The Flashes need a great crowd this Saturday as they take on an exciting Howard Bison team. Woody Barrett of Kent State and Caylin Newton of Howard are both worth the price of admission.

Barrett passed for 270 yards, 2 TDs and rushed for 117 yards, 1 TD against Illinois and Newton, Cam Newton's younger brother, was 26 of 52 for 439 yards, and three touchdowns against Ohio.

If entertainment is the new mantra in Kent State football, then this game should fit the bill.

"Here we are now, entertain us"

Go Flashes!!!

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From Hustle Belt:

One of the more heartwarming moments in the conference, and for all of the college football world, was the return of Kent State wide receiver Antwan Dixon. Dixon had not stepped on a football field in three years due to a battle with aplastic anemia. A freshman in 2015, Dixon led the Golden Flashes in receiving yards before undergoing a bone marrow transplant. Three years later, his grand entrance was one to remember, as he scored the first touchdown of the Kent State football season on a 24-yard pass from Woody Barrett.

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https://www.hustlebelt.com/2018/9/2...ine-top-mac-plays-of-week-1-toledo-kent-state

By Elton Alexander, The Plain Dealer

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Mid-American Conference commissioner Jon Steinbrecher had a novel idea recently. "Let's rally around who we are,'' he said.

The mid-major Division I football and basketball conference has the simple mission of being Davids in a world of sports Goliaths. Big victories, particularly in non-conference games should be, "an idea of collective celebration," the commissioner said.

So, he decided to have a black MAC flag with cross bones under the conference logo made for universities to signify a big victory by a MAC team over an FBS opponent. "Fly the flag,'' he said.

"Non-conference games and bowl games were the focus,'' Steinbrecher said. "It's kind of fun, and sometimes I think people forget, with college sports, we should be having fun.

"It would be great if this develops into something." (click web address below for full article)

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https://www.cleveland.com/sports/co...und_the_flag_mac_aims.html#incart_river_index

Having watched Howard and Ball State's opening games, the Illinois team with its 5 suspended players could very well be the worst team on Kent State's schedule. Ball State lost to Illinois 24-21 last year, but most likely would have defeated the team the Flashes lost to yesterday. Unfortunately, Kent State missed a great opportunity to get a P-5 win against a very bad Big Ten team. Certainly, Ohio overlooked Howard in its "tune-up" game, but make no mistake, Caylin Newton and the Bison are a very good football team that had a chance to win the game at the end but just came up a little short against the MAC's projected champion.

Considering ESPN gives the Flashes only a 6.4% chance of winning against Illinois, perhaps our attention should be on the home opener against the Howard Bison. In that game, ESPN gives the Flashes an 85.9% chance of winning, which surprises me given that the Bison have a much bigger offensive line than the Flashes, now that 6-6, 313 lb. Adam Gregoire has been lost for the season. To complement the Howard 0-line are All-Conference Preseason First Team wide receivers Kyle Anthony and Jequez Ezzard, All-Conference Preseason Second Team quarterback Caylin Newton, and All-Conference Preseason Third Team tight end Tyrone Ramsey.

Since ESPN favors the Flashes to win this game but favors Kent State's opponents in all other games, the Flashes better be ready for a war against the Bison or they may find themselves going winless in 2018.

Howard

60 Anthony Young Jr. OL 6-3 290 FR Pittsburgh, PA
62 Branden Johnson OL 6-1 295 SO Baltimore, MD
69 Robert Teahan OL 6-2 270 FR Winchester, VA
70 Tyler Shadrach OL 6-5 310 SR Teaneck, NJ
72 Jaylaan Williams OL 6-3 350 FR Miami, FL
73 James Holmon OL 6-6 350 SR Augusta, GA
75 Alfred Gansallo OL 6-3 320 FR Sugar Land, TX (All-Conference Preseason First Team)
77 Timothy Young OL 6-5 344 FR Hampton, VA
78 Phillip Flemming OL 6-5 265 JR Hopkins, SC

