GFR Reflection: Flashes pummeled at Tennessee

The Kent State football program and their supporters had a rough night as the Golden Flashes were dismantled Saturday night at Tennessee 71-0, after the ballgame was 65-0 at halftime. I can’t remember a Kent State team being so outmatched in a game before going back over 20 years. Tennessee is a legit national championship contender. Kent State is not. And it added up to just an unfortunate situation for everyone.

Kent State Head Coach Kenni Burns and his team was given the option to have reduced quarters or a running clock in the second half and they declined. Here was Burns’ thoughts on that decision.

“Because that’s not who we are. That’s now who we are as a football team. That’s not who we are as a culture. There are a lot of teams that lost today in lump sums; they’re not getting running clocks. A football game is a football game. I talked to our captains about it, and they said absolutely not. I said absolutely not. It’s just not who we are at all as a football program. No way. I think the second half you saw their response to it. They came back, they fought from it, and that is what their coach said to us after the game that our fight in the second half was impressive.”

I talked to a lot of people this offseason and heard from a lot of people, and read all the previews. Most people said Kent State would be better this year. And I always followed up with one question. Why? Why would they be better. Not in a sarcastic way, but I legitimately wanted to know what people thought of the topic. I got a lot of “well, they can’t be any worse.” That’s not a reason why they will be better, and it doesn’t have to be true.

But the main reason I heard was about the experience returning, being the second year in the same systems, etc. OK, two different coordinators on both sides of the ball. Not drastic changes, but changes. A lot of new coaches for a second year coach. All part of the plan to have everyone buy in. I get that too. If you don’t have everyone in alignment, it’s hard to succeed.

As I’ve written, the next honest evaluation will come September 28 when MAC play begins and Eastern Michigan comes to Dix Stadium.

So, the questions I’m asking myself. Are they getting better? Are they showing progress? What is the identity of the offense? Of the defense? The program? What exactly is the culture? Kent GRIT is good. I like it. But its an acronym. Does that define the culture? Are those the behaviors and the actions of the people in the program. And I am not at practice, I’m not part of the program. I don’t get to see the little wins in practice. The progress, the academic milestones and success in the community. And that stuff does matter to me, and by all accounts Burns and his staff have recruited kids of high character. But its also Division I college football. Eventually you have to perform on the field. We as fans, all we have is the twelve ballgames we see each year to form an opinion. Again, I am not saying I know the answers to the questions above. But, me as a fan, 15 games into this era, I am still trying to figure some of that out. Say what you want about the Sean Lewis era and how it lacked complimentary football. But it had an identity for sure. And it did land you the only bowl win in school history and an appearance in the MAC Championship, before it all blew up when Coach Lew went to work for Coach Prime.

Another question I have, is if and when Kent State football gets competitive again in the MAC, how many of these players will be on the roster? How many of the coaches? I hope it’s all of them.

Burns talked after the game how the team needs to get healthy and how they are depleted at running back. Always the danger in playing this gauntlet of a non-conference schedule. At least the Flashes can catch their breath next week with a trip to…..well…nevermind.

MAC plays begins in two weeks. I hope KSU is upright by then, and we as fans can see some identity and progress truly begin.