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Sports

Kent State-Rutgers Preview Capsule

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Kent State (6-1) at No. 18 Rutgers (7-0), 3:30 p.m. (SNY, MASN)

Line: Rutgers by 13.

Series Record: Rutgers leads 2-0.

WHAT'S AT STAKE

Rutgers will be looking for its fourth 8-0 start in 143 years of college football. It would be the third since 1976 and the second since joining the Big East in 1991. In easily its toughest game of the season, Kent State will be looking for its sixth straight win for the first time since 1940.

KEY MATCHUP

Rutgers defense, which is ranked third nationally in scoring (11.3) against a Golden Flashes' offense that has scored 41 points four times this season. Coming off a four touchdown performance against Temple, Scarlet Knights QB Gary Nova against a Kent State defense that is ranked 71st nationally in total defense (401.4 yards), 62nd in rushing defense (156.3 yards) and 79th in pass defense (245.1).

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Kent State: RB-KR Dri Archer leads the nation in kick return average (47.0), all-purpose yards (213) and is tied for third in the nation with 14 touchdowns. LB Luke Batton made 14 tackles, contributed to three turnovers and scored a touchdown against Western Michigan. In his last two games, he has made 30 tackles.

.Rutgers: RB Jawan Jamison ranks 20th nationally and first in the conference, averaging 111.3 yards. LB Khaseem Greene has a team-high 67 tackles, four forced fumbles, two interceptions, 5 1/2 tackles for loss, 3 1/2 sacks and six quarterback hurries. He scored his first touchdown since high school with a 20-yard fumble return last week.

FACTS & FIGURES

Kent State and Rutgers both have a plus-14 turnover margin. ..Kent State coach Darrell Hazell served on Greg Schiano's staff at Rutgers from 2001-03. ...TB Trayion Durham ran for a career-high 124 yards against Western Michigan and scored his sixth TD in his last four games. QB Spencer Keith has thrown 39 touchdowns and for more than 7,000 yards in his career. ... Rutgers has blocked 28 kicks since 2009, tops in the nation. ...Rutgers is third nationally in run defense (69.1). ...The Scarlet Knights' 13 interceptions are tied for sixth in the nation. .... There are 11 undefeated teams in the nation. Rutgers Kyle Flood and Ohio State's Urban Meyer are the only coaches in their first year with their current teams in that group.