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Injuries Hit as Team Heads for Home
A difficult schedule for Kent State included five of the team's five seven games being played away from Dix Stadium. Five road games leaves the end of the schedule a bit easier for the Golden Flashes. Not making things easier is the injuries that have piled up for the team's last four games.
Starting with the team's only road victory so far, against Miami University. In that game, the team won by a slim, single touchdown margin. But also lost three key players. In the third quarter, center Chris Anzevino was pushed back by Miami's defensive line and landed on his leg. He would lay motionless, holding his leg before being carted off the field. A broken fibula, he was not expected to play the rest of the season.
The team seemed to lose their best offensive lineman, although Anzevino had struggled a bit (allowed 3 sacks). Three plays later, new Center Josh Kline was taking his first snaps of the season. It would be his last of the season as well: after his was pushed aside and broke his collarbone. A small hairline break, Kline will not play for the rest of the season.
Kent State only had two centers on their depth chart, and were left scrambling to find a replacement. Brian Waters, the team's back-up left tackle, will fill in for the team's final six games. One of the three BWs starting on Kent State's offensive line (Brian Winters, Bryan Wagner, Brian Waters).
Also the defense has lost two starters, one being arguably the team's best defensive player. Cobrani Mixon, team captain, impact player and a former All-MAC linebacker, was injured in the Toledo game. He left under his own will, and originally team doctors thought Mixon had dislocated his shoulder.
Good news for the Flashes, Mixon simply strained his shoulder muscle and would only need to sit out two games. He will be cleared to play against Temple but could, end up waiting until Army visits. Replacing Mixon is Senior Howard Bowens, who is excited for a chance to finally start.
All of the team's injuries will be a test of depth, especially with three of the injuries being season ending. Ishama'ail Kitchen also went down in the Miami game, but many expected less playing time with the emergence of Terrell Johnson and strong play of Quinton Rainey.
Now the team will travel to play a winless Bowling Green team that is looking to break through. Kent State is still eying a bowl birth, and will be looking to win three of six to do so.
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