Kent State has shown signs of brilliancy, but they just can't seem to get over the hump. They have not been able to reach a bowl game since 1972. They have gone 5-7 in every one of the past three seasons, which unfortunately is a victory away from bowl eligibility.
Second-year head coach Darrell Hazell seems ready to guide this hungry school to a bowl game by season's finish. He has also got the personnel to do so with 16 starters and 38 lettermen returning. They actually have the opportunity to sneak in and be the sleeper pick to win the MAC East.
Offense
Kent State was totally unpleasant on the offensive side of the football last year, having the second-worst offense in the MAC last year, ending up just before Akron. They scored a measly 17.1 points and gained 254 total yards/game last year. Their terrible offense was truly the downfall of this squad, the one bright spot they had was they were +12 in turnovers, suggesting that they at least took care of the ball. With eight returning starters, they should surely improve on offense.
Senior QB Spencer Keith returns and has the chance to be the team's all time leading passer. All he desires is 1,128 yards to do so. Keith is ready to have his best year yet and should easily eclipse Joshua Cribbs ' stat of 7,169 career passing yards.
Running back Trayjon Durham returns after a productive run as a freshman. He led the program with 630 rushing yards and 4 TDs. However , he only managed a disappointing 3.4/carry. Sophomore Dri Archer was unsuitable last year, but he's coming back to vie with Durham for attempts.
Their receiving unit was almost nonexistent last year, posting up poor stats across the board. This unit seems to be headed to the basement as they have only 2 of their top 5 pass catchers returning in Tyshon Goode and senior Matthew Hurdle. Junior Tim Erjavec becomes the starter at tight end.
The offensive line kicked off slow, but obviously got better as the season wore on, and with 9 on their best 10 back up front. Look for this unit to be one of the better O-lines in the league. 4 starters and 101 career starts return up front. The returning starters are second-team All-MAC LT Brian Winters, senior RT Kent Cleveland, senior LG Josh Kline and junior RG Tyler Arend.
Defense
The defense did so well last season that only winning five times was a dissatisfaction. The team allowed just 24.3 points and 325 total yards/game while coming up with 26 sacks. This unit has the best chance of being the finest in the conference again this year as they have 8 starters and eight of their top 9 tacklers returning.
The Flashes return 3 starters up front, including first-team All-MAC DE Roosevelt Nix. He was the MAC-Defensive Player of the Year as a true freshman and will without doubt be a future NFL star. Also coming back are seniors NT Dana Brown, DE/LB Jake Dooley and junior DE Mark Fackler.
The linebacker unit returns the squad's 1 and 2 tacklers from last year in senior MLB Luke Batton and senior WLB CJ Malauulu. These 2, when combined with sophomore SLB Andre Parker, form one of the greatest crops of linebackers in the league.
Kent State surrendered just 55.7 p.c completions and 196 passing yards per matchup to opposing quarterbacks last year. The sole significant loss on this complete defense is second-team All-MAC cornerback Josh Pleasant. This unit should be just as good, if not better than it's a season back with seven of their top eight players returning in the defensive backfield.
Senior CB Norman Wolfe returns at full strength after missing plenty of games last year due to injury. Beginning alongside him will be senior CB Sidney Saulter, junior SS Luke Wollet and sophomore FS Calvin Tiggle.
MAC East Prediction - 4th Position
Kent State is in an unfortunate spot where so many programs are trying for the top spot in the East. The East has Ohio, Bowling Green and Miami (Ohio) all possible of winning the division. Their defense is definitely their bread and butter, but their offense is not prepared to compete with the 3 already mentioned teams. Their schedule forces them to play both Bowling Green and Miami (Ohio) on the road, and draw Western Michigan out of the West. They are almost certainly a lock at 4th though, and they ought to be going to their first bowl game since '72.
Second-year head coach Darrell Hazell seems ready to guide this hungry school to a bowl game by season's finish. He has also got the personnel to do so with 16 starters and 38 lettermen returning. They actually have the opportunity to sneak in and be the sleeper pick to win the MAC East.
Offense
Kent State was totally unpleasant on the offensive side of the football last year, having the second-worst offense in the MAC last year, ending up just before Akron. They scored a measly 17.1 points and gained 254 total yards/game last year. Their terrible offense was truly the downfall of this squad, the one bright spot they had was they were +12 in turnovers, suggesting that they at least took care of the ball. With eight returning starters, they should surely improve on offense.
Senior QB Spencer Keith returns and has the chance to be the team's all time leading passer. All he desires is 1,128 yards to do so. Keith is ready to have his best year yet and should easily eclipse Joshua Cribbs ' stat of 7,169 career passing yards.
Running back Trayjon Durham returns after a productive run as a freshman. He led the program with 630 rushing yards and 4 TDs. However , he only managed a disappointing 3.4/carry. Sophomore Dri Archer was unsuitable last year, but he's coming back to vie with Durham for attempts.
Their receiving unit was almost nonexistent last year, posting up poor stats across the board. This unit seems to be headed to the basement as they have only 2 of their top 5 pass catchers returning in Tyshon Goode and senior Matthew Hurdle. Junior Tim Erjavec becomes the starter at tight end.
The offensive line kicked off slow, but obviously got better as the season wore on, and with 9 on their best 10 back up front. Look for this unit to be one of the better O-lines in the league. 4 starters and 101 career starts return up front. The returning starters are second-team All-MAC LT Brian Winters, senior RT Kent Cleveland, senior LG Josh Kline and junior RG Tyler Arend.
Defense
The defense did so well last season that only winning five times was a dissatisfaction. The team allowed just 24.3 points and 325 total yards/game while coming up with 26 sacks. This unit has the best chance of being the finest in the conference again this year as they have 8 starters and eight of their top 9 tacklers returning.
The Flashes return 3 starters up front, including first-team All-MAC DE Roosevelt Nix. He was the MAC-Defensive Player of the Year as a true freshman and will without doubt be a future NFL star. Also coming back are seniors NT Dana Brown, DE/LB Jake Dooley and junior DE Mark Fackler.
The linebacker unit returns the squad's 1 and 2 tacklers from last year in senior MLB Luke Batton and senior WLB CJ Malauulu. These 2, when combined with sophomore SLB Andre Parker, form one of the greatest crops of linebackers in the league.
Kent State surrendered just 55.7 p.c completions and 196 passing yards per matchup to opposing quarterbacks last year. The sole significant loss on this complete defense is second-team All-MAC cornerback Josh Pleasant. This unit should be just as good, if not better than it's a season back with seven of their top eight players returning in the defensive backfield.
Senior CB Norman Wolfe returns at full strength after missing plenty of games last year due to injury. Beginning alongside him will be senior CB Sidney Saulter, junior SS Luke Wollet and sophomore FS Calvin Tiggle.
MAC East Prediction - 4th Position
Kent State is in an unfortunate spot where so many programs are trying for the top spot in the East. The East has Ohio, Bowling Green and Miami (Ohio) all possible of winning the division. Their defense is definitely their bread and butter, but their offense is not prepared to compete with the 3 already mentioned teams. Their schedule forces them to play both Bowling Green and Miami (Ohio) on the road, and draw Western Michigan out of the West. They are almost certainly a lock at 4th though, and they ought to be going to their first bowl game since '72.