Flashes win 27-24 to capture the Wagon Wheel. With the win, the Flashes now lead the series 23-20-1.




This post was edited on 11/28 8:56 PM by nashvillegoldenflash

Class of 2015 Atlanta (Ga.) Mays defensive back Khalil Brooks just informed me that he has committed to Kent State. Brooks is a nice cover corner and plays with the confidence you look for in a guy at that position.

Here's a link to his profile.

Here's an article with some of my thoughts on him as a player from a game I scouted earlier this fall.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Kent State-Buffalo football game in Buffalo, N.Y. that had previously been rescheduled has now been officially canceled due to the extreme weather conditions in the Buffalo, New York area. It will not be rescheduled.

That was the release given by the Mid-American Conference late Thursday night as the logistics became just too much for all involved to pull off a Friday game at 1 p.m. This means Kent, once it returns from Buffalo, will only have one game remaining, next Friday against rival Akron at Dix Stadium.

"Despite the best efforts of all involved, it will not be feasible to play the football game between Kent State and Buffalo on Friday," MAC Commissioner Jon Steinbrecher said in a release.


"The game has been canceled and will not be rescheduled. The safety of the student-athletes and fans is paramount. We want to be respectful of the efforts of the emergency service personnel in the Buffalo area who are working to assist those in need."


One issue still unresolved is Kent State's equipment truck is stuck in the midst of closed highways in western New York, with no clear timetable when it will be cleared for travel.


Both Buffalo and Kent State will end the 2014 regular season by playing 11 games. This marks the second FBS football game this season canceled due to weather conditions. The Idaho-Florida game on Aug. 30 was cancelled due to inclement weather in Gainesville, Fla.


Kent State-Buffalo was originally scheduled for Wednesday at 8 p.m., then tentatively scheduled for Friday at 1 p.m.


Next week's Kent State-Akron game is Nov. 28 at 1 p.m. Buffalo's final regular season game is at UMass on Nov. 28.


Steinbrecher told The Plain Dealer there was no thought of returning the KSU-Akron game to its original Tuesday schedule for next week.


"There is not sufficient prep time, quite frankly,'' he said. "Both coaching wise and player wise. But the team will leave from Buffalo (Friday) and return to Kent State."

This post was edited on 11/20 9:22 PM by nashvillegoldenflash

Kent State-Buffalo game canceled for good

2014 Elite Winter Skills Camps

BOY'S REGISTER ONLINE HERE!
GIRL'S REGISTER ONLINE HERE!


Click on Event for specific starting times, locations, directions, etc.

Saturday December 27 - Miami, FL - Barry University
Saturday December 27 - Westbury, NY - Fundamental Sports Training
Saturday December 27 - Atlanta, GA - Campbell HS
Saturday December 27 - Dallas, TX - Sportsplex at Valley View
Saturday December 27 - Chicago, IL - TBA
Saturday December 27 - Southern California - Pacific Christian Center
Sunday December 28 - Bay Area, CA - Mare Island Sports Center
Sunday December 28 - Columbus, OH - The Ball House
Sunday December 28 - Houston, TX - San Jacinto College
Sunday December 28 - Greensboro, NC - Proehlific Park
Sunday December 28 - Philadelphia, PA - TBA
Sunday December 28 - Orlando, FL - TBA



WHAT PARENTS & PLAYERS ARE SAYING ABOUT OUR EVENTS

WHAT COLLEGE COACHES ARE SAYING ABOUT OUR EVENTS



These camps are ONLY for those players, who are serious about playing college basketball. The one day camp format will be intense and players will be instructed by many of the top individual instructors in the country. Every event will be directed by a former DIVISION I coach.Some of the top players from each camp will be invited to our NCAA Invitational Events taking place during July of 2015. These events are Invitation only and feature many of the top college coaches in the country (we had over 200 last July).Instruction will be given by ONLY current and former college basketball coaches. Campers will perform drills and skill work that they would be doing if they were current college players.The Camp will include but not be limited to on court instruction (speed dribbling and full court moves off the dribble; half court and transition shooting; passing with a purpose; using and defending screens; ball screen actions; 3 on 3; controlled scrimmages); detailed discussion on how to put yourself in the best position to get recruited; nutrition and diet; academic evaluation and goals; and the various basketball opportunities at all collegiate levels.At the end of each Camp, every participant is given a detailed evaluation of what they do well and what they need to work on in order to reach their dreams of playing collegiately. We will then send these evaluations out to every college coach in the country. This can be a huge help to your recruiting.Every camper will receive an official Maximum Exposure Basketball T-Shirt.Camp cost is $100.00 per player (if you are registered at least 2 weeks prior to the event) and $125.00 per player if you register after that (if space if even available). Space for each camp is EXTREMELY limited. These camps will fill up extremely fast. Make sure to register now so you don't miss your chance to participate!These events are open to Boy's and Girl's players 10 years and older… players will be grouped by age, size, gender, and ability (older players will not be competing against younger players and vice versa).

