Maize's Golden Flashes: A Kent State Dynasty

[packersfan4eva]

A TCU-Boise State national championship would be epic. Hope that happens. And also, you have Kellen Moore on the Heisman Watch twice.

[Maize]

A TCU-Boise State national championship would be epic. Hope that happens. And also, you have Kellen Moore on the Heisman Watch twice.

Yeah, I don't know if it would ever happen in real life, but '10 and '11 are the best chance for something like that to happen. And I will fix the Heisman watch. Kellen Moore is #1 and Kyle Parker of Clemson is #5.

[Maize]

Morgan In After Keith Struggles
After Chris Finley went down late in the fourth quarter against Kansas State, the team turned to the second quarterback on the depth chart, Spencer Keith. Last year, Keith started every game for the Golden Flashes and struggled in what was considered a 'sophomore slump.'

Given an opportunity to start this year, Keith was told by the coaching staff that he could take back the starting reigns, with good play against quality opponents (Purdue, Ohio, and Central Michigan). The team expected Chris Finley out for at least five games, and many expected Keith to grab the reigns and not let go.

Instead, through three game, Keith led a team that only scored three points against Purdue and Central Michigan, and made big mistakes in a two-possession loss to Ohio. In those three games, Keith was abysmal as the team's signal caller. A 67.5 Quarterback Rating, he had completed only 35% of his throws (47/131), and had seven interceptions and only two touchdowns (one passing).

The coaching staff had lost confidence in the junior Keith, who now is listed as the third Quarterback behind the injured Finley on the team's depth chart. This week, with Finley not suiting up, Senior Giorgio Morgan will get his first start since the 2009 season opener.

With the mobile Morgan under center, the team will put more of an emphasis on the option and the running game. Also, at center has changed, as Morgan will be taking snaps from Chris Anzevino. With Brian Waters likely to miss the rest of the season back injury, Anzevino took back his starting job.

Giorgio Morgan will look to break the team's four game losing streak, against a "beatable" Ball State team. The team is still eying a postseason birth, but will need to find five of their last seven to do so.

[Maize]

Recruiting News and Updates

Kent State
Two to Visit for Cardinals Game


Players Visiting vs. Ball State
Justin Boone, OT, Riverdale, GA - 6'5" 290 - Nationally Ranked OT: #61
Chris Walters, RB, Strongville, OH - 6'0" 205 - Nationally Ranked RB: #133

[Maize]

Season 2, Game 6

October 8, 2011
Dix Stadium - Kent, OH

vs.
Cards Contain Morgan, Kent's Offense

Game Boxscore
Ball State (4-4).........7........0........7.......0......14
Kent State (1-5)........0........3........6.......0........9
Stat of the Game: Total Offense: Ball State - 282 yards -- Kent State - 155 yards
Player of the Game: Josh Howard, WR - Ball State - 2 receptions, 102 yards, 1 TD
______________________________________
1st Quarter
BALL: 64 yard pass from K. Page to J. Howard (XP Good) - 7:52
-
2nd Quarter
KENT: 23 yard Field Goal by F. Cortez - 10:50
-
3rd Quarter
BALL: 1 yard run by C. Sykes (XP Good) - 3:16
KENT: 15 yard run by J. Terry (Conversion failed) - 1:33
-
4th Quarter
- No Scoring -
_______________________
Player Stats
Kelly Page, QB - 18/32, 259 yards, 1 TD, 3 INT
Giorgio Morgan, QB - 16/35, 155 yards
Cory Sykes, RB - 27 carries, 79 yards, 1 TD
Jacquise Terry, RB - 24 carries, 97 yards, 1 TD
Briggs Orsbon, WR - 10 receptions, 83 yards
Tyshon Goode, WR - 9 receptions, 79 yards
Kendrick Pressley, WR - 4 receptions, 54 yards
Josh Howard, WR - 2 receptions, 102 yards, 1 TD
Freddy Cortez, K - 1/1, Long of 23
Steven Schott, K - 2/2 on XP
Andrew Puthoff, DE - 9 tackles (7 solo)
Will Johnson, OLB - 9 tackles (5 solo), 2 for loss
Alex Foster, DE - 8 tackles (5 solo), 5 for loss, 1.5 sacks
Byron Tyson, MLB - 8 tackles (3 solo), 1 for loss
Zack Gonosz, FS - 8 tackles (2 solo), 1 for loss
Theon Dixon, OLB - 6 tackles (3 solo), 2 for loss, 1 sack
Fabrice Pratt, SS - 3 tackles (1 solo), 1 INT
_______________________________
Injury Report
Brian Waters, OT - Kent State - Strained back - 9 weeks
Lee Stalker, DE - Kent State - Torn pectoral - 5 weeks
Chris Finley, QB - Kent State - Bruised shoulder - Questionable
* - Injury occurred during game
_______________________________

