Kent State Flashes
Mid-American Conference
It has been a long time waiting for Kent State’s football program, which turned itself around dramatically this season and made it all the way to the Mid-American Conference championship game. The school where Lou Holtz and Nick Saban served on the coaching staff at one point has not had much luck with football in recent years, last having won a MAC title in 1972. This is Darrell Hazell’s second season coaching at the school. Hazell went 5-7 with his 2011 team, although to be fair two of the losses came against Alabama and Kansas State at the start of the season. The Golden Flashes had their first unbeaten season at home since 1956.
2012 Record: 11-2, 8-0
Coach: Darrell Hazell
Coach Bowl Record: 0-0
Big Wins: 10/27 at Rutgers (35-23), 11/17 at Bowling Green (31-24)
Bad Losses: 9/8 at Kentucky (14-47)
Strengths:
Kent State scored its points in bunches, averaging 34.4 points per game and finishing behind Northern Illinois and Ball State in the conference. The Golden Flashes reached 40 points or more in five games this season, including a wild 45-43 win over Ball State early in the year. Kent State backed up this offense with a solid defense that limited opponents to 23.3 points a game, once again third in the MAC behind Bowling Green and Northern Illinois. Kent State’s defense was particularly alert when it came to picking off passes, intercepting 23 balls and returning two for touchdowns. Kent State was adept at pinning opponents deep in their own territory with a strong punting game.
Weaknesses:
Although top quarterback Spencer Keith has been effective, with 12 touchdowns to just nine interceptions, the Kent State passing game hasn’t been very strong with just 2,118 yards all season. Compare that to teams that have thrown for over 3,000 and 4,000 yards and the Golden Flashes have a passing problem. First downs have also been an issue, as the team averages only 19 per game. That’s the fourth-worst total in the MAC. It also has one of the lowest third-down conversion percentages in the conference (35.6 percent). Receiving has been a problem, mainly because of the passing game being so weak.
Statistical Leaders:
Rushing: Dri Archer, RB, 1,352 yards
Passing: Spencer Keith, QB, 1,864 yards
Receiving: Dri Archer, RB, 539 yards
Tackles: Luke Batton, LB, 132
Sacks: Jake Dooley, DL, 7.0
Interceptions: Luke Wollet, S, 4
2012 Team Stats:
Rushing Offense: 241.50 (11th in nation, 2nd in conference)
Passing Offense: 160.67 (111, 12)
Total Offense: 402.17 (63, 7)
Scoring Offense: 34.42 (35, 3)
Rushing Defense: 128.00 (23, 2)
Pass Defense: 281.92 (111, 11)
Total Defense: 409.92 (73, 6)
Scoring Defense: 23.50 (37, 3)
Turnover Margin: 1.67 (2, 1)
Sacks: 2.42 (32, 4)
Sacks Allowed: 1.33 (28, 5)
Recent Bowl Appearances:
1972 Tangerine Bowl Tampa (18-21)
*all team stats through 11/24
