TEAM: Kent State Golden Flashes (7-7, 6-2 MAC in 2021)
STAFF REPORT
OVERVIEW:
Kent State’s final 2021 record is deceptive. Two of its seven losses came in post-season play, while another three were against Big Ten and SEC.
Even the two regular season conference losses came against MAC West competition, as KSU managed to run the table against its MAC East brethren. The final win was a nailbiter, with hosting Kent State edging Miami 48-47 in overtime. That sent the Flashes to the MAC championship game, and those two teams (MU and KSU) may well battle it out again for the 2022 MAC East crown. At least that is what the preseason MAC Media poll predicted.
OVERVIEW:
Kent State’s final 2021 record is deceptive. Two of its seven losses came in post-season play, while another three were against Big Ten and SEC.
Even the two regular season conference losses came against MAC West competition, as KSU managed to run the table against its MAC East brethren. The final win was a nailbiter, with hosting Kent State edging Miami 48-47 in overtime. That sent the Flashes to the MAC championship game, and those two teams (MU and KSU) may well battle it out again for the 2022 MAC East crown. At least that is what the preseason MAC Media poll predicted.
DANTE CEPHAS OFFENSE:
► Head Coach Sean Lewis has built the Flashes into an offensive machine, and last year they topped the MAC in scoring during conference play (38.5 ppg). That was three points better than any other team and six points more than any MAC East challenger.
► The most high profile piece of last year’s squad was quarterback Dustin Crum. He earned First Team All-MAC honors and also picked up the Vern Smith Leadership Award. During his final season, the dual-threat player completed 64.1 percent of his passes, producing 3,238 yards and 20 TDs (with 6 interceptions). He also ran for 703 yards and 12 scores.
► Crum is gone (UDF - NFL, Kansas City Chiefs), but Kent State seems to have a very capable replacement ready to start. Collin Schlee (6-3, 218) resembles Crum and brings many of the same qualities to the gridiron. In limited action last year, the junior completed 16-of-23 passes (69.6%), good for 187 yards with one TD. He also ran 20 times for a total of 127 yards and three touchdowns.
► Junior Dante Cephas (First Team All-MAC) led KSU receivers in 2021, catching 82 balls for a total of 1,240 yards and nine TDs. Senior Ja’Shaun Poke recorded 26 receptions (315 yards, 1 TD) and Luke Floriea added another 10 (120 yards, 1 TD).
► The Flashes run game churned up 252.3 yards per game and 26 total TDs last season (No. 1 in MAC-play). Both running backs return, with junior Marquez Cooper and senior Xavier Williams combining for 2,017 yards with 14 touchdowns.
► KSU is replacing three starters along the O-line. However, several transfers are in the mix to join senior Sam Allan (center) and Zach Whaley (tackle). Nulan Rumlet comes over from Michigan, while Kevin Toth was formerly with Rutgers.
► Head Coach Sean Lewis has built the Flashes into an offensive machine, and last year they topped the MAC in scoring during conference play (38.5 ppg). That was three points better than any other team and six points more than any MAC East challenger.
► The most high profile piece of last year’s squad was quarterback Dustin Crum. He earned First Team All-MAC honors and also picked up the Vern Smith Leadership Award. During his final season, the dual-threat player completed 64.1 percent of his passes, producing 3,238 yards and 20 TDs (with 6 interceptions). He also ran for 703 yards and 12 scores.
► Crum is gone (UDF - NFL, Kansas City Chiefs), but Kent State seems to have a very capable replacement ready to start. Collin Schlee (6-3, 218) resembles Crum and brings many of the same qualities to the gridiron. In limited action last year, the junior completed 16-of-23 passes (69.6%), good for 187 yards with one TD. He also ran 20 times for a total of 127 yards and three touchdowns.
► Junior Dante Cephas (First Team All-MAC) led KSU receivers in 2021, catching 82 balls for a total of 1,240 yards and nine TDs. Senior Ja’Shaun Poke recorded 26 receptions (315 yards, 1 TD) and Luke Floriea added another 10 (120 yards, 1 TD).
► The Flashes run game churned up 252.3 yards per game and 26 total TDs last season (No. 1 in MAC-play). Both running backs return, with junior Marquez Cooper and senior Xavier Williams combining for 2,017 yards with 14 touchdowns.
► KSU is replacing three starters along the O-line. However, several transfers are in the mix to join senior Sam Allan (center) and Zach Whaley (tackle). Nulan Rumlet comes over from Michigan, while Kevin Toth was formerly with Rutgers.
