Kent State 1-1 is coming off a huge victory against Delaware State. The focus now shifts as the Flashes travel to Minneapolis this week to take Minnesota 1-1. 

“It’s good to see our guys bounce back, but it doesn’t get any easier for us,” said coach Paul Haynes. “It comes down to our preparation and our belief that we can get the job done.”

Coach Haynes feels the key to success this weekend is playing disciplined and taking advantage of every opportunity to put points on the board.

“You can’t turn the ball over,” Haynes said. “ You can’t have crazy penalties and can’t make mental errors against good teams. We can go to Minnesota and win, but we have to do those things.”

Minnesota split its first two games against Texas Christian University and Colorado State.

The Golden Gophers come into the game with the 20 ranked offensive line in the country and have only lost once in their last seven home games. The one loss went to Ohio State.

“Minnesota’s different than a lot of teams,” Haynes said. “I think they’re one of the best coached football teams in the country. They do what they do and they do it well.”

Redshirt junior quarterback Mitch Leidner, who has total 430 passing yards and three touchdowns this season, leads the Gophers. Leidner currently ranks 35 in the country in completions per game and has yet to throw an interception.

On the ground redshirt freshman Rodney Smith is coming off a game against Colorado State where he ran for 108 yards on 21 carries.

This game will be Kent State’s second game against a big ten opponent this season and its fourth in the Paul Haynes era. The Flashes lost to Illinois early this season 52-3

Kickoff in Minneapolis will be noon on Saturday, Sept. 19.

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