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Athlon Sports
Kent State Football: 2024 Golden Flashes Season Preview and Prediction
By Athlon Sports,
22 days ago
Kent State extended head coach Kenni Burns one year despite his 1-11 debut, showing a vote of confidence in his rebuilding effort. With 10 of the 11 losses by double digits, there is nowhere to go but up for a team that will travel to Pittsburgh, Penn State and Tennessee in the non-conference. How far up will be dependent on the offensive line’s development and whether the front seven on defense can make significant improvement.
Quarterback Tommy Ulatowski saw playing time in 10 games last season, including three late-season starts. He threw for more than 200 yards in his first two starts and finished the season with seven touchdowns and two interceptions while completing 50 percent of his passes. He is an RPO-style quarterback who exited the spring as QB1.
Running back Gavin Garcia, who led the Golden Flashes with 544 yards and two touchdowns, will share time with Kansas transfer Ky Thomas. Thomas played for Kent State head coach Kenni Burns at Minnesota in 2021 and rushed for 824 yards.
Two All-MAC receivers are back in Chrishon McCray and Luke Floriea. McCray was first-team all-conference after averaging 68 receiving yards per game and will be a clear No. 1 receiver. Floriea works the slot and had 39 catches last year.
Up front, the tight ends will be new, but a young offensive line returns virtually intact. The unit surrendered 41 sacks a year ago when it featured freshmen at both guard spots and at center, but Burns is optimistic that the group will be much improved after a full season together.
Sophomore wide receiver Crishon McCray put up 610 yards and four touchdowns in just nine games for Kent State in 2023.
Jeff Lange&solAkron Beacon Journal&solUSA Today Network
Previewing Kent State’s Defense for 2024
The defensive line looks like it will be a strength, although third-team All-MAC defensive tackle CJ West entered the portal in the spring. Oliver Billotte and Stephen Daley have a chance to replace West on the MAC honor roll by season’s end. The line rotation is solid and will look to develop some depth in the fall.
At linebacker, CJ Harris transferred after spring ball, but coaches were thrilled with Rocco Nichol’s performance and do not expect a drop-off. The Flashes will also get Khalib Johns back after two years of injuries. He is expected to be a major contributor.
The Flashes ranked No. 50 against the pass last year, which was Kent State’s best ranking in the major defensive categories, but both starting corners are gone and reinforcements will need to emerge. Safeties Alex Branch and Josh Baka will provide a veteran presence.
Kent State enters year two of a significant rebuilding under coach Kenni Burns, after going 1-11 with its only win over FCS Central Connecticut in 2023.
Nicholas McLaughlin&solAkron Beacon Journal&solUSA Today Network
Previewing Kent State’s Specialists for 2024
Andrew Glass is on pace to become Kent State’s all-time leading scorer and was second-team All-MAC last year after going 15-for-17 on field goals. He did not attempt a kick beyond 49 yards in 2023. Punter Josh Smith also returns after averaging 41 yards per kick.
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