Maize's Golden Flashes: A Kent State Dynasty

[Cody]

Nice win. Too bad you missed out on bowl game.

[Maize]

Nice win. Too bad you missed out on bowl game.

Yeah, looking back, I don't know how I didn't win at least six games. I should have beat Ball State and Miami could have been a win too. Next year I guess.

Also, I forgot to post the Top 25, so I'll do that now.

[Maize]

News Around College Football

NCAA Football Rankings - AP Top 25 - Updated: Nov 20, 2011
RK	LW	TEAM (VOTES)	W	L	POINTS
1	2	Missouri Tigers	12	0	1497
2	3	Boise State Broncos	11	0	1375
3	4	TCU Horned Frogs	11	0	1337
4	6	Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets	10	1	1205
5	7	Alabama Crimson Tide	10	2	1146
6	8	Oklahoma Sooners	10	2	1107
7	9	Miami Hurricanes	9	2	1067
8	10	Penn State Nittany Lions	10	1	1046
9	1	Rutgers Scarlet Knights	10	1	954
10	14	Central Michigan Chippewas	11	0	934
11	13	Oklahoma State Cowboys	10	1	914
12	16	LSU Tigers	10	2	859
13	5	Ohio State Buckeyes	9	2	845
14	15	Clemson Tigers	9	2	838
15	21	Notre Dame Fighting Irish	10	1	680
16	12	Arkansas Razorbacks	9	3	616
17	20	Pittsburgh Panthers	8	3	611
18	11	Iowa Hawkeyes	8	3	440
19	17	Stanford Cardinals	8	3	382
20	NR	Michigan Wolverines	7	5	361
21	NR	Houston Cougars	10	2	305
22	NR	Nevada Wolfpack	9	2	276
23	18	Georgia Bulldogs	8	4	240
24	NR	Florida Gators	8	4	144
25	NR	Oregon State Beavers	8	3	142

Heisman Watch:
1. Kellen Moore, QB, Boise State
2. Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri
3. Tom Savage, QB, Rutgers
4. LaRon Byrd, WR, Miami
5. Matthew Tucker, RB, TCU

[Maize]

Recruiting News and Updates

Kent State
Boone Finally Adds, 14 Spots Left
Only one week remains in the college football regular season, meaning that in-season recruiting efforts are wrapping up. Players can commit within the next week, or wait until the off-season. Kent State is trying to end its' recruiting efforts strong.

A slow start to recruiting, things have picked up with a new direction for recruiting. Focusing primarily on Ohio and Pennsylvania, the team will also take numerous trips South, mainly to Florida, and will also extend some interest into the rest of the midwest.

This plan is working with eleven players committing to being a Golden Flash next season. Of the eleven, Justin Boone became the most recent and led on a list of 'firsts.' He was the first three-star player to commit, a top rated tackle from the south. He is the first from the state of Georgia, as well as the first to be ranked in the top 75 at his respective position (offensive tackle - 61st).

Boone visited during week 8 and took weeks to finally come to his decision. Boone believes he might not be a starter year one, but could be one for years to come.

Kent State will also be hosting two prospects who are taking their official visits. While Kent State's season is over, they will bring in two players they hope to commit before the end of the regular season.

Both are one-star players; guard Mike Dawson, is a local talent that is between Akron and Kent State. A run-blocker, he is a strong interior presence. Aaron Mixon, brother of Cobrani Mixon, a former Kent linebacker, comes from a football family. Akron is the favorite, but his brother's school is gaining momentum before his visit.

While Kent looks to finish strong, they are chasing the impressive effort of Bowling Green. Bowling Green is wrapping up a strong in-season recruiting performance. Getting 20 players to commit, three of which are three-star players. They recently added Quarterback Matt Dortch, who had been on Kent's radar.

