2007 Kent State Golden Flashes Game Preview

[BB73]

2007 Kent State Golden Flashes Game Preview
written by: BB73, BuckeyeRyn, Buckeyeskickbuttocks, Bucklion, DaddyBigBucks, Hubbard, jwinslow, OSUBucks22, and 3yardsandacloud
​

Preface

Since there are actually eleven teams in the Big Ten, at least one team must play a non-conference opponent each week. This Saturday is the time for Ohio State to complete its in-state portion of the schedule. Having disposed of Youngstown State and Akron in early September, the Buckeyes will now face Kent State, which concludes three games that some would say are fittingly abbreviated by the letters 'YAK'. This is the first year that tOSU has faced three in-state opponents since 1926.​

The Golden Flashes have an undistinguished football history. Of the 107 current FBS (1-A) teams that have been playing football for at least 40 years, their .390 winning percentage actually ranks them in last place. Their only championship year came in 1972, when they won the MAC with a 4-1 mark that was part of a 6-5-1 overall record. ​

The 1972 season also included their only major college bowl appearance, a 21-18 Tangerine Bowl loss to Tampa (who dropped football a couple of years later). The next year they went 9-2, but didn't get to go bowling since they didn't win the MAC. They were coached by Don James from 1971-74, who left for Washington, where he would win a National Championship in 1991. Don's older brother Tommy played on Ohio State's National Championship team for Paul Brown in 1942.​

Other coaches of note include Dick Crum ('88-'90), who also coached at Miami, Ohio and North Carolina; and Glen Mason ('86-'87), who left for Kansas and later went to Minnesota. The Golden Flashes have only had 1 winning season since Mason's 1987 squad went 7-4.​

Their current head coach is Doug Martin, who is 15-25 in 3-plus seasons. Defensive Coordinator Pete Rekstis played and coached under Jim Tressel at Youngstown State, becoming the DC there after JT moved to Columbus.​

Kent does claim winning records in their meetings against Marshall (18-17) and Louisville (9-8). They are 0-8 against Big Ten teams, with the only previous game against the Buckeyes being a 51-17 result as the second game in Ohio State's magical 2002 campaign.​

Jim Tresssel had a 4-3 mark against Kent State during his days at Youngstown State. His 203 career victories is tied with Frank Beamer for third place among active FBS coaches, behing Bobby Bowden and Joe Paterno. JT's current mark at tOSU is 68-14, which places him third in winning percentage among FBS coaches that have been with the same team since 2001:​

01) .843 (70-13) Mack Brown, Texas
02) .841 (69-13) Pete Carroll, USC
03) .829 (68-14) Jim Tressel, tOSU
04) .826 (71-15) Bob Stoops, Oklahoma (this counts the 8 wins in 2005 which were 'vacated')
05) .774 (65-19) Mark Richt, Georgia
06) .744 (61-21) Tommy Tuberville, Auburn
07) .738 (62-22) Frank Beamer, Va. Tech
08) .728 (59-22) Lloyd Carr, TSUN
09) .722 (57-22) Gary Patterson, TCU
10) .691 (56-25) Phillip Fullmer, Tennessee
11) .688 (55-25) Rich Rodriguez, West Va.
12) .682 (58-27) June Jones, Hawaii
13) .675 (54-26) Ralph Friedgen, Maryland
14) .671 (55-27) Bobby Bowden, FSU
15) .659 (54-28) Mike Leach, Texas Tech
16) .658 (52-27) Mike Bellotti, Oregon
17) .654 (53-28) Kirk Ferentz, Iowa
18) .649 (48-26) Jim Leavitt, USF
19) .642 (52-29) Tom Amstutz, Toledo
20) .631 (53-31) Pat Hill, Fresno St.
21) .615 (48-30) Joe Novak, NIU
22) .613 (49-31) Tommy Bowden, Clemson
23) .588 (47-33) Houston Nutt, Arkansas
23) .588 (47-33) Jeff Bower, S. Miss.
25) .577 (45-33) Joe Paterno, Penn St.
​

The Buckeyes have won 15 straight games in the Horseshoe. Here are the longest home winning streaks, all in the 'Shoe:​

25 games - 1972-76
20 games - 1982-85
19 games - 1967-71
18 games - 2002-04
15 games - 2005-current

