 Eight MAC teams hit the field Saturday, and Week 5 matchups include five MAC vs. MAC contests. Among the intra-league contests is Kent State at Miami.
The RedHawks already have one MAC win and are 2-2 on the year. Both wins came at home as MU edged winless Eastern Michigan (0-4, 0-2), 28-21, and followed with a 31-10 victory over Colorado State. The RedHawks also played well in their opener before Florida pulled away in the final quarter for a 34-12 win.
Just as the MU seemed to be jelling, however, they crashed last week at Missouri. How well the young RedHawks can rebound from that 51-13 shellacking will be important as Mike Haywood’s squad meets a talented Kent State team.
The Golden Flashes opened with a 41-10 home win over Murray State before showing some grit in losses at Boston College (13-26) and (No. 22) Penn State (24-0).
A KSU key to getting untracked on offense once again is senior running back Eugene Jarvis. After regaining another years of eligibility following a season-ending injury at Boston College in 2009, Jarvis (5-5, 170) has missed the last two contests.
Kent State gained four yards rushing against Boston College and was then held to 58 yards on the ground against Penn State. Junior Jacquise Terry (2.3 ypc) and sophomore Dri Archer (2.7 ypc) are both averaging less than three yards per trip.
Despite a “bye” week following the Penn State loss, Jarvis was not listed on Monday’s two-deep chart, but his participation against Miami likely hinged on how much practice Jarvis could get during the past week and how he held up in those practices.
RedHawks head coach Michael Haywood indicated his team is preparing as though Jarvis, a dynamic, all-purpose runner and punt returner when healthy, will see action.
With the running game dormant, KSU has been forced to rely on passing.
Quarterback Spencer Keith, looking for a receiver nearly 60 percent of the time and often under heavy defensive pressure, is fifth in MAC passing stats with an average of 215.3 ypg. He has completed 62 percent of his passes, while tossing four TDs and five interceptions.
While the Golden Flashes would like to re-establish the run, they nonetheless need a productive outing from Keith.
Three of the Keith’s TDs came in the season-opening blowout of Murray State, while all four interceptions followed that contest (two each against BC and PSU).
Sam Kirkland’s 16 receptions (for 187 yards) lead the receiving corps. Tyshon Good has 13 catches, while Terry (9) and Archer (8) are targets out of the backfield.
On the other side of the ball, Kent State’s defense has performed relatively well overall. The Golden Flashes are ranked third in MAC scoring defense (20.3 ppg,) and are No. 1 (MAC and nation) against the run (61.3 ppg).
That’s bad news for Miami, which has struggled running the rock in several games. The RedHawks rank 10th (MAC) in rushing with 80.8 ypg.
Like the Golden Flashes, MU fares better in the passing game. In fact, the RedHawks are one spot (fifth) behind KSU in passing offense and quarterback Zac Dysert (191 ypg) is one spot behind Keith (215 ypg) in passing yardage.
Dysert has a better completion percentage (66.9-62.6), but the sophomore RedHawks signal caller has thrown six interceptions against four TDs in four games. Three of the TDs came against Colorado State.
Armand Robinson has been Dysert’s top target, averaging eight catches a game – seventh in the nation.
Overall, Miami’s offense has scored 84 points in four games. That’s a big jump over 2009, when MU recorded 45 points over the opening four contests. Haywood feels the offense can do even better if it cuts down on turnovers and penalties.
Miami’s defense, meanwhile, had been a strong suit through three games. However, the RedHawks were repeatedly gashed by runs at Missouri.
Worse yet, the defense was hit with injuries to linebacker Ryan Kennedy and safety Jordan Gafford. Both have been leaders on a defense that is still young in several areas and may not return for a couple weeks.
Dysert was also injured (concussion) during the Missouri game, although he was expected to be available for KSU.
Guards Bob Gulley and Brandon Brooks were already battling leg injuries and did not play against Missouri. Their injuries have added to issues along the offensive line.
As the RedHawks were reminded just eight seconds into the Missouri game, turnovers often figure heavily in games. With Miami and Kent State close in many categories, turnovers – or the lack of - could prove pivotal.
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