Kent State

62 Mike Morris OL 6-1 282 FR Dayton, OH
64 Bryce Gibbs OL 6-3 284 JR Wellington, OH
65 Luke Dye OL 6-1 267 FR Massillon, OH
68 Mike Marinelli OL 6-3 275 JR Allison Park, PA
69 Sam Allan OL 6-2 276 FR Portage, MI
71 Eddie Brecht OL 6-7 310 FR Lapeer, MI
72 Jamil Viaud OL 6-4 273 JR Franklin Square, CA
73 Zach Whaley OL 6-4 282 FR Prior Lake, MN
74 Nate Warnock OL 6-4 300 JR LaPorte, IN
75 Adam Gregoire OL 6-6 313 JR Canton, OH (out for the 2018 season due to knee injury)
76 Chase Van Hoef OL 6-3 285 JR Grand Haven, MI
77 Daniel Johnson OL 6-5 265 FR London, ON
78 Zach Corrigall OL 6-3 280 SO Akron, OH


https://hubison.com/roster.aspx?roster=221&path=football

https://kentstatesports.com/roster.aspx?roster=406&path=football

http://www.espn.com/college-football/game?gameId=401012804

http://www.espn.com/college-football/game?gameId=401020677

https://hubison.com/news/2018/8/10/-hubisonfootball-receives-more-preseason-accolades.aspx

Caylin Newton, the younger brother of Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton, is adamant that the Bison are not a “tune-up” for Ohio’s Mid-American Conference season. “The coach said we’re a tune-up game. I take that personal. We’re not anybody’s tune-up,” said Newton, referring to Bobcats coach Frank Solich’s remarks in an interview last week.

Bison coach Mike London made sure to post the interview quotes in the office and team room (click web address below for full article).

http://theundefeated.com/videos/qb-...-not-a-tune-up-game-for-ohio-university-2018/

I thought Frank Solich was smarter than that. His comment almost caused his team to lose to Howard as the Bison came into the game wanting to prove him wrong. Howard gave Ohio all they could handle losing 38-32 at Peden Stadium. Perhaps Solich was just thinking out loud but his carelessness could have been costly. Ohio's next game is at Virginia on 9/15.

Ohio Football Holds Off Howard In Season Opener (click web address below for game recap)

http://www.ohiobobcats.com/sports/fball/2018-19/releases/20180901romm8d

"Hopefully after [Week 1], we can stop talking about my age and the story being about me."

That was 32-year-old Kent State head coach Sean Lewis before he nearly led the Golden Flashes to a win over Illinois on Saturday. Competing with a Big Ten team in his first game as the FBS' youngest head coach ensured his wish won't be granted anytime soon.

Sean Lewis was introduced as Kent State head coach in December. Lewis, then 31 years old, spent the last two season as Syracuse co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks and was only eight years removed from a job with a slightly smaller national profile than FBS head coach. He was offensive coordinator and in-school suspension supervisor for his alma mater, Harold L. Richards High School in Oak Lawn, Ill., from 2007-09.

"No, I pinch myself each morning when I walk in," he told HERO Sports last week when asked if he ever dreamed of being a 32-year-old FBS head coach. "Ten years ago I was on the south side of Chicago at Oak Lawn Richards High School leading in-school suspension."

Lewis, a former Wisconsin player, was tight ends coach at Nebraska-Omaha in 2010, grad assistant at Akron in 2011, and, from 2012-13, receivers coach and tight ends coach at Eastern Illinois, where he linked up with Dino Babers, whom he followed to Bowling Green (2014-15) and Syracuse, where he led a fast-paced offense that averaged nearly 90 plays per game in 2017.

Kent State's offense isn't as fast, but they were still productive in Saturday's game, scoring 24 points on a Memorial Stadium field where Lewis played in both high school and college.

