Kent State Team Report

“We’re going to play a lot of young players and see if we can get a head start on next season, and at the same time do everything we can to win these last three games,” coach Doug Martin said.

“This is probably the best front four we’ve played since the first game of the season when we played Boston College,” Martin said.

“We have to play better defensively,” Martin said. “We’re going to move some people around.”

Kent’s fifth-year coach expects defensive backs Kirk Belgrave and Josh Pleasant to see more action.

Notes, Quotes

Scouting The Offense:  

Senior QB Julian Edelman has been brilliant, accumulating 389 yards of total offense against the Falcons.

In back-to-back weeks, Kent State has exploded for 478 at Bowling Green and 468 yards at Miami.

The rushing attack, with RB Eugene Jarvis healthy, and Edelman in overdrive, is as good as there is in the MAC. Reserve RBs Andre Flowers and Jacquise Terry give Kent State quality depth.

“Julian is definitely the most valuable player we have here,” coach Doug Martin said. In MAC games only, Edelman is averaging 301 yards per game.

Junior WR Derek McBryde, pressed into action at Miami, had another good game at Bowling Green. McBryde, along with senior Shawn Bayes, are hoping to give Kent State two solid receivers for the stretch run.

The middle of Kent State’s offensive line has ramped up its play. RG Mike Roder, C Chris Anzevino and LG Michael Fay have come a long way since the Boston College opener. Martin said redshirt freshman center Chris Anzevino “has to be one of the better centers in the league.” Tackle Augustus Parrish was second-team All-MAC in 2007.

The Flashes are fifth in the MAC in total offense (395.9 yards per game) and averaged 6.2 yards per carry at Doyt Perry Stadium. Jarvis had 143 all-purpose yards against Bowling Green. Kent State rushed for 305 yards one week earlier at Miami.

Scouting The Defense:   After limiting Miami to 318 total yards, the Kent State defense experienced a meltdown trying to contain Bowling Green’s wide-open spread attack, allowing 462 yards. The Flashes have struggled mightily against such offenses (Ball State, Louisiana-Lafayette) and their inability to make plays in space results in excessive yardage.

Despite the inconsistent play, Martin has been pleased with DB Brian Lainhart (MAC leader with six interceptions), LB Derek Burrell, LB Cobrani Mixon, LB Dorian Wood, NT Sam Frist, and true freshman DB Josh Pleasant.

Mixon (broken foot) and LB Cedrick Maxwell (broken shin bone) should be at full strength for Temple.

This unit had endured tough times in back-to-back losses to Louisiana-Lafayette and Ball State, but coordinator Pete Rekstis appeared to have his unit playing inspired ball headed to November.

Martin is most disappointed with his edge defenders, ends and outside linebackers, and indicated there would be personnel changes.

Quote To Note:   “I would expect (Temple) to do what most people have done to us, spread us out and run the ball, and then try play action and throw over our heads. We’ve not played the deep ball very well this year.”—Coach Doug Martin.

Strategy And Personnel

• QB Julian Edelman has cleaned up his turnover issues and is playing the best football of his college career, coach Doug Martin said.

Edelman has carried this team with his play and his leadership. At Bowling Green, he rolled up 389 total yards, including a career-high 170 on the ground.

The Redwood City, Calif., native has averaged 301.0 yards of total offense in five MAC games. He is deserving of All-MAC recognition.

• FS Brian Lainhart, a sophomore from Cincinnati Colerain High, leads the MAC with six interceptions and is a strong candidate for All-MAC. Lainhart (6-foot-1, 197) was dominant at Bowling Green and Miami, with a combined 21 total tackles.

• T Augustus Parrish is an NFL prospect because of his size (6-foot-5, 305) and athletic ability. A second-team All-MAC selection a year ago, Parrish is proving to be an excellent drive blocker in Kent State’s running scheme.

Roster Report:  

• WR Alan Vanderink (shoulder) is doubtful for Temple.

• WR Chris Gilbert, a true freshman from Huntersville, N.C., pulled a hamstring during the week before the Miami game. Martin said he is a game-time decision.

• WR Kendrick Pressley, the freshman who began his career at Virginia Tech, suffered a broken foot in the days leading up to Miami. He is done for the season.

Temple Team Report

There’s still a chance.

Despite the 3-6 overall record, despite all the tough losses and the injuries, Temple still has a chance in the MAC as the Owls face their last three games of the season.

“We do have a chance,” coach Al Golden told Monday’s MAC media conference call. “Obviously, this would go a long way. If we can win this one and then be home for the last two, I think our guys will get energized.”

“Obviously, Akron, Buffalo have to play, Bowling Green-Buffalo, Bowling Green, I think Akron still have to play and obviously we play Akron,” Golden said.

“I’m just talking about the East side, after we play Kent, so there’s a lot that can happen.”

The Owls are coming off a devastating loss at Navy, a game that had to shatter the spirits of a group that had already lost too many times late in games. But it was also a game that had nothing to do with the conference standings.

Notes, Quotes

Scouting The Offense:  

Adam DiMichele is back, and that means the Temple attack has a healthy quarterback AND a running game for the first time this year.

That late fumble against Navy aside, Kee-ayre Griffin has give the Owls a running game since coming over from defense, with 284 yards and four touchdowns in his four games on offense.

He accepted the blame for putting that ball on the ground at Navy, and he has produced.

This week, the Owls face a defense that is 99th in the country against the run, 70th against the pass, 94th in overall defense and 95th in scoring defense. It’s time for this Temple offense.

Scouting The Defense:  

If you look at the scores of the Temple games this year, you might notice the defense has pretty much done its job.

As a rule, Golden’s group doesn’t get run over and it shouldn’t again this week, even though Kent does pose threats.

The defense has been battered and bruised all season but the coach says the entire team is healthier than it’s been all year and the few extra days since the last game can only help in this weeknight game.

Quote To Note:   “Let me just say this, (this is) the first time in our 2 1/2 years that our guys are starting to talk about the conference and starting to talk about the division so I think they understand that and I think the midweek games have helped our guys and educated our guys on what it means and the standings and how every game impacts that. I think our guys are excited about it but the only thing we can do right now is concentrate on Kent.”—Coach Al Golden, on his team being alive in the MAC race.

The Owls will be playing their seventh road game in the first 10 and their final one of the season when they visit this 2-7 team.  

• QB Adam DiMichele had a little extra time and the success he had throwing the ball at Navy makes you think the leader of this offense is about as 100% as he’s going to be with that shoulder. He should be able to pass against Kent State.

• RN Kee-ayre Griffin’s fumble was costly at Navy but this kid has energized the offense since coming over from defense. He has a rushing touchdown in each game and has given the Owls a running attack. The kid’s got a great attitude. “We’re a fighting team and we’re going to keep fighting,” he said in the midst of the despair over the Navy crusher.

• FS Jaiquawn Jarrett leads Temple with 67 tackles, 40 of them solos, and has two interceptions and two fumble recoveries.

• C Alex Derenthal, a Rimington Trophy candidate as the nation’s top center

• WR Bruce Francis has caught at least one pass in 35 consecutive games and has equaled the program record with 18 career touchdown catches. He had a career-high 151 yards receiving in the loss at Navy.