Next Game: vs. Miami University (1-5)

[Maize]

News Around College Football

Top 25
1. Boise State - 5-0
2. TCU - 6-0
3. Georgia Tech - 6-0
4. Ole Miss - 5-0
5. Oklahoma - 5-1
6. Iowa - 4-1
7. Clemson - 6-0
8. Ohio State - 4-1
9. Rutgers - 6-0
10. Texas - 5-1
11. Missouri - 6-0
12. Alabama - 4-2
13. West Virginia - 5-1
14. Wisconsin - 5-2
15. Penn State - 5-1
16. Minnesota - 6-0
17. Miami - 4-2
18. Stanford - 5-1
19. Oregon - 4-2
20. Cal. - 4-1
21. Florida - 4-2
22. Arkansas - 5-2
23. Florida State - 5-2
24. Oklahoma State - 5-1
25. Washington - 2-2

-

Heisman Watch
1. Kellen Moore, QB, Boise State
2. Tom Savage, QB, Rutgers
3. Stephen Garcia, QB, South Carolina
4. Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma
5. Kyle Parker, QB, Clemson

[Maize]

Recruiting News and Updates

Kent State
2&2: Sign and Visit
After a tough loss to Ball State at home, Kent State is hoping is can rebound against a one-win Miami Redhawks squad. Both teams have a 1-5 record, and Kent State is looking to gain some momentum, after losing three straight conference games.

Last week, two players took official visits to Kent, Ohio with one committing to the Golden Flashes just hours after the game against the Cardinals of Ball State. Chris Walters, a physical runner from nearby Strongville High School. A running back, he could be the type of tough runner that could push Dominique Thomas for playing time next season. He does need to work on his blocking and receiving skills, but was excited about the prospect of joining the Kent State team.

Coach Gonzales was also excited after receiving an over-the-phone commitment from athlete Chad Robinson. Robinson, plays on both offense and defense at Piqua High School. A tough player, he projects to be a linebacker or tight end at the next level. Currently, he is trying to lead his team to the playoffs, while leading the Indians in tackles.

Robinson was so confident about his decision and said most of it had to do with his conversation with Billy Gonzales. Gonzales had been heralded as a top recruiter in the SEC, and it seems it is working to connect with recruits thus far at Kent State.

Another home game also means more visits, as two players will visit for the Redhawks game. Two-star in-state linebacker Brandon Merrick, has his decision down to three schools: Kent State, Bowling Green and Ball State. A well balanced player, he has a high motor and has made big plays for Sandusky Central Catholic.

Also visiting is a junior college player, with two years of eligibility remaining. A.J. Thompson was drawn to Kent State after seeing how they welcome JUCO players (including Chris Finley). Coming from Southern State Community College in Ohio, he is a safety that has the speed and cover skills to play corner. While only a one-star, he has been in constant contact with Secondary Coach Scott Booker.

Three players have now committed to Kent State, in Billy Gonzales' first year as Head Coach. Part of how he will be graded as a first year coach will be as a recruiter. So far, he looks to use his strong pipeline connections to Florida, but also sticking to more local schools.