Sample Itinerary


(Times may vary by location, please visit website for exact starting and ending times for each event).
Noon Check in/Registration
12:30 PM Lecture "Putting yourself in the best position to be recruited"
1:00 PM On court development
1:45 PM Lecture "How are you working out?"
2:15 PM Playing in the full court
3:00 PM Break / Q and A
3:15 PM Playing in the half court (2 on 2; 3 on 3)
3:45 PM Lecture "strength, conditioning and diet"
4:00 PM College basketball drills
4:45 PM Question & Answer / Lecture on "what to do next"
5:00 PM Dismissal

BOY'S REGISTER ONLINE HERE!

GIRL'S REGISTER ONLINE HERE!


MAIL IN REGISTRATION FORM
(DO NOT MAIL FORM LESS THAN 10 DAYS PRIOR TO EVENT!)

If you have any questions please contact us: info@maximumexposurebasketball.com or 704-664-9845

We hope to see you in December!


Maximum Exposure Basketball
Phone: (704) 664-9845
Fax: (877) 207-9568
www.maximumexposurebasketball.com


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Buffalo is favored by 7 points (see link).

Las Vegas Odds

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.

Although the MAC is weaker this year than it has been in a very long time, the Western Michigan Broncos is one team that is on the rise. One reason for the Bronco's success this year is the passion that head coach P.J. Fleck brings to the WMU football program (see link). After finishing 1-11 last year, the Broncos are currently 7-3 and are going to a bowl game. Going 7-3 in a down year of the conference may not be all that impressive to some people but the Broncos defeated Miami by more points than an undefeated Marshall team. Western Michigan defeated Miami 41-10 and Marshall won 42-27.

How well the Flashes bounce back from a disappointing season and fight through the tough times like Western Michigan has done will depend on the amount of drive, passion, and commitment the players and coaches bring to the game.





HOW mountain - Western Michigan Football

Kent State University at Bowling Green Postgame Press Conference 11/12/14 (see link).

KSU at Bowling Green Postgame Press Conference

The Bowling Green Falcons are favored by 13.0 points (see link).

Las Vegas Odds

Kent State vs Toledo 11/4/14 Postgame Press Conference (see link).

Toledo 11/4/14 Postgame Press Conference

The Toledo Rockets are a 13 1/2 point favorite (see link).

Las Vegas Odds

In this week's press conference, Coach Haynes is joined with Jordan Italiano and Reno Reda (see link).

Kent State Weekly Press Conference

In the post-game press conference, Coach Haynes called the inability to put more points on the scoreboard "taking two steps back" after his team came up with four touchdowns and four field goals while going a perfect 8-for-8 in the red zone during last week's win over Army.

"You have the ball on the 2-yard line and are not strong enough to call power," said Haynes. "That comes with youth, and we just have to continue to pound it in the weight room … We had a chance. We had a couple of chances. We just didn't capitalize on them."

Kent State at Miami Postgame Press Confer

I heard from 2015 two-star Arabia Mountain (Ga.) LB Theodore Eboigbe, who let me know that he will be taking an official visit to Kent State the weekend of Dec. 4. Ebiogbe has a mix of FBS and FCS offers, with Western Kentucky, Old Dominion and South Alabama among his most notable thus far.

Here's a link to his profile.

Nate Holley and Anthony Melchiori make the list (see link).

Phil Steele's 2014 Midseason All-MAC Team

The Sports Network

DATE & TIME: Saturday, October 25, 2:30 p.m. (ET)

FACTS & STATS: Site: Yager Stadium (24,286) -- Oxford, Ohio. Television: ESPN3.com. Home Record: Kent State 1-3, Miami-Ohio 1-2. Away Record: Kent State 0-3, Miami-Ohio 0-5. Neutral Record: Kent State 0-0, Miami-Ohio 0-0. Conference Record: Kent State 0-3, Miami-Ohio 1-3. Series Record: Miami-Ohio leads, 46-15.

GAME NOTES: The Kent State Golden Flashes finally got in the win column last weekend with a non-conference victory over Army. Now the Golden Flashes will look to make it two in a row as they travel to face the Miami-Ohio RedHawks in a Mid-American Conference bout at Yager Stadium.