"We got our ass kicked, They beat the hell out of us,” he said Richards’ 41-0 loss to Providence Catholic High School in the 2001 Class 6A state championship. “I was a sophomore and we had a senior quarterback I was splitting time with. I warmed up on the sideline for two quarters and didn’t get in the game.”

Four years later, Lewis was on a Badgers team that beat Illinois in Champaign, 41-27. And on Saturday, he almost guided Kent State -- a program who's barely shown a pulse since the 11-win 2012 -- to their first win over a Power Five team since 2007. And in doing so, the 32-year-old Golden Flashes' head coach sabotaged his own wish.

While we will talk about Woody Barrett, Antwan Dixon, Mike Carrigan and all the Kent State players who played well in the 31-24 loss, we will not stop talking about Sean Lewis and his age.

https://herosports.com/college-football/kent-state-sean-lewis-age-youngest-head-coach-ahah

From ILLINIINQUIRER:

RYAN EASTERLING PREDICTION
Illinois 34, Kent State 13: I can see Illinois coming out pretty juiced up for this one. Possibly even a little TOO juiced up. I think it maybe takes them a series or two to get going, especially with a new QB under center. But after a while, I think they find their rhythm and start to run away with this one. Illinois shouldn't let Kent State hang around in this one and needs to set the tone on defense early on by getting pressure on the Kent State quarterbacks (Flashes have yet to formally announce a starter as of Wednesday afternoon). If they do those things, I can see Illinois putting this one out of reach by the third quarter and coming away with a 34-13 win in which a lot of 2nd-string guys play throughout the fourth quarter.

ISAAC TROTTER PREDICTION
Illinois 38, Kent State 10: Kent State’s defense is terrible, allowing over 35 points per game last year, but Rod Smith’s new-look offense is going to be a pleasant surprise. AJ Bush, Mike Dudek, Ricky Smalling and the rest of the Illini offense will be clicking as Illinois wins the season opener for the eighth year in a row.

https://247sports.com/college/illin...taff-score-predictions-121056542/#121056542_9

From Hustle Belt:

Prediction
16 seems like a lot of points to me, when I am not sure the two teams will score that much combined. Of course, I am not sure the two offenses wont be off to the races. My gut tells me this will be a close game with both teams in the 20s. Look for Illinois to win 28-21, with some flashes of good football that should get both fan bases excited. I do believe both teams will be improved. Probably not bowl eligible improved, but this season wont be the absolute misery of years gone by.

https://www.hustlebelt.com/2018/8/3...illinois-fighting-illini-prediction-how-watch

So which predictions are most likely to happen?

I find it difficult to believe the Flashes will score 21 points against Illinois. Last year a high-powered Western Kentucky offense only scored 7 points against the Illini and the Hilltoppers had quarterback Mike White, who was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys (see game summary below).

With a weak offensive line, I just don't see how either Barrett or Crum can be effective from the quarterback position against Illinois. Look for the Illiini defense to pick off at least two passes and pretty much stuff the Flashes' ground game.

Illinois defense, Epstein smother Western Kentucky, 20-7

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Illinois had had a slim six-point lead in the second quarter on Western Kentucky, but the Illini defense had the Hilltoppers backed up to their own 2-yard line and on their heels.

The Hilltoppers decided to throw out of the end zone and, as soon as quarterback Mike White had the ball he had a wave of blue jerseys in his face.

He threw for the sideline, White later explained, but never got his feet set.

Parked at the 10-yard line, Illini linebacker Julian Jones never looked away from White.

"I had my eyes on him the entire play, so as soon as the ball was in the air I knew the ball was coming right to me," Jones said.

Jones grabbed the ball and ran untouched into the end zone, and the Illini had a 13-0 lead, well on their way to a 20-7 win.

"Bad football play," White summed up.

The Illini (2-0) came into the game as underdogs on their home field to a Conference USA team, no doubt in large part due to Western Kentucky's high-powered offense. The Hilltoppers (1-1), with White at quarterback, averaged 45.5 points a game last season, best in the country.

