The Sports Xchange
NCAAF Team Report – Kent State – INSIDE SLANT
This indeed is a new era in Kent State football.
The Flashes are 6-1 overall and lead the East Division of the Mid-American Conference with a 4-0 record after their 41-24 win over Western Michigan. The victory also made Kent State bowl eligible, another noteworthy feat. The Flashes have been to only one bowl game in school history and that was in 1972.
And here’s another sign the program has reached a new era. Being eligible for a bowl game isn’t a big deal to coach Darrell Hazell and his players.
“We don’t talk a whole lot about that (sixth win) to be honest with you,” Hazell said in the Kent Ravenna Record-Courier. “We talk more about the MAC championship, because if you take care of the MAC everything else takes care of itself.”
“Like coach said, (bowl eligibility) is never really brought up that much,” linebacker Luke Batton said in the Record-Courier. “All we really talk about is getting that MAC title and going to the bowl game.”
Kent State trailed 24-17 midway through the third quarter, the first time the Flashes have been behind in the third quarter in five games. Past teams might have folded, but that wasn’t the case this time.
“I think one of the biggest differences is that last year if we were down 24-17 everyone would be looking around for someone to make a play, and I think this year everyone wants to be the guy that makes that play,” safety Luke Wollett said.
It turned out a lot of guys made a play. Spencer Keith’s 17-yard touchdown pass to Josh Boyle tied the game late in the third quarter. Kent State then dominated the fourth period. Dri Archer’s 10-yard run early in the quarter gave the Flashes the lead before Freddy Cortez’s field goal made it a 10-point game. Linebacker Luke Batton’s 83-yard fumble return for a score put the game away.
Kent State has five games to play. The Flashes are 6-1 for the first time since 1973 and only the third time since 1940. Their five-game winning streak ties the second highest single-season winning streak, last done in 2006. Despite what they’ve accomplished so far, the players say they have no plans to relax.
“No, we never really thought about that, each week we are preparing game to game and the only thing that we do talk about is getting that MAC championship and heading to a bowl game but you have to take it week to week,” Batton said.
———————————————–
NCAAF Team Report – Kent State – NOTES, QUOTES
WHAT’S AHEAD: Kent State has a chance to make an impression nationally when it visits undefeated Rutgers on Saturday. The Scarlet Knights are 7-0 and ranked in both polls. A win could get the Flashes some votes in next week’s polls and extend their winning streak to six games.
–The Flashes have won five straight against the Mid-American Conference West Division. Prior to the current streak Kent State had gone 11-23 against the West since the conference formed divisions in 1997.
–Kent State has won 10 of its last 12 games since being 1-6 last season and eight straight against teams currently in the Mid-American Conference. The Flashes dropped their final game of last season to Temple, which now plays in the Big East.
–The Flashes have won six straight home games. Kent State has also wrapped up its third straight winning season at home (2010-12), which last happened from 1986-88.
KEEP AN EYE ON: The Flashes’ running game has been a key to the five-game winning streak. Kent State rushed for 181 yards against Western Michigan. Trayion Durham picked up a career-high 124 yards with one touchdown on 19 carries. That included a 33-yard run that set up a score. Dri Archer gained 62 yards on 10 carries and ran for two touchdowns. Archer has scored in all seven games and has 14 touchdowns this season.
LOOKING GOOD: Kent State continues to excel in turnover differential. The Flashes picked off three passes and recovered three fumbles against Western Michigan, including linebacker Luke Batton’s 83-yard return for a touchdown after a by hit by linebacker C.J. Malauulu. Kent State has forced 20 turnovers (10 fumbles and 10 interceptions) and committed six (two fumbles and four interceptions)
STILL NEEDS WORK: Kent State was outgained 476-384 by Western Michigan. The Flashes allowed 333 yards passing by quarterback Tyler Van Tubbergen, who completed 30-of-57, including an 81-yard touchdown. The defense came up with only one sack. Kent State also lost out in time possession 32:30-27:30.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “Your backs are against the wall, and there are only a couple things you can do. You can fight back or you can cower down.” — Kent State linebacker Luke Batton, after the Flashes scored 24 straight points to beat Western Michigan 41-24.
———————————————–
NCAAF Team Report – Kent State – STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
PLAYER NOTES:
–PK Freddy Cortez tied Josh Cribbs as Kent State’s career leader in points with 246. Cortez has made eight straight field goals after going 2-for-2 with a season-long 46-yarder in the second quarter against Western Michigan. He also kicked a 43-yarder in the fourth quarter.
–LB Luke Batton has recorded 30 tackles in his last two games, including 14 against Western Michigan. He also recovered a pair of fumbles, returning one 83 yards for a touchdown and tipped a pass that was intercepted.
–QB Spencer Keith threw his 39th career touchdown pass against Western Michigan. He completed 17-of-31 passes for 193 yards with one score and one interception.
ROSTER REPORT
–CB Norman Wolfe, who missed four games because of a broken arm sustained against Kentucky, started against Western Michigan and had eight tackles. He played with a cast on his arm.
–S Calvin Tiggle is expected to miss the rest of the season with a knee injury that occurred in the Army game. Freshman Jordan Italiano made his first career start at free safety and recorded five tackles. He also had his first career interception.
–WR Tyshon Goode is expected to miss the rest of the season because of a hamstring injury. The senior has yet to play in 2012.
=
———————————————–
