Kent State is stumbling into the matchup with the 210th most rushing yards allowed per game in the nation, having given up 215.7 on average. Maryland has experienced some rushing struggles of their own as they are sixth worst in the nation in rushing touchdowns allowed, with four on the season. It's possible one of these Achilles' heels will wind up tripping the losing team up.
