KSU juggernaut has sights set on title
KENT STATE GOLDEN FLASHES
COACH: Sean Lewis (4th year)
2020 Record: 3-1
2021 MAC MEDIA PREDICTION: 1st MAC East (Flashes received 11 of 11 first place votes for MAC East)
COACH: Sean Lewis (4th year)
2020 Record: 3-1
2021 MAC MEDIA PREDICTION: 1st MAC East (Flashes received 11 of 11 first place votes for MAC East)
By Evan Meyer
Count MAC Media members as believers in the metamorphosis of Kent State football. They recently tabbed KSU as this year's preseason favorite to win the 2021 MAC East crown.
Best supporting evidence may have been the end of the 2019 season. Kent State won its last three games, then defeated Utah State to win the Frisco Bowl -- the first ever bowl win in school history.
The Flashes continued their roll early in 2020, winning their first three games. Buffalo, however, ended KSU's streak by . . .
Count MAC Media members as believers in the metamorphosis of Kent State football. They recently tabbed KSU as this year's preseason favorite to win the 2021 MAC East crown.
Best supporting evidence may have been the end of the 2019 season. Kent State won its last three games, then defeated Utah State to win the Frisco Bowl -- the first ever bowl win in school history.
The Flashes continued their roll early in 2020, winning their first three games. Buffalo, however, ended KSU's streak by . . .
. . . producing even more offense in a 70-41slugfest.
With its remaining games canceled due to covid issues, KSU finished with a 3-1 record. That gave Kent State football its first consecutive winning seasons since 1976-77.
Flashes success was noted, and the main architect -- Sean Lewis -- recently signed a contract extension that carries through 2025.
Here's more on the Flashes . . .
With its remaining games canceled due to covid issues, KSU finished with a 3-1 record. That gave Kent State football its first consecutive winning seasons since 1976-77.
Flashes success was noted, and the main architect -- Sean Lewis -- recently signed a contract extension that carries through 2025.
Here's more on the Flashes . . .
Dustin Crum has proven to be one of the most dynamic offensive threats in the MAC. OFFENSE:
>> In its four games of 2020, Kent State averaged over 600 yards of offense per game -- the only team in the entire Football Bowl Subdivision to do that.
>> Nine starters off that unit return, including dynamic quarterback Dustin Crum. He earned First Team All-MAC honors last year and figures to be key figure in MAC play again this time around.
>> Last season Crum completed 73.5 percent of his passes (83-of-113) for 1.181 yards with 12 touchdowns and only two interceptions. In addition, he rushed for an additional 240 yards and four scores.
>> Over the last two seasons, Crum has passed for 3,863 yards with 32 touchdowns and only four interceptions. He also has rushed for 847 more yards and 10 touchdowns.
>> The running game should again be strong. Along with Crum, Kent State has sophomore RB Marquez Cooper. He led the team with 282 yards and three touchdowns. Junior Brian Bradford owned 234 yards. Xavier Williams who had 213 yards and three touchdowns a season ago, is a popular option around the goal line.
>> KSU receivers are solid despite the graduation of Isiah McKoy to the NFL. Junior De’Shon Poke is the top returning receiver with 21 catches for 236 yards and three touchdowns. Junior WR Issac Vance had 17 catches for 148 yards, along with senior TE Adam Dulka.
>> The offensive line brings back three returnees in senior LG Adam Gregoire, RG Nathan Monnan, and C Jack Clement.
>> In its four games of 2020, Kent State averaged over 600 yards of offense per game -- the only team in the entire Football Bowl Subdivision to do that.
>> Nine starters off that unit return, including dynamic quarterback Dustin Crum. He earned First Team All-MAC honors last year and figures to be key figure in MAC play again this time around.
>> Last season Crum completed 73.5 percent of his passes (83-of-113) for 1.181 yards with 12 touchdowns and only two interceptions. In addition, he rushed for an additional 240 yards and four scores.
>> Over the last two seasons, Crum has passed for 3,863 yards with 32 touchdowns and only four interceptions. He also has rushed for 847 more yards and 10 touchdowns.
