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FACTS & STATS: Site: Peden Stadium (24,000) -- Athens, Ohio. Television: None. Home Record: KSU 1-1, Ohio 2-0. Away Record: KSU 0-2, Ohio 1-1. Neutral Record: KSU 0-0, Ohio 0-0. Conference Record: KSU 0-0, Ohio 0-0. Series Record: Ohio leads, 37-24-2.

GAME NOTES: Mid-American Conference action will begin this Saturday afternoon for two teams when the Ohio University Bobcats host the Kent State Golden Flashes at Peden Stadium.

The Golden Flashes roll into this matchup with momentum finally on their side. Kent State began the season with three straight losses. The setbacks to Alabama and Kansas State came on the road and were blowouts, but the loss to Louisiana came at home, and it was a game the Flashes could have won (20-12). Fortunately this past weekend the Flashes gave the fans at Dix Stadium something to cheer about with a thrilling, 33-25 decision over South Alabama.

The Bobcats have taken the opposite approach to the 2011 campaign. Ohio began its season with three straight victories and did so in convincing fashion, defeating New Mexico State, Gardner-Webb and Marshall by a combined score of 118-34. Ohio's strong play did not translate in the team's matchup at Rutgers this past weekend, as the Bobcats were dismissed by the Scarlet Knights, 38-26. Over the last five years the Bobcats have the second best record in MAC play at 27-13.

The Bobcats own a 37-24-2 edge over the Golden Flashes in the all-time series, but Kent State has claimed the last two matchups. Last year's win for KSU (28-6) came in the season-finale and kept Ohio from making a second straight trip to the league title game.

The Golden Flashes posted just 19 points in their first three games, but the offense finally found some success this past weekend against South Alabama. Clearly the Jaguars are not an elite force, but first-year head coach Darrell Hazell is just happy to have his first win under his belt and more importantly that his offense finally showed some life.

Kent State was totaling just 189.0 ypg on the season. Fortunately the ground game was able to find some room to roam against South Alabama, as the team churned out 187 yards and three touchdowns. The three rushing TDs were the first scores on the ground for KSU and the yardage amassed was much better than the 92.0 ypg the Flashes are averaging on the year.

Anthony Meray scored two of those touchdowns and finished with 64 yards, while Trayion Durham led the way with 72 yards. Durham and Meray do not have much experience, but should continue to grow as the year progresses.

While the rushing attack woke up against South Alabama, Spencer Keith still had issues under center. The quarterback did throw and run for a touchdown, but he completed just 10-of-19 passes for only 94 yards. Keith has been dreadful thus far, completing less than 50.0 percent of his passes, while tossing just three touchdowns against four picks.

To make matters worse for the Golden Flashes, they have been abused defensively. Kent State is allowing over 30.0 ppg and the biggest issue staring coach Hazell in the face is the team's inability to stop the run.

Through four games opponents are averaging 152.0 yards per contest and have already scored 10 touchdowns on the ground. In the win over South Alabama the front line finally put forth a strong effort, limiting the Jaguars to just 93 yards on 3.4 yards per attempt. South Alabama managed to score two rushing touchdowns, but the defense for coach Hazell was able to force four turnovers (three interceptions), softening the blow.

Forcing mistakes has been the one bright spot for this defense, as the Flashes head into this contest with 12 takeaways. Luke Wollet, Josh Pleasant and Norman Wolfe each have two apiece and will be looking for more against a tough Ohio offense.

However, collecting interceptions against Ohio might be a tough task for Kent State, because Tyler Tettleton has been outstanding under center on the year. The signal caller has completed over 60.0 percent of his throws for 910 yards and has tossed 10 touchdowns against one interception.

Add to the equation a rushing attack that is averaging 201.8 yards per game and the Bobcats have a dangerous offensive formula. Tettleton leads the squad with three rushing touchdowns, but Ryan Boykin and Dante Harden has done the majority of damage on the ground. Boykin is pacing the team with 242 yards and while Harden is dealing with a groin issue he still has 217 yards, despite missing last week's game. It is unclear if Harden will be ready for this weekend, but if not Boykin will have to carry the load.

He was unable to do so in the loss to Rutgers though, as the tailback finished with just 40 yards on 11 carries.

Without a successful ground game, Tettleton took over offensively, and even though the team was defeated, the quarterback still managed to throw for a career-high 339 yards and three touchdowns.

Over the past few seasons the Bobcats have relied heavily on their tenacious play defensively and that was the case through the first three games of the season. Against Rutgers though, the defense faltered.

Ohio was torched for 251 passing yards and three touchdowns, which was clearly the worst showing on this season by the secondary. Ohio did manage to grab an interception in the loss, giving the team nine on the season. The player with the pick in the game was Xavier Hughes, who now has three in this young season.

Look for the Bobcats to bounce back in a big way. It wasn't long ago that Kent State knocked off Frank Solich's squad and ruined Ohio's chances at a MAC title appearance, so there will be revenge on the minds of the players from Athens. Add in Kent State's poor defensively play and this has all the makings of a lopsided affair.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Ohio University 38, Kent State 14