2011 Kent State Football Predictions
Written by Patrick Webb
Kent State is looking to improve on a 5-7 record in former Ohio State assistant Darrell Hazell’s first season as the head coach. This team was competitive in nearly every MAC game last season with only Temple and Western Michigan having decisive victories.
The Golden Flashes have a tough non-conference schedule, but several factors lean towards a shot at a bowl bid for KSU this season. Hazell has an offensive background and takes over a team that returns 9 starters to the offensive side of the ball including a two year starter in junior QB Spencer Keith. They return an experienced defensive line that features MAC Defensive Player of the Year as a true freshman in Roosevelt Nix (10 sacks, 20 tackles for loss). They also return both specialists, coming off of solid campaigns, and should get a boost with returner Eric Adeyemi, who is set to return to action after a transfer from Kentucky. This is a team that struggled on the road last season, but played two of the better teams in the conference well and should be more consistent on both sides of the ball.
Offensively everything starts up front for Kent State, who return 89 starts along the offensive line. Tyler Arend is the only new starter up front, but he possesses good size and above-average athleticism. This offensive line is nearly the equal to Northern Illinois in talent and may actually be a cut above in athleticism.
Quarterback Spencer Keith is coming off of a solid season completing 59.1% of his passes and should improve upon his 8/11 TD/INT ratio. He will be joined in the backfield by Jacquise Terry, who returns after leading KSU in yards and TDs last season and will likely see his rush total increase this season. Terry is also a competent receiver out of the backfield. Receivers Tyshon Goode and Sam Kirkland return after both posted over 50 receptions last year and should see their production increase as Hazell made his mark coaching receivers in his previous stops. Adeyemi should impact the receiving spot as well and is a match up nightmare who possesses great lateral quickness and straight-line speed.
Defensively the Flashes lose six starters, but may actually be a better unit this season. Defensive end Roosevelt Nix returns after a huge season statistically and will try to repeat his amazing performance as a true freshman. He is joined by experienced vets Lee Stalker (6 starts last year), Ishmaa’ily Kitchen, who possesses ideal size at 6’3 304 lbs for a nose tackle and Dana Brown, who received extensive playing time last season. The Flashes lose two linebackers from their 3-4 scheme, but return Jake Dooley and Luke Batton, both juniors. They are expected to fill the other two spots with seniors who will be looking to make the best of their only shot at starting.
Norman Wolfe and Josh Pleasant return after solid seasons last year and play fairly physically for their size. Safety Josh Wollet played in ten games last season as a true freshman and is looking to hold onto the free safety spot and should be joined by vet Leon Green at the strong spot.
The Golden Flashes were inconsistent versus the run last season, holding 8 teams below 100 yards, but gave up a combined 859 yards in their other four games. This team was solid against the pass and expects to continue their solid pass rush and improve on their 15 interceptions and 35 sacks from last season.
The special teams appear to be a strength for KSU as punter Matt Rinehart averaged over 42 yards per punt and had a solid net of 37.8. Placekicker Freddy Cortez was 11-17 last season and deadly inside of 39 yards. Aydemi adds an element of speed and flash in the return game and should match the production of Anthony Bowman, who averaged 24.5 yards per kick return and scored a TD.
Schedule Analysis: The Golden Flashes have a tough non-conference schedule as they face road trips to Alabama and Kansas State. They have two FCS foes that they should feast upon in Lousiana and South Alabama. KSU will find out early if they have the potential to be a factor in the East race as they start the MAC season with back to back road games versus Ohio (KSU upset them in season finale last season) and Northern Illinois, and get Miami (OH) at home before a bye. KSU faces off with Bowling Green and Central Michigan at home, travel to Akron, get Eastern Michigan at home, and close the season at Temple. KSU should have at least 4 wins given this conference schedule and need beat one of the tougher four teams at least to push for a bowl appearance.
Final Record Prediction: 6-6 Overall (4-4 MAC)
Other Resources:
- Bettors World - pencils the team in for six wins due to the tough schedule.
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