Illinois' young defense, including three freshmen starters, held the Hilltoppers to 244 total yards. Western Kentucky didn't score until the fourth quarter.

The Illini offense was limited, but freshman running back Mike Epstein rushed for 111 yards.

White averaged 311.6 yards a game last season, but Saturday heavy Illini pressure limited him to 28 of 43 passing for 238 yards and an interception. He also ran for a score.

The 6-foot-4, 225-pound redshirt senior was under pressure much of the night. He was sacked twice and hurried four times.

"They put their players on one-on-one islands and they won those battles," White said. "That comes with the territory being a quarterback, not everything is going to be perfect every play."

Illinois followed up the pick-six with a crushing 84-yard drive to open the second half. Quarterback Chayce Crouch capped it with a nine-yard run, finishing with a leap into the end zone for a 20-0 lead.

"We didn't start off offensively the way we wanted to start off," first-year coach Mike Sanford said. "Whatever the favorite, whoever was, doesn't mean anything to us. What means something to us is we fully believed we were going to come out of Champaign with a victory and we did not."

Crouch finished 14 of 25 for 107 yards and an interception for Illinois.

Epstein, getting his first start, carried the ball 21 times.

"He started and again, you want to see young guys take that kind of step their second time out. Just the tip of the iceberg a little bit too," Illinois coach Lovie Smith said.

THE TAKEAWAY

Western Kentucky: With White at quarterback last season, the Hilltoppers averaged 523.1 total yards (fifth in the country) and 336.8 passing yards (fifth in the country) a game. Saturday, Illinois' young defense kept him under control. White averaged just 8.5 per completion.

Illinois: The Illini defense is young, with three true freshmen starting Saturday. But true to form for a Lovie Smith team, against the Hilltoppers it set the tone -- and won the game. The second quarter touchdown by Jones gave Illinois a two-touchdown lead, which the defense made stand up.

Given limitations of Illinois' offense, particularly Crouch's inability to consistently throw the ball down field, the team's defense is likely to be called on to keep the Illini in games all season, and particularly as they head into the Big Ten, starting Sept. 29 against Nebraska.

QUOTABLE

"Our guys stepped up to the plate. Defensively we knew, (Western Kentucky has) a very good quarterback, good skill guys. It would be a big challenge for our young defensive line and our young secondary, but they really stepped to the table," Smith said.

EPSTEIN'S SOLID START

Illinois' most reliable offensive weapon was Epstein. He quietly topped 100 yards for the first time in his college career after carrying 11 times for 54 yards and two touchdowns in the season opener.

When the Illini badly need to move the ball, they turned to Epstein.

Western Kentucky's first score made it a 20-7 game, and Illinois took over on its own 14 with 11:30 to play in the game. The first two carries went to Epstein and he churned out 10 yards for a first down that kept the clock moving and started a drive that chewed up 7:04. It ended without points but left the Hilltoppers with less than five minutes to play and deep in their own territory.

http://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=400935241

Orange and Blue News caught up with Allen Moff from the Record-Courier news paper to get the lowdown on the Golden Flashes ahead of Saturday's game (click web address below).

https://illinois.rivals.com/news/behind-enemy-lines-kent-state-6

"The Illinois Fighting Illini have questions at quarterback and you have to question if Smith is built for the college game after so many years in the NFL. There's reasons to doubt Illinois, even if there's some under the radar talent that could carry this team and surprise some folks. Kent State is a very green team that has yet to prove much of anything recently and has provided no value betting wise, failing to cover numbers left and right. If Illinois is going to make any noise in the Big Ten this season, this is a game it should have no problem winning. So, while I'm not loving a double-digit spread, I'll take it. I have more confidence in the Fighting Illini winning in a blowout than I do of Kent State hanging around."

RANDY'S PICK
Illinois Fighting Illini -16

Click web address below for full article.

I really can't disagree with this prediction except the point spread will probably be more than 16 points.