Players Committed In-Season
Terry Brown, DE, Clearwater, FL - 6'5" 262 - Nationally Ranked DE: #219
Chris Walters, RB, Strongville, OH - 6'0" 205 - Nationally Ranked RB: #133
Chad Robinson, ATH, Piqua, OH - 6'2" 260 - Nationally Ranked ATH: #119
Players Visiting vs. Miami (OH)
Brandon Merrick, OLB, Sandusky, OH - 6'2" 227 - Nationally Ranked OLB: #172
A.J. Thompson, SS, Gahanna, OH - 6'1" 202 - Nationally Ranked SS: #117 (JUCO JR)

[Maize]

Season 2, Game 7

October 15, 2011
Dix Stadium - Kent, OH

vs.
Kent's 4th - Too Little, Too Late

Game Boxscore
Miami Univ (2-5).......0.......7.......14.......0......21
Kent State (1-6)........0.......3........0......15......18
Stat of the Game: Turnovers: Miami Univ. - 0 -- Kent State - 2
Player of the Game: Zac Dysert, QB - Miami Univ. - 31/44, 344 yards, 2 TD
______________________________________
1st Quarter
- No Scoring -
-
2nd Quarter
KENT: 31 yard Field Goal by F. Cortez - 8:20
MIAU: 32 yard pass from Z. Dysert to A. Cuse (XP Good) - 1:12
-
3rd Quarter
MIAU: 2 yard pass from Z. Dysert to A. Cuse (XP Good) - 9:31
MIAU: 9 yard fumble return by E. Harris (XP Good) - 2:28
-
4th Quarter
KENT: 3 yard run by J. Terry (Conversion successful) - 6:18
KENT: 2 yard run by J. Terry (XP Good) - :29
_______________________
Player Stats
Zac Dysert, QB - 31/44, 344 yards, 2 TD
Giorgio Morgan, QB - 20/42, 216 yards, 1 INT, 14 carries, 20 yards
Jacquise Terry, RB - 24 carries, 82 yards, 2 TD
Danny Green, RB - 17 carries, 72 yards
Tyshon Goode, WR - 11 receptions, 133 yards
Steve Marck, TE - 8 receptions, 82 yards
Andrew Cuse, WR - 7 receptions, 128 yards, 2 TD
Lucas Swift, WR - 7 receptions, 40 yards
Kendrick Pressley, WR - 5 receptions, 30 yards
Freddy Cortez, K - 1/1, Long of 31, 1/1 on XP
Andre Johnson, K - 0/3, 3/3 on XP
DeAndrew Gilmore, OLB - 14 tackles (5 solo), 2 for loss
Byron Tyson, MLB - 11 tackles (4 solo), 1 FG block
Jerrell Wedge, MLB - 10 tackles (6 solo), 3 for loss, 1 sack
Will Johnson, OLB - 10 tackles (4 solo), 1 for loss, .5 sack, 1 FF
Leon Green, DE - 6 tackles (2 solo), 2 for loss, 1 sack
David Brown, CB - 1 INT, 1 FF
_______________________________
Injury Report
Mike Johns, DE - Miami Univ. - Foot stress fracture - 5 weeks
Brian Waters, OT - Kent State - Strained back - 8 weeks
Lee Stalker, DE - Kent State - Torn pectoral - 4 weeks
* - Injury occurred during game
_______________________________

Next Game: @ Eastern Michigan (2-6)

[Maize]

News Around College Football

Top 25
1. Boise State - 6-0
2. TCU - 7-0
3. Oklahoma - 6-1
4. Rutgers - 7-0
5. Iowa - 5-0
6. Ohio State - 5-1
7. Missouri - 7-0
8. Georgia Tech - 6-1
9. Ole Miss - 5-1
10. Alabama - 5-2
11. West Virginia - 6-1
12. Miami - 5-2
13. Wisconsin - 5-2
14. Penn State - 6-1
15. Clemson - 6-1
16. Stanford - 6-1
17. Oregon - 5-2
18. Arkansas - 6-2
19. Texas - 5-2
20. Minnesota - 6-1
21. Virginia Tech - 5-2
22. Florida State - 5-2
23. Oklahoma State - 6-1
24. LSU - 6-1
25. Utah - 5-1

-

Heisman Watch
1. Kellen Moore, QB, Boise State
2. Tom Savage, QB, Rutgers
3. Stephen Garcia, QB, South Carolina
4. Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma
5. Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri

[packersfan4eva]

. Tough loss dude, hopefully we see a TCU-Boise State national championship

[Maize]

Great job on the near-comeback. Need to see some more wins!