The Golden Flashes had dropped their first six contests of the 2014 season up until last weekend's 39-17 destruction of Army at home. Now Kent State will seek its first in-conference victory as they prepare to take on another one- win program in the RedHawks.


Miami-Ohio was sent back into the losing column with a 51-41 defeat at the hands of MAC rival Northern Illinois last Saturday. The RedHawks, who ended the nation's longest losing streak at 21 games just three weeks ago, have now lost back-to-back games, but have owned the series with Kent State in the past.


Miami has not only been good against the Golden Flashes in the programs' histories, but the RedHawks have instead been dominant. Miami leads the all- time series with Kent State, 46-15, in an in-state rivalry that began during the 1942 season.


Kent State had it all working it seemed against Army over the weekend. The Golden Flashes played an all-around strong game offensively, and racked up 467 total offensive yards thanks to a strong 360 from quarterback Colin Reardon. The sophomore Ohio native has been extremely inconsistent all season long, and has frequently struggled with turnovers. But he showed what he is capable of last weekend against the Black Knights.


Reardon completed 27 pass attempts for 360 yards, three touchdowns and an interception, and added a rushing score and 42 yards on six carries. Offense has absolutely been the key issue in Kent State's losing ways this season, as the team is averaging 15.7 ppg and a mere 301.9 total ypg (ranked 118th in the FBS this season). Reardon's fortunes are hopefully turning, though. The sophomore has passed for 1,587 yards, nine touchdowns and nine interceptions, and has a completion percentage of 56.6.


The offense would be undoubtedly improved if star running back Trayion Durham could be on the field, but the senior hasn't played a down this season due to an injury. Following the graduation and subsequent NFL drafting of Dri Archer, the Golden Flashes have struggled to find anyone who would sufficiently carry the football. Nick Holley leads the team with 257 yards on 77 carries (3.3- yard average) in an offense managing just 73.7 rushing ypg.


When the offense isn't performing and staying on the field, then it's hard for the defense to get anything done with little time to rest. Opponents are averaging 32.1 ppg this season in games against the Golden Flashes, and have had a breeze of a time running the football for 224.4 rushing ypg. It certainly doesn't help that Kent State's defense is allowing a 44.9 third-down conversion percentage.


Safety Nate Holley ranks third in the nation with a 12.9 tackles-per-game average, and has forced two fumbles through seven contests this season. Aside from Holley, the only other player that has showed any sort of promise for Kent State has been Nate Terhune, who has three tackles for loss and a sack. But as a unit, Kent State has only recorded four sacks and just five interceptions all season. Going against a constantly improving quarterback in Andrew Hendrix doesn't appear too promising for the Golden Flashes.


Speaking of Hendrix, the Notre Dame transfer was solid once again against Northern Illinois, though it wasn't enough to help his team to victory over the defending MAC champions. Hendrix completed 23-of-42 passing for 346 yards and two touchdowns, while also leading the team with 72 rushing yards and three scores on the ground. The RedHawks offense should be upset after putting up 41 points and still being handed the loss.


Hendrix has steadily improved this season, and looks much more comfortable in the offense now that he has had time to adjust. He has thrown for 2,477 yards and 19 touchdowns against just seven interceptions in eight games. Throw in four rushing touchdowns, and Hendrix is the focal point for any opposing defense. But the opponent has to limit Hendrix on the ground and try to take away receiving threats David Frazier (four TDs) and Sam Martin (five TDs).


Aside from Hendrix, the Miami run game is relatively non-existent. Dawan Scott (listed as a receiver) took nine handoffs last weekend for 62 yards and a touchdown, and has shown more promise than Spencer McInnis (61 carries, 232 yards). The Miami offense has increased its scoring total to 25 ppg, and if the defense can catch up development-wise, the RedHawks could win a few more games this season.


But the defense has struggled mightily to contain any opponent through eight games. As a unit, Miami is surrendering 35 ppg and 455.9 offensive ypg to the opposition. In six of the team's eight games, opponents have scored at least 31 points, and that includes Miami's only win over UMass (42-41).


Four players on the Miami defense have registered at least 60 tackles, led by Jarnell Jones's 66 total stops. Linebacker Kent Kern is another one of them, and also sports a team-best eight tackles for loss. Defensive lineman Bryson Albright has registered five sacks and three quarterback hurries - both team highs - and will look to keep Reardon contained this weekend.


