CSJ’s 2018 Week 2 Game Preview: Howard at Kent State
Howard at Kent State
When: Saturday, September 8th, 3:30 PM EDT
Where: Dix Stadium, Kent, OH
TV/Streaming Coverage:ESPN+ (subscription)
Howard (0-1, 0-0 MEAC, last week L 32-38 at Ohio)
Last week, head coach Mike London and the Bison came up just short as they were edged out by Ohio University, 38-32, despite putting up an impressive 645 total yards against the Mid-American Conference (MAC) Preseason Favorite.
Howard returns to the state of Ohio to take on Kent State where they try to upset an FBS team for the second straight year. Last year, Howard pulled of the upset of the year when they beat UNLV 43-40 after being cast as 45 point underdogs.
After that monumental upset last season, they played Kent State but barely lost 38-31.
Key Player: Against Ohio, QB Caylin Newton continued to show his unbelievable talent with another incredible 532 total yards and 4 total touchdowns last week. He might do even better against a rebuilding Kent State defense.
Fantasy Bonus Baby: Newton is one of the most productive QBs in all of FCS – if you have the option to put him on your fantasy team, you should lock him in.
Kent State (0-1, 0-0 MAC, last week L 24-31 at Illinois)
Kent State began its 96th season of football by coming up just short of its first program win over a Big Ten opponent Saturday at Memorial Stadium. Illinois used 28 second-half points to top the Golden Flashes 31-24 in the 2018 season opener.
Late in the fourth quarter, the Flashes put together a 13-play drive that made it as far as the Illinois four yard line, before a fourth-and-goal pass was intercepted with 2:11 to play.
Key Player: QB Woody Barrett started his first game last week for the Golden Flashes and did fairly well, throwing for 270 yards and two touchdowns in his Kent State debut and rushed for 117 yards. Even more inspiring for Flashes’ fans was Dixon’s proven return to full health after missing two seasons and receiving a life-saving bone marrow transplant.
Fantasy Bonus Baby: WR Mike Carrigan, emerged last week as Barrett’s go-to receiver, grabbing 8 catches for 62 yards and a TD. He may do even better this week against a softer Howard defense.
Fearless Prediction: You bet lightning can strike twice. Howard has one of the most incredible playmakers in Division I football and took one of the title contenders of the MAC down to the wire last week. This week its an easier foe for the Bison – and an upset victory. Howard 45, Kent State 33.
Chuck has been writing about Lehigh football since the dawn of the internet, or perhaps it only seems like it. He’s executive editor of the College Sports Journal and has also written a book, The Rivalry: How Two Schools Started the Most Played College Football Series.
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