Maize's Golden Flashes: A Kent State Dynasty

[Maize08]

Quote: Originally Posted by hockeyplaya2724

This looks interesting, good luck!

Hey, thanks a lot. I'm really interested to get this going. Sorry about the major delay, but work didn't allow much of a chance to play. Season Preview, Roster, MAC Media Day, and Top 25 will all be posted tonight.

First game will be posted tomorrow.

[Maize08]

2010 Kent State Football Preview
Last season, Kent State fought through injuries to scrap together a five win season. It started with losing their Senior playmaker, leader, and running back Eugene Jarvis. In his absence, the offense struggled, especially on the ground. The passing attack was led by a true Freshman who was "learning by doing."

Under Head Coach Doug Martin, the Kent State football team has gone through many changes. Including changing from a balanced offensive scheme, to a pass heavy, and now a spread offense. Coaches have come and gone, and yet the team he has assembled for 2010 seems to be his best yet.

Questions surround the offense, but the team will rely on a tough defense that is returning seven starters. If everyone can stay healthy, and the offense can find success and consistency - Doug Martin could be taking the Golden Flashes bowling.

Offense
Returning Starters: 8
Strengths: The team will be led at the skill positions by players they can rely on to step up. Eugene Jarvis is back for his sixth season, chasing records and an NFL dream. Tyshon Goode showed tremendous potential as a freshman last season, and now becomes the team's top option. Jonathan Simpson is a pass-catching tight end that could challenge to be the team's leader in receptions.
Weaknesses: Experience, specifically on the offensive line. For the offense to break through in '10, the O-Line might have to come together quickly. Three starters are back, but only one (Chris Anzevino) started every game last season. The pass protection seems adequate, but the run blocking must improve.
Keep An Eye On: Spencer Keith. Last season, the coaching staff was high on the freshman Keith's ability. Yet, Giorgio Morgan was the Quarterback in waiting following Julian Edelman's departure. After Morgan's opening week injury, Keith took the reigns and never let go. Morgan made appearances, but Keith showed poise, an understanding of the offense, and a better arm. A year of experience could make him a rising star in the MAC Conference.
-
Defense
Returning Starters: 7
Strengths: Playmakers at every level. Up front, the team is led by a pair of tackles, including returning starter Quinton Rainey. Rainey is an all-around force, and now gets a chance to play next to Ishma'ail Kitchen. At linebacker, Cobrani Mixon led the Flashes in tackles last season. He is a ball hawk and leader for a strong unit. Then in the secondary, Brian Lainhart is making a case of being the team's best defender. Although it will be tough to snag 7 interceptions again.
Weaknesses: The rush defense improved in '09, but the team now has to replace two players on the defensive line. "Buck" player Monte Simmons might have to stop disappearing on rushing plays. Depth is also an issue as the team cannot afford any injuries to key starters.
Keep An Eye On: Dorian Wood. A senior who finally gets a chance to start, Wood wants to lead the team in tackles. Former Michigan transfer Cobrani Mixon has something to say about the team's leader in tackles, so the two have a bet going on their season's total. Wood is ferocious and competitive, and could be the fuel and new starter the team needs.
-
Report Card: Offense - C- // Defense - C // Special Teams - B-
-
Schedule: The Flashes' season opens easy (FCS Opponent), but gets tough in a hurry. Three straight road games include trips to Boston College and Happy Valley. Then they open conference play against an improved Miami University squad. Following the first four, is a home game against rival Akron, and two more tough road games in the state of Ohio (Toledo, Bowling Green). The season ends with four of the last five at home. But they host MAC-favorites Temple and close the season with Ohio. Momentum is important, but Kent State must take their lumps and focus on one game at a time. A bowl game is not out of the question, but they must have a winning conference record to do so.
-
Overview: It is season seven for Doug Martin as Head Coach, and it could be 'un'lucky number seven. A new Athletic Director is watching closely and success is expected from a team that returns 17 starters. A MAC East title is not out of the question, but the offense must play to its strengths and include a more balanced approach. Staying healthy, aggressive, and competitive is the name of the game. That is if Doug Martin wants to keep his job, and the football program plans on making its' first bowl game since 1972.