Players Committed In-Season
Justin Boone, OT, Riverdale, GA - 6'5" 290 - Nationally Ranked OT: #61
Cornell Higgins, CB, Bloomsburg, PA - 6'3" 176 - Nationally Ranked CB: #128
Terry Brown, DE, Clearwater, FL - 6'5" 262 - Nationally Ranked DE: #219
Brandon Merrick, OLB, Sandusky, OH - 6'2" 227 - Nationally Ranked OLB: #172
Kyle Johnson, OG, Vandalia, OH - 6'3" 306 - Nationally Ranked OG: #139
Chris Walters, RB, Strongville, OH - 6'0" 205 - Nationally Ranked RB: #133
Adam Crowell, OLB, Princeton, IN - 6'3" 200 - Nationally Ranked OLB: #182
Chad Robinson, ATH, Piqua, OH - 6'2" 260 - Nationally Ranked ATH: #119
Andrew Swan, DT, Jeanette, PA - 6'6" 278 - Nationally Ranked DT: #162
Andy White, CB, Monroeville, PA - 6'1" 182 - Nationally Ranked CB: #193
Jesse Houston, RB, Northridge, OH - 6'3" 236 - Nationally Ranked RB: #150
Players Visiting on Bye Week
Mike Dawson, OG, Gallon, OH - 6'1" 292 - Nationally Ranked OG: #175
Aaron Mixon, DE, Hobart, IN - 6'2" 252 - Nationally Ranked DE: #220

[Maize]

News Around College Football

NCAA Football Rankings - AP Top 25 - Updated: Nov 27, 2011
RK	LW	TEAM (VOTES)	W	L	POINTS
1	1	Missouri Tigers	12	0	1503
2	2	Boise State Broncos	12	0	1349
3	3	TCU Horned Frogs	12	0	1303
4	4	Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets	11	1	1134
5	5	Alabama Crimson Tide	10	2	1082
6	6	Oklahoma Sooners	10	2	1038
7	7	Miami Hurricanes	10	2	994
8	8	Penn State Nittany Lions	11	1	957
9	9	Rutgers Scarlet Knights	11	1	914
10	11	Oklahoma State Cowboys	11	1	871
11	12	LSU Tigers	10	2	821
12	13	Ohio State Buckeyes	10	2	779
13	14	Clemson Tigers	10	2	737
14	15	Pittsburgh Panthers	9	3	688
15	16	Arkansas Razorbacks	9	3	647
16	17	Boston College Eagles	9	3	606
17	18	Notre Dame Fighting Irish	10	2	572
18	10	Central Michigan Chippewas	11	1	539
19	20	Michigan Wolverines	7	5	473
20	23	Georgia Bulldogs	8	4	440
21	24	Florida Gators	8	4	401
22	21	Houston Cougars	10	2	375
23	NR	Florida State Seminoles	8	4	324
24	NR	Colorado State Rams	10	2	298
25	NR	South Carolina Gamecocks	8	4	248

Players Invited to Heisman Ceremony (Alphabetical)
LaRon Byrd, WR, Miami - 84 receptions, 1,183 yards, 14 TD, 1,250 return yards
Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri - 307/441, 3,944 yards, 37 TD, 10 INT
Kellen Moore, QB, Boise State - 329/448, 4,384 yards, 49 TD, 5 INT
Matthew Tucker, RB, TCU - 298 carries, 1,410 yards, 10 TD, 37 receptions, 6 TD
Tom Savage, QB, Rutgers - 245/356, 3,680 yards, 42 TD, 3 INT, 552 rushing yards, 6 TD

--

Conference Championship Preview
SEC Championship - #25 South Carolina (8-4) vs. #5 Alabama (10-2)
C-USA Championship - #22 Houston (10-2) vs. Central Florida (9-3)
Big XII Championship - #10 Oklahoma State (11-1) vs. #1 Missouri (12-0)
MAC Championship - Ohio (9-3) vs. #18 Central Michigan (11-1)
ACC Championship - #13 Clemson (10-2) vs. #7 Miami (10-2)

[packersfan4eva]

Moore's got the Heisman Trophy locked up.

[Maize]

Moore's got the Heisman Trophy locked up.

I would agree with that. He was on the pre-season list and has been #1 or #2 all year. Undefeated with those numbers, it has to be him.

[Maize]

Recruiting News and Updates

Kent State
3 Sign At End of In-Season
The 2011 regular season has come and gone, just as teams are preparing for the postseason. Kent State will again miss out, ending 2011 with a 5-7 record. Billy Gonzales was proud of his team efforts in his first year, and looks for 2012 to be the year the Golden Flash break through and make their first bowl game since 1972.

