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FACTS & STATS: Site: InfoCision Stadium (30,000) -- Akron, Ohio. Television: STO, ESPN3.com. Home Record: KSU 3-2, Akron 1-4. Away Record: KSU 0-4, Akron 0-4. Neutral Record: KSU 0-0, Akron 0-0. Conference Record: KSU 2-3, Akron 0-5. Series Record: Akron leads, 30-21-2.

GAME NOTES: Still winless in league action, the Akron Zips will take the field Saturday afternoon looking to rectify that problem when Kent State comes to town.

There is a long history between Akron and Kent State, but the series grew in 1946 when the Wagon Wheel Trophy came into play. Overall the Zips own a 30-21-2, but since the trophy was introduced, the Golden Flashes are 20-19-1 in the series.

The Golden Flashes lost six of their first seven games on the year, including two three-game losing skids. However, since falling to Miami-Ohio, the Flashes have won back-to-back matchups, defeating Bowling Green and Central Michigan.

The Zips have been unable to find any success in conference action, losing all five of their league games. The last time Akron was on the field the team fell to Miami-Ohio, 35-3, the fifth consecutive loss for Akron.

In their six losses, the Golden Flashes totaled just 42 points, but the offense has picked up the pace during its two-game winning streak, posting 27 and 24 points, respectively.

In the win over Central Michigan the Flashes were paced by Spencer Keith, who had possibly his best game of the season, throwing for 281 yards and three touchdowns on 17-of-31 passing.

The ground game, which has struggled to find any running room, also broke out against CMU, as the team rumbled for 141 yards. Trayion Durham led the way in the win with 90 yards on 18 totes.

Even though the team has picked up the pace offensively, the Flashes are still averaging only 14.0 ppg. Keith had a strong outing against CMU, but on the year the quarterback has only seven touchdowns against eight interceptions. Similar to the passing game, the rushing attack has also struggled, as the team is averaging a weak 90.4 ypg.

The Golden Flashes were able to win despite putting forth a poor effort against the pass, getting torched for 316 yards and three scores. Fortunately the defense was able to limit the Chippewas to just 86 rushing yards on 3.2 yards per attempt.

The defense is the real reason why Kent State is beginning to find the win column. Sure the team has allowed 221.6 ypg through the air, but the defense has claimed 12 interceptions, while allowing just 11 touchdowns. Overall the Flashes have collected 24 takeaways. Six belong to Luke Wollet, who comes into this weekend with four interceptions and two fumble recoveries.

Wollet grabbed an interception in the win over Central Michigan, but the player of the game for KSU was Leon Green, who finished with 12 tackles.

Nothing has gone right for the Zips this season, which is why they head into this game averaging just 15.3 ppg.

The passing attack has been miserable regardless of who is under center. Clayton Moore has thrown nine touchdowns against eight interceptions. The little time Patrick Nicely has spent under center has been horrendous, as the signal caller has completed less than 40.0 percent of his throws.

The ground game has not been much better, as the team comes into this matchup with only 119.3 ypg. However, Akron has found a solid option out of the backfield in Jawon Chisholm, and he has rumbled for 819 yards and four scores.

Chisholm led the way in the recent loss with 66 yards, but as a whole the team finished with just 111 yards on 3.2 yards per carry. Unfortunately for the Zips, the passing attack was worse, as Moore and Nicely combined for only 90 yards on 7-of-32 passing.

To make matters worse the Akron defense has been unable to stop a single team, whether it is against the run or pass.

Akron has surrendered 12 touchdowns through the air, but the biggest issue has come against the run, as opponents are rushing for 199.9 ypg and have scored 24 times on the ground. In the loss to Miami, the Zips were unable to stop the RedHawks' anemic ground game. The RedHawks rumbled for 168 yards and three scores in that matchup.

Brian Wagner continues to be the lone bright spot for this defense, as he racked up 10 stops in the loss, giving him a team-best 126 on the season.

The Golden Flashes seem to finally be on the right track, while Akron continues to look lost. Even though KSU is not producing much offensively, the defense should limit Akron enough to claim a third straight win.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Kent State 21, Akron 10