[Maize08]

2010 Kent State Football Roster
17 Returning Starters: 8 on Offense, 7 on Defense, 2 on Special Teams

3 Spencer Keith, QB - 6'3" 215 - SO. - 70 OVR*
14 Giorgio Morgan, QB - 6'4" 207 - JR. (RS) - 69 OVR
12 Cedric McCloud, QB - 6'2" 218 - FR. - 53 OVR
2 Sal Battles, QB - 5'11" 216 - SO. (RS) - 47 OVR
-
6 Eugene Jarvis, RB - 5'6" 170 - SR. (RS) - 83 OVRC
22 Jaquise Terry, RB - 6'0" 183 - JR. - 68 OVR*
10 Andre Flowers, RB - 5'11" 220 - SR. - 59 OVR
27 Dri Archer, RB - 5'7" 162 - SO. - 59 OVR
26 Robert Holloman, RB - 5'9" 170 - SR. - 46 OVR
87 Nick Masters, FB - 6'4" 244 - SR. (RS) - 46 OVR
-
5 Tyshon Goode, WR - 6'1" 182 - SO. - 74 OVR*
15 Kendrick Pressley, WR - 5'11" 187 - JR. - 69 OVR*
18 Sam Kirkland, WR - 6'1" 191 - JR. (RS) - 68 OVR
25 Anthony Bowman, WR - 5'10" 168 - SR. - 67 OVR
82 Chris Gordon, WR - 5'10" 170 - SO. (RS) - 63 OVR
8 Matthew Hurdle, WR - 6'3" 185 - SO. (RS) - 63 OVR
13 Leneric Muldrow, WR - 5'7" 178 - SR. (RS) - 61 OVR
17 Ed Cazenave, WR - 6'2" 199 - FR. (RS) - 59 OVR
9 Lynn Townsend, WR - 5'8" 175 - FR. - 49 OVR
-
24 Jonathan Simpson, TE - 6'5" 237 - SR. - 69 OVR*
81 Justin Thompson, TE - 6'1" 220 - JR. - 64 OVR
83 Markus Burton, TE - 6'2" 215 - JR. (RS) - 56 OVR
88 Mike Levandowski, TE - 6'5" 230 - FR. (RS) - 49 OVR
-
68 Brian Waters, LT - 6'5" 270 - SO. - 63 OVR
65 Kent Cleveland, LT - 6'4" 294 - SO. (RS) - 59 OVR
-
69 Michael Fay, LG - 6'4" 294 - JR. (RS) - 60 OVR*
71 Charles Laster, LG - 6'4" 290 - JR. (RS) - 54 OVR
-
55 Chris Anzevino, C - 6'2" 305 - JR. (RS) - 74 OVR*
61 Joshua Kline, C - 6'3" 304 - SO. (RS) - 64 OVR
-
76 Bryan Wagner, RG - 6'5" 301 - SO. - 66 OVR
67 Max Plunkett, RG - 6'8" 305 - FR. (RS) - 55 OVR
51 Tyler Arend, RG - 6'5" 295 - FR. (RS) - 46 OVR
-
66 Brian Winters, RT - 6'5" 305 - SO. - 67 OVR*
64 Seamus Garvey, RT - 6'6" 277 - SO. (RS) - 50 OVR
--
77 Lee Stalker, LE - 6'2" 252 - JR. (RS) - 69 OVR*
57 Jake Dooley, LE - 6'2" 236 - SO. - 60 OVR
-
97 Zach Williams, RE - 6'3" 255 - SR. - 61 OVR
49 Monte Simmons, RE - 6'3" 226 - SR. - 58 OVR*
-
93 Ishma'ail Kitchen, DT - 6'3" 304 - JR. (RS) - 66 OVR
48 Quinton Rainey, DT - 5'11" 255 - SR. (RS) - 65 OVR*
98 Robert Kearney, DT - 6''4" 290 - FR. - 60 OVR
95 Terrell Johnson, DT - 6'2" 260 - FR. - 60 OVR
-
1 Will Johnson, LOLB - 6'0" 209 - JR. (RS) - 69 OVR*
44 Byron Tyson, LOLB - 5'10" 213 - JR. (RS) - 65 OVR
53 Mack Fackler, LOLB - 6'4" 235 - FR. - 57 OVR
-
11 Cobrani Mixon, MLB - 6'1" 240 - SR. - 72 OVR*C
56 Howard Bowens, MLB - 6'0" 216 - SR. - 65 OVR
52 Brandon Hazzard, MLB - 6'0" 245 - FR. - 57 OVR
59 Steve Mehrer, MLB - 6'2" 215 - FR. (RS) - 54 OVR
-
35 Dorian Wood, ROLB - 6'1" 235 - SR. - 70 OVR
30 Luke Batton, ROLB - 6'0" 220 - SO. - 51 OVR
58 Danny Gress, ROLB - 6'0" 220 - FR. (RS) - 50 OVR
-
2 Josh Pleasant, CB - 5'10" 181 - JR. - 66 OVR*
36 Norman Wolfe, CB - 5'8" 163 - JR. - 62 OVR
37 Kirk Belgrave, CB - 6'0" 181 - SR. - 61 OVR
23 Chris Gilbert, CB - 6'1" 198 - JR. - 59 OVR
41 Sam Miller, CB - 6'0" 183 - FR. (RS) - 45 OVR
21 Sidney Saulter, CB - 6'0" 173 - SO. (RS) - 43 OVR
-
31 Brian Lainhart, FS - 6'1" 207 - SR. (RS) - 70 OVR*
15 Zack Gonosz, FS - 5'10" 203 - SO. - 67 OVR
34 Calvin Tiggle, FS - 5'11" 190 - FR. - 65 OVR
20 Leon Green, FS - 5'11" 204 - SO. (RS) - 64 OVR
-
38 Dan Hartman, SS - 6'2" 205 - SR. (RS) - 69 OVR
7 Fabrice Pratt, SS - 6'2" 184 - SO. - 63 OVR
Luke Wollett, SS - 6'0 183 - FR. - 58 OVR
--
45 Freddy Cortez, K - 6'0" 200 - SO. - 72 OVR*
46 Matt Rinehart, P - 5'9" 171 - JR. - 73 OVR*
--
Bold - Starter
* - Returning Starter
C - Captain
Blue - Impact Player
Red - Redshirt
--

