Kent State Team Report

INSIDE SLANT

The Golden Flashes’ final regular season game served as a microcosm of their 2009 season. All season, the Golden Flashes showed bursts of promise only to falter at key times, whether by injuries to important players or lack of focus.

Kent State faded down the stretch to finish 5-7 and 3-5 in the MAC East Division. The Golden Flashes talked about landing a bowl spot and then finishing with a .500 record late in the season. Both goals fell short with a disappointing 9-6 loss to Buffalo at Dix Stadium.

The Golden Flashes fell into an early hole after defeating Coastal Carolina in their regular season opener. A season-ending injury to tailback Eugene Jarvis severely hampered the offense. Without Jarvis, the Golden Flashes were forced to rely on young, unproven players at tailback.

Jacquise Terry and Dri Archer stepped up in Jarvis’ absence. Terry moved into the starting lineup, leading the Golden Flashes with 649 yards on 138 carries. Terry, a sophomore, started seven games and averaged 4.7 yards per rush. Archer, a freshman, rushed for 93 yards in KSU’s loss to Buffalo to finish behind Terry with 246 yards. If Jarvis gains a sixth year of eligibility, the Golden Flashes will have a formidable rushing attack in 2010.

Another positive in KSU’s lost season was true freshman quarterback Spencer Keith. Giorgio Morgan and Anthony Maguzu both dealt with injuries and bouts of ineffectiveness, paving the way for KSU coach Doug Martin to lift Keith’s redshirt season.

All Keith did was post big numbers in his six starts. Keith completed 168 passes for 2,147 yards and 14 touchdowns before succumbing to a season-ending right shoulder injury in the second-to-last game.

Wide receiver Tyshon Goode paced the offense with 53 receptions for 755 yards and five touchdowns. The true freshman is one of a group of solid first-year contributors ready to lift the KSU program out of the doldrums. Right tackle Brian Winters and kicker Freddy Cortez both had solid years as freshmen.

The KSU defense racked up some solid numbers despite the injuries on offense. The defense held four teams without an offensive touchdown in 2008, and recorded 33 sacks in 12 games, one shy of the school record. Junior safety Brian Lainhart had seven interceptions and junior linebacker Cobrani Mixon tallied 108 tackles.

NOTES, QUOTES

Game Of The Year:   Kent State 26, Western Michigan 14—Kent State won its third straight game to control its own destiny for the MAC East Division title. Spencer Keith threw for 373 yards and Tyshon Goode had 198 yards receiving to spark the Golden Flashes to their fifth win.

Players Of The Year:  

TB Spencer Keith—The true freshman had his redshirt season lifted after injuries and ineffectiveness by Giorgio Morgan and Anthony Maguzu. Keith lived up to his lofty billing, passing for 2,147 yards and 14 touchdowns. Keith passed for 373 yards in KSU’s win over Western Michigan. He missed the regular season finale after suffering a right shoulder separation.

LB Cobrani Mixon—The junior paced the Golden Flashes with 108 tackles. He finished with at least 10 tackles in six games, including five at home. Mixon tallied 10.5 tackles for a loss and recovered two fumbles.

DE Monte Simmons—Started just seven games, but posted big numbers for KSU’s defense. Simmons led the defense with 16 tackles for a loss, including eight sacks.

Fast Forward:   The Golden Flashes face some difficult questions regarding the future of coach Doug Martin. The Golden Flashes return the bulk of their roster, including numerous talented first-year players. The offense is primed for a big season with the emergence of quarterback Spencer Keith, Tyshon Goode, Jacquise Terry and Dri Archer. The defense racked up 33 sacks and held four teams without an offensive touchdown. Linebacker Cobrani Mixon, defensive end Monte Simmons and safety Brian Lainhart all should be back for their final seasons, giving KSU the potential for another big season.

Recruiting Trail:   With the future of KSU coach Doug Martin in doubt, the Golden Flashes could lose—or gain depending on the hire—several recruits. The Golden Flashes have six commitments as of late November. Four of the six players come from the defensive side, with help coming in the form of linebacker Zack Hitchens, defensive tackle Roosevelt Nix and end Elias Sayre. All three players are ranked as two-star prospects by Rivals.com.

Quote To Note:   “Our players battled hard. It’s just unfortunate. We did about as good as you could do with the cards we’ve been dealt. When you have to play three quarterbacks in a year, that’s just the way it goes. Unfortunately, we’ve been through that for about five years around here.”—KSU sixth-year coach Doug Martin on the season-ending loss to Buffalo.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

Players To Watch In 2010:  

QB Spencer Keith—Gives the Golden Flashes a promising future. As a true freshman, Keith was thrust into playing duty due to poor play and injuries to the top two quarterbacks. Keith passed for 2,147 yards and 14 touchdowns before suffering a season-ending separated right shoulder.

WR Tyshon Goode—The true freshman led the team with 53 catches for 755 yards and five touchdowns. Goode had 198 yards receiving in a victory over Western Michigan.

DE Monte Simmons—Helped the KSU defense become one of the best in the league. The junior racked up 16 tackles for a loss and eight sacks.

Pro Prospects:  

WR Jameson Konz—At 6-foot-3, 222 pounds, Konz is a big target and improved throughout the season.

DE Kevin Hogan—A solid pass rusher who had big games against Ohio and Eastern Michigan. Hogan finished with 21.5 career sacks after moving from buck linebacker to end.

NT Sam Frist—A reliable player with the ability to improve after an infection in his foot hampered his preseason.

DT Aaron Hull—Might receive some looks by NFL teams after a productive senior season. Hull is a strong player with strength to impress teams.

Roster Report:  

• TB Eugene Jarvis will try and get a sixth year of eligibility after suffering a season-ending injury in the opener.

• QB Spencer Keith missed the regular season finale due to a separated right shoulder. Keith should be healthy to participate in spring drills.