The RedHawks have shown much more this season in terms of potential than their winless one a year ago, but it's still not a complete effort by any means. The offense has made huge strides forward, and shouldn't have any trouble whatsoever handling Kent State, which is the only winless team in MAC play this season.


Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Miami-Ohio 28, Kent State 17






















This post was edited on 10/23 9:34 PM by nashvillegoldenflash

Game Preview

The Flashes gave a total team effort in their 39-17 victory today. Colin Reardon passed for a career-high 360 yards and three touchdowns and Anthony Melchiori was perfect on four field goal attempts for the Flashes. In this game, KSU started eight sophomores and six freshmen. Needless to say, I'm very proud of this young team and hope this win is the beginning of many to come.

Go Flashes!!!




.



Kent State Football vs. Army - Homecoming 10/18/14

In this week's press conference, Coach Haynes is joined by Nick Cuthbert and Casey Pierce (see link).

Football Weekly Press Conference 10/20/14

There is something of a chicken-and-the-egg principle at work when examining the correlation between recruiting classes and collegiate success. Winning begets recruiting success, but recruiting success begets winning. Starting the cycle is the challenge new coaches face, but as Western Michigan is now showing us (see link), it's a cycle that works with some perpetuity once it's begun. After finishing 1-11 in 2013, Western Michigan is currently 3-3 that includes a win over Ball State and a one-point loss to Toledo. Despite their 1-11 record in 2013, the Broncos captured the best recruiting class in the MAC this year and are now becoming a competitive program.







2014 MAC Football Recruiting Classes

The Sports Network
DATE & TIME: Saturday, October 18, 3:30 p.m. (ET)
FACTS & STATS: Site: Dix Stadium (25,319) -- Kent, Ohio. Television: None. Home Record: Army 2-1, Kent State 0-3. Away Record: Army 0-3, Kent State 0-3. Neutral Record: Army 0-0, Kent State 0-0. Conference Record: Army 0-0, Kent State 0-3. Series Record: Army leads, 2-1.


GAME NOTES: Coming off a one-sided loss to previously winless Massachusetts, the Kent State Golden Flashes will try to end their own losing skid as they host the Army Black Knights in a non-conference clash at Dix Stadium Saturday.


Army got back in the win column against Ball State following a three-game losing streak, but fell last weekend once again to Conference USA opponent Rice, 41-21. The Black Knights have two wins on the season, and both have come against Mid-American Conference opponents.


Kent State, a MAC program, was dropped by winless UMass last weekend, 40-17, at home. The Golden Flashes are now the only team in the conference to have no wins to this point in the season, and this clash with Army represents the final non-conference game for Kent State this year.


The teams have met three times on the field in their series history, with Army holding a slim 2-1 all-time lead. The last time the Black Knights won against Kent State was back in 2010, while the Golden Flashes won the most recent meeting in 2012.


Army held a distinct advantage over Rice in last weekend's contest on the ground, with a 250-182 edge in rushing yards. But the Black Knights couldn't get much going through the air, and finished the contest with a mere 91 passing yards. Quarterback Angel Santiago completed 5-of-11 passing for 37 yards and a touchdown, while A.J. Schurr was 1-of-3 for 54 yards through the air.


Army is a run-first offense that averages 407.2 total offensive ypg. Of those 407-plus yards per outing, 323.5 ypg come via the rushing attack. Santiago is a dual-threat quarterback more suited to run the ball, evidenced by his six rushing scores and 466 yards on the ground this season. His touchdown pass against Rice last weekend was his first this season. The senior has completed 23-of-34 pass attempts for 325 yards (67.6 completion percentage) without an interception.


The only player in the Army rushing game with more yards this season is Larry Dixon, who tops the team with 612 yards through six games played. Dixon averages 102 rushing ypg, and has scored five touchdowns for a Black Knights program that has found the end zone 19 times on the ground in six games.


While Army's offense has been steady through six games (27.5 ppg), the team's defense has been anything but, allowing opponents to score an average of 35.3 ppg and gain 441.3 offensive ypg. Opponents have picked Army's secondary apart to the tune of 253.7 passing ypg and 16 touchdowns through the air in the team's six games played.


Jeremy Timpf leads the team in both tackles (52) and tackles for loss (7.5) this season, though Stephen Ricciardi has an impressive seven tackles behind the line of scrimmage, ranked right behind Timpf. Going against a Kent State team that will turn the ball over (it's a question of when, not if for the Golden Flashes), Timpf and Josh Jenkins will both be busy. Timpf leads the team with three interceptions, while Jenkins is close behind with two.
Kent State was helpless against UMass last weekend, as the Minutemen dominated offensively and made sure the Golden Flashes stayed out of the end zone long enough for Massachusetts to rake in the points. Kent State had just 341 total yards of offense in the loss, which once again was highlighted by a lack of any real presence in the run game. Quarterback Colin Reardon was the team's leading rusher yet again, going for 53 yards on three carries.


