Postgame chatter following Kent State's surprisingly close loss to No. 1 Georgia
Sean Lewis has been coaching plenty long enough to recognize an obvious trap game.
Kent State’s fifth-year mentor sees one coming this Homecoming Saturday, when his squad opens the 2022 Mid-American Conference season by hosting Ohio University (2-2). Praise has been heaped upon his Golden Flashes (1-3) from near and far since they stunned the nation by forcing defending national champion and top-ranked Georgia to earn a 39-22 victory by playing four full quarters last Saturday in Athens.
“I was leaving our facilities [on Sunday] and there was a parent that was bringing one of their students back from a weekend, and he started clapping, like way to go coach," said Lewis. "If that’s happening with me, it’s happening with all our guys. You don’t get anything for coming close. We lost. We need to get better."
Lewis politely refused to answer questions about the Georgia contest during his weekly press conference on Monday. He didn’t want to talk out of both sides of his mouth by discussing a topic that’s off limits to his players.
“One of the biggest challenges we have this week is with society telling us that we did a good job, when all we did was come close. All we did was compete, all we did was play hard. Those are expectations, givens within our program,” said Lewis. “So we’ve got the blinders on. The only thing that matters is Ohio [University].
“I'm not going to talk anymore about Georgia. That thing’s done, and we’re on to Ohio.”
While the Flashes were giving Georgia fits, the Bobcats needed a touchdown in the final minute to secure a come-from-behind 59-52 win over FCS foe Fordham last Saturday. Ohio junior quarterback Kurtis Rourke threw for 537 yards and four touchdowns in that track meet, which featured 1,040 passing yards and 10 touchdown tosses with no interceptions.
That result just makes this Saturday’s trap easier for his Flashes to fall into in the eyes of Lewis.
“Ohio has found a way in two four-quarter ballgames to win, which is a trait of resilient teams,” said Lewis. “They've been tested against Power Five opponents as well. They're flying around, playing ball at a high level, putting points up at a big-time clip. We need to put all of our focus and all of our direction of time and energy and effort into a very good Ohio team that’s going to come in here with some bad intentions to make our Homecoming not so much fun.”
KSU injury update
All things considered, the Flashes emerged from their brutal September schedule that featured three teams currently ranked among the nation’s top 18 (No. 1 Georgia, No. 15 Washington, No. 18 Oklahoma) relatively healthy.
The only player lost for the season due to an injury that occurred in September is grad student Isaac Vance, a backup receiver, key special teams player and emotional leader of the team.
Two of Kent State's top defenders, grad student linebacker Khalib Johns and grad student safety Nico Bolden, were injured during the fourth quarter against the Bulldogs. The injuries aren’t believed to be serious.
The Flashes were hoping to get graduate student running back Xavier Williams back for the MAC season, but he has been ruled out for the year. Williams suffered a broken hip in last year’s MAC Championship Game loss to Northern Illinois.
Junior wide receiver Ja’Shaun Poke has not played yet this season, but could see his first action against the Bobcats. Senior defensive end Saivon Taylor-Davis has not played since the opener against the Huskies, but is expected to be available on Saturday.
Walker, Johns head list of emerging Flashes
Sophomore wide receiver Devontez Walker and grad student linebacker Khalib Johns were expected to emerge this fall as first-year starters, and they’ve certainly delivered.
Walker recorded the first 100-yard receiving game of his collegiate career against the No. 1 team in the nation last Saturday. The 6-foot-3 North Carolina native scored on a 56-yard touchdown pass that he caught at the line of scrimmage then turned on the jets, and finished with seven catches for 106 yards. Walker also caught a 47-yard touchdown pass against Washington.
“The results are coming because of the work that he’s put in,” said Lewis of Walker. “To have the explosive touchdowns that he’s had against the quality of opponents that we’ve played speaks volumes to who he is and the way he’s developed himself mentally, physically and emotionally, to be able to perform regardless of the arena.”
Johns has been a standout on defense each week this season. He leads the team with seven tackles for loss and four sacks.
“I can’t say enough great things about him and what he’s done this year,” said Lewis of Johns. “We had seen some flashes of Khalib being great in the years past. Now as an every-down player he is just a true warrior in between those white lines. He’s quickly developing and being the heart and soul of that unit, really feeds the energy on that side of the ball along with [sophomore defensive tackle) CJ West and [grad student safety Antwaine Richardson]. Khalib's doing a heck of a job for us.”
Which other players emerged during the non-conference season?
“[Freshman running back] Gavin Garcia continues to add value,” said Lewis. “[Freshman defensive lineman] Stephen Dailey continues to get more and more snaps, has made some impactful plays on special teams. I’m pleased with where he’s at as a young guy. [Senior] Bryce Sheppert has taken some strides the past couple weeks at safety. I’m pleased with him.”
Kent State offensive line not a weakness
One of Kent State’s main concerns heading into the 2022 season was the offensive line, which returned only two starters – sophomore left guard Jack Bailey and grad student center Sam Allan. The unit has gelled quickly, paving the way for a rushing attack that’s averaging 4.5 yards per carry while allowing just seven sacks against three of the top defenses in the nation.
Yes, the Flashes padded their stats by rushing for 353 yards against FCS foe Long Island. But they still managed to average a highly respectable 135 yards on the ground against the Huskies, Sooners and Bulldogs.
“They continue to get better week in and week out,” said Lewis. “I’ve been very pleased with the stability and consistency that Jack Bailey and Sam Allan bring to us. I feel like we kind of gloss over that stability because they’re known commodities. They do such a good job inside, really anchoring things. Sam's the glue that holds this whole thing together, so we can get those young guys right around him.”
First-year starters Marcellus Marshall [sophomore left tackle], Savion Washington [junior right tackle] and Elijah Ratliff [senior right guard] were solid against stellar competition in September.
“Marcellus been doing an unbelievable job at left tackle, really settling in,” said Lewis. “The combo of Ratliff and Washington on the right side does a good job, and continues to get better and better working in tandem. We're on the right trajectory - plenty of room for growth, but I feel confident in what we're going to be able to do as we head into conference play.”
Next: The Flashes will host Ohio University on Homecoming Saturday at Dix Stadium. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m.
This article originally appeared on Record-Courier: Kent State head coach Lewis focused on MAC opener, not looking back
