The Kent State football program has unfortunately suffered a major injury before the regular season even began Head Coach Kenni Burns announced Monday at his weekly press conference as the Flashes prepare to open the 2024 season Saturday at Pittsburgh.
Running back Gavin Garcia, who was expected to be apart of a two headed monster with Ky Thomas, has been lost for the season with a knee injury. Garcia played in 11 games during the 2023 season, starting three of them while being hampered by injuries. Garcia rushed for 544 yards with two touchdowns. Burns raved about Garcia’s off season and felt like he was poised for a great season, now he will try to help out in other ways.
“We did have one major injury in fall camp, Gavin Garcia. He will be out for the season with a knee injury, big loss to our football team but he’ll take on a new role as Coach Garcia which we’re excited about, never going to keep that information from you. I want to make sure everybody knows that and understands that. Some guys will have to come up and play better and sooner than we expected, I’m excited about that.”
Kent State’s depth will be tested right off the bat to begin the season, at a position where depth was a question going into the spring. The thought of Thomas and Garcia wearing down MAC defenses so the Flashes can seek balance on offense will be challenged now.
“We still have Ky Thomas who’s a more than capable back who’s played a lot in the Big Ten and the Big Twelve and then Curtis Douglas has had a heck of a fall camp stepping in and I’m excited about him as he enters this season and then Marques Hicks, two redshirt freshmen who I know have a bright future, its just sooner than later now.”
Kent State opens the season at Pittsburgh Saturday at 12:00pm and the game can seen nationally on ESPNU.