Director of New MediaKent State survived a scary fourth quarter for a 20-14 victory over Miami that has the Golden Flashes off to a 1-0 start in Mid-American Conference play.
Paul Haynes wasn't happy with what he called a "sloppy finish", but he is pleased with the way this team is developing depth. The Flashes are seeing more players than in past years contribute, and that is encouraging for the future of the program. Looking at true freshman Juantez McRae's athletic, game-saving interception with 1:02 to play, and the fact that he is getting time in that situation and making the most of it points to a continuation of a decade-long run of exceptional play at the safety positions.
The Flashes were without Nick Holley and another impressive true freshman in Myles Washington at running back on Saturday, so the Flashes used redshirt freshman Raekwon James to spell Trayion Durham. James turned in one of the most electrifying plays of the day with a 50-yard run in the first quarter to set up an early field goal.
Sophomore James Alexander set the stage for McRae's game-saving pick by hitting Miami's quarterback as he threw. Alexander was already having a phenomenal day before that big moment, breaking up a pass while pressuring on another play and adding 1 1/2 sacks.
We learned early on this season that Antwan Dixon can be a game-changer at wide receiver. I was impressed yesterday by the blocking on the edge by the rest of the Flashes receivers, including Kris White and Ernest Calhoun, helping to break some bigger plays in space within KSU's short passing game. Watch the receiver at the top of the screen in the GIF of Calhoun's touchdown pass. He stays with the play and gets enough of three different RedHawks defenders to help spring Calhoun. It's possible Calhoun's speed would have broken the play for a score anyway, but that desire to make blocks down the field from the receiver position is the kind of effort that wins games.
Update from Dix Stadium: Reardon to Calhoun for a 44-yard TD. @KentStFootball leads Miami 20-0, 6:45 2Q pic.twitter.com/ztLsQQrIH9
— Kent State Athletics (@KentStAthletics) October 3, 2015
The defense is one of the deepest and most talented we've seen at Kent State in recent years, and with playmakers developing at wide receiver and running back, there is reason to expect continued improvement on that side of the ball.
I heard lots of grumbling about a few plays, including an option pitch to Durham that was dropped for no gain when the Flashes needed just a yard to move the chains. The Record-Courier's Allen Moff talked to head coach Paul Haynes about the option and its place in the gameplan this season. While the Flashes have picked up a few big runs on the read option this season, the more traditional option pitch has seen ugly results, with fumbles and few yards gained. But as Haynes pointed out to Moff, a fake of that "base play" turned into Dixon's long reverse run for a touchdown on Saturday.
The Flashes should get healthier for next week's game at Toledo. Haynes said Washington will be back to join the running back rotation.
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