Noticed this in the Warren, OH newspaper article about the OSU game and hadn't seen or heard it elsewhere. KSU has Big 10 opponents scheduled over the next three years. They are scheduled to visit Penn State next season, Iowa again in 2004 and Michigan State in 2005. Ugh...
How about some 1 for 1 or 1 for 2 deals with a C-USA, WAC, or MWC team to get some better opponents to draw at Dix, guys? The money is nice, but you need to build a fan base. Getting clobbered by Big 10 teams isn't going to do it.
<small>[ September 09, 2002, 11:51 AM: Message edited by: The Flash ]</small>
It would take some definate fan-base (as you said Flash) to get a Big Ten team in to Kent. I know last year Toledo had Minnisota and Miami just had in Iowa, but they almost always fill their stadiums.
We have had Navy and Cinicinatti here but could only get in maybe 15,000 fans at those game; not enough to attract a Big Ten team.
Believe me; I really think Mr. Kennedy is on the right track with the program. All those years that Amadio (?) was running the show, really took a toll on the Kent football program. Mr. Kennedy has slowly but surly got this thing back on the right track; Coaches, facility upgrades and even better marketing (my opiion) has taken place.
As for the Ohio State game, which seems to have everybody a bit down, the score indicated a total whipping; but you could see that we had no real problems moving the football (time of possesion,
more 1st downs, more yards rushing). The Buck's have a great team and will challange for the Big Ten title, but theres no question that this team is better at this point than the team that lost to Iowa 51 - 0 last year (which hardly moved the football at all). The last thing this team needs is for the students to abandon ship; I really hope that Saturday's game has another good turn-out (such as the 16,000 for New Hamshire), because I think Cribbs and company will respond very positivly if they do.
"We have had Navy and Cinicinatti here but could only get in maybe 15,000 fans at those game; not enough to attract a Big Ten team."
I really think things are heading in the right direction as well, however, facilities can only do so much. Kent State has had the excellent indoor facility with a 90-yard turf (not to mention 300-meter track) for over a decade now and it still hasn't attracted more wins. Not to mention the turf inside the stadium and lights over recent years.
Like I have stated before, they need to play more quality opponents at home to attract a more fan base. Opening up with New Hampshire (DII) and Cal-Poly (DII) are not eye openers for the average fan to run out and see the game. This is especially true when the average fan can drive not too far to see Ohio State play Washington State at home or Penn State play Nebraska, both this weekend.
Granted, these programs are on an entirely different level, but to subject the Golden Flashes to New Hampshire and Cal-Poly back-to-back at home can be much better. Most people have never even heard of Cal-Poly or know where it is. It's in San-Luis Obispo, folks, which is 2 hours north of Los Angeles and 10 miles off the Pacific coast. Their football stadium could not even compete with some of the Division III Ohio high schools in capacity.
At any rate, the Golden Flashes need a better schedule at home, especially the first couple weeks to attract more fans. Perhaps the philosophy is they can be 2-1 instead of 1-2 or 0-3. If they don't beat Cal-Poly, something is wrong.
Look for the Flashes to be 2-1 after this weekend (but remind yourself those are wins over New Hampshire and Cal-Poly).