Everyone is excited to see Coach Lewis' Flash Fast uptempo offense but blocking and tackling still wins games.

If you study teams over the years, they don't win consistently because of double reverses, fake punts, and flea-flickers.

Football teams win because of good old fashion "blocking and tackling." That means that they protect the ball, limit turnovers and dropped passes, make easy tackles, protect their quarterback and know their plays inside and out.

While it may be exciting for Flash fans to talk about Kent State's new uptempo offense, the reality is teams win by the same football principles that have been around for decades.

Given that Illinois' projected offensive line is 6-5 340 lb., 6-4 300 lb., 6-2 255 lb., 6-4 325 lb. and 6-6-290 lb., which is considerably bigger than Kent State's offensive line, I expect to see the Illiini sustaining drives and controlling the time of possession. On the other hand, the Flashes will have a lot of three and outs and consequently a tired second half defense.

Expect the final point differential to be 21 or more points.

https://sportschatplace.com/cfb-pic.../18-college-football-pick-odds-and-prediction

https://247sports.com/college/illin...s-football-depth-chart-120875326/#120875326_5

MAC Away Opponents

Buffalo - After winning seven games in his first two years combined, Lance Leipold pushed the Bulls to 6-6. However three of those losses came while talented QB Tyree Jackson was injured. The Bulls should compete for a MAC East title with a healthy Jackson and the return of prolific wideout Anthony Johnson.



Bowling Green - After winning three straight MAC East titles, Bowling Green is 6-18 in two seasons under Mike Jinks. Although the Falcons' passing game has plummeted since former coach Dino Babers left for Syracuse, talented quarterback Jarret Doege could have a very productive year if he can stay healthy.



Ball State - Mike Neu is 6-18 in two years as head coach and is coming off a winless season in MAC play, but the Cardinals were young at the skill positions and on defense. Ball State is fifth in the nation in most production returning (click link below).

https://www.sbnation.com/college-fo...8-ncaa-football-returning-starters-experience

Miami - The RedHawks had a disappointing 5-7 campaign, but they should compete in the MAC East race with their offensive core returning, led by QB Gus Ragland. Miami will also have the services of incoming Michigan transfer Alex Malzone at quarterback.

MAC Home Opponents

Eastern Michigan - In 2016, the Eagles went bowling for the first time since 1987, but in 2017 they were the unluckiest team in college football thanks to a six-game losing streak in which each loss was by a touchdown or less. Expect Eastern Michigan to be competitive again this year.

Toledo - The Rockets had an embarrassing bowl performance but still won the MAC for the first time since 2004. The key for Toledo this year is to replace prolific QB Logan Woodside, but there's still a fair amount of production returning, even with RB Terry Swanson also gone.

Akron - The Zips have gone to two bowls in three years, and they'll have a veteran defense to lean on as they try to get increased production from QB Kato Nelson.

Ohio - The Bobcats still haven't won the MAC since 1968, but it's been a decade since Frank Solich had a losing record. Most of the offense that averaged nearly 40 points per game will return including quarterback Nathan Rourke, leading rusher A.J. Ouellette, and receiver Papi White.

Non-conference Games

Illinois - The Fighting Illini go into 2018 with a new offensive system, one second-year QB, and three true freshmen (click web address below). One of these four will need to reach their potential and take a firm grasp on the QB position for Illinois to improve on its 2–10 (0–9 Big Ten) record.

https://www.thechampaignroom.com/20...ith-cam-thomas-mj-rivers-coran-taylor-big-ten

Howard - With 18 freshmen playing on the 2017 team that included Caylin Newton, the Bison will be out to prove the upset of UNLV was no fluke.

Penn State - Although the Nittany Lions lose star tailback Saquon Barkley and numerous other NFL prospects, the offensive line should be solid for Trace McSorley, one of the nation's top returning quarterbacks.