Date and Time
​

Date: Saturday, October 13th, 2007
​

Time: 12:00 Noon EDT Kick-off
Location: Ohio Stadium - "The Horseshoe" (Columbus, OH)
Constructed: 1922 (Renovated in 2001)
Seating Capacity: 101,568 (Originally 66,210)
Playing Surface: FieldTurf
Events:
Broadcast Information:
TV Broadcast: The Big Ten Network: Mark Neely (Play-by-play), Glen Mason (Analysis), and Marshall Harris (Sideline)
Radio Broadcast: Ohio State Radio Network (WBNS 1460TheFan in Columbus): Paul Keels (Play-by-play), Jim Lachey (Analysis), and Marty Bannister (Sideline)
Satellite Radio: Sirius Radio ???
​

2007 Kent State Golden Flashes Offensive Preview

The Buckeyes trounced Purdue and their vaunted offense last week, giving the defense a huge boost of confidence and taking the Buckeyes to this week's contest with the Kent Golden Flashes, a team that is coming off a few disappointing conference losses after a promising start, including a win in Ames over Iowa State. The Flashes run the ball a lot out of the spread, and the Flashes have a lot of very young but very interesting players that should make this week's game worth watching. Still, it would appear the Flashes will be overmatched on the offensive side of the football.​

Last season Kent didn't move the football particularly well. Their overall production of 339.6 yards per game was only good for 76th nationally, not great for a schedule deep with teams from the often defensively-challenged MAC. They didn?t run the ball too badly, averaging a respectable 158.4 YPG, good for 39th nationally, but that wasn?t good enough rushing to compensate for a passing game that ranked 97th in the nation at only 163.2 YPG. The Flashes were also bad at moving the chains, averaging only 16 first downs a game which ranked them 97th, and their 3rd down conversion percentage of 32.5% didn?t even crack the top 100 (101st nationally). All of that translated into a terrible 17.8 points per game, ranked 100th nationally and a big reason for the disappointing season that saw them get shut out twice and lose 4 of their last 5 games, including an inexplicable blowout at Buffalo. ​

Has their offense improved in 2007? Well, they won?t remind anyone of Hawaii, but they aren?t Notre Dame either. Their yardage total thus far is a very respectable 434.5 yards a game, ranked 41st in the country. They?ve emphasized pounding the ball on the ground this year, and that has translated to 230.5 yards a game, ranked just outside the top 10 (11th). Their passing game won?t remind anyone of a WAC team, but they have improved from last year to 190.2 yards a game (94th nationally). They?ve put more points on the scoreboard at 24.5 PPG, but that?s still ranked only 77th nationally and still isn?t enough for them to rise to the top of the MAC. Their improved running game has led to quite a few more first downs than a year ago (22.5 per game, 40th), and they have made strides in converting on 3rd down as well, up to 40.4% (54th). So, though they aren?t racking up huge numbers, they are getting better, and their running game is very sound. The question is whether they can throw it enough to keep the Buckeyes at all off balance and back a few players out of the box on defense.

Quarterbacks:
​

QB #1 Julian Edelman (6-0, 195, JR, College of San Mateo, Redwood City, CA) ​

Edelman is in his 2nd year as the starting QB. Last season he was the team?s offensive player of the year, throwing for 1859 yards, 10 TDs, and 11 INTs, while being sacked 24 times. A year of experience hasn?t changed his numbers much. Through half of this season he has thrown for 1141 yards, 6 TDs, 8 INTs, and has been sacked 16 times. His real potential is in his dual threat, as he is also a very gifted athlete and very dangerous running with the ball. This season he is second on the team with 358 yards and a TD. HE rushed for 135 yards against Kentucky, and threw for 260 against Miami (OH) last week, so the potential for him to be effective on the ground and through the air is certainly present. In that sense, he is similar to a few of the QBs the Buckeyes have faced so far, including the Washington game. The downside to Edelman is that he is still young and in the learning process, so he completes a fairly low percentage of balls, and his INT and sack totals are a bit on the high side. This is a very good young player with tremendous upside that will face a very stiff test this weekend. ​

The backup is sophomore Anthony Magazu (#12), who has attempted only 1 pass this season.​

QB Rating: C​

Head-to-Head: Kent versus Ohio State QBs​

Edelman (P/R): 86/166 (51.8%), 1141 yards, 6 TDs, 8 INTs, 111.8 rating; 93/358, 1 TD​

Boeckman (P/R): 92/144 (63.9%), 1169 yards, 14 TDs, 6 INTs, 155.8 rating; 16/-5, 0 TDs​

