Kent State (1-2) at No. 19 Louisville (2-1), Saturday, Noon ET (Fox Sports Regional)
Line: Louisville by 37.
Series record: Kent State leads 9-8.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
Louisville seeks to rebound from its 47-21 blowout loss to No. 2 Clemson in which little went right. Kent State knows what it’s like being humbled by the Tigers after getting drilled 56-3 in their season opener. The Golden Flashes are also in bounce-back mode after Marshall shut them out 21-0 last week.
KEY MATCHUP
Louisville QB Lamar Jackson vs. Kent State’s secondary. The Heisman Trophy winner is especially eager to atone after a subpar (for him) 381-yard, three-touchdown offensive performance against Clemson. The junior threw an interception that was returned for a touchdown and was sacked four times, giving him incentive to reclaim his groove after a rare off night. Golden Flashes senior DB Demetrius Monday has a pickoff in each of the last two games and nine career interceptions. Sophomore CB Jamal Parker has been Kent State’s top tackler, but both players will have their hands full defending Jackson.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Kent State: Parker is coming off a huge game against Marshall. He had 12 tackles with four pass breakups against Marshall and leads the Golden Flashes with 24 tackles.
Louisville: WR Dez Fitzpatrick is establishing himself as a go-to guy for Jackson, who found the redshirt freshman for an 8-yard TD with a pass that initially looked like a throwaway before the 6-foot-2 receiver jumped high to grab it. Fitzpatrick has a team-high four TDs.
FACTS & FIGURES
Kent State coach Paul Haynes was Louisville’s secondary coach in 2002. He returned to the sidelines last week after a two-week medical leave for cancer treatment … The Golden Flashes are playing Louisville for the first time since 1973 and visiting the city for the first time since losing 34-0 in 1972. … Jackson holds the ACC record for career yards rushing by a quarterback (2,834) after running for 64 yards against Clemson.
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