Spring Break
Kent State flashes past 'Hawks
Dan Kukla
Issue date: 10/28/08 Section: Sports
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Playing a 1-6 Kent State University team that was winless in conference play since September 2007, the RedHawks made six turnovers-eight counting turnovers on downs-in route to a 54-21 loss.
"There's a fine line between playing well and being embarrassed on homecoming," head coach Shane Montgomery said. "We're very disappointed considering what we came off last week."
Miami's 54 succeeded points are the most by this team since a 54-3 loss to the University of Miami in 1987.
Kent State set a blistering pace early, opening the game with 44 total yards on its first two plays from scrimmage. A crucial holding call helped keep the Flashes out of the end zone, and they settled for a 48-yard, wind-aided field goal.
Freshman quarterback Clay Belton led Miami on its first scoring drive with a 20-yard bullet to the one-yard line followed by the first rushing touchdown of his career. It was after this promising start, however, that KSU took control.
In the second quarter, Kent State running back Eugene Jarvis set a school record for rushing touchdowns in a game. He punched four carries across the goal line before halftime, burying the 'Hawks under a 31-7 deficit. Jarvis finished the game with 105 yards and four touchdowns after only receiving three carries in the second half.
Kent quarterback Julian Edelman backed this performance with a career high 162 yards on the ground of his own to lead the Flashes in rushing. It marks his third straight game and the fourth this season rushing over the century mark. He used a combination of designed keepers, option runs and breakdown scrambles to burn Miami with his feet.
"Edelman is a different breed in terms of mobile quarterbacks," senior defensive back Robbie Wilson said. "A lot of times he is running in passing situations."
Edelman only completed only 10 passes, throwing for just 107 yards and one touchdown. Belton didn't fair much better, following up his heroic performance at Bowling Green State University with just 171 yards and two interceptions. Blame for the loss can't go completely on his shoulders, however, as only two of the six turnovers came by way of his arm.
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