The Alabama Crimson Tide returns to Bryant Denny Stadium for their second home game and their third non-conference game of the season Saturday morning.

While Kent State doesn’t strike fear in the minds of Crimson Tide fans, here are three things you should know about the Kent State Golden Flashes.

 

Football Program Searching for Success

Kent State historically has struggle to find and maintain success in college football. Since 1978, the Golden Flashes have just three winning seasons. Under fourth year coach Paul Haynes, Kent State has failed to notch a winning season. The Golden Flashes were picked to finish last in the MAC East this season according to the conference media and coaches polls.

Saturday’s game marks the second time that the Golden Flashes have faced the Crimson Tide. In their only meeting, Kent State lost 48-7 in former quarterback A.J. McCarron’s debut as Alabama’s starting signal caller.

Kent State’s is 0-12 all-time against SEC competition including a 0-7 record against Kentucky and 0-1 marks against Alabama, Florida, Georgia, LSU and South Carolina.

 

Plenty of Experience Returns

Kent State has one of the most experienced teams in American with 21 starters returning. Among the notable returning starters are three first team All-MAC members from 2015 in safety Nate Holley, defensive end Terence Waugh and cornerback Demetrius Monday. Holley comes into Saturday’s game leading the FBS with 9 solo tackles per game and is second nationally with 15.7 tackles per game while Waugh is second in the FBS with 5 sacks.

 

Origin of the Nickname Golden Flashes

The first use of the term “Golden Flashes” dates back to 1927. Kent State athletic teams had been known prior to 1927 as the “Silver Foxes” which originated from former president John E. McGilvrey who owned a silver fox on his off-campus farm. After McGilvrey was fired in 1926, acting president T. Howard Winters spearheaded a contest for a new nickname. The student body and faculty athletic committee approved with no special significance attached.

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