Ole Miss - Matt Luke was promoted from interim coach to head coach but will have to deal with another bowl ban and scholarship restrictions. Even with Shea Patterson transferring to Michigan, the Rebels should be strong in the passing game led by QB Jordan Ta'amu and WR A.J. Brown.

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CHAMPAIGN – A.J. Bush began winning the starting quarterback job in the Illinois football camp sometime during the summer, well before the first snaps in preseason drills and long before the announcement Monday made it official.

A well-traveled quarterback from Alpharetta, Ga., who helped lead Norcross High School to a state championship as a senior, Bush spent time in the football complex studying the offense and doing his homework. It’s the kind of things not seen by most fans, even the handful of folks who watched the Illini on those intramural fields south of Memorial Stadium earlier this month.

When Illinois hosts Kent State Saturday (11 a.m., BTN) in the season opener, Bush is already a leader who has earned the trust of his team and coaching staff.

“He’s prepared himself like he needs to prepare,’’ said Illini offensive coordinator Rod Smith. “There are never guarantees, but preparedness gives you the best shot. I hope it all translates on Saturdays.’’

https://illinois.rivals.com/news/illini-name-aj-bush-starting-quarterback

From a poster on the Kent State MACbbs board:

"I was being careful in choosing my words. I used "incompetent" because I see some talent on this team that would exceed the talent of some of the worser teams. The problem is that the talent is totally being misused. I do not disagree with your opinion about worser teams but this team can not win games, even against lesser teams. This team was coached to not try to win the earlier games of the season because of playing national teams and being convinced that the game is useless. The problem is that this attitude carries over to later games. You can see that regardless of what play is called, when in the red zone. We do not bite the bullet and play beyond ourselves reaching for the end zone when it is within view. We start on second down positioning ourselves to score a field goal. This is a loser's mentality and it is so easy to see. This is pure coaching and it will never work. It is now a disease that has infected the entire team."

I understand the importance of athletics to a university. However, it's not the purpose of a university. The purpose of a university is to educate students.

Unfortunately, Kent State University failed to properly educate this poster because if it had he would know that worser is not a word. Furthermore, he would know that cannot is written as one word except where 'not' refers to something other than 'can'.

e.g. The ability to drive a car can not only increase mobility but also give confidence.

Students and alumni of Kent State, who butcher the English language, perpetuate the Can't read, Can't write, Can't State stereotype. When I say butcher the English language, I'm not talking about simple grammatical mistakes, I'm talking about the complete disregard for the rules of the English language.

As a Kent State alumnus, I take pride in our true student-athletes, like former safety Jordan Italiano and current quarterback George Bollas. Italiano was named the “Smartest Player in College Football” by NFL.com last year and currently is a medical student at Wright State University. Almost as impressive, Bollas, maintains a 3.7 GPA as a chemistry major. Having studied chemistry myself at Kent State, I know how challenging that can be for a student, let alone a student-athlete.

So the posters on the MACbbs board maybe embarrassed by our football team, but the truth is the quality of a university is based on academics, not sports.

Fortunately, Coach Haynes understands academics has a higher priority than athletics and that is why he allows Bollas to take his chemistry labs on Wednesday even at the expense of missing practice that day.

I appreciate what Coach Haynes is doing for our student-athletes. It's just sad that so many Kent State fans have different priorities.

If the post above is any indication of how Kent State students and alumni are able to write, then perhaps there should be more of a concern for the English Department than our football team.

But don't worry, you will never see a "Fire the English Department" post from me.

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https://www.pscp.tv/w/1MnGnZrlmvVGO

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There are a few things that all teams must have to be successful.

The team must have drive, passion, and commitment. If a team is not passionate about what they are doing, are they going to be able to stick with it through the tough times? Passion is one of the reasons successful teams become successful. When coaches and players have passion, a burning fire in their belly type of passion, this will feed them through the tough times. It will also get people excited and on board with what you are doing. This will build your following and help you recruit better.

