This is an important week for the Kent State football team. Along with it being Homecoming Weekend, which will be hosted by grand marshal and former Flashes star Julian Edelman, it is also the opening week for Mid-American Conference Play.

The Flashes begin their MAC schedule on Oct. 3 against Miami University.

“Miami’s a tough opponent,” said head coach Paul Haynes. “They’ve had a very tough non-league schedule in these first four weeks.”

The Miami RedHawks use three different quarterbacks in its offensive scheme.

Senior Drew Kummer has been the starter and the primary quarterback with 571 yards and six touchdowns. Freshmen Billy Bahl and Gus Ragland have combined for 246 yards and two touchdowns.

Freshman running back Alonzo Smith leads Miami with 172 yards and two touchdowns.

“They have a lot of young guys playing for them,” Haynes said. “They are still young, but if you look at them on film they are getting better every week.”

Haynes said the key to the game would be to not allow the Red Hawks to have big play opportunities, especially with two starters out. 

Junior safety Nate Holley and junior cornerback Najee Murray will sit out of the first half of the game due to NCAA rules. The two were ejected from the game in the loss against Marshall for targeting calls.

“You just have to be smart,” said senior safety Jordan Italiano. “Just know where the strike zone is when hitting a receiver or any other position.”

Haynes made it clear that junior running back Nick Holley would not play in Saturday’s game, and has no set timetable of returning.

“It’s kind of day-by-day really,” Haynes said. “He probably will be out for the next couple of weeks for sure.”

The Homecoming festivities on Saturday start at 10:15 a.m. with a meet and greet with Edelman at the Alumni Hospitality Tent. The Parade starts at 11 a.m. with the game kicking off at Dix Stadium at 3:30 pm.

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