In a league that has been dominated by offense for two decades, with made for television MACtion moments and high scoring affairs, spread offenses and basketball on grass style games, Kent State knows they will need their defense to compete in 2024.
Given the struggles of the offense last season, it’s safe to say that Kent State can’t expect to win shootouts week in and week out to compete in the Mid-American Conference. They will need to play truly complimentary football, with their offense, defense and special teams working together to give them a chance. And obviously part of that will be a defense that can hold up and stop the run, limit missed tackles and explosive plays and force some turnovers.
Kent State Head Football Coach Kenni Burns talked about what surprised him in the league last year, his first year as a head coach. Burns spent two seasons in the league prior with PJ Fleck at Western Michigan.
“It’s probably a better defensive league than I gave it credit for,” Burns told Voice of the Flashes Rob Polinsky at Media Day. “There’s some really good defenses in our league, I know everybody talks about offense but Bowling Green, Northern Illinois, those are really good defenses. When I saw that I said that’s where the league has taken a step forward from where it was when I was back in the league. When I was back in the league at Western it was an offense dominated league. I think it still is but you look at the leaders in the clubhouse, Miami (OH), Ohio, they’ve got really strong defenses and thats how they beat Cincinnati and their P4 schools.”
Kent State will look to be solid defensively this year with several returners, and some key newcomers. For the Flashes to take advantage of what should be an improved offense, stops and playing together will be key.
“When you look at the defensive roster, I think our defense is the strength of our team,” Burns continued. “When you look at it, you’ve got three guys up front who have played and started games. At linebacker you got Khalib Johns back and I think Rocco Niccoll has quietly had the best spring of anybody on our team. When you look at safety Alex Branch is back, Baka is back so a lot of experience in this system. I think the big question mark for us is going to be corner. We’ve got one guy I know can play is Dallas Branch, who transferred from San Diego State. He was an all conference player at San Diego State, he’s here now. He had a good spring, he’s got to stay healthy, and then who’s going to play off side of him is the real question. We got good talent but just not a lot of experience.”
The reigning MAC Champion Miami Redhawks played outstanding defense last year, ran the ball well, controlled the clock and had a great special teams unit. Kent State knows they will need the defense to lead the way, and that starts up front, most notably with returning starter Oliver Billotte.
“Oliver Billotte is the leader of our defensive line, there’s no doubt about it,” Burns said. “We lost CJ West, and he’s stepped in. His voice has been louder than ever, and him, Stephen Daley, Matt Harmon, I could have brought any of them to this thing, but Oliver kind of stood out the most with the guy on the leadership council, and a guy that is probably going to be a captain for us.”
With an offense that has some weapons in 2024, complimentary football is the way for the Flashes, and an experienced defense will be ready to compete.