Edelman is an exciting young player in the Josh Cribbs mold that should give Flash fans a few moments of excitement Saturday. As for Boeckman, it?s time he starts getting his due. He threw a few deep picks last week, but he?s gone on the road and had solid performances while the Buckeyes have remained undefeated. ​

Edge: Ohio State​

Running Backs​

TB #6 Eugene Jarvis (5-5, 170, SO, Central Catholic HS, Pittsburgh, PA)​

Jarvis is a fireball of a runner who is in his 2nd season as the starting tailback. He has already amassed 851 yards rushing and has scored an impressive 8 times thus far. He has 5 100 yard games to his credit, including 2 weeks ago, when he went ballistic on Ohio for 230 yards and 2 TDs on 30 carries. His only sub-100 yard game was 82 last weekend. In addition to his rushing prowess, he is a dangerous receiver, ranking 1st on the team in receptions (15) and 2nd in yards (201) and adding 2 TDs to his tally, giving him an impressive total of 10. He?s caught at least 3 passes in 4 games. He?s got big-game speed and can turn the corner quickly, but his performance 2 weeks ago also shows how durable he can be. Combined with his reliability out of the backfield in the passing game, and it becomes obvious he is a fine player.​

The backup is freshman Andre Flowers (#25). He?s carried the ball 31 times so far, for 140 yards, including 15 carries the past 2 weeks, so expect to see him Saturday. He has god size (5-11, 200) and could be a nice change of pace for Jarvis on a series or two.​

RB Rating: B+​

Head-to-Head: Kent versus Ohio State RBs​

Jarvis: 144/851 yards, 8 TDs, 5.9 YPC; 15 rec/201 yards, 2 TDs, 13.4 YPR
Flowers: 31/149 yards, 0 TDs, 4.8 YPC; 1 rec/10 yards, 0 TDs, 10.0 YPR
​

C Wells: 114/625 yards, 5 TDs, 5.5 YPC; 3 rec/13 yards, 0 TDs, 4.3 YPR
M Wells: 66/248 yards, 2 TDs, 3.8 YPC; 7 rec/36 yards, 0 TDs, 5.1 YPR
​

Jarvis is a great player to build an offense around, and the Flashes are lucky to have him and his 10 TDs. He leads a very potent Kent rushing attack. Flowers also looks like a star in the making. The Buckeyes are 3-deep and very talented, and Chris Wells has been pounding teams into oblivion all season. This is closer than many of the matchups, but the Buckeyes still get the edge.​

Edge: Ohio State​

Wide Receivers​

WR #4 Shawn Bayes (5-10, 181, JR, Craigmont HS, Memphis, TN)
WR #9 Phil Garner (5-11, 175, SO, St. Thomas Aquinas HS, Coral Springs, FL)
WR #13 Leneric Muldrow (5-8, 170, FR, Rose HS, Greenville, NC)
​

This is quite an interesting group. The leader on the team yardage-wise is sophomore Derek McBryde, a Glenville product still learning the position after switching over from defense. He had 7 catches for 124 yards last week, and is, not surprisingly from the Glenville tradition, one of the fastest players on the squad. Bayes also has blazing speed and 12 catches so far. He has plenty of big-play ability and has scored twice. Garner is primarily a steady route runner with good hands, also with 12 catches, and Muldrow is an exciting freshman with great strength. ​

The future looks bright as the Flashes are also young and deep with promising freshmen Aaron Robinson (#85), Rashad Tukes (#86) and Alan Vanderink (#32) as options. All have seen time. ​

WR Rating: C​

Head-to-Head: Kent versus Ohio State WRs​

Bayes: 12 catches, 187 yards, 2 TDs, 15.6 YPR
Garner: 12 catches, 84 yards, 0 TDs, 7.0 YPR
Muldrow: 5 catches, 99 yards, 1 TD, 19.8 YPR
​

Robiskie: 31 catches, 594 yards, 6 TDs, 19.2 YPR
Hartline: 23 catches, 272 yards, 3 TDs, 11.8 YPR
Small: 10 catches, 142 yards, 2 TDs, 14.2 YPR
​

This is a young and exciting group with great future star potential. They don?t, however, have anyone in the same area of caliber as Robiskie or Hartline?yet. ​

