The Buckeyes have met Kent State only twice, in 2002 and 2007; we won both games easily. In fact, we have played a MAC team almost every season since the 1990s and have never lost to one of them. The last time we lost to a school that is currently in the MAC was September 15th, 1894, when we lost to Akron in the season opener, which was held at the 1894 Ohio State fair. Kent State, as far as I can tell, has never beaten a Big Ten team.
Kent State has a football program that dates back to 1920, and has some well-known former players such as Lou Holtz (linebacker 1956, 1957), Nick Saban (defensive back 1970, 1971) and Gary Pinkel (tight end 1970-1973). Current NFL players from Kent State include Cleveland Brown Ishmaa'ily Kitchen, Denver Bronco Jameson Konz, Indianapolis Colt Monte Simmons, New England Patriot Julian Edelman, New York Jet Brian Winters, and Oakland Raiders Daniel Muir and Usama Young. Former Bengals linebacker James Harrison and cornerback Rico Murray also played for Kent State. Linebacker Jack Lambert is Kent State's most famous football product. He played for the Steelers from 1974 - 1984 as one of the best linebackers to ever play the game.
Kent State started their football program in 1920, and promptly lost every game they played until finally getting a win on the field in 1925. For the Buckeyes, 1920 was one of our best seasons, we went 7-0 in the regular season and played California in the Rose Bowl. In 1931 Kent State joined the Ohio Athletic Conference and in 1951 they joined the Mid-American Conference, where they still play today. In 1954, the Golden Flashes made it to the Refrigerator Bowl, which they lost to Delaware. While Kent State was getting their first taste of success in the 1950s, we were on our second and third national titles (1954 & 1957). The early 1970s were Kent State's best years, winning the MAC in 1972 and going to the Tangerine Bowl. They lost the Tangerine Bowl to the Tampa Spartans, who were coached that year by future Buckeye head coach Earle Bruce. This era was also one of Ohio State's golden ages of football, as we won Rose Bowls and national titles in 1968 and 1970. We also went to the Rose Bowl after the '72, '73, '74 and '75 seasons. The Golden Flashes made it to the GoDaddy.com Bowl after the 2012 season, which they lost to Arkansas State.
Kent State is a substantial football team: in 2012 they won the MAC East Division and beat #15 Rutgers along the way. Last season was not as good for them, as they went 4-8. This year they will have a hard time getting to 6 wins, due to a relatively strong schedule. Here is a detailed preview of their upcoming season.
We will play a day game against them on September 13th at Ohio Stadium. The game should be an easy one for us, and if we get ahead early, maybe we will get to see Cardale Jones come in at quarterback to give Braxton Miller a break. At this point in the season, we should be coming off of wins against Navy and Virginia Tech and looking forward to a week off before facing Cincinnati on September 27th. This will be a day game and hopefully an entertaining win for us.
Kent State Golden Flashes Football Facts:
Program Duration: 1920-present
All-time Record: 320-499-28
Record Against Ohio State: 0-2
Bowl Appearances/Wins: 3/0
National Championships: none
Heisman Winners: none
Have a look at the Buckeyes 48-3 victory over Kent State in 2007, the last time we played.
Coach Tressel put in a lot of second string players to develop some depth on the bench.
Kent State has a football program that dates back to 1920, and has some well-known former players such as Lou Holtz (linebacker 1956, 1957), Nick Saban (defensive back 1970, 1971) and Gary Pinkel (tight end 1970-1973). Current NFL players from Kent State include Cleveland Brown Ishmaa'ily Kitchen, Denver Bronco Jameson Konz, Indianapolis Colt Monte Simmons, New England Patriot Julian Edelman, New York Jet Brian Winters, and Oakland Raiders Daniel Muir and Usama Young. Former Bengals linebacker James Harrison and cornerback Rico Murray also played for Kent State. Linebacker Jack Lambert is Kent State's most famous football product. He played for the Steelers from 1974 - 1984 as one of the best linebackers to ever play the game.
Kent State started their football program in 1920, and promptly lost every game they played until finally getting a win on the field in 1925. For the Buckeyes, 1920 was one of our best seasons, we went 7-0 in the regular season and played California in the Rose Bowl. In 1931 Kent State joined the Ohio Athletic Conference and in 1951 they joined the Mid-American Conference, where they still play today. In 1954, the Golden Flashes made it to the Refrigerator Bowl, which they lost to Delaware. While Kent State was getting their first taste of success in the 1950s, we were on our second and third national titles (1954 & 1957). The early 1970s were Kent State's best years, winning the MAC in 1972 and going to the Tangerine Bowl. They lost the Tangerine Bowl to the Tampa Spartans, who were coached that year by future Buckeye head coach Earle Bruce. This era was also one of Ohio State's golden ages of football, as we won Rose Bowls and national titles in 1968 and 1970. We also went to the Rose Bowl after the '72, '73, '74 and '75 seasons. The Golden Flashes made it to the GoDaddy.com Bowl after the 2012 season, which they lost to Arkansas State.
 |
| Two-time Heisman winner Archie Griffin running the ball against USC in the 1974 Rose Bowl. Photo from buckeyeempire.com |
We will play a day game against them on September 13th at Ohio Stadium. The game should be an easy one for us, and if we get ahead early, maybe we will get to see Cardale Jones come in at quarterback to give Braxton Miller a break. At this point in the season, we should be coming off of wins against Navy and Virginia Tech and looking forward to a week off before facing Cincinnati on September 27th. This will be a day game and hopefully an entertaining win for us.
Kent State Golden Flashes Football Facts:
Program Duration: 1920-present
All-time Record: 320-499-28
Record Against Ohio State: 0-2
Bowl Appearances/Wins: 3/0
National Championships: none
Heisman Winners: none
No comments:
Post a Comment