The Kent State Golden Flashes are ranked No. 64 in the Orlando Sentinel's preseason college football rankings (see link).

College Gridiron 365

If some of you recall, I once used Western Kentucky as an example of a team that has improved its program by recruiting Tampa Bay area players. Below is a list of current WKU players from the TB area.


1 Dowling, Jonathan Bradenton, Fla. (Florida)
2 Brand, Boe Bradenton, Fla. (Southeast HS)
4 Jackson, Andrew Lakeland, Fla. (Kathleen HS)
10 McNeal, Willie Bradenton, Fla. (Braden River HS)
13 Boyd, Xavius St. Petersburg, Fla. (Lakewood HS)
17 Randall, Daqual Palmetto, Fla. (Palmetto HS)
18 Hazley, Caleb Tampa, Fla. (Plant HS)
19 Higbee, Tyler Clearwater, Fla. (East Lake HS)
22 Robinson, Tyree Dundee, Fla. (Haines City HS)
31 Williams, Terran Bradenton, Fla. (Southeast HS)
32 Jones, Kadeem Dundee, Fla. (Haines City HS)
33 Allen, Leon Bradenton, Fla. (Manatee HS)
38 Singh, Ricardo Auburndale, Fla. (Auburndale HS)
40 Boyd, Bar'ee St. Petersburg, Fla. (Lakewood HS)
50 Vaughn, Blair Clearwater, Fla. (Central Catholic HS)
63 Polanco, Luis Tampa, Fla. (Middleton HS)
64 Sweetland, Tyler Largo, Fla. (St. Petersburg HS)
77 Lamp, Forrest Venice, Fla. (Venice HS)
79 Wilson, Delryn Tampa, Fla. (Jefferson HS)
85 Aikens, Austin Tampa, Fla. (Plant HS)
98 Terrell, Devante Lakeland, Fla. (Lake Gibson HS)
?? Axon, Ben Bradenton, Fla. (Manatee HS)
?? Evans, Jon Sarasota, Fla. (Riverview HS)

Left the team
Ty Scott (Palmetto HS), Dyron Speight (Southeast HS), Tevin Bryant (Braden River HS)


Looking at the roster numbers (and with a few exceptions), it looks like most of the Florida players are skill guys so it is fair to say WKU likes to recruit Florida because of the speed that the kids offer.


This is only Willie Taggart's 3rd season as WKU's head coach but he has been able to show dramatic improvement. The Hilltoppers went from 9th in the Sunbelt to 2nd last year and if not for politics would have earned WKU's 1st bowl bid.

They gave Kentucky a good game last year in the first game of the season and might have defeated the Wildcats had they played them at the end of the year. The Hilltoppers played LSU a very solid first half (14-7) but the lack of depth compared to the Tigers was too much to overcome.


Every coach loves speed but WKU is looking for football players who work hard and can get it done. Like most mid-major programs, WKU recruits 2-star and 3-star blue collar types but the Hilltoppers have had a couple of 4-star kids on campus which was unheard of before Taggart got there. The way that I see it, if WKU can recruit the Tampa Bay area well, then KSU should be able to get its share of Florida players.


On a side note, when the Flashes go to Lexington for their second game of the season, I hope they go down there with the belief that they can win. Just because Kentucky plays in the SEC, doesn't mean they are that much better. Take a look at the video below to see how unimpressed the Hilltoppers are of Kentucky's talent.

Andrew Jackson WKU not impressed by SEC Players

"When we get the ball on the three-yard line, we are going to pound it in." - Paul Haynes

Maybe this should be the Flashes' mantra this season. Put it on billboards around Kent and hold the players to it. Sure, the offensive line has many new starters but challenge them to provide the blocking for Durham to score when the ball is near the goal line.

"Well let me tell you what they're really saying. They're really saying Brian Lainhart's not good enough to play without Eugene Jarvis. Andre Flowers isn't good enough to go and play running back. Dri Archer's not good enough to go and play running back. The rest of you Kent State football players, you ain't good enough, and coaches too. You coaches aren't good enough to get it done without Eugene Jarvis, he's all you had. That's what's really being said there if you want to talk about that."[/B][/QUOTE]
"I love history. The Vikings, you know how they used to conquer people? They used to sail those ships in there, get off the ships then burn them. There's nowhere to run," Martin said. "So I'm going to tell you this. We don't have our starting quarterback; we don't have our starting running back; I don't care. I'll guarantee every Kent State fan right now this is going to be a winning football team and this football team is going to be in a bowl game. And Lainhart, I just burned the ships. See you Saturday."