Edge: Ohio State​

Tight Ends​

TE #8 Tom Sitko (6-3, 248, SR, Archbishop Hoban HS, Cuyahoga Falls, OH)​

The Flashes don?t always use their TE, but Sitko, a former QB, is a good one, and he is a particularly strong run blocker. He has also started plenty of games and adds leadership to the offense. He?s caught 11 balls so far, so he?s right in amongst the players that the Flashes look to in their passing game. ​

TE Rating: B​

Head-to-Head: Kent versus Ohio State TEs​

Sitko: 11 catches, 93 yards, 0 TDs, 8.5 YPR​

Nicol: 8 catches, 43 yards, 0 TDs, 5.4 YPR​

Both players are solid in the blocking game and can catch a pass. Both also offer experience.​

Edge: Even​

Offensive Line​

LT #56 Augustus Parrish (6-7, 315, JR, Potomac HS, Temple Hills, MD)
LG #61 Shawn Donaldson (6-4, 300, SR, Dover HS, Dover, OH)
C #70 Joshua Perry (6-2, 285, JR, Monroeville HS, Monroeville, OH)
RG #65 Joe Marafine (6-4, 305, SR, Cambridge HS, Cambridge Springs, PA)
RT #66 Travis McGraw (6-5, 320, JR, Hargrave Academy, Silver Spring, MD)
​

Unlike the skill positions, this is a more senior group. Parrish is in year 2 of starting and is probably their most athletic lineman. He also has great size and is very good in both run and pass protection. Donaldson has good size and is starting his first season in the interior. Perry battled injuries last year but started 4 games and has resumed his role in the middle this season. He is a smart lineman who is very effective making run-blocking calls at the line. Marafine is a mauler who is a nice compliment to Donaldson on the interior. McGraw might be the best run-blocker on the team and has earned his way to the starting right tackle spot this season. ​

OL Rating: B-​

Head-to-Head: Kent versus Ohio State OL​

Kent has a good line, and their running attack is very potent. They give up too many sacks and the passing game needs some improvement. The Buckeyes have been mauling people all year, and this week should be no different. ​

Advantage: Ohio State​

Overall Offensive Analysis

This offense is a work in progress. They have a lot of young, fast, exciting skill players that will form the nucleus of a very good offense the next 2-3 years. The line has more experience and makes the growing pains in the backfield and downfield easier to tolerate. The team?s success hinges on their ground attack, but as their record indicates running the ball isn?t enough, and won?t be against Ohio State. Edelman is a dangerous playmaker, but the Buckeyes will probably give him fits and he will learn a lot from facing a top flight defense this week. Tune in as the season and years progress, because this team will probably be a pretty dangerous offense. For now, they will make some plays, but also make their share of mistakes.
​

Overall Offensive Grade: B-​

2007 Kent State Golden Flashes Defensive Preview​

Defensive Coordinator Pete Rekstis is a graduate of Youngstown State University where he was a four year starter and Senior Co-Captian at Free Safety under one James Tressel. He also served as Tressel's secondary coach from 1999 to 2000. After Tressel left to beging the 2001 season, Rekstis was elevated to defensive coordinator and remained at YSU in that capacity until 2003. Now in his fourth year at Kent State, Rekstis' 3-4 base defense is the top defense in the MAC, and one of the better defenses in the nation.​

Kent State affords opponents a MAC fewest 24.8 points a game. However, that figure is only good for 57th nationally and is skewed by the 56 points Kentucky put up earlier in the year. Even still, the total defense is first in the MAC in total yards and 35th nationally giving up just 332.7 per contest. Second in the MAC and 23rd in the nation against the pass at 188.8 the unit has allowed 7 passing TDs while picking off 6. The Golden Flash rush defense, while the tops in the Mac, is 52nd in the nation affording opponents 143.8 on the ground, at 3.7 yards per carry. They have given up 12 rushing touchdowns.​

While Kent State's defense is statistically the best unit Ohio State has faced in 2007, Ohio State's defense checks in as better in each facet. Sporting the number one defense in the nation against the score (7.2 per game), number 2 defense against the rush (46.5 per game), and #10 unit against he pass (163.5 per game), as well as being the number 2 defense overall, (210.0 per game) it's tough for any team to match up with the Buckeyes. Only 26 teams in the country have faced more passing attempts per game than has Ohio State (37.5/ game). No doubt that is a function of Ohio State's stifling rush D which affords opposing ball carries just 1.7 yards per carry. The Buckeyes have allowed 1 rushing touchdown and 3 passing touchdowns while picking off 7 passes.​

