At last, football season is finally here. No more countdown to kickoff, just sounds of pads hitting pads. The Flames open their (and college football’s) season Thursday night against FBS & MAC member Kent State. Kickoff is scheduled for 6pm and will be televised on ESPN3.
Kent State head coach Paul Haynes
The Golden Flashes are coming off one of their best seasons in school history. Kent State went 11-3, won the MAC East division, and made an appearance in the GoDaddy.com Bowl. Kent State did face 1 FCS team last season in Towson, winning 41-21 to open the 2012 season. Following the season, head coach Darrell Hazell accepted the head coaching position at Purdue, and Kent State eventually hired Paul Haynes. Haynes played his college ball at Kent State from 1987 to 1991. He has been coaching since the 1990s and his career has led him to stops at Louisville, Michigan State, Ohio State, and Arkansas. This is his first head coaching job though.
One of the biggest question marks Coach Haynes had to answer was who his starting quarterback was going to be following the graduation of Spencer Keith. Redshirt-freshman Colin Reardon and senior David Fisher were battling during the offseason, but Haynes recently named Reardon the starter. Reardon has been described as a “good athlete, who can run.” His experienced receivers should help his maturity early in the season.
Trayion Durham
All the hype surrounding Kent State the past year involves Dri Archer and for good reason. The explosive running back burst onto the national scene last season by leading the nation in yards per carry (9.0) and amassing over 2,600 all purpose yards. Archer is undoubtedly the focal point of the Golden Flashes’ offense, running the ball out of the backfield, leading the team in receiving yards last season, and routinely taking kick-offs into the end zone. Not to be outdone by Archer is junior running back Trayion Durham. Durham rushed for over 1,300 yards and 14 touchdowns last season.
The only hindrance to the Golden Flashes having an unstoppable rushing attack could be in their inexperienced offensive line. Kent State has to replace 3 starters from last year’s line including 2 that are in the NFL. If Coach Haynes is able to develop a cohesive group of lineman, Kent State should not skip a beat from 2012’s success at running the ball.
Defensively, Kent State returns 5 starters from a team that gave up 24.5 points to their opposition which was 44th in the nation. The Golden Flashes’ rush defense was solid as it gave up 138 yards rushing per game, good for 33rd in the country. Teams lit up Kent State’s defense through the air last season as they ranked 105th in the nation in pass defense.
Liberty kicker John Lunsford
One area where Liberty may have an advantage is in the kicking game. The Flames return all-conference performers in both kicker John Lunsford and punter Grant Bowden. Kent State returns punter Anthony Melchiori who has “next-level” potential at punter, but they must replace kicker Freddy Cortez. Melchiori will handle kickoffs and long-range field goals while redshirt-freshman kicker will handle extra points and short-range field goals. Having to handle punts, kickoffs, and field goals could take its toll on Melchiori.
Prediction: The Flames have fared well recently against FBS opponents including a victory over Ball State, the last MAC team Liberty faced. This Kent State team is nothing like that Ball State team though. Kent State has a Heisman hopeful in Dri Archer, and a new head coach looking to make a solid first impression. Liberty will keep it competitive, but the Flames inexperience at receiver and running back could spell trouble in trying to keep up with the Flashes.
Kent State 31
Liberty 17