How well the Flashes fight through the tough times this season will depend on the amount of drive, passion, and commitment the players and coaches bring to the game.

Two former MAC coaches, whose passion brought conference championships to Western Michigan and Bowling Green respectively are P. J. Fleck and Dino Babers. Below are videos of Fleck and Babers demonstrating their passion and energy.

Since Coach Lewis is a disciple of Babers, it is my hope he will bring this kind of passion to Kent State football. And so far I like the passion that I have seen from him.

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Kent State junior offensive lineman Adam Gregoire will miss the 2018 season due to a knee injury sustained during preseason camp.

Gregoire suffered a torn meniscus and underwent surgery on Friday.

This is a setback to an already thin offensive line. Gregoire was a high school teammate with Stefano Millin for two seasons at Massillon Perry and Kent State before Millin decided to anchor the offensive line for the Pitt Panthers as a graduate transfer rather than finish his final year of eligibility with the Flashes.

http://www.record-courier.com/sports/20180818/kent-states-gregoire-suffers-season-ending-knee-injury

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Note: You will need to adjust the volume control in the bottom right corner.

If I were to ask sports fans what do Gary Waters, Turner Gill, Dino Babers, and Paul Haynes all have in common, I'm sure the response would be they are all African-American college coaches and that would be correct, except Waters is now retired from coaching. But how many people know they are all affiliated with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes? Certainly, Sean Lewis knows Babers is affiliated with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes because he was with Babers ever since he was the head coach at Bowling Green. Some Kent State fans may know Waters' affiliation with FCA since he coached the Flashes in basketball from 1996-2000 before he went to Rutgers. And of course some MAC fans may remember Gill giving thanks to the Lord Jesus Christ after winning the MAC Championship when he was at Buffalo in 2008 (see video below).

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Along with Gill, Waters and Babers have also won a conference championship, but that is not what distinguishes them from other coaches. What distinguishes them from other coaches is their focus on building young men. In the article, "Turner Gill's focus on building people," Gill states, "I don't want to be truly defined by wins and losses." He explains, "I understand that I'm hired and fired by wins and losses, but I do know that I'm on this earth to help young men, and that's what gratifies me every day. That's why I can go home every day with a smile on my face, because I help at least one person feel better about himself."

The article tells of a time when Gill was recruiting a player from a broken home, and he could sense tension between the boy's mother and his father and stepmother.

"Long story short," Gill says, "we all prayed together. In less than 48 hours, they were talking with each other. They felt good about each other. They thanked me, thanked us, for helping them mend that together. That to me, that's what college football is all about."

Long story short, Gill signed that young man to play at Buffalo.

"We want to win championships," Gill says, "but that helped that young man. That's everlasting."

Similar stories can be said about Waters, Babers, and Haynes. They are all in the business of building young men into leaders and are outspoken about their faith and beliefs away from football.

Waters, who was passionate not only about winning games but also about teaching his athletes lessons with biblical principles, was presented with the 2010 John Lotz "Barnabas" Award by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

"This award represents to me all of the things that should be good about the game of basketball and how you should carry yourself as a Man of God," Waters said. "One of the facets of coaching that I truly enjoy has nothing to do with winning games, but it allows me to help shape the lives in a good way of the many young men who have played for me over the years."

"I have always been a supporter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes because I believe in its mission and I appreciate being selected to receive this award. John Lotz represents to me all that is good about basketball. He coached with the character and integrity that each and very coach should live by," Waters added.

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The same can be said about Babers. Back in 2014 at a unity breakfast presented by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, he once told a story of a young man’s spiritual change, spurred by near collisions after a tire blow-out when driving at high speed.

In the article, "BGSU, UT players go to breakfast," the author writes, “The only words the young man got throughout the entire ordeal were don’t settle.’”

“He stopped settling in his marriage, he stopped settling in the relationship with his daughters, he stopped settling at work, he stopped settling in the way he dealt with his football players, and he has rededicated his entire life to never being average in anything he does. He’s not moved by money. He’s not moved by fame. He’s moved by the man upstairs when he gives the word to move.”