Defensive Line​

DT #74 Sam Frist (6-4 258 SO)
NT #55 Colin Ferrell (6-0 283 SR)
DE #90 Darrius Carter (6-5 245 JR)
​

Frist is undersized at tackle, but can turn that relative disadvantage in to a speed advantage when it comes to getting to the quarterback. He has just 4 tackles and 1 sack thus far, but is improving. Senior Colin Ferrell is a solid anchor for the 3 man line. He has the ability to both plug up the inside and can get to the quarterback as well. He has 20 tackles, 3.5 for loss with 2 sacks. Carter is a JUCO transfer who has good versatility. In 2007, Carter has recorded 12 tackles, 2 for loss and a sack.​

The two deep rotatoin is rounded out with # 52 David Filippi (6-3 236 JR), # 67 Aaron Hull (6-0 265 SO), and #91 Larry Brown (6-1 308 SR). Filippi has 15 tackles in 2007 leading all KSU linemen. Two of his tackles have been for loss. Hull was projected as a starter going in to the year, and provides a good presence. He has yet to make a tackle in the back-filed, but has recovered a fumble and made 5 stops. Brown has 1.5 TFLs and 3 Tackles this year. #95 Prishod Koonce (6-3 266 JR) began the year listed as the starter at NT, but has played in only 2 games thus far.​

DL Rating: B-​

Head-to-Head: Kent State versus OSU DL​

Vernon Gohlston - 13 Tackles, 3.5 TFL, 3 Sacks, 1 Fumble Recover (TD)
Doug Worthington - 10 Tackles, 1 BrUp
Todd Denlinger - 10 Tackles, 1 TFL
Robert Rose - 3 Tackles, 0.5 TFL
​

Kent State's line is up to the task in league play, but can be pushed around when playing against bigger teams, owing to its lack of size. In the 3-4 you prefer to have the Line hold up the offense while the LBs clean up, and that could be problematic against the Buckeyes front. The Buckeyes unit is, of course, a virtual wall against the run giving up nearly 100 yards less per game and 2 yards per carry less than does KSU. Both groups have the ability to get in to the backfield in a hurry, but Ohio State's size advantage takes more of a toll on the opposition. ​

Edge: Ohio State​

Linebackers​

BUCK #94 Kevin Hogan (6-3 226 SO)
SLB #26 Jameson Konz (6-3 207 JR)
MLB #54 Cedrick Maxwell (5-11 223 JR)
WLB #19 Derek Burrell (6-2 240 JR)
​

In KSU scheme, the Buck - a hybrid LB/DE position - gets the glory, and Kevin Hogan has proven to be up to the task. Leading the team in sacks (3.0), Hogan has 16 Tackles, 4.5 of which have been for loss. He also has a pass break up and a forced fumble to his credit. Maxwell is KSU's leading tackler with 47. He has little trouble finding and cleaning up ball carriers and has 6.5 TFLs and a sack. Burrell is 4th on the team in tackles with 40, 1.5 for loss. He has a 33 yard interception to his credit thus far. Konz is small for a LB, but has held his own for the Golden Flashes. He is 7th on the team in tackles with 25, 3.5 for loss and 2 sacks. ​

The two deep is filled out by #49 Monte Simmons (6-3 220 FR), #5 Stevon Moss (5-11 230 JR), #51 Anthony Mirando (6-2 230 SO), #57 Tim Flores (6-2 225 rFR). True Freshman Monte Simmons has done well in relief of Hogan, recording 6 tackles, 4 for loss and 2.5 sacks. Moss has 8 Tackles in 3 games, while Mirando has 10 having played in all 6 contests. Flores has just 2 tackles and has seen action in 5 of the six games.​

LB Rating: B​

Head-to-Head: Kent State versus OSU LBs​

James Laurinaitis - 48 Tackles, 45 TFLs, 3.0 Sacks, 2 INT
Marcus Freeman - 35 Tackles, 5.0 TFLs, 1.0 Sacks, 3 BrUp
Larry Grant - 20 Tackles, 7.5 TFLs, 3.0 Sacks 1 INT
​

There are few LB corps in the nation who can match up with the Buckeyes unit. While there is little question that the KSU group is among the best in the MAC, the unit is not quite the same caliber as Ohio State's group. Laurinaitis continues his spectacular play, and Freeman is coming off quite possibly his best game in an Ohio State uniform ever. Kent State expects their LBs to put pressure on Quarterbacks and stop the run, and therefore are not particularly sound defending the pass. In contrast, the Buckeyes unit is able to do all of these things. ​

