FACTS & STATS: Site: Peden Stadium (24,000) -- Athens, Ohio. Television: None. Home Record: KSU 2-2, Ohio 2-1. Away Record: KSU 1-2, Ohio 3-1. Neutral Record: KSU 0-0, Ohio 0-0. Conference Record: KSU 2-1, Ohio 3-0. Series Record: Ohio leads, 38-21-2.

GAME NOTES: The Ohio Bobcats will try to remain perfect in league action when they host the Kent State Golden Flashes this Saturday afternoon in a Mid- American Conference tussle at Peden Stadium.

The Golden Flashes snapped a two-game slide this past weekend with a convincing, 28-6 decision over Eastern Michigan. It was the third victory on the season for Kent State, which is now 2-1 in conference play.

As for the Bobcats, they captured their third straight win over the weekend, defeating Miami-Ohio, 28-7. It was the second home win on the year for Ohio, which is now a flawless 3-0 in league play.

The Bobcats defeated the Golden Flashes, 26-19 last year, increasing their advantage over Kent State in the all-time series to a solid, 38-21-2 margin.

The Golden Flashes were not overpowering on offense in their victory over Eastern Michigan, but the team did do more than enough to grab a solid win. Kent State rumbled for 152 yards in the contest, but it was the passing attack that pushed the team to victory. Spencer Keith, who scored the team's lone rushing touchdown, also threw two touchdowns passes in the win and finished the game with 164 yards. However, the quarterback did struggle at times, completing just 10-of-24 passes, while also tossing two interceptions. Throughout the season Keith has improved under center and currently heads into this matchup with 892 passing yards and seven touchdowns against five interceptions. Keith has enjoyed help from the ground game, which has also improved as the year has progressed. KSU is producing 134.6 ypg on the ground, and is being paced by Jacquise Terry, who has rushed for 372 yards and a team- best three touchdowns.

On top of the solid performance offensively, the Golden Flashes also did a strong job against Eastern Michigan on the defensive side of the football, as KSU held the Eagles to just 258 total yards. Kent State did allow 183 rushing yards in the contest, which is clearly a problem, but the defense also held EMU to just 75 yards through the air, and forced two turnovers as well. Stopping the run has been a problem for this defense throughout the season, as opponents are currently averaging 147.7 rushing ypg. Fortunately this unit has been able to live off its big plays. After seven games the Flashes have forced 16 turnovers (nine fumbles and seven interceptions), and have also put plenty of pressure on opposing quarterbacks, racking up 19 sacks. Overall this unit is surrendering 381.0 total ypg, but at the same time KSU is holding teams to just 22.9 ppg.

The Bobcats ran right through Miami-Ohio over the weekend, as the team rumbled for 226 yards and two touchdowns en route to a 21-point victory. Donte Harden scored both touchdowns on the ground for Ohio and finished the game with 121 yards on 8.1 yards per attempt, while L.J. Flintall added 54 yards on 12 totes. Along with the impressive rushing attack, Theo Scott was also solid under center for Ohio, as the quarterback threw for 163 yards and two touchdowns. Scott has been impressive throughout most of the year, and heads into this weekend with 1,214 yards and 12 touchdowns against only five interceptions. As for the rushing attack, the team is producing 133.3 ypg on the ground, but there is not a clear cut tailback to give the ball to on a consistent basis. Chris Garrett is currently leading the team with 341 rushing yards, while Harden is second on the squad with just 212 yards. Both players have scored twice, accounting for four of the team's five rushing touchdowns.

Along with the strong efforts offensively, the Bobcats also shut down the RedHawks in the win, holding Miami-Ohio to just seven points on 218 total yards of production. Ohio bottled up Miami-Ohio's rushing attack, limiting its counterpart to just 52 yards on 1.7 yards per carry. The Bobcats also forced four turnovers in the win and held the RedHawks to a mere 3-of-13 on third down attempts. If there has been a problem for this defense this year it has been its inconsistency against the run, as opponents are churning out 155.0 ypg against Ohio. However, the unit has done an excellent job at forcing turnovers thus far, and heads into this game with 23 takeaways (12 fumbles and 11 interceptions). The defense has also done a solid job during critical moments in games, holding teams to just 34 percent on third down attempts.

The Bobcats have been solid offensively, but the true success of this team has come on the defensive side of the football. Look for the Bobcats to use their defensive play once again to grab a victory this weekend.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Ohio 27, Kent State 17

Saturday, October 24th, 2:00 p.m. (et)