The team has really struggled to get anything going on the ground this season. The Golden Flashes average 68.2 rushing ypg, and have scored only two touchdowns on the ground through six games played. Nick Holley is the team's leader this season with 220 carries on 68 attempts, while Reardon and Anthony Meray are the only two to have punched in rushing scores this season.


Reardon under center has been unspectacular. The sophomore has passed for 1,227 yards and six touchdowns through six games, and has thrown eight interceptions in the same span. His 54.6 completion percentage isn't awful, but the team's record and scoring numbers show otherwise. Tight end Casey Pierce has caught 23 passes for 259 yards and a score, behind top receiver Chris Humphrey (24 receptions, 270 yards).


Defense hasn't always been the key concern for the Golden Flashes, who lost a 17-14 contest to conference rival Northern Illinois back on Oct. 4. In fact, Kent State has lost two games this year by that three-point margin, and dropped another by 10 points to South Alabama. The team is allowing opponents to score 34.7 ppg, while the offense manages 11.8 ppg. Stopping the run hasn't been easy for the Golden Flashes, who surrender 212.7 rushing ypg to opponents.


Safety Nate Holley ranks third in the nation in tackles per game (13.3) this season, which is a bright spot for Kent State. He leads the team with 81 total stops, and has a team high-tying two forced fumbles in six games. Perhaps very telling statistics, the Golden Flashes have recorded just three sacks and zero fumble recoveries all season long, meaning pressure on an opposing offense is minimal.


Army may be winless on the road this season, but the team has every chance in the world to nab its first away victory going against the floundering Golden Flashes. Kent State struggles to stop the run, and has given up 11 rushing touchdowns this season. Running the ball is the foundation of Army's offense, which means Kent State is in for a long day as it searches for that first victory.


Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Army 27, Kent State 17

This post was edited on 10/15 7:17 PM by nashvillegoldenflash

Army (2-4) at Kent State (0-6)

With its 2015 schedule cemented, Alabama has moved to adding more one-and-done home games to its 2016 slate.

Alabama has agreed to play Kent State, the alma mater of UA coach Nick Saban, in Tuscaloosa on Sept. 24, 2016. Alabama is paying KSU $1.5 million to play the game.

FBSchedules.com was the first to report the agreement on Wednesday.

The contract between UA and Kent State, a Mid-American Conference member, was drafted for July 18. UA Associate Vice President for Finance Reba J. Essary signed the contract on Sept. 2.

Alabama last played Kent State on Sept. 3, 2011, a 48-7 Crimson Tide win. Alabama paid $1.2 million for that game. The payout this time matches the most UA has ever paid for a non-conference opponent. Alabama paid Colorado State $1.5 million per game for two games in Tuscaloosa (the second scheduled for 2017) and The Daily News Journal in Murfreesboro, Tenn. reported Tuesday that Alabama will give Middle Tennessee State $1.5 million for its game in Tuscaloosa next season.

Two of Alabama's previously unknown non-conference opponents for 2015, MTSU and Charleston Southern, were released when the SEC announced its league-wide schedule on Tuesday.

Kent State joins two other non-conference games already on Alabama's 2016 slate. The Crimson Tide will play Southern Cal in Dallas on Sept. 3, 2016 and has Western Kentucky is scheduled for Sept. 10, 2016. UA paid Western Kentucky $1.3 million for its appearance. According to the contract, if Alabama or Kent State cancels the game, it will pay $1 million as "reasonable and contemplated liquidated damages." An SEC officiating crew will officiate the contest.

Alabama agrees to play Kent State in 2016

Army is favored by 6 points (see link).

Las Vegas Odds

In this weekly press conference, Coach Haynes is joined by Nate Vance and Colin Reardon.

This post was edited on 10/13 6:56 PM by nashvillegoldenflash

Football Weekly Press Conference 10/13/14

In the UMass postgame press conference, Coach Haynes is accompanied by Colin Reardon and Nate Holley (see link)

UMASS postgame press conference

In this week's press conference, Coach Haynes is joined by Jordan Italiano and Reno Reda (see link).

Weekly Press Conference 10/6/14

Flashes are favored by 1 (see link).

Las Vegas Odds