>> The running game should again be strong. Along with Crum, Kent State has sophomore RB Marquez Cooper. He led the team with 282 yards and three touchdowns. Junior Brian Bradford owned 234 yards. Xavier Williams who had 213 yards and three touchdowns a season ago, is a popular option around the goal line.
>> KSU receivers are solid despite the graduation of Isiah McKoy to the NFL. Junior De’Shon Poke is the top returning receiver with 21 catches for 236 yards and three touchdowns. Junior WR Issac Vance had 17 catches for 148 yards, along with senior TE Adam Dulka.
>> The offensive line brings back three returnees in senior LG Adam Gregoire, RG Nathan Monnan, and C Jack Clement.
DEFENSE:
>> The 3-4 alignment allowed 38 points and 424 yards per outing in the shortened 2020 season. However, the Flashes do bring back nine starters, with the strength of the defense in the linebackers and the secondary. LB is anchored by senior Kaesean Gamble, sophomore Brandon Coleman, and Mandela Lawrence-Burke.
>> The secondary is led by senior CB Elvis Himes and junior safety Dean Clark. The former had 13 total tackles (11 solo) three pass breakups and an interception. Clark led the team in tackles with 28 (19 solo) and a pick. Transfers Nico Bolden (New Mexico) and Antwaine Richardson (Maryland) could be a lift for the secondary.
SPECIAL TEAMS:
>> Some of the biggest questions concerning Kent State football in 2021 are about special teams. Over the past two seasons, the kicking game relied on Matthew Trickett, who became one of the top place kickers in the MAC. As 2021 opens, freshmen figure to step into punting and place kicking roles.
Australian Jack Britt will start as the punter while Cory Majer and Scott Phillips will battle for the place kicking job.
THE SCHEDULE:
>> KSU opens the 2021 campaign against SEC member Texas A&M. The Flashes then return home to host FCS member Virginia Military. Trips to Big Ten programs Iowa and Maryland round out the non-conference slate.
>> The Flashes open MAC play Oct. 2 when Bowling Green comes to town and Buffalo follows the next week. While KSU must travel to Ohio, it gets both Buffalo and Miami at home. The latter is Nov. 25, ending MAC the regular season.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
Expectations on this team are extremely high as coach Lewis heads into his fourth season. The Flashes will not be able to sneak up on anybody, and four different teams drew first place votes in the preseason MAC Media poll.
>> The 3-4 alignment allowed 38 points and 424 yards per outing in the shortened 2020 season. However, the Flashes do bring back nine starters, with the strength of the defense in the linebackers and the secondary. LB is anchored by senior Kaesean Gamble, sophomore Brandon Coleman, and Mandela Lawrence-Burke.
>> The secondary is led by senior CB Elvis Himes and junior safety Dean Clark. The former had 13 total tackles (11 solo) three pass breakups and an interception. Clark led the team in tackles with 28 (19 solo) and a pick. Transfers Nico Bolden (New Mexico) and Antwaine Richardson (Maryland) could be a lift for the secondary.
SPECIAL TEAMS:
>> Some of the biggest questions concerning Kent State football in 2021 are about special teams. Over the past two seasons, the kicking game relied on Matthew Trickett, who became one of the top place kickers in the MAC. As 2021 opens, freshmen figure to step into punting and place kicking roles.
Australian Jack Britt will start as the punter while Cory Majer and Scott Phillips will battle for the place kicking job.
THE SCHEDULE:
>> KSU opens the 2021 campaign against SEC member Texas A&M. The Flashes then return home to host FCS member Virginia Military. Trips to Big Ten programs Iowa and Maryland round out the non-conference slate.
>> The Flashes open MAC play Oct. 2 when Bowling Green comes to town and Buffalo follows the next week. While KSU must travel to Ohio, it gets both Buffalo and Miami at home. The latter is Nov. 25, ending MAC the regular season.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
Expectations on this team are extremely high as coach Lewis heads into his fourth season. The Flashes will not be able to sneak up on anybody, and four different teams drew first place votes in the preseason MAC Media poll.
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