Will Virginia Tech get a much needed breather this Saturday when the Kent
State Golden Flashes visit Lane Stadium, or will the Hokies experience the same
difficulties that the Michigan Wolverines had with the Ball State Cardinals last
week in the Big House? No one needs to remind Virginia Tech fans of how
dangerous MAC schools can be, after Miami (Ohio) upset Tech several years ago.
This week the Hokies host an improved Kent State squad that was in contention
for the Mid-American East Division title until Ohio knocked the Golden Flashes
off two weeks ago. Virginia Tech needs to come ready to play because the Hokies
have basically become Kent State’s bowl game for this year.

A year ago Kent State was one of the worst teams in D-1 football, having an
inept offense and porous defense, but some coaching changes and new personnel
have greatly improved the Golden Flashes. First and foremost Kent State is much
healthier this year, as last year’s offense was decimated by injuries. At one
time all five starting offensive linemen from the beginning of the season were
injured and out of action. In addition, Kent State had six running backs injured
during the season. Redshirts were taken off true freshmen and players were
forced to move to new positions to adapt to the unusual rash of injuries.

As the result of last year’s 1-10 season, coaching and personnel changes
had to be made. Kent State has changed from a more conventional pass-oriented
offense to a version of the spread option popularized by West Virginia. The
Golden Flashes have abandoned the zone blocking scheme that confused their young
offensive line and gone to a simpler man-on-man blocking approach. As a result
Kent State has gone from possibly the worst rushing offense in the country last
year, averaging a meager 1.8 yards per carry, to a respectable running game
averaging 4.2 yards per carry. The offensive line has only missed three starts
this year and key skill position talent has been added to the team. Junior
college quarterback Julian Edelman (#11, 6-0 195, r-So.) leads the attack now
with explosive running back Eugene Jarvis (#6, 5-5 158, r-Fr.) and speedy
Michigan State transfer Tony Howard (#1, 5-10 200, r-So.) added to the
backfield.

Defensively Kent State has been solid, led by an experienced secondary that
is second in the MAC in pass efficiency defense. The leaders on defense are
fifth-year senior Daniel Muir (#5, 6-2 285), who was second-team All-MAC last
season, and fifth-year safety Andre Kirkland (#27, 6-1 200). Muir played
defensive tackle last year, but has been moved to defensive end in Kent State’s
modified 4-3 defense. The new Golden Flash defense more closely resembles
Maryland’s scheme now with a rush linebacker/stand-up defensive end that is
called the Buck (called the Leo linebacker in Maryland’s scheme). True
freshman Kevin Hogan (#94, 6-3 210) mans the Buck position and leads Kent State
with 6.5 sacks. The other stand-out defensive player for the Golden Flashes,
Andre Kirkland, also changed position from an outside linebacker spot last year.

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