Kent State Golden Flashes

Head Coach

Doug Martin	5th year
07-08	3-9
MAC	1-7
FCR	105

Previous Season Wins

Head Coach - Doug Martin will enter his 5th season as head man, he led the Golden Flashes to 6 wins in 06’ but the team took a step back last year winning only three times. Seven starters return on both sides of the ball but they must win the turnover game if they hope to approach the .500 mark.

Quarterback - At quarterback senior Julian Edelman returns after an injury plagued 07’ season. Edelman is an adequate passer but has outstanding running skills; he’s thrown for 3,177 yards and rushed for 1,483 in his 19 games at Kent. His job will be to move the chains and in sophomore Giorgio Morgan the Golden Flashes have a capable backup who performed well last season when he stepped in for Edelman.

Running Backs - At running back 1st team All-MAC Eugene Jarvis returns, the junior rushed for 1,669 yards caught 23 passes and scored ten times. He’s but 5’5’ but has outstanding quickness, he averaged 6.0 yards per carry last season.

Receivers - The wide receivers will need to step up if the team hopes to improve their 111th passing offense ranking. Junior Phil Garner is the leading returnee; he had 27 receptions for 294 yards and a TD. Senior Shawn Bayes and a pair of sophomores, Leneric Muldrow and Aaron Robinson will get the chance to perform. At tight end senior Jameson Kontz has moved over from the defense and has the speed and athleticism to give Edelman more options, especially in the red zone.

Offensive Line - Upfront the O-Line will be led by 2nd team All-MAC Augustus Parrish at left tackle, the senior has the size and skill to play at the next level. At center senior Josh Perry is solid, also returning with starting experience are at right tackle sophomore Pat Reedy, at right guard junior Mike Roder and senior Travis McGraw. Redshirt freshman Michael Fay will start at left guard, as a unit they’ve proven the ability to run block, but if the offense is to improve in the passing game the line will have to do a better job in pass protection.

Defensive Line - At defensive end senior Darrius Carter will start and he’ll be joined by a pair of juniors in nose tackle Sam Frist and at defensive tackle Aaron Hull. Incoming freshman Ishmaa’ily Kitchen is a big body who could work his way into the rotation.

Linebackers - The Linebacking unit is solid led by senior Derek Burell on the weakside; he led the team with 112 tackles last year. Look for junior Kevin Hogan and sophomore Monte Simmons at BUCK spot, both were outstanding in the spring and will be called upon to make plays in the opponents backfield, Hogan led the team with 5 sacks in 07’. Senior Cedrick Maxwell will man the strongside and in the middle will be senior Stevon Moss.

Defensive Backs - At the corners will be junior Kirk Belgrave and senior Rico Murray, at free safety sophomore Brian Lainhart returns and he’ll be joined by sophomore Will Johnson at strong safety. As a group they were average at best, they need to improve as a whole and in particular their 110th ranking in turnover margin.

Special Teams - Handling the placekicking will be junior Nate Reed who was excellent last season hitting 18 of 24 attempts with a long of 52 yards Senior Cedrick Maxwell will man the strongside and in the middle will be senior Stevon Moss. The punter will be either junior Jake Kilroy who averaged only 36.6 yards last year or incoming freshman Matt Rinehart. Look for wide receivers Shawn Bayes and Phil Garner to handle the returns.

Schedule - Only five home games and two certain losses to start the season against Boston College and Iowa St. They do avoid Central Michigan but must travel to Ball St, Miami and Bowling Green. Will need to hold court at home, expect the Golden Flashes to win 5 games this season.