Thursday, Aug. 31 - 7 p.m. ET
FBC Mortgage Stadium - Orlando Fl
FS1
WEATHER
Assuming weather doesn't upset plans, Kent State will open its 2023 football season Thursday in Orlando when the Flashes battle Central Florida.
As of Tuesday, Hurricane Idalia was off the west coast of Florida and tracking somewhat north of the Orlando area. The "worst" of that was anticipated Tuesday and Wednesday. Such storms being a bit unpredictable, plenty of interested parties will be checking the weather in the coming days. (Note: We have included a weather link above!!)
With the departure of Head Coach Sean Lewis (Colorado) and other off-season moves, KSU will have a different look. The preseason MAC head coaches poll took note and predicted Kent State will finish last in the MAC East.
Central Florida, meanwhile, is undergoing another kind of change as it joins the Big 12 conference. A media preseason poll ranked UCF as eighth among 14 teams heading into 2023.
Central Florida went 9-5 overall last year and was 6-2 in American Athletic Conference play. Kent State was 5-7 overall, with a 4-4 Mid-American Conference record.
Here's more on the two teams:
>> the Knights averaged 32.9 ppg in 2022.
>> Head Coach Gus Malzahn will now share offensive duties after appointing former UCF quarterback Darin Hinshaw as offensive co-coordinator. That move was part of UCF's efforts to elevate its passing game.
>> Quarterback John Rys Plumlee is back. He led the team in rushing yards (159 carries, 862 yards, 11 TDs) last year and completed 63 percent of his passes. The 218 completions were good for 2,586 yards and 14 TDs with eight interceptions.
>> Javon Baker paced UCF receivers with 56 catches for 796 yards (5 TDs), Kove Hudson was third with 39 receptions, 641 yards, 7 TDs).
>> UCF rushed on 57 percent of its non-kicking plays, averaging 5.2 ypc. R.J. Harvey was third on the team in rushing, carrying 118 times for a total of 796 yards (6.7 ypc). There are also playmakers down the depth chart, including former five-star recruit Demarkcus Bowman (previously Clemson, Florida).
>> Lokahi Pauole is a fifth-year senior who will anchor a line that could include several transfers.
>> Central Florida has a stout defensive line that includes DT Ricky Barber, DE Josh Celiscar and DE Tre;Mon Morris-Brash. The latter recorded 13 TFL.
>> Linebacker Jason Johnson led the team with 126 hits in 2023.
>> There is returning experience at the corners, but Fred Davis (Clemson) could join that group, while transfers could play a significant role in filling safety spots.
>> Colton Boomer hit 42-of-43 PATs and 14-of-15 field goals (long of 43). Australian Mitch McCarthy averaged 43.3 yards per punt.
KENT STATE GOLDEN FLASHES
Complete preseason preview HERE
Final Thoughts:
Kent State has particularly tough assignments in the first two weeks. Hopefully, the Flashes can make progress in developing players within new schemes.
The Knights are balanced enough to test KSU's defense from front to back. Plumlee is the kind of dual threat that Kent State used on its opponents during Lewis' time at the helm. Central Florida's defense, meanwhile has a decent mixture of returning talent and transfers. Will the Flashes get enough from their passing game to take pressure off a ground game in transition?