Edge: Ohio State​

Secondary​

RCB #2 Jack Williams (5-9 176 SR)
WS #31 Brian Lainhart (6-1 185 SO)
SS #38 Dan Hartman (6-2 220 rFR)
LCB #7 Rico Murray (6-0 181 JR)
​

The unquestioned leader of the secondary is Jack Williams. Small at 5-9, Williams is something of an Antoine Winfield clone stepping up strong in run situations while also being KSU's best pass defender. Williams has 46 Tackles, 3 TFLs, 5 BrUps, a pick and a fumble recovery through 6 games. He is everywhere. On the other side is Rico Murray. As a Freshman in 2005 he received Honorable Mention from the Sporting News' Freshman All-America Team. Against Ohio State that year, he recored a career best 13 tackles and picked off a pass. He has recorded 32 tackles, 1 TFL, 5 BrUps and an INT thus far. The Safeties are lead by Brian Lainhart and his 42 Tackles. He leads the teams with INTs with two, and has also recovered a team leading 2 fumbles. Hartman was pressed in to action when regular starter #11 Fritz Jacques (5-11 176 SR) tore his ACL in the fourth quarter against Ohio. Now the starting Free Safety, Hartman has recorded 17 Tackles and 0.5 TFLs in 6 games this year. The Golden Flashes will miss Jacques' Senior leadership. He had 29 tackles, .5 for loss and 1 INT before his injury. ​

The two deep is rounded out by Kirk Belgrave (6-1 195 SO), #21 Danny Sadler (5-10 174 SO), and #45 Ja'Darrin Bell (6-1 185 rFR) Sadler has played in each game this season, recording 9 Tackles. Belgrave has a single tackle in 2007, while Bell, a true Freshman from Ellenwood Georgia (Decatur), has not yet recorded a tackle.​

DB Rating: B-​

Head-to-Head: Kent State versus OSU DBs​

Malcom Jenkins - 25 Tackles, 2 TFL, 2 INT, 3 BrUp
Anderson Russell - 30 Tackles, 3.5 TFLs, 3 Sacks, 4 BrUp, FF
Kurt Coleman - 27 Tackles, 2.0 TFL, 1 BrUp, Blk
Donald Washington - 14 Tackles, 1 BrUp
​

Last week, Ohio State showed just how good of a secondary they are in limiting Purdue's "basketball on grass" offense to 140 yards when it mattered. Donald Washington proved that he can defend the pass as well as anyone, and it's still best to just avoid Jenkins. The only problem with the starters is Anderson Russell's 4 missing Interceptions. If that's the worst thing, Buckeye fans will take it every day. While KSU sports the MAC's premier Corner in Williams, Jenkins gets the nod over him. The Buckeye unit is as deep as it is talented, whereas the Golden Flashes are relatively inexperienced and thin on depth. The loss of Jacques only compounds the problem. While the Flashes are a solid MAC secondary, they grade lower than the Buckeyes here.​

Edge: Ohio State​

Overall Defensive Analysis​

Kent State's defense is surprisingly good and represents the toughest test the Buckeyes have yet faced. Buckeye fans can appreciate what Pete Rekstis has established in Akron in as much as he trained under Jim Tressel as both a player and a coach. While Ohio State is far more talented than the teams Kent State typically lines up against, the Flashes won't simply roll over. The 3-4 run by Kent State, due to its smaller size, can be exploited by a power running game. Likewise, as the LBs step up in run support, and because as a unit their pass defense skills are the relative weakness of the group, Ohio State should enjoy success with the midrange passing game. Ohio State's size and speed should gradually wear down the Golden Flashes, but it's unlikely the defense will ever wave the white flag.​

Overall Defensive Rating: B​

2007 Kent State Golden Flashes Special Teams Preview

Returning Starters: 4​

P #47 Jake Kilroy (5-11 210 SO)
PK#98 Nate Reed (5-8 178 SO)
PR#22 Jon Drager (6-0 205 SR)
KR #Lots o' people
LS #60 Matt Muller (6-2 244 SR)
​

Kicking Game:​

Nate Reed is 10-12, long of 47, more than adequate.​

Jake Kilroy 38.2 yards per, but with 6 downed inside the 20.​

Kicking Game Rating: Eleventy four​

Head-to-Head: KSU vs OSU​

Trapasso and Pretorius vs. Kilroy and Reed.​

Trappaso is a Ray Guy award winner next year, mark it down. And Ryan is South African. We win.​

Edge: OSU - cuz I said so.