Some of you will remember when Doug Martin told his team, "I just burned the ships." Well, in another reference to burning ships, Coach James Franklin told his team. "We're on the beach and the boats are burning." I just wished Coach Haynes would come up with an effective slogan for this year's team. Whether its soldiers in battle or men on the field, I believe such a statement provides a spirit of commitment. The moment the Vikings landed on the enemy's shore, the order was given to "burn the boats." Imagine the tremendous psychological impact on the soldiers as they watched their boats being set to the torch. There was no turning back. Once their boats were burned, they realized that the only way they were going home was through victory.




[/B]
[/B]
[/B]
[/B]

[/B]
[/B]
[/B]
[/B]



[/B][/QUOTE]
[/B]


This post was edited on 6/21 10:26 AM by nashvillegoldenflash

Alabama won another championship. A quarterback won the Heisman. Florida State won the ACC. Boise State won 11 games. Oregon blurred past the opposition in a BCS bowl. It was a year full of familiar moments, from the expected to the should-have-been expected. Then there was Kent State.
Prior to last season, Kent State was the lone FBS program with roots in the 20th century with a career winning percentage below .400 ? it stood at .388, to be precise. Prior to last season, Kent State had not won more than six games since 1987. Prior to last season, Kent State was mired in a run of 32 non-winning seasons in 34 years.
Then came last season. The Golden Flashes didn't just go 11-3, landing double-digit wins for the first time in school history. The Flashes came within a whisper of the Bowl Championship Series, believe it or not, and would have been the underdog story to end all underdog stories ? the offspring of 2006 Boise State and the team from Hoosiers. Much happened last fall; only one thing, Kent State, was truly, utterly unexpected. Also unexpected? If the Flashes do it again in 2013 (see link).

College football countdown | No. 85: Kent State

Jackson, Ohio LB Reagan Williams picked up his first offer today, from Kent State. Shouldn't be his last. Very good looking class of 2015 prospect.

Reagan Williams profile

If Athlon's prediction is correct and the Flashes finish 4-4 in the MAC and 6-6 for the season, how do you think Coach Haynes' first year will be perceived? Personally, I will be disappointed with a third place finish in the MAC East. Certainly a 6-6 record is better than a losing one but will that be enough to satisfy most Flash fans? What record would be necessary to maintain a forward momentum? Last year's team has become a source of great pride, enjoying its best season in school history. But it seems to me much still needs to be accomplished to ensure that our current momentum is carried into the future. I just don't believe 6-6 will accomplish much for the program regardless of how difficult the schedule is perceived. It seems to me if the Flashes can finish 7-4, that should be enough to maintain a forward momentum. What say you?

Athlon predicts Northern Illinois winning the MAC Championship over Bowling Green (see link).

MAC Football 2013 Predictions

Northern Illinois has the most returning lettermen and Ball State has the fewest lettermen returning in the MAC
(see link).

% of Lettermen Returning and Lost

Here is a link to the Cleveland Networking Luncheon with Coach Paul Haynes.

Cleveland Networking Luncheon - Paul Haynes

I absolutely hate the yellow helmet with eyes



but sure love the gold helmet that was worn from 1971-1975



and the gold Notre Dame helmet that you will see tonight in the National Championship Game.



This post was edited on 1/7 8:32 AM by nashvillegoldenflash

The Atlanta Journal Constitution is reporting that Kent State baseball coach Scott Stricklin will depart the university to take over as coach at the University of Georgia (see link).

Stricklin leaving Flashes

says Orlando Sentinel's national football writer Matt Murschel (see link).



Flashes are a team that will struggle in 2013

Alabama backup quarterback Phillip Ely is set to transfer to Toledo, according to multiple reports.

Ely would sit out the 2013 season and have two years of eligibility remaining. Neither school has confirmed the move, but Ely announced his intentions on Twitter.
"Ready to make a change in my life for the better and I thank everyone who has supported me through this process. Go Rockets!"

QB Phillip Ely transferring to Toledo

article in the Toledo Blade, excerpt:

...Toledo is taking steps to sell alcohol at its home football and basketball games, according to athletic director Mike O'Brien. School officials will meet in the coming weeks to discuss joining a growing trend in college athletics. If approved, UT's Glass Bowl will become then 12th on-campus major college football stadium to furnish alcohol and the 23rd stadium overall.

[/I]
Beer and wine would first be offered Sept. 14 at the football home opener against Eastern Washington.

[/I]
"The institution has looked at this as a possible additional revenue stream," O'Brien told The Blade.


[/I]
Alcohol would also be sold at Savage Arena for basketball games.


[/I]
Alcohol currently is available only in the press tower at the Glass Bowl and in the suite area at Savage Arena.....
Toledo would become the 4th MAC school selling beer/alcohol at on campus sporting events, all of them in Ohio. Kent State, Bowling Green, and Akron are the other three schools.