A good recruiting performance has helped, and signing three before the end of the regular season. Signing 14 players in-season, Kent State will have 11 available scholarships. They want to have a full recruiting class and hope to have one of the best 2012 Recruiting Classes in the MAC.

They added a three-star athlete in Dylan Harrison. After visiting for the Bowling Green game, the versatile star from Solon High School was sure he wanted to play for Kent State. Projected to be a safety, he could be a running back, h-back, or tight end at the next level.

The team also added two one-star defensive players. One of which became the second defensive end from Florida to commit, Kendall Wright. An athletic player, he also is a varsity basketball player. A pass-rusher, he will be a nice compliment to Terry Brown. Brown was the first player to commit to Kent State, also a defensive end from Florida.

The other player to sign recently was safety Kevin Gardner. A one-star player from Beavercreek, Ohio, he was quick to sign with Kent State. The Flash's new approach to recruiting has brought in more local talents, like Gardner. Known mostly for hard work and size (6'5"), he could play his way into playing time next year.

With 14 players committed, Head Coach Billy Gonzales and Recruiting Coordinator Jeff Kastl are expecting a strong off-season to boost their class.

Players Committed In-Season
Justin Boone, OT, Riverdale, GA - 6'5" 290 - Nationally Ranked OT: #61
Dylan Harrison, ATH, Solon, OH - 6'2" 210 - Nationally Ranked ATH: #87
Cornell Higgins, CB, Bloomsburg, PA - 6'3" 176 - Nationally Ranked CB: #128
Terry Brown, DE, Clearwater, FL - 6'5" 262 - Nationally Ranked DE: #119
Brandon Merrick, OLB, Sandusky, OH - 6'2" 227 - Nationally Ranked OLB: #172
Kyle Johnson, OG, Vandalia, OH - 6'3" 306 - Nationally Ranked OG: #139
Chris Walters, RB, Strongville, OH - 6'0" 205 - Nationally Ranked RB: #133
Kevin Gardner, SS, Beavercreek, OH - 6'5" 205 - Nationally Ranked SS: #112
Adam Crowell, OLB, Princeton, IN - 6'3" 200 - Nationally Ranked OLB: #182
Chad Robinson, ATH, Piqua, OH - 6'2" 260 - Nationally Ranked ATH: #119
Andrew Swan, DT, Jeanette, PA - 6'6" 278 - Nationally Ranked DT: #162
Andy White, CB, Monroeville, PA - 6'1" 182 - Nationally Ranked CB: #193
Kendall Wright, DE, Lakeland, FL - 6'6" 245 - Nationally Ranked DE: #205
Jesse Houston, RB, Northridge, OH - 6'3" 236 - Nationally Ranked RB: #150

[packersfan4eva]

Dylan Harrison is gonna be a fucking beast.

[Maize]

Dylan Harrison is gonna be a fucking beast.

He better be, tough to say what position athletes will play, but I have a feeling Harrison will be an end, linebacker, or safety. All are positions I could use a playmaker.

[Maize]

News Around College Football

Conference Champions
SEC Championship - #25 South Carolina (8-5) 0, #5 Alabama (11-2) 52
C-USA Championship - #22 Houston (10-3) 13, Central Florida (10-3) 20
Big XII Championship - #10 Oklahoma State (12-1) 35, #1 Missouri (12-1) 0
MAC Championship - Ohio (10-3) 24, #18 Central Michigan (11-2) 17
ACC Championship - #13 Clemson (10-3) 17, #7 Miami (11-2) 27

--

NCAA Football Rankings - AP Top 25 - Updated: Dec 4, 2011
RK	LW	TEAM (VOTES)	W	L	POINTS
1	2	Boise State Broncos*	12	0	1505
2	3	TCU Horned Frogs*	12	0	1449
3	4	Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets	11	1	1236
4	5	Alabama Crimson Tide*	11	2	1176
5	6	Oklahoma Sooners	10	2	1123
6	1	Missouri Tigers	12	1	1115
7	7	Miami Hurricanes*	11	2	1102
8	10	Oklahoma State Cowboys*	12	1	1063
9	8	Penn State Nittany Lions*	11	1	1030
10	9	Rutgers Scarlet Knights*	11	1	980
11	11	LSU Tigers	10	2	874
12	12	Ohio State Buckeyes	10	2	826
13	14	Pittsburgh Panthers	9	3	724
14	15	Arkansas Razorbacks	9	3	678
15	16	Boston College Eagles	9	3	633
16	17	Notre Dame Fighting Irish	10	2	596
17	19	Michigan Wolverines	7	5	487
18	13	Clemson Tigers	10	3	484
19	20	Georgia Bulldogs	8	4	452
20	21	Florida Gators	8	4	410
21	23	Florida State Seminoles	8	4	329
22	24	Colorado State Rams	10	2	302
23	25	Ole Miss Rebels	8	4	250
24	18	Central Michigan Chippewas	11	2	232
25	NR	Virginia Tech Hokies	8	4	211

