Today's Newsstand and a look ahead at Kent State vs. South Alabama

Rain has stopped at Dix Stadium with just two hours to go before kickoff

The rain has stopped with about two hours to go before kickoff here at Dix Stadium.

Based on the last look at the weather forecast, most of the storms should pass by 2 p.m., so we hope to see you here for what is a big game for the Golden Flashes. It's important to secure a win before going on the road to play Ohio State next week and then Virginia in two weeks.

For those fans who tuned in to last year's 38-21 Kent State loss in Mobile, you know South Alabama is no pushover. The Jaguars are a team on the rise. They have high expectations, and there is even some talk of ESPN Gameday making a visit to South Alabama next week for its home game against Mississippi State.

This is South Alabama's first game of 2014, and for the Flashes to win they will have to put some pressure on some of the newcomers who are set to play key roles for the Jaguars. Quarterback Brandon Bridge is in his first year as a starter. He is supposed to be very gifted, and he has a prototype frame at 6-foot-5 and 235 pounds. The Flashes defensive front needs to get to Bridge and make him hurry his throws to what is a very talented group of wide receivers.

Redshirt freshman Demetrius Monday makes his first start at cornerback today for the Flashes. He and fellow corners Kerrick Rhone, Najee Murray and Jerrell Foster will be tested against a South Alabama receiving crops led by Shavarez Smith, Jereme Jones and Danny Woodson II.

If the Jaguars have a question mark, it may be along the defensive front where they replace several starters from last season. Kent State hopes that last week's tuneup will have left tackle Reno Reda, left guard Jim Katusha, center Alex Nielsen, right guard Wayne Scott and right tackle Terrell Johnson ready to open some holes for the running game. The Flashes need to run the football better than they did in last week's 17-14 loss to Ohio.

It'll be interesting to see what the rotation will be today at running back today. With little running room, KSU was forced to abandon the rushing game somewhat last week. Anthony Meray starts and Nick Holley figures to get most of the time as the backup, but Miles Hibbler also needs to get a series or two. After an impressive freshman camp, Hibbler carried only once last week and never had a chance, getting hit five yards behind the line of scrimmage.

Trayion Durham will be on the roster although Haynes has continued to call him questionable. Best guess is that he won't play as Meray, Holley and Hibbler are listed 1-2-3 on the depth chart at tailback.

• Elton Alexander of the PD writes that Kent State's "defense needs to bounce back against South Alabama"
• Marla Ridenour of the Beacon Journal writes that "the Flashes hope to make turnovers their trademark again."
• South Alabama's excellent beat writer Tommy Hicks breaks down Kent State on AL.com
• More from Hicks, who checks out the key matchups in today's game. 
• And still more from Hicks, who gives us "five things to watch" today at Dix Stadium.
• The Sun Herald in Biloxi previews South Alabama at Kent State.
• For subscribers to the Record-Courier, beat writer Allen Moff writes about Kent State "looking for a rebound today against South Alabama."
• If you can't access the R-C story, Hicks invited Moff on AL.com for a breakdown of the Flashes.

Here are the resources you'll need for today's game if you can't make it out to Dix Stadium: