Kent State (3-4, 2-1 Mid-American Conference) returns home this week to take on Bowling Green (5-2, 3-0 MAC) in a battle that will have major implications in the MAC East standings. A win would put the Flashes in a tie with the Falcons for first place in the MAC East.

This game will feature one of the nation’s top defenses against one of the nation’s top offenses.

Other than Illinois, the Flashes have only allowed six touchdowns in their last five games.

The Falcons come into the game leading the nation in passing offense (432 yards per game), fourth in total offense (594.3 yards per game) and eighth in scoring (43.3 yards per game).

Sophomore wide receiver for Bowling Green, Roger Lewis, is one of the most electric players in the nation. Lewis is second in the nation in receiving yards (145.7), fourth in touchdowns (9) and ninth in receptions per game (7.7).

Falcons quarterback Matt Jones currently leads the nation in passing yards (2,891) and third in passing touchdowns (24).

Head coach Paul Haynes understands that this may be the biggest test of the season for his defense because of Bowling Green’s ability to put up points and high-powered offense.

“I’m trying to do a rain, sleet and snow dance, but I keep looking at the weather and it keeps saying it’s supposed to be 64-degrees and zero percent chance of rain,” Haynes said. “I keep looking at film through the years and no one has really shut them down.”

Haynes said the Flashes are going to have to do a good job of finding ways to control the ball and stopping the Falcons.

Even with the major implications behind the upcoming game, Kent State views it as just another game and isn’t too worried about standings at this point in the season.

“It still comes down to preparation and execution,” Haynes said. 

To win the game, Haynes said that if they don’t score, they don’t win.

“These are the games that defensively, you get excited about,” Haynes said. “(You’re) playing against an offense that is so high-powered. We can’t put pressure on ourselves saying that we have to shut them out.”

Kick-off at Dix Stadium on Saturday is at 1 p.m.

Stephen Means II is a sports reporter for The Kent Stater. Contact him at [email protected].