Where is the location of Kent State? Things to know about Tennessee football’s opponent in Week 3
Tennessee football has come out blazing to start the 2024 college football season.
The No. 9-ranked Vols (2-0) opened the season with a 69-3 win vs. Chattanooga, then throttled No. 23 NC State 51-10 in Week 2. Now Josh Heupel and Co. will focus on Kent State before entering the SEC portion of their schedule on the road at No. 13 Oklahoma.
The Golden Flashes (0-2) are coming off a 23-17 loss to FCS St. Francis (Pennsylvania) at home, which followed a 55-24 loss to Pitts to open the season. Even so, and with the Sooners looming in Week 4, fans shouldn’t expect Heupel, quarterback Nico Iamaleava or the Vols to take their foot off the gas.
Iamaleava has played well through two games, accumulating 525 passing yards for five touchdowns to two interceptions to go along with 12 rushes for 71 yards and another score. The Vols’ defense in Week 2 limited a strong Wolfpack offense to 143 total yards and 10 points.
Considering the fact this is the teams’ first meeting, Vols fans may find themselves wondering where exactly Kent State is located.
Here’s what you need to know about Kent State, including location, conference and more:
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Where is Kent State located?
Tennessee’s Week 3 opponent, Kent State, is located in Kent, Ohio — around 39 miles southeast of Cleveland.
What conference does Kent State play in?
Kent State, established in 1910, plays out of the Mid-American Conference (MAC), of which it has been a member since the 1951-52 academic year. The Golden Flashes previously were a member of the Ohio Athletic Conference from 1932-1951.
Why is Kent State known as the Golden Flashes?
According to the school’s website, Kent State’s first official nickname was the “Silver Foxes,’ named for a silver fox ranch adjacent to the campus and co-owned by the University’s president, John McGilvery. In 1926, following a contest for a new name, “Golden Flashes” emerged as the winner over finalists “Silver Foxes,” Hurricanes” and “Warriors.”
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What is the Kent State mascot?
Flash the Golden Eagle has been Kent State’s mascot since 1994, though golden eagles have been incorporated as a mascot at Kent State since the 1920s. Previous mascots for Kent State include:
One of the Vols’ biggest nemeses, former Alabama football coach Nick Saban, attended Kent State. Saban, a native of Fairmont, West Virginia, graduated in 1973 with his bachelor’s degree in elementary education. He also earned his master’s degree in health and physical education in 1975 from Kent State.
He is responsible the longest win streak in the history of “The Third Saturday in October” rivalry, winning 15 consecutive games from 2007 through 2021.
Saban played safety on the Golden Flashes football team from 1970-72, including the program’s first conference championship in 1972. He earned three letters in football and one in baseball. Kent State coach Don James hired Saban as a graduate assistant and was eventually inducted into the Kent State Varsity K Hall of Fame in 2015.
