The Call: Gophers vs. Kent State

The Flashes returned their top 11 tacklers from last season and are coming off one of the best defensive performances in school history. Delaware State, a struggling FCS team, rushed 28 times for minus-38 yards, scoring both of its touchdowns on fumble recoveries. But the Gophers offense is on a different level. Advantage: Gophers

Anthony Melchiori handles punts and kickoffs for Kent State. Ryan Santoso is 4-for-5 on field goals for Minnesota. Advantage: Gophers

Kent State junior QB Colin Reardon is a three-year starter who has completed 57.4 percent of his passes during his career. But he was just 15-for-34 with three interceptions two weeks ago in a loss to Illinois.

Kent State went 11-3 in 2012 before losing coach Darrell Hazell to Purdue. In stepped Paul Haynes, a former Ohio State defensive coordinator who went 4-8 and 2-9 his first two years and lost this year's opener 52-3 at Illinois. The Golden Flashes rebounded with a 45-13 win over Delaware State.

Kent State uses the pistol formation, and its veteran offensive line hasn't allowed more than one sack in its past nine games. Trayion Durham, a bruising 6-1, 248-pound senior tailback, had 15 carries for 77 yards last week. Sophomore receiver Kris White had six catches for 83 yards. Advantage: Gophers

INTANGIBLES

Kent State is 1-14 against teams currently in the Big Ten, with the lone win coming over Rutgers in 2012, before the Scarlet Knights joined the conference. Advantage: Gophers

The Gophers played six consecutive 11 a.m. games last year and they'll be ready to put this one away early.