* - Conference Champions

--

Other Conference Champions
C-USA - Central Florida* - 10-3
MAC - Ohio* - 10-3
Pac-10 - Oregon State* - 9-3
Sun Belt - North Texas* - 9-3

[packersfan4eva]

Ah...Boise State-TCU championship. Saw this in someone else's dynasty, and I think TCU won. Hopefully that doesn't happen in this one.

[Maize]

Ah...Boise State-TCU championship. Saw this in someone else's dynasty, and I think TCU won. Hopefully that doesn't happen in this one.

Should be a good game, I'm glad they get a chance to actually play in the NCG. Definitely the best two teams, tough to make an argument for a one-loss Ga. Tech team that didn't win their conference.

[Maize]

News Around College Football

Heisman Trophy Presentation
Kellen Moore, QB, Boise State
Heisman Voting:
1. Kellen Moore, QB, Boise State - 1,626 votes (303 1st Place)
2. Tom Savage, QB, Rutgers - 1,553 votes (286 1st Place)
3. Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri - 1,107 votes (146 1st Place)
4. Matthew Tucker, RB, TCU - 271 votes (31 1st Place)
5. LaRon Byrd, WR, Miami - 136 votes (17 1st Place)

--

College Football Awards
Maxwell Award - Tom Savage, QB, Rutgers
Walter Camp Award - Tom Savage, QB, Rutgers
Chuck Bednarik Award - Bacarri Rambo, FS, Georgia
Bronco Nagurski Award - Kevin Reddick, MLB, North Carolina
Davey O'Brien Award - Kellen Moore, QB, Boise State
Doak Walker Award - Matthew Tucker, RB, TCU
Fred Biletnikoff Award - Tyler Shoemaker, WR, Boise State
John Mackey Award - Kyle Efaw, TE, Boise State
Outland Trophy - Spencer Thompson, OT, TCU
Dave Rimington Award - Nick McRae, C, Georgia Tech
Vince Lombardi Award - D.J. Yendry, DE, TCU
Dick Butkus Award - Etienne Sabino, OLB, Ohio State
Jim Thorpe Award - Anthony Moore, FS, Baylor
Lou Groza Award - Caleb Sturgis, K, Florida
Ray Guy Award - Quinn Sharp, P, Oklahoma State
Randy Moss Award - Tashaun Gipson, CB, Wyoming

--

1st Team All-America
QB - Kellen Moore, Boise State
RB - Trent Richardson, Alabama
RB - Travis Miller, Oklahoma State
WR - Tyler Shoemaker, Boise State
WR - LaRon Byrd, Miami
TE - Kyle Efaw, Boise State
OT - Spencer Thompson, TCU
OG - Tyler Kidney, Georgia Tech
C - Michael Brewster, Ohio State
OG - Matt Stankiewitch, Penn State
OT - D.J. Fluker, Alabama
DE - Aldon Smith, Missouri
DE - Mike Martin, Michigan
DT - Dominique Hamilton, Missouri
DT - Jordan Hall, Penn State
OLB - Etienne Sabino, Ohio State
MLB - Michael Mauti, Penn State
OLB - Leron Furr, Oklahoma State
CB - T.J. Bryant, USC
CB - Kip Edwards, Missouri
FS - Anthony Moore, Baylor
SS - Shakiel Smith, Tulane
K - Caleb Sturgis, Florida
P - Quinn Sharp, Oklahoma State
RET - Tashaun Gipson, Wyoming

[packersfan4eva]

Tom Savage?