• Blog
  • About Us
  • Links
  MAC Reporter Online

QB production is top question for Flashes

8/24/2016

 
Picture
The following is part of a MAC Reporter Online series previewing the 2016 outlook for each MAC school. Stats are for all games, unless otherwise noted.
 
TEAM:  Kent State Golden Flashes
2015 RECORD: 3-9, 2-6 MAC (4th in MAC East)
HEAD COACH: Paul Haynes (3rd year)
MAC MEDIA PRESEASON POLL RANK: 6th in MAC East
 
When you have the lowest scoring offense among FBS teams, you better have a really good defense.

That kind of summarizes much of the 2015 Kent State Golden Flashes and may speak some of 2016, as well. Seventeen starters (9 offense and 8 defense) return off a team that won three games overall and two MAC encounters. One of the wins was over a team (UMass) no longer in the conference. The other was over one of college football’s youngest teams (Miami) entering its third year of a rebuild.

​
The Flashes scored . . . 

. . . more than 21 points just once in Mid-American play. With so much of the cast returning, there will need to be improvement if KSU is going to move up in the standings.
 
BIG PICTURE STAT OVERVIEW
Scoring offense: 13th (13.1 ppg)
Scoring defense: 5th (26.1 ppg)
Total offense: 13th (270.8 ypg)
Total defense: 3rd (350.1 ypg)
Turnover margin: 11th (-3/-0.25)
​
PictureNick Holley's return could bolster the KSU run game.
OFFENSE:
If there is one question hovering over Kent State, it is how can the Flashes pick up production from the quarterback position.

Colin Reardon and George Bollas completed just 51 percent of their passes last year. They also combined to throw nine TDs against 10 interceptions. Ultimately, struggles with passing affected the running game and vice versa.
Bollas is back and likely has the edge over redshirt freshman Mylike Mitchell and true freshman Justin Agner. Reardon has moved out to an end spot. At this stage, whoever can get things going will be welcome.

There is some talent to work with, and the offensive line returns four starters. The return of Nick Holley, who missed the last nine games with an injury, could be a real boost for the running game. It likely won’t be a return to the days of Eugene Jarvis (1,669 yards in 2007) or the 2013 thunder-lightning duo of Trayion Durham and Dri Archer, but it could certainly be better than last year’s No. 11 rushing rank with 132.8 ypg.
​
Three starters return among the wide receivers, which are young overall, but they have potential. 

You look at our games last year; we would drive the ball and then have a stupid penalty … or turn the ball over. You know you can’t beat two teams on Saturday. We can’t beat ourselves. It comes down to execution. We’ve got to execute better. -- Head coach Paul Haynes.
PictureNate Holley led the Flashes with 141 tackles.
DEFENSE:
The outlook should be a little brighter on defense. Senior Terrence Waugh (DE) and Nate Holley (FS) were both First Team All MAC players. The latter led Kent State with 141 tackles, including 79 solos and 5 TFL.  Waugh topped the team in TFL with 12 and also sacks (9.0). Three of four linemen and two of three linebackers are returning starters. Elcee Refuge (70) and Darius Redmond (34) combined for 104 stops from the linebacker level.
​
Demetrius Monday and Najae Murray are an experienced duo in the secondary. Combined with Holley at the back end, KSU should again fare relatively well in defending the pass. The Flashes ranked third in pass defense (206,2 ypg) last year and were fifth in pass defense efficiency.
 
SPECIALISTS:
Punter Anthony Melchiori, a stalwart at punting, is gone, so that is one of the “fill needs” for Kent State this season. Placekicker Shane Hynes is back after hitting 7 of 11 field goals and all 13 extra points. 
​

We (threw) a lot of guys into the fire year one that we were there, and now all those guys are fourth year (and) fifth year players. Now we should see it on the field as far as changing from 3-9 to something better. … Definitely, our expectation level goes up with those guys. -- Head coach Paul Haynes
OVERVIEW:
The Flashes are a great example of just how important the quarterback position is. It’s not a good sign if you have to say your team can go as far as your defense takes it.
But there are a lot of weapons at hand if QB play improves and Kent State can stay relatively healthy. The non-conference slate includes dates at Penn State and Alabama. The rivalry Battle for the Wagon Wheel, in fact, follows KSU’s game at ‘Bama as Kent State hosts Akron.
​
Certainly the last third of the schedule will be tough as KSU faces Central Michigan and Bowling Green on the road, while hosting Western Michigan and Northern Illinois at home. 

Comments are closed.
    Picture

    MAC Football 

    MAC FOOTBALL 
    2024
    REGULAR SEASON
    FINAL STANDINGS
    CLICK HERE

    Picture
    MAC Basketball 
    MAC BASKETBALL SCHEDULE

    MAC BASKETBALL
    STATISTICS

    RSS Feed

    Categories

    All
    Basketball
    Football
    Other

    Archives

    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014

Proudly powered by Weebly