Toledo moves to sell alcohol at home fb, mbb games

If you're a big fan of the Little Caesars Bowl you may want to plan on making the trip to Detroit for it this December, for it is looking like it will be your last chance to see the game (see link).

Detroit Lions expected to create bowl game

As the power conferences work to secure spots in the most desirable bowl games, the Mid-American Conference and Sun Belt also are trying to expand their postseason lineups (see link).


MAC abd Sun Belt look to expand bowl lineup

Mid-American Conference

East
Akron 16, 7 offense, 7 defense, 2 special teams

Bowling Green 20, 9 offense, 9 defense, 2 special teams

Buffalo 19, 9 offense, 8 defense, 2 special teams

Kent State 12, 6 offense, 5 defense, 1 special teams

Massachusetts 11, 4 offense, 5 defense, 2 special teams

Miami, Ohio 16, 7 offense, 6 defense, 3 special teams

Ohio 12, 6 offense, 5 defense, 1 special teams

West
Ball State 14, 7 offense, 6 defense, 1 special teams

Central Michigan 16, 7 offense, 7 defense, 2 special teams

Eastern Michigan 14, 7 offense, 5 defense, 2 special teams

Northern Illinois 15, 8 offense, 5 defense, 2 special teams

Toledo 16, 9 offense, 4 defense, 3 special teams

Western Michigan 12, 2 offense, 8 defense, 2 special teams



College Football Returning Starters 2013

"Run To Daylight" was a vintage, made-for-television documentary produced by Howard Cosell, based on the book by legendary Packer coach Vince Lombardi. The video narrated by Horace McMahon (narrator of Naked City) and told by Vince Lombardi, is a 52-minute B&W "behind-the-scenes" film of the Green Bay Packers from the beginning thru the end of training camp for the 1964 NFL season.

In partnership with ABC, the documentary borrows the name "Run to Daylight" from the book of the same name by Vince Lombardi. The documentary aired as a one-hour prime time special on ABC, and was produced by Howard Cosell, directed by Lou Volpicelli, and written by W.C. Heinz.

The film opens with Lombardi at St. Norbert College, home of the Green Bay Packers training camp. Lombardi is the main character, but many Packer regulars are shown such as Bart Starr, Jerry Kramer, Forrest Gregg, Tom Moore, Zeke Bratkowski, Jim Taylor, Henry Jordan, Fred "Fuzzy" Thurston, Willie Wood, Boyd Dowler, Dave "Hawg" Hanner, and Paul "Golden Boy" Hornung, who is coming back after sitting out a year-long suspension for gambling. There are scenes of Willie Wood and Ray Nitschke running wind sprint relays, and the players pushing the blocking sled as Lombardi barks at them to push harder. Viewers hear Lombardi's famous welcome speech to the rookies and him saying "fatigue makes cowards of us all."

Lombardi diagrams the top plays of Packer opponents, such as the Browns, Bears and Giants. Finally Lombardi details the Packers favorite play, the "49-28 power sweep." He explains the significance of the play and why it is the one play that must open for every Packer ball-carrier, a "Run To Daylight."

Vince Lombardi - Run To Daylight (1964)

Harvard professor shows the benefits a strong football program brings to its university
The next time someone tells you college athletics have lost their place within the grand scheme of higher education, remind them of this play (see link).

Benefits of a strong football program

Here is a video of Ohio University's commercial for Ohio football season tickets. After last year's success, it will be interesting to see how KSU markets and promotes its football season tickets. BTW, I really love OU's "My State, My Team" theme and applaud Ohio's marketing team for coming up with such a great slogan.



Ohio Football season tickets: $4.50 a game!

Earlier this week, Stadium Journey released the full Home Field Advantage Ranking of the BCS level and crowned Michigan Stadium as best overall advantage in college football. As a follow-up, Stadium Journey separated Division I - FBS so that the "mid-majors" wouldn't be lost in the mix of massive stadiums.

The Home Field Advantage Ranking was developed to compare the impact of stadiums on the home team based on several categories. The categories include home win/loss record, average attendance, the Stadium Journey "Fans" score, attendance based on percentage stadium capacity, and points scored vs points allowed.

Considering this ranking is very subjective, I was pleased to see that Dix Stadium was given a respectable ranking of #15 (see link).

Home Field Advantage Ranking

See link below to view the Building Champions Initiative video.
This post was edited on 5/2 5:42 PM by nashvillegoldenflash

Building Champions Initiative

Kent State is ranked #71 (see link).

2013 NCAA Division IA Football Power Ratings

Two Trayion Durham (Cincinnati, Ohio) touchdown runs highlighted a 31-0 win by the Blue over the Gold in Saturday's Spring Game at Dix Stadium (see link).

FB Gives Reason to be Optimistic at Spring Game