Director of New Media
TOLEDO, Ohio – Listening to ESPN Radio on the drive in to Toledo today and some experts had some nice things to say about Kent State just before the start of the GameDay simulcast.
They liked Kent State to keep this game closer than Vegas expects, pointing to the belief that the Golden Flashes defense may be the class of the Mid-American Conference while the status of Kareem Hunt (hamstring) is questionable. While they believe Hunt will play, he is listed No. 2 on the depth chart today behind Damion Jones-Moore.
This might be the day that Kent State finds some life in the passing game. The Rockets' secondary is a bit banged up. As KSU head coach Paul Haynes pointed out in his newsletter to season ticket holders earlier today, Toledo's defensive front is athletic, talented, and very good against the run. Look for former KSU defensive coordinator Jon Heacock to stack the box against the Flashes and dare Colin Reardon to throw over the top.
The Flashes get a bit healthier at running back today as Myles Washington is expected to be back. He is listed No. 2 behind Trayion Durham on the depth chart. Nick Holley is still out, but Raekwon James should also see time in the backfield rotation.
Toledo has yet to allow a sack this season due in part to exceptional play on the offensive line and also to the quick passing game that sees Phillip Ely get the ball out of his hands to Alonzo Russell, Corey Jones and Cody Thompson. KSU has done a great job of pressuring the quarterback this year, bettering last season's sack total of nine already with 18 through five games. There is obviously a connection between that improvement and this year's interception numbers – up from 8 all last season to 10 this year, including five alone by national leader Demetrius Monday.
Can KSU find a way to get to Ely and make him speed up his mechanics in a passing game designed to make quick plays? According to Haynes, the Flashes need to find a way.
Kent State will feature a different look today with a pink logo on the helmet and pink shorts in honor of breast cancer awareness. Upset the No. 24-ranked team in the nation and could we see a new color scheme at Kent State? According to legend, it took only a washing mishap to influence a change in team colors almost a century ago when purple and orange uniforms faded into blue and gold.
No comments:
Post a Comment