Interestingly, the author states, "The 'football players' reference revealed that the coach was telling his own story."

Click the link below to hear Babers tell his "Do Not Settle" story to Danny Yamashiro during a radio broadcast. His story begins at the 13:39 mark.

https://thegoodlifehawaii.com/not-settle-coach-dino-babers/

Haynes may not have had the success of Waters, Gill, or Babers in terms of wins and losses but he was just as committed to building moral character of his players when he coached at Kent State.

In the article, "Kent State football continues team prayer," the author writes, "Head coach Paul Haynes encourages the players to have a spiritual part of their lives, regardless of denomination."

He explains, "Before every game and after every practice, (Will) Matthews leads the whole team in a group prayer. Coach Haynes asked Matthews to lead prayers at the beginning of this season. Regardless of religious beliefs and backgrounds, the team unites for this moment."

“It brings people together,” said senior kicker, Shane Hynes. “I don’t know everybody’s beliefs, but I know it creates a bond.”

The author writes, "This bond is something that Frank Kurtz, a Kent State Fellowship of Christian Athlete’s staff member, said more teams should strive for."

“In this day and age, it is very hard for young people to stand up and say I believe in something,” Kurtz said. “For these young men to say 'Hey, I’m not afraid to do this,' that’s a great example for others to follow.”

He states, "Each prayer is different. Some include prayers for specific team members, prayers for victims of natural disasters, such as Hurricane Harvey, and prayers for the coaching staff. He explained that the prayer is bigger than the game."

It is my hope that Coach Lewis will not only emulate Babers' hurry-up offense but also his spiritual approach to coaching. Because the former without the latter is settling and Kent State University should never settle when it comes to its student-athletes.

To many Kent State students, the grassy hillside where the May 4th shootings took place is considered hallowed ground.

As a Vietnam era veteran and Kent State alumnus, I don't want to appear sacrilegious and wish to give proper remembrance to those who died on that fateful day. But if the May 4th site is considered hallowed ground because of its historical significance, I would suggest that Dix Stadium could also be considered hallowed ground to Kent State football fans.

Despite the many losses that the Flashes have had there, I believe Dix Stadium is a special place where amazing feats of skill, strategy, strength, and stamina by future NFL players and Hall of Fame coaches are noted, and saved for posterity.

With exception of a few players who played at Memorial Stadium, most of Kent State's 49 players who played in the NFL performed at Dix Stadium. And of those 49 NFL players, 42 of them were drafted. The most famous of these NFL players include Hall of Famer Jack Lambert, Julian Edelman, James Harrison, Josh Cribbs, and Roosevelt Nix. Hall of Fame coaches include Lou Holtz and Don James, along with future Hall of Famer Nick Saben, who is on track of winning his 6th national championship, and Gary Pinkel. If you don't believe Pinkel is worthy of the College Football Hall of Fame, click the second web address below.

Of course I realize that Joel Nielsen and many delusional Kent State fans want the M.A.C. Center to become the mecca of college basketball but with KSU's current RPI and losing record, I just don't believe that is ever going to happen, at least not any time soon.

Don't get me wrong, I appreciate former players Andrew Mitchell, Trevor Huffman, Eric Thomas, and Antonio Gates, who put Kent State basketball on the map, but with the exception of Gates, who became well known as an All-Pro NFL player, no one else will be remembered outside of the MAC.

So keep that in mind when you hear Kent State mentioned again next Monday night as Saban ties Bear Bryant's record for winning the most national championships. Hearing Kent State during last year's Super Bowl with Julian Edelman was great but this might be even better. When you consider the Sugar Bowl between Alabama and Clemson had an average viewership of 21.1 million, just imagine what the viewership will be for the national championship game. Got to love it!

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/schools/kentst/

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/colu...cle_4cd6253c-be78-55fc-a85d-603aea068d56.html