Quarterback: The all time passing yards leader at Kent State, senior Spencer Keith will be looked to lead the Golden Flashes to victory over NIU come Friday. Keith is only averaging 139 yards a game and is only four touchdowns better than his interception total at 11 and seven, respectively. Keith will need to find success through the air if NIU is able to take away the run game as they have been able to do most of the year.

Running back: While splitting time between running back and receiver, senior Dri Archer has found a way to cross the goal line in any fashion he chooses this season. On the year rushing, he has amassed 1,337 yards on 138 touches, giving him more than a 100 yard average. Coach Dave Doeren gave Archer high praise, “They have the best player we have played against all year I will tell you that. Dri Archer is electric and versatile. We got to make sure we know where he is and we got to be able to tackle him and leverage him.”

Wide Receiver: With Archer also being the Golden Flashes highest profile receiver, the next man up to cover will be freshman Josh Boyle, who is the second highest targeted receiver on the team. Boyle is also second in receiving yards and touchdown receptions. Boyle does have the team long for a reception, so he has big play possibility. However, at 5’9” and being a freshman, he will not be a physically demanding cover. If Archer receives double-team attention, Boyle will be the receiver to make the Huskies pay.

Offensive Line: Named an All-MAC team member the last two years, making the third and then second team, senior Brian Winters will anchor a solid Kent State offensive line. The left-tackle was named to the Rotary Lombardi Watch List for 2012 and is the team’s offensive captain. Winters and his linemen have helped two running backs go for over 1,000 yards this season and have only allowed 16 sacks on their quarterback.

Defensive Line: Only in his junior season, Roosevelt Nix is already fourth on the career list for sacks at Kent State, and is number two in tackles for a loss. In 2012, Nix has a team second best 5.5 sacks and team first 14 tackles for loss. He is also fifth on the team in tackles and has forced three fumbles. At 5’9” and 245 pounds, Nix will look to get into the backfield to bring down players. NIU’s offensive line will have their hands full with the play-making ability of Nix.

Linebackers: Racking up tackles at an accelerated rate, senior Luke Batton will play the role Toledo’s linebacker Dan Molls played two weeks ago. Batton has recorded 119 tackles, 65 solo, on the season. Batton has also posted 4.5 sacks which is the most from the linebacker spot. He has picked off two passes, recovered four fumbles and forced one a fumble as well. Batton will be asked to provide all of those services if Kent State can achieve its goal of turning NIU over and capitalizing on extra possessions.

Defensive Backs: Ranking first in Kent State’s season interception total with four is senior safety Luke Wollet. He also packs a wallop in his tackling game. The senior has recorded 99 tackles, good for second best on the squad. Wollet had a big fumble return for a touchdown against Ohio that helped them pick up their most recent victory. At 6’0” and 190 pounds, Wollet should be big enough and also quick enough to cover the Huskies best receiver and make for an interesting match-up.

Special Teams: The onus for returning kicks should fall on the shoulders of senior wide receiver Eric Adeyemi. Adeyemi has managed to return 18 kicks for 282 yards, but is well short of possessing the ability of counterpart Archer, who seemingly does it all for Kent State. The Huskies will without a doubt be kicking away from Archer, leaving Adeyemi to pick up the slack and look to give the Golden Flashes good starting field position. If Adeyemi can provide good returns, Archer will be freed up to put up big plays from scrimmage.