Thanks, it would have been nice to pull it out, but I just ran out of time. Didn't recover the onside kick and did not have a timeout left. But my defense at that point was pretty stout.

. Tough loss dude, hopefully we see a TCU-Boise State national championship

Yes, I am rooting for the same thing, it is a year with a lot of change in the Top 10. If they end up the only undefeated team and a one-loss team is hanging around (Oklahoma), it will be interesting to see what happens with the BCS.

Thanks for following guys, two stories will be posted tonight.

[Maize]

Cleveland's Streak Snapped
In Saturday's loss to Miami University, one of Kent State's players also lost an impressive streak. Left tackle Kent Cleveland had gone 18 games without allowing a sack. Dating back to last season, Cleveland did not allow a sack in all 12 games last year. His first year as a starter, he was impressive at a usually tough position.

This year, he picked up where he left off. But last week, he would allow one sack to deny him extending his streak any further. This year, the offensive line is struggling at times, and not playing to the expectation many held them to. Especially Coach Greg Studrawa, who was upset about the amount of sacks and hurries the line had allowed.

While the offensive line is still growing, the defensive line is seeing a transition of its' own. After an injury to senior Lee Stalker, sophomore Jake Dooley stepped in to fill the spot. Since Stalker is not expected back this season, Dooley is taking over the starting role full-time.

Stalker was considered a leader for a young defense and his loss has been felt. Defensive Coordinator D.J. Durkin said replacing him has been "tougher than expected," especially in stopping the run. Dooley, a fast pass-rusher, does give the team two speedy ends. Yet it does take away the run-stopper that Stalker gave them.

Only four games remain for Kent State, including games against rivals Bowling Green and Akron, and a tough road game to play Oklahoma State. While it will be a difficult end to the season, the team will have Quarterback Chris Finley back healthy. They also expect improved play 'in the trenches' and expect a strong finish to the season.

[Maize]

Visiting Kent Provokes History Lesson
A game that will not garner much attention in the MAC is a game between two annual bottom-dwellers in the Mid-American Conference. This week, the 2-6 Eagles of Eastern Michigan will host the Kent State Golden Flashes. Kent enters the game losing six straight, with their only win of the season over an FCS opponent.

These teams are no strangers to losing seasons, as they both have had win-less seasons in their recent history. Historically, they rank as the worst two active football programs in the MAC, in terms of winning percentage and conference wins.

Kent State boasts a "rebuilding season" with a young Head Coach coming from a winning background. Billy Gonzales received his education from Kent State, but became a coach under the tutelage of Urban Meyer, and through the ranks of the SEC.

Ron English in considered to be on the hot seat, after not winning a single game in his first two seasons at the helm of EMU. Two wins this year are an improvement, but not what the program is looking for. Both programs are looking for drastic changes to try and break two of the nation's longest bowl droughts.

Currently, only three programs at the FBS level have gone over 20 years without a bowl appearance. New Mexico State have not gone bowling since 1960. Kent State has the second longest, currently at 38 years, 1972 marking the last time the Flash have made a bowl game.

1972 was also Eastern's first season as a member of the MAC Conference. That year, Kent State won their only conference title. 15 years later in '87, Eastern would win the MAC outright for their own conference title.

Since the beginning of the MAC Championship game, only three member programs have not participated in the game; Temple, Kent State, and Eastern Michigan. Temple is looking to break through this year. Kent State and Eastern Michigan would easily settle for a bowl bid. Both teams made their last bowl game during the only year they won a conference title.

Two of the three longest bowl droughts belong to two programs that meet Saturday at Rynearson Stadium. Both will be desperately looking for a win, possibly to spark a late season insurgence. While it may mean little for this season, these two programs will take every win they can get.