Return Game:
​

The kick return team has had 5 players with 3 or more returns, so they have been trying out a lot of players. Junior Shawn Bayes had a 95-yard kick return on opening day versus Delaware State and was named the MAC Special Teams Player of the Week, but only has had 2 returns since that. Others that have had opportunities include; Derek McBride, Jack Williams, Andre Flowers, and Alan Vanderink.​

Jon Drager has been the sole person returning punts and has only had a long of 19 with an average of 7 yards per. Not too bad, not too great.​

Return Game Rating: Threve​

Head-to-Head: KSU vs. OSU​

The Brians, Small and Wells vs. 5 Flashes​

More does not always equal better and this is one of those cases.​

Edge: OSU​

Overall Special Teams Analysis ​

They really aren't bad in any way and I hope that the football team isn't overlooking them as I have in this preview.​

Overall Special Teams Rating: ∏​

Predictions​

BB73's prediction: 38-3, Ohio State
​

BuckeyeRyn's prediction: 38-10, Ohio State
Buckeyeskickbuttocks' prediction: 38-10, Ohio State
Bucklion's prediction: 45-13, Ohio State
DaddyBigBucks's prediction: 42-6, Ohio State
daddyphatsac's prediction: ??-??, Ohio State
Hubbard's prediction: 27-3, Ohio State
jwinslow's prediction: 37-7, Ohio State
OSUBucks22's prediction: 41-3, Ohio State
OSUsushichic's prediction: 42-6, Ohio State
3yardsandacloud's prediction: 35-3, Ohio State
​

Previous Game's Results (OSU 23 - Purdue 7)​

Low score wins the year long battle of prediction supremacy! (Difference of actual score versus predicted score. 10 point penalty for picking the losing team.)​

(1, 19, 10, 18, 15, 18 = 81) OSUBucks22's: 31-17, Ohio State (8 + 10 = 18 + 63 last week)
(11, 14, 10, 12, 21, 22 = 90) DaddyBigBucks's prediction: 37-15, Ohio State (14 + 8 = 22 + 68 last week)
(0, 29, 15, 22, 14, 18 = 90) OSUSushichic's prediction: 31-17, Ohio State (8 + 10 = 18 + 72 last week)
(4, 29, 9, 23, 17, 27 = 99) BB73's prediction: 34-23, Ohio State (11 + 16 = 27 + 72 last week)
(2, 22, 18, 28, 17, 23 = 100) 3yardsandacloud's prediction: 35-18, Ohio State (12 + 11 = 23 + 77 last week)
(0, 33, 17, 25, 14, 21 = 100) Hubbard's prediction: 41-10, Ohio State (18 + 3 = 21 + 79 last week)
(7, 25, 14, 40, 11, 22 = 119) Buckeyeryn's prediction: 31-21, Ohio State (8 + 14 = 22 + 97 last week)
(10, 30, 15, 25, DNP (28) = 127) jwinslow's prediction: ?-?, Ohio State (DNP = 28 + 99 last week)
(16, 33, 10, 28, 19, 25 = 131) Buckeyeskickbuttocks' prediction: 38-17, Ohio State (15 + 10 = 25 + 106 last week)
(7, 22, 12, DNP (40), DNP (22), 28 = 131) daddyphatsac's prediction: 34-24, Ohio State (11 + 17 = 28 + 103 last week)
(17, 22, 16, 27, 22, 28 = 132) Bucklion's prediction: 31-27, Ohio State (8 + 20 = 28 + 104 last week)
​

Adjusted scores for weeks missed. Participant must take the highest score from the week they missed.

2007 Kent State Golden Flashes Additional Information
​

 

[daddyphatsacs]

Nice job!!!

OSU- 42
KSU- 6

 

[Swimmer]

James Laurinaitis - 48 Tackles, 45 TFLs, 3.0 Sacks, 2 INT

 

[ScarletBlood31]

James Laurinaitis - 48 Tackles, 45 TFLs, 3.0 Sacks, 2 INT

Haha beat me to it.

This guy must be pretty good....

 

[YumaBuckeye]

I think the defense finds the doughnut this weekend......OSU 51 - Flashes - 0....