Kent State football will open up MACtion for the first time this season when the team welcomes Miami University (OH) to Dix Stadium.

KSU is coming off a loss to Fresno State in its last non-conference game of the season by a score of 53-10.

It’s the second time this season, allowing 50 or more points.

“From our standpoint, it was a tough loss,” coach Kenni Burns said. “We didn’t play very well, and it really came down to details. We have to be way better at being disciplined. Our effort and energy were there, but it came down to detailed football. We got out-coached, and we got outplayed.”

Following the loss, KSU dropped to 1-3 on the season, putting them in a tie for third place in the Mid-American Conference Eastern Division.

Miami comes to Kent off a dominating 62-10 victory over Delaware State.

The win improved Miami’s overall record to 3-1, and the team is in second place in the MAC East.

Ohio University is first in the Eastern Division at 4-1, and Toledo is first in the Western Division at 3-1.

Player matchups

Quarterback

Redshirt junior Brett Gabbert will make his 36th start for the RedHawks Saturday.

• Last week vs. Delaware State: 15-19, 180 passing yards, two touchdowns, zero interceptions.
• Season stats: 51-82, 846 passing yards, nine touchdowns, three interceptions, 172.3 rating.
• Burns: “He’s a really good player; he’s the face of the program and the leader of the team. He puts the ball where it’s supposed to be. He is accurate and knows the system in and out. He’s a really good manager of the game – those are the most dangerous quarterbacks.”

Redshirt junior Mike Alaimo will be starting in his fifth game as a Flash following his transfer from Purdue.

• Last week at Fresno State: 8-15, 102 passing yards, zero touchdowns, zero interceptions, three rush attempts, three rushing yards.
• Season stats: 43-79, 593 passing yards, one touchdown, three interceptions, 114.1 rating.

Running back

Miami’s leading rusher so far this season is redshirt sophomore Rashad Amos.

• Transferred from the University of South Carolina at the start of the season.
• Last week vs. Delaware State: five rushing attempts, 59 rushing yards, one touchdown, one reception, six receiving yards.
• Season stats: 44 rushing attempts, 222 rushing yards, five yards/attempt, one touchdown.

Sophomore Gavin Garcia will lead the multi-faceted running game for the Flashes.

• Last week at Fresno: 13 rushing attempts, 50 rushing yards, one reception, three receiving yards.
• Season stats: 70 rushing attempts, 288 rushing yards, two touchdowns

Receivers

Miami’s most productive receiver this season is junior Gabe Larvadain.

• Transferred from Southeastern Louisiana before the season.
• Last week vs. Delaware State: one reception, six receiving yards
• Season stats: 18 receptions, 438 receiving yards, four touchdowns.
• Burns: “He transferred in and is putting up unreal numbers. He’s one of the best receivers we’ve played up to this point. We’re going to have to do a good job with him.”

Sophomore wide receiver Trell Harris has been Alaimo’s best receiver this season.

• Last week at Fresno: two receptions, 25 receiving yards.
• Season stats: 13 receptions, 233 receiving yards, one touchdown.

Defense

Burns highlighted redshirt junior linebacker Matt Salopek as an impact player on the RedHawks defense.

• 2022 Third-Team All-MAC, 2022 Academic All-MAC
• Last week vs. Delaware State: 3 solo tackles
• Season stats: 38 total tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, one sack, one pass breakup
• Burns: “He does a good job of getting (the defense) in line and getting them where they’re supposed to be.”

Redshirt senior linebacker Devin Nicholson has been Kent State’s defensive leader this season.

• Last week at Fresno: seven total tackles
• Season stats: 29 total tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, one pass breakup

How do they stack up?

Burns said the team’s execution will need to improve following last week’s loss.

“We have to make sure we execute no matter what the situation of the game is,” Burns said. “I expect them to respond, and I know they will. This team has always done that – they’ve done it in the past, and they’ll do it now.”

Burns expressed that one of the team’s best qualities is its ability to grow.

“They have had the ability to grow and respond, and they’ve done that often,” he said. “Whenever their backs have been against the wall, they come out swinging, and I expect that from our football team. We’ll get back on track this week.”

Kickoff will be 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Dix Stadium.

Tailgating opens at 11:30 a.m., and the theme of the game is “navy out.”

Burns ended his Monday press conference with a call out to Kent State student fans.

“Student body, we need you this week to be loud and be there and make it hard on Miami,” he said. “We know you’re our edge to having success. We know that you’ll be there in full force, and I’ll be right there with you, cheering and bringing the energy and the juice.”

John Hilber is a reporter. Contact him at [email protected].