The second annual FirstMerit Patriot Bowl will feature the Kent State Golden Flashes against the Boston College Eagles on Aug. 30 at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Game time is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
The FirstMerit Patriot Bowl is an owned and operated created event of the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission. Surrounding the game will be patriotic, civic events including a free tailgate party on West 6th Street downtown, a high school band showcase, entertainment at halftime and a salute to World War II veterans.
"The Sports Commission is extremely proud to host the second annual FirstMerit Patriot Bowl, which we can add to our listing of events that bring excitement, visibility and a significant economic infusion for Northeast Ohio,
" David Gilbert, President and CEO of the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission, said.
This will be the first ever meeting of the Golden Flashes and the Eagles. Kent State will be the home team.
The Golden Flashes return 15 starters from last year's team including All-MAC selections Eugene Jarvis -- the nation's leading returning rusher --Derek Burrell at linebacker and Augustus Parrish on the offensive line.
"We're happy to work with the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission on an event that will bring a marquee Division I football opponent to Cleveland,
" KSU Athletic Director Laing Kennedy said. "We're proud this game will be the continuation of an annual event and are looking forward to what should be a great day of fun and football.
"
BC will come into the game with a new quarterback to replace the 2007 ACC Player of the Year and the third pick in the NFL draft by the Atlanta Falcons, Matt Ryan. The new signal caller will have some help with some experience returning on offense. Fourteen starters from the 2008 team return including All-ACC first-team tight end Ryan Purvis.
Boston College is led by second-year head coach Jeff Jagodzinski, who guided the Eagles to an 11-3 record last fall, including a 24-21 victory over Michigan State in the Champ Sports Bowl. The win marked the program's eighth consecutive bowl victory and allowed them to finish the season ranked 10th in the AP Poll.
