As reported a couple weeks ago by some national outlets, Kent State is going with Junior Devin Kargman at quarterback in Saturday’s opener at Pittsburgh and moving forward. The 6-3, 217 pound Camden, New Jersey native impressed Head Coach Kenni Burns this offseason after recovering from a minor injury that limited him in the spring.
Kargman beat out Tommy Ulatowski for the starting nod, but Burns said that Ulatowski will also play on Saturday.
“When you look at the quarterback play, we made a decision to go with Dev Kargman but when I look at Tommy, they competed all the way up to the end there,” Burns said Monday at his weekly press conference. “It came down to the last scrimmage but you’ll see both of them utilized and I think the growth they made under Coach Carney has been exceptional to be honest with you and hopefully that translates on Saturday.”
Several things played a part in the decision as the two QB’s were evaluated and graded in just about everything. The decision came down to the final intrasquad scrimmage.
“We looked at everything to be honest with you,” Burns said. “We kept statistics on accuracy, on completions obviously, the ability to make plays with your feet, leadership was something we graded every single day, just how they led the team, how they responded to adversity, we put them in some adverse situations in practice and tried to see who could get us out of it, and then the scrimmage obviously played a big role as well, how they graded out in both the scrimmages.”
Kargman gives the Flashes more of a downfield threat and a chance to have more of a vertical passing game with his arm strength more so than Ulatowski. With big play wideouts expected for the Flashes this season, a down field threat will help loosen up opposing defenses.
Ulatowski is more athletic and a more capable runner than Kargman and gives the Flashes options in the QB run game. Burns talked about the character of both quarterbacks and the fact that they will both play Saturday with their different skill sets.
Kent State used a similar plan last year at times, rotating former QB Mike Alaimo and Ulatowski.
“The one thing I’ll say is Tommy, we’re blessed and I truly mean that,” Burns remarked. “Tommy is a phenomenal leader and so is Dev and we’ve got two quarterbacks that have the pulse of our team figured out and I feel good about either one of them going into the game. I think we went with Dev because he allows us to do a little bit more from an offensive standpoint then Tommy does right now but it doesn’t mean we won’t utilize Tommy. Tommy has a package that he will come in and play as well, you’ll see him out there but I think they’re both talented young men and I think Dev just fits what we want to do offensively a little bit more right no but I’m excited about those kids’ futures and I’m excited about their connection as the two quarterbacks. They’re very close and you don’t see that very often in college football so I’m excited about that.”