[Maize08]

2010 Media Day

MAC Pre-Season Poll
During the Mid American Conference's Media Day in Detroit, members of the media cast their ballots for the upcoming season. 20 select media members had to decide the standings for the MAC East and West Division. A team earning a first place vote would earn 20 points, second place 19, third 18, fourth 17, fifth 16, sixth 15, and seventh place (East Only) 14 points. The teams were then ranked based on their respective points. Total of points in the East is 560, and in the West it is 420. The best possible point total in the East would be 140 points (20 first place votes), and 120 points in the West (20 first place votes).

MAC East Division
1. Temple (17) - 137 points
2. Ohio (3) - 116 points
3. Kent State - 94 points
4. Bowling Green - 74 points
5. Miami Univ. - 54 points
6. Buffalo - 48 points
7. Akron - 38 points

MAC West Division
1. Northern Illinois (15) - 115 points
2. Central Michigan (3) - 83 points
3. Western Michigan (2) - 77 points
4. Toledo - 75 points
5. Ball State - 50 points
6. Eastern Michigan - 20 points
() - First Place Votes

Each voting member then had to pick their 2010 MAC Championship Game Winner. Temple is considered the favorite to win the 2010 MAC Championship, receiving 11 of 20 votes. Northern Illinois followed with 5, along with the Ohio Bobcats in third with 3 votes. 3 members did not vote for the Championship Game Winner.

[Maize08]

Pre-Season Outlook

Pre-Season Top 25
1. Alabama
2. Ohio State
3. Texas
4. Oregon
5. Boise State
6. Florida
7. Virginia Tech
8. TCU
9. Nebraska
10. Iowa
11. Wisconsin
12. Georgia Tech
13. USC
14. Miami
15. Oklahoma
16. Pittsburgh
17. LSU
18. Penn State
19. Oregon State
20. Arkansas
21. Florida State
22. North Carolina
23. Utah
24. Cincinnati
25. Houston

-

Pre-Season Heisman Watch
1. Mark Ingram, RB, Alabam
2. Case Keenum, QB, Houston
3. Kellen Moore, QB, Houston
4. Terrelle Pryor, QB, Ohio State
5. Jake Locker, QB, Washington

[chestnutz6]

I'm looking forward to this. Interesting some of your starters on defense look like they have better players backing them up, why's that? Do they just have a skillset you prefer?

[PVarck31]

As a Kent State alum, I will be checking in on this.

[blakjak12]

Looks cool. Have fun in the MAC.