DEFENSE:
► The Flashes weakest link in 2021 was on defense. Kent State ranked last (37.1 ppg) in scoring defense during MAC play. It then surrendered 41 while losing to Northern Illinois in the MAC championship and 52 to Wyoming at the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. In hopes of turning things around, KSU hired Jeremiah Johnson (formerly FCS - Northern Iowa) to serve as defensive coordinator.
► Senior safety Dean Clark returns after leading KSU defenders with 116 tackles. Safety Nico Bolden and Montre Miller combined for six interceptions.
► Kasean Gamble (6-1, 274) Marvin Pierce and Matt Harmon are keys along the linebacking corps. CJ West, Zayin West (330) and Matt Harmon return along the front line.
SPECIAL TEAMS:
► Andrew Glass got plenty of work last year when he converted all 50 PATs. He also made 21-of-28 field goal attempts, with a long of 43. Punter Josh Smith returns after averaging 36.2 yards per boot in 2021. Ja’Shaun Poke averaged 23.5 yards on 50 kickoff returns.
MISC:
► Kent State will again face a very challenging non-conference schedule. The Flashes travel to Washington and No. 9 Oklahoma before hosting Long Island U. in Week Three. KSU then gets right back into the fire for a trip to No. 3 Georgia.
► After hosting Ohio Oct. 1, Kent State visits Miami for one of its most important games of the season. MU got the preseason media nod to win the MAC East and last year’s game between the two programs decided the division title.
► Kent State plays Toledo, Ball State and Eastern Michigan in cross-divisional play.
► This year’s Battle for the Wagon Wheel will take place Saturday, Oct. 22 at Dix Stadium.
► “When things have been right defensively, we’ve been very good, but . . . when it hasn’t been right, it hasn’t been great. So, we’re looking for a level of consistency.” -- Sean Lewis
FINAL THOUGHTS:
Sean Lewis has created an offensive system that no opponent will look forward to facing. If you can’t get stops, the Flashes will be running up and down the field all day long.
Crum was an expert at running the offense, especially with his dual threat capabilities. His replacement, however, seems built for similar success barring a dropoff along the front line.
The non-conference schedule is really, really tough, but if KSU can come out of that healthy and improve its defense, more post-season play would seem to be on the horizon. Success there would take the Flashes to another level.
► The Flashes weakest link in 2021 was on defense. Kent State ranked last (37.1 ppg) in scoring defense during MAC play. It then surrendered 41 while losing to Northern Illinois in the MAC championship and 52 to Wyoming at the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. In hopes of turning things around, KSU hired Jeremiah Johnson (formerly FCS - Northern Iowa) to serve as defensive coordinator.
► Senior safety Dean Clark returns after leading KSU defenders with 116 tackles. Safety Nico Bolden and Montre Miller combined for six interceptions.
► Kasean Gamble (6-1, 274) Marvin Pierce and Matt Harmon are keys along the linebacking corps. CJ West, Zayin West (330) and Matt Harmon return along the front line.
SPECIAL TEAMS:
► Andrew Glass got plenty of work last year when he converted all 50 PATs. He also made 21-of-28 field goal attempts, with a long of 43. Punter Josh Smith returns after averaging 36.2 yards per boot in 2021. Ja’Shaun Poke averaged 23.5 yards on 50 kickoff returns.
MISC:
► Kent State will again face a very challenging non-conference schedule. The Flashes travel to Washington and No. 9 Oklahoma before hosting Long Island U. in Week Three. KSU then gets right back into the fire for a trip to No. 3 Georgia.
► After hosting Ohio Oct. 1, Kent State visits Miami for one of its most important games of the season. MU got the preseason media nod to win the MAC East and last year’s game between the two programs decided the division title.
► Kent State plays Toledo, Ball State and Eastern Michigan in cross-divisional play.
► This year’s Battle for the Wagon Wheel will take place Saturday, Oct. 22 at Dix Stadium.
► “When things have been right defensively, we’ve been very good, but . . . when it hasn’t been right, it hasn’t been great. So, we’re looking for a level of consistency.” -- Sean Lewis
FINAL THOUGHTS:
Sean Lewis has created an offensive system that no opponent will look forward to facing. If you can’t get stops, the Flashes will be running up and down the field all day long.
Crum was an expert at running the offense, especially with his dual threat capabilities. His replacement, however, seems built for similar success barring a dropoff along the front line.
The non-conference schedule is really, really tough, but if KSU can come out of that healthy and improve its defense, more post-season play would seem to be on the horizon. Success there would take the Flashes to another level.
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