Kent State was flat out dominant in a 54-14 victory over Howard University Saturday in its 2018 home opener at Dix Stadium. Behind six rushing touchdowns, the Golden Flashes out-gained the Bison on the ground 355-65.
Coming out strong in the home crowd's first look at the new FlashFAST offense, quarterback Woody Barrett marched Kent State down the field for a touchdown in their first series after a three and out by Howard. The drive only took a 1:38 as the Flashes went 67 yards, punctuated by a Barrett three-yard rushing touchdown.
The Golden Flashes' special team made a momentum changing play to set up the second Kent State touchdown in the first quarter. After the stingy Kent State defense forced their third three-and-out, Darryl Marshall blocked a Howard punt, setting up the Flashes at the Howard 15 yard line. On the very next play, running back Jo-El Shaw took it to the end zone to put Kent State up 14-0 on his first FBS carry with 8:00 to go in the first quarter.
The defense continued its dominance throughout the first half. On a 4th and short near the goal line, linebacker Matt Bahr forced a fumble as he popped the ball out of the hands of Caylin Newton. The fumble was recovered by Keith Sherald Jr. Overall, the Flashes forced three turnovers in the first half. The other two coming from interceptions by defensive backs, Jamal Parker and Juantez McRae.
Overall, the first half belonged to the Flashes. After another huge defensive stop in the red zone, Kent State went to the locker room up 26-0.
The Flashes were paced offensively by an impressive one-two punch in the backfield. Justin Rankin led the way with 75 yards on the ground. Shaw added 31 yards and two touchdowns
In the second half, it was the Bison getting on the board first. Caylin Newton connected with wide reciever, Kyle Anthony for a 6-yard touchdown, making it 26-7 with 9:56 left in the 3rd quarter.
Rankin continued his impressive day in the second half when he busted free for a 61-yard touchdown. It extended Kent State's lead to 33-7 and was Rankin's 10th career touchdown.
Next, it was Shaw who would find his way to the end-zone. Shaw rumbled his way to a huge 55-yard rush to get the Flashes within a yard of his third score.
Kent State made it 47-14 when Barrett dropped a 42-yard dime into the hands of wideout Isaiah McKoy. Earlier in the drive, McKoy ditched his receiving gloves after a dropped pass. He responded in a big way with a one-arm grab in the end zone.
If there was any doubt left, it was erased by running back, Will Matthews, who broke a few tackles on his way to a 16-yard touchdown.
Rankin led the way rushing for 147 yards. Shaw added 105 yards on the ground with three touchdowns. Barrett, the dual threat QB, added two touchdowns himself. One through the air and one on the ground.
The Flashes will be back in action Saturday, Sept. 16, when they travel to Happy Valley and take on the Nittany Lions of Penn State. Kickoff is set for 12:00 p.m.
Postgame Notes
The Flashes reached 50 points for the first time since 2008 (at Miami) and the first time over 50 at home since 2004.
The 2008 game at Miami was also last time Kent State had six or more rushing touchdowns.
Junior Joel Shaw – TD on first career carry. Three total touchdowns. Last time that happened was 2016 at Buffalo when Nick Holley rushed for four touchdowns. Rushed for 100 yards in his first career game.
Senior Juantez McRae has intercepted a pass in four consecutive season.
Junior Justin Rankin had a career-high 147 rushing yards career long 61-yard touchdown run and.
Sophomore walk-on tight end Adam Dulka had a career high two receptions for 29 yards.
Senior Matt Bahr had career highs of 11 total tackles and eight solo stops.
The last time Kent State recorded a safety was 2017 vs. Howard.
Postgame Quotes
Head Coach Sean Lewis
Opening Statement…
"It is great to be back home. It is great to get the first win. And it is great to score some points. The defense did a fabulous job early on. They did a really nice job early on containing a dynamic quarterback. I am really pleased in all three phases with the attitude and the effort. There are a lot of things we need to clean up. We had too many turnovers and too many penalties. Those are some things that we can control and get rectified. I am happy for the kids and most importantly, everyone involved in our FlashFAST family. It is great to get our first win and to do it at home in front of our fans in some less than ideal conditions. I am really pleased with the way that our kids performed, and it is something that we can build off of. I am looking forward to looking at the film and grading it, but we are going to take 24 hours to celebrate because when you win, you have to appreciate it."
On the past nine months…
"It is great to win, and I am more pleased with the way the kids have handled things over the past nine months. Now they get to feel in moments the way it all works. I told the kids last night that we are going to defer, we are going to kick off, get a stop and then come down and score."
On the blocked punt…
"It was huge. Anytime you are able to change the field like that, it is huge. Special teams was able to provide a huge spark and change the momentum."
Senior Linebacker Matt Bahr
On neutralizing Caylin Newton…
"We knew coming in this week after watching their tape against Ohio that they are very explosive. They have a great offense and a great quarterback in [Caylin] Newton. We just trusted the defensive coaches and the game plan they put together. They put us in a great position to be successful and then we just have to execute the game plan at that point."
On stopping their momentum in the first half…
"We trust Coach [Tom] Kaufman to give us the right call. He does a great job with that. At that point, it is just execution. We rep it all week. We spend a lot of time in the film room and we have great players on defense. Jim Jones, Jamal Parker and Elvis Hines are just ball players that go out and execute. We are confident that we can play with anybody that we go up against. At the end of the day, you just go out and play football."
Junior Running Back Justin Rankin
On having a great game today…
"We just stuck to the fundamentals and what the coaches told us to do. Give all the credit to the offensive line. We are just running the ball. We do the easy part. It was a great day running the ball. We had a couple of turnovers on the ground, but all in all it was a good day running the ball."
On Woody Barrett…
"I love watching Woody [Barrett] play. He is a great playmaker. He puts us all in the places that we need to be. He knows the offense and goes through his progressions. He is a good ball player and does what you have to do."
