Who is Kent State?
Posted September 25th, 2006 by mrasor
Football
Despite the proximity, Kent State is a small mystery to me.
Deep down, I know the Flashes aren't good, but their record makes me wonder whether they can make Saturday's game against Akron close.
KSU opened the season at home against Minnesota and lost 44-0. Then came an overtime loss to Army in which they scored their first touchdown on a fake field goal.
Quarterback Julian Edelman's efficiency allowed KSU to win at Miami two weeks ago, 16-14. Six Bowling Green turnovers on Saturday gave the Flashes a surprising 38-3 victory.
It's hard to say whether KSU is any good. I mean, Bowling Green has only snuck by Florida International and Buffalo. Miami has yet to win a game.
When the Flashes faced an opponent with some certainty of talent, the Gophers blew them out.
Here's what I do know about Kent State…
- They have three pretty good offensive playmakers in Edelman, running back Eugene Jarvis and receiver Najah Pruden.
- Edelman is a running threat as well as passing. He has run for 198 yards in four games.
- Jarvis, a 5-foot-5 freshman, relies on speed. He has averaged 4.9 yards per carry this season.
- Pruden has emerged as Edelman's No. 1 target. Problem is, where are the Nos. 2, 3 and 4? No other receiver is close to Pruden's 386 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Pruden is a 6-3 speedster and certainly will be one of the defense's focuses.
- The Flashes have effectively stopped the pass this season. They are 12th in the nation in pass defense.
- The two biggest names on defense are tackle Danny Muir and safety Andrew Kirkland.
- Kirkland had a huge game against Bowling Green, tallying two interceptions, two sacks, 12 tackles and a forced fumble. CFN says the Flashes' secondary is easily the team's strength.
- Muir is a 285-pound run stuffer with the potential to get into the backfield. Still, Muir's line has allowed five running backs to rush for more than 90 yards in four games (Minnesota had two).
- The early betting line has Akron a favorite of between 3 and 3.5 points. I think that is too conservative. I won't make my prediction yet, but from what I know about Kent State, I see a two touchdown Zips win.
September 25th, 2006 at 8:43 am
Kent State is a much improved team from last year. They started quite a few freshmen last year, but actually had several very close games that they eventually lost.
Last year Kent State really had only one offensive playmaker (Najah Pruden), but the QB had a difficult time getting him the ball. The running game was essentially non-existent.
The additions of Edelman, Jarvis, and Tony Howard to the offensive backfield combined with the experience gained last year for the defensive newcomers has helped turn the team around.
Kent State's pass efficiency defense rating is ranked 6th in the nation. This should be a good matchup between Akron's passing game and the Flashes defense.
The team that avoids costly turnovers will likely prevail on Saturday. Akron's ability to stop the run will be a key as it would put pressure on Edelman to make plays with his arm. Barring something unexpected and catastrophic, it certainly will not be a 2 touchdown margin for either team, IMO.
Keep your eyes on Jarvis; he's a difference maker.
Kent State 24
Akron 22
September 25th, 2006 at 9:37 am
Agree with the above in that it won't likely be 2 touchdowns for the following reasons:
1) Akron's special teams, namely the kicking game
2) Penalties and Miscues… not Akron's strong suit
3) It's a rivalry game… both sides will play at levels above the norm, moreso since the game MEANS something in terms of the MAC standings
4) Did I mention the kicking game?!?
Having said that, I see Akron winning a closer than it should have been game.
GO ZIPS!
September 25th, 2006 at 10:10 am
Was at the Zips game Saturday. First half was what we have been waiting for a month, except the embarassing kicking game. Akron's season will turn on the Kent game. The team that wins is in the driver's seat in the East. Lose and you need lots of help.
Zips have yet to win a division game much less a MAC game. With more road games at Toledo and Ohio plus Western at home this is must win. Zips overall talent is better and more experienced. But, Kent is on a roll and gaining an 'attitude'. If I'm the Kent coaches, I'm looking at the problems the option gave the Zips in the second half of the North Texas game and I'm making Getsy move and throw under pressure. Here's hoping the Zips have turned the corner and can become consistent.
September 25th, 2006 at 11:30 am
Rather obvious question: Isn't it time to see what freshman phenom kicker Igor Iveljic can do? I've seen enough of Matt D. to know I don't want to suffer thru 2 seasons of special-teams mediocrity, just because he's the "upperclassman." If Igor has the monster-leg, let's get him out there, and stop holding our breath everytime there's a PAT or FG try. What do we have to lose?—and might just gain a consistent placekicker.
September 25th, 2006 at 12:00 pm
Eric,
Igor hurt his back in the preseason. He's out for the year.
September 25th, 2006 at 12:45 pm
Heck, give the fans a tryout. Even I can kick extra points without much effort. Field goals are one thing, but extra points!?! Come on. I have to wonder if he's shanking 'em like that in practice to or if it's a bad, bad case of gametime nerves.
September 25th, 2006 at 4:04 pm
I will be worried when the Kent-Akron comes down to a FG.
September 25th, 2006 at 5:21 pm
"DOH!"
September 26th, 2006 at 5:00 pm
The fear here and should be for Akron coaches and players is that Akron turns the ball over early or isn't 'ready to play' in the first half. This is the kind of game that will either see Akron's offensive line finally take charge for a full game and the defense stop Kent on the ground(look out for the option)or sees Kent hit big plays on a short field all day. BG and Miami are not 'that' bad. But Kent got on a roll and took advantage of turnovers and 'mo'. Lookout this is the season. Go Zips!