MAC East first place up for grabs Saturday

The winner of Saturday’s Kent State-Ohio football game controls its own
destiny to a Mid-American Conference East Division title.

Kent State is on a five-game winning streak, but Ohio (5-3, 3-1 MAC)
trails the Golden Flashes by just one game. The game is at 2 p.m. in
Kent, Ohio.

“This will be two football teams battling for respect in the
conference,” said Ohio coach Frank Solich in the MAC weekly
teleconference. “The players are excited to have an opportunity to make
an impact.”

Kent State quarterback Julian Edelman has a streak of his own he
would like to maintain.

Edelman has passed and rushed for a touchdown in each of the past
five games. He has thrown for 1,221 yards and has rushed for 418 yards
on the season. Edelman has accounted for 12 combined rushing and
throwing touchdowns.

The KSU defense has been the team’s best asset. It is ranked first
in the MAC in scoring defense, giving up only 17.7 points per game.

The Golden Flashes (5-2 overall, 4-0 MAC) will have to stop running
back Kalvin McRae.

McRae is averaging 4.6 yards per carry and has rushed for 579 yards
and nine touchdowns this season.

“They are very physical and are going to pound the football,” said
Kent State coach Doug Martin in the MAC weekly teleconference. “Last
year, they ran for over 300 yards on us and controlled the football.”

Kent State will bring a potent running attack of their own. The
Golden Flashes rush for 188.9 yards per game, the 17th best in the
nation. Running back Eugene Jarvis is averaging 5.1 yards per carry and
has 494 yards.