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Thanks PH. That would indeed suck. We'd find out what we have in those Freshman RB's sooner rather than later if that does happen. It's a shame Roman Clay is gone. I was expecting big things from him.

After reading Dave's blog today it seems some kids came into camp prepared and really made some nice strides in the weight room.

(08-02-2014 06:28 AM)Polish Hammer Wrote:  <SNIP>
Curious if Shimensky will play QB at Mount Union or not, especially considering somebody here used to say he was our best QB on the roster. Playing at a high level at D-III should be a breeze.

How many seasons can Shimensky play at Mount Union? It would be hard for him to push 2013 Gagliardi Trophy winner Kevin Burke to the bench. Burke has 1 more year, I think Shimensky has 2 but hasn't he already used his redshirt year?

I believe he was the class of 2011. So he was on the team in the fall of 2011, 2012 and 2013, three seasons and probably minus one as a redshirt leaving 2 seasons gone and 2 remaining with instant eligibility as he transferred down in divisions.

(08-03-2014 09:49 AM)anti-zip Wrote:  Thanks PH. That would indeed suck. We'd find out what we have in those Freshman RB's sooner rather than later if that does happen. It's a shame Roman Clay is gone. I was expecting big things from him.

Elton's article in the PD:

Quote:On the hoof: The big question going into camp is the availability of senior tailback Trayion Durham, who has been hobbled since the end of last season with foot surgery. Haynes said the 6-1, 240-pound native of Cincinnati who gained 766 yards last season is anxious to get into the mix.

"Right now he wants to go and see how much he can do,'' Haynes said. "I'm just waiting to get the clearance from the trainers to make sure we don't do anything too quick, try to rush him and have another problem. I'm not going to push it to get him back, but I'm not going to baby him when he gets back.''

Right now, it seems Durham will be back in action sooner rather than later.

"(The trainers) feel good about him,'' Haynes said. "There are just certain things that happen and seem to get irritated a little bit. But he'll be OK. Nothing major. We're just trying to be smart about it all.''

Next in line: With Durham on the side, veterans Anthony Meray, a senior, and Tristan Boykin, a junior, have been getting the bulk of reps at tailback. But eyes have also been on freshman tailback Raekwon James, a late signee from New Orleans, La.

"He's a smaller back (5-9), which we knew,'' Haynes said. "But he is quick, and he has a good burst. He's probably about 185-190. He's a good-looking kid."

Meet your 2014 KSU Football 2 deep: http://kentstatesports.com/documents/201..._chart.pdf

Players with experience missing from the 2 deep - Trayion Durham (RB), DeVante' Strickland (OLB), Chris Fairchild (NT), & William Woods (WR) (RIP Jason Bitsko, you will be missed on/off the field).

Without Durham and a real running game, do we have enough to be competitive? Maybe I am all gloom and doom, but it feels like we are looking at a season of expectations that are out of reach. Someone correct me or educate me.

Unfortunately I think you're right. Even with a healthy Durham we were very lean at RB, with him hobbling, the tragic loss of Jason and other holes we have we are doomed IMO.half the started are sophomores and theres a true freshman starting. Looks like the makings of a team taking their lumps this year for the benefit of next year and especially the year after when they are all Seniors.

Earlier, I had higher hopes for this year but after looking at the 2 deep roster, I have to reevaluate. In a conference like ours, good, winning teams come about when the team is lead by primarily 3rd, 4th, and 5th year players. This is not us. We are really young. My concern at this juncture is how much hope do we have for next year and the future. How good are our recent recruits compared to others? I love Coach Hazell but he inherited a championship level team and did not lay a great foundation for the future in the area of recruiting. I just hope that Coach Haynes is building with quality in the trenches. I say trenches because I do not see it in the skill positions. I am not being pessimistic because I do not know enough of our talent to have an opinion. Call me hopeful.

I am hoping for a good season. From what I hear we have a decent team but lack depth. Sounds like we have a decent crop of running backs that with exp will only get better. I think speed was needed at that position. The tragic loss at center will be a problem but hopefully will improve. Hoping to get out of the Buckeye game with out alot of injuries.

What happened to the big 300 +lb lineman from Las Vegas. I do not see him on the roster.

He's on the roster, just not the 2-deep.

http://www.kentstatesports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=8239

PD Wrote:Freshmen starter: For the second straight year Kent will have a true freshman starter. Last year it was offensive tackle Wayne Scott from Florida. This year it is nose guard Jon Cunningham from Bedford High School.

The 6-0, 290-pound lineman committed to Kent State very early last season and stuck to his pledge.

"We really liked him coming out of high school and really like him now,'' Haynes said. "He's a wrestler, and really understands how to keep himself low, and leverage. We've got to be smart with how we play him, and he's being pushed by some guys, including another freshman, (Zach) Singer (6-2, 310 pounds) who could push his way into the rotation before the season is over."

