Kent State Bounces Back, Beats Eagles
By Kevin Pool
kpool@themacdaily.com
28, 
6
YPSILANTI — Kent State bounced back from a heartbreaking loss to Bowling Green and the Golden Flashes wasted no time putting the BGSU loss behind them, taking over on the opening kick.
Eastern Michigan’s Johnny Sears brought the ball out to the 35-yard line before he fumbled the ball and it was recovered by Kent State’s Leon Green and the Golden Flashes (3-4, 2-1 MAC) had the ball deep in EMU (0-6, 0-3) territory to start the game.
“Getting off to a fast start was going to be big,” Kent State coach Doug Martin said. “You couldn’t ask for a better setup than that.”
That drive would result in a Spencer Keith to Jon Simpson 1-yard touchdown to give the Golden Flashes an early lead. Kent State went on to win 28-6.
The Eagles responded with a field-goal, but a one-play drive that consisted of a Keith to Tyshon Goode 48-yard TD made it 14-3. After that the Eagles defense stepped up and seemed to shut down Kent State.
Spencer Keith came up big against Eastern Michigan.
On the day, the Golden Flashes ran for 152 yards, which is the fewest the Eagles have allowed all year. Perhaps some of that can be attributed to the presence of former Cleveland Browns head coach and defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel, who watched EMU practice this week and gave critiques to the coaching staff.
“It’s about time we stopped the run. That’s what we’ve been working on all year,” EMU safety Chris May said.
May also had one of the Eagles’ two interceptions that kept Kent State from scoring at the end of the half to keep the score at 14-6.
The Eagles had a chance to score a touchdown in the first half, something they haven’t done in the first three quarters during any home game. EMU had first and goal from the two-yard line thanks to a Nick Olds reception. Four failed runs gave Kent State the ball.
“We just wanted to play fast and physical and that’s what we did,” EMU linebacker Cobrani Mixon said. “Our d-line didn’t want to be blocked.”
When asked why he went for the touchdown instead of the field goal, EMU coach Ron English simply replied that the Eagles have nothing to lose right now.
“You feel like you should score from the two,” he said. “I think the goal-line stand turned the game.”
Keith kept the Golden Flashes on track despite throwing two interceptions. For the game he finished 10-of-24 for 164 yards with two touchdowns. He also added 48 yards and his first career rushing TD.
Martin was glad to see his team come together and put last week’s one point loss to Bowling Green behind them.
“This was a character check for our team,” he said. “We play off each other. I don’t know if I’ve been around a team that comes together like they do.”