[Maize]

Season 2, Game 8

October 22, 2011
Rynearson Stadium - Ypsilanti, MI

vs.
Finley Returns, Survive Late Scare in Win

Game Boxscore
Kent State (2-6).......3......10.......9........9......31
E Michigan (2-7).......0........7.......3......13......23
Stat of the Game: Total Offense: Kent State - 485 yards -- Eastern Michigan - 276 yards
Player of the Game: Zack Gonosz, FS - Kent State - 3 tackles (2 solo), 2 INT, 1 TD
______________________________________
1st Quarter
KENT: 36 yard Field Goal by F. Cortez - 8:19
-
2nd Quarter
KENT: 2 yard run by J. Terry (XP Good) - 13:47
KENT: 24 yard Field Goal by F. Cortez - 2:16
EMU: 1 yard run by B. Axon (XP Good) - :25
-
3rd Quarter
KENT: 33 yard Field Goal by F. Cortez - 9:16
EMU: 49 yard Field Goal by T. Baertchi - 6:42
KENT: 11 yard pass from C. Finley to J. Thompson (Conversion failed) - 2:38
-
4th Quarter
EMU: 65 yard interception return by M. Rose (XP Good) - 12:37
EMU: 3 yard run by B. Axon (Conversion failed)- 10:19
KENT: 37 yard Field Goal by F. Cortez - 2:54
KENT: 30 yard interception return by Z. Gonosz (Conversion failed) - 2:10
_______________________
Player Stats
Chris Finley, QB - 26/45, 414 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Alex Gillett, QB - 17/34, 188 yards, 4 INT
Ben Axon, RB - 25 carries, 72 yards, 2 TD
Jacquise Terry, RB - 20 carries, 48 yards, 1 TD
Tyshon Goode, WR - 12 receptions, 183 yards
Kinsman Thomas, WR - 10 receptions, 110 yards
Kendrick Pressley, WR - 7 receptions, 126 yards
Nick Olds, WR - 3 receptions, 33 yards
Justin Thompson, TE - 1 reception, 11 yards, 1 TD
Freddy Cortez, K - 4/5, Long of 37, 1/1 on XP
Thomas Baertchi, K - 1/3, Long of 49, 2/2 on XP
Kalonji Kashama, DE - 9 tackles (3 solo), 3 for loss
Fabrice Pratt, SS - 8 tackles (4 solo), 1 FF
Jake Dooley, DE - 8 tackles (2 solo), 2 for loss, 1 sack
Steve Brown, OLB - 7 tackles (2 solo), 2 for loss
Leon Green, DE - 7 tackles (2 solo), 1 for loss, 1 sack
Marcell Rose, CB - 5 tackles (3 solo), 1 INT, 1 TD
Zack Gonosz, FS - 3 tackles (2 solo), 2 INT, 1 TD
_______________________________
Injury Report
Corey Neal, RT - Eastern Michigan - Broken tailbone - 8 weeks
Brian Waters, OT - Kent State - Strained back - 7 weeks
Lee Stalker, DE - Kent State - Torn pectoral - 3 weeks
* - Injury occurred during game
_______________________________

Next Game: vs. Bowling Green (2-5)

[Maize]

News Around College Football

Top 25
1. Boise State - 7-0
2. Rutgers - 8-0
3. TCU - 8-0
4. Missouri - 8-0
5. Iowa - 6-1
6. Ohio State - 6-1
7. Ole Miss - 6-1
8. Georgia Tech - 7-1
9. Alabama - 6-2
10. West Virginia - 6-1
11. Oklahoma - 6-2
12. Miami - 6-2
13. Wisconsin - 6-2
14. Penn State - 7-1
15. Arkansas - 7-2
16. Texas - 6-2
17. Oklahoma State - 7-1
18. Clemson - 6-2
19. Florida State - 6-2
20. LSU - 7-1
21. Stanford - 6-2
22. Central Michigan - 7-0
23. Oregon - 5-3
24. Minnesota - 6-2
25. Colorado State - 8-0

-

Heisman Watch
1. Kellen Moore, QB, Boise State
2. Tom Savage, QB, Rutgers
3. Stephen Garcia, QB, South Carolina
4. Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri
5. Matthew Tucker, RB, TCU