I'm hoping for a good season but I wouldn't be too disappointed if it wound up like that season a few years back (2009?) where it seems like every big play is being made by a freshman or sophomore. It's easier to take losing when you can see a bright future for the key play makers.

With that said, I think we could still be a good team. Most of the underclassmen on the 2 deep defense saw playing time last year. One of the ones that didn't, Najee Murray, is a BCS caliber player. On offense we're a lot younger but, if Durham gets healthy, we'll have very talented Srs at WR (Humphrey), TE (Pierce), and RB (Durham). If Reardon progresses, the O Line can come together, and some of these young skilled position players can make an impact we could be pretty good.

One thing to keep in mind, we'll likely have the special teams advantage in most games. Melchiori is a special player. He'll give the offense and the defense breathing some extra breathing room. One last note. Did anyone notice Nick Holley is listed as the #2 RB, #2 KR, #3 PR, and... wait for it... #2 punter on the depth chart! That's gotta make him one if the most versatile players in the country. Think we might see some fake punts of he's back there?

I wonder if it would be wiser to just shut Durham down and redshirt him instead of laboring through what I'm sure will be bits of duty mixed with nursing a bum foot? Even when he wasn't hurt the past three years he never seemed to be in shape, nowhere near enough to shoulder the load as the primary guy he would be this year.

(08-26-2014 08:33 PM)anti-zip Wrote:  I'm hoping for a good season but I wouldn't be too disappointed if it wound up like that season a few years back (2009?) where it seems like every big play is being made by a freshman or sophomore. It's easier to take losing when you can see a bright future for the key play makers.

With that said, I think we could still be a good team. Most of the underclassmen on the 2 deep defense saw playing time last year. One of the ones that didn't, Najee Murray, is a BCS caliber player. On offense we're a lot younger but, if Durham gets healthy, we'll have very talented Srs at WR (Humphrey), TE (Pierce), and RB (Durham). If Reardon progresses, the O Line can come together, and some of these young skilled position players can make an impact we could be pretty good.

One thing to keep in mind, we'll likely have the special teams advantage in most games. Melchiori is a special player. He'll give the offense and the defense breathing some extra breathing room. One last note. Did anyone notice Nick Holley is listed as the #2 RB, #2 KR, #3 PR, and... wait for it... #2 punter on the depth chart! That's gotta make him one if the most versatile players in the country. Think we might see some fake punts of he's back there?

The number 2 punter is his brother Nate. Was a great punter in high school

Just remember men's basketball is coming up fast. That always gets me thru our notoriously awful football seasons

Posted from my mobile device using the CSNbbs App

It's obvious you despise the football program and claim to be a big basketball fan yet every single one of your 18 posts do nothing but bash on the football program. If all you're going to do is piss on the football program and not post anything positive, even nothing positive about basketball, then why do you even bother to post? If you enjoy basketball so much then please come back and post about them when they're in season. Even the Akron folks come around from time to time with a compliment here and there.

(08-27-2014 08:18 AM)danh63 Wrote:  

(08-26-2014 08:33 PM)anti-zip Wrote:  I'm hoping for a good season but I wouldn't be too disappointed if it wound up like that season a few years back (2009?) where it seems like every big play is being made by a freshman or sophomore. It's easier to take losing when you can see a bright future for the key play makers.

With that said, I think we could still be a good team. Most of the underclassmen on the 2 deep defense saw playing time last year. One of the ones that didn't, Najee Murray, is a BCS caliber player. On offense we're a lot younger but, if Durham gets healthy, we'll have very talented Srs at WR (Humphrey), TE (Pierce), and RB (Durham). If Reardon progresses, the O Line can come together, and some of these young skilled position players can make an impact we could be pretty good.

One thing to keep in mind, we'll likely have the special teams advantage in most games. Melchiori is a special player. He'll give the offense and the defense breathing some extra breathing room. One last note. Did anyone notice Nick Holley is listed as the #2 RB, #2 KR, #3 PR, and... wait for it... #2 punter on the depth chart! That's gotta make him one if the most versatile players in the country. Think we might see some fake punts of he's back there?

The number 2 punter is his brother Nate. Was a great punter in high school

You're right. I could've swore that said #4 Nick the other day.

(08-26-2014 01:17 PM)GFlash68 Wrote:  What happened to the big 300 +lb lineman from Las Vegas. I do not see him on the roster.

GFlash68,

Zach is on the roster. http://www.kentstatesports.com/roster.as...h=football

Jon Cunningham is just out playing him and Chris Fairchild is the incumbent @ NT.

Thanks for the info. I did go back and look at the total roster and saw his name. He should be a good one in time.