Unfortunately for Kent State football, the Ohio Bobcats pulled out a 27-24 win at Buffalo last night on ESPN2.  We were watching every play, rooting for a Buffalo victory, but it didn't happen as Ohio escaped with a wild victory.  The updated MAC East Standings are…

                                                    CONFERENCE          OVERALL

Temple                                          5-0                                7-2

Ohio                                               5-1                                7-3

KENT STATE                                 4-2                               5-5

I am not sure what to make of this one.  Garrett Wolfe, from the Chicago Bears, and formerly of Northern Illinois, suffered a lacerated kidney in Sunday's game against Arizona.  Wolfe was urinating blood at halftime.  The injury is exactly the same as Kent State's Eugene Jarvis.  Jarvis has targeted Wolfe has a model and an example of someone who made it in the NFL despite his small stature.  Wolfe is listed at 5-7, 185 pounds.  Back in August, Jarvis told USA Today, "Now you don't see too many 6-3, 260-pound running backs.  You see guys like (the Chicago Bears') Garrett Wolfe, (the San Diego Chargers') Darren Sproles. … They are opening doors for players like myself.  They are showing it's possible."

Wednesday begins the early signing period so let's recap the players that will be coming to Kent State to ball on the M.A.C. Center parquet in the near future.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Mark Henninger, 6-8, Massillon Jackson

Kenny Knight, 6-7, Cincinnati Aiken

Eric Gaines, 6-4, Chicago Hillcrest

Carlton Guyton, 6-4, Mineral Area College

Kent State is expected to give a scholarship to Robert Johnson once he is eligible to play.  The last scholarship should be held until the spring signing period.

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Iris Butcher, 5-8, Federal Hocking

Kate Francisco, 6-1, Marysville

T'Sheara Lucas, 5-9, Reynoldsburg

Taylor Stanton, 6-1, Cincinnati Walnut Hills

Mike McKee appeared on ESPN.com's Page 2 for their Uni Watch NCAA Hoops Preview.  In addition to Kent State, Ohio and Miami also appear to have a new look this season with the uniforms.

KentStateSports.com is saluting former men's basketball, golf and soccer coach Frank Truitt on Veterans Day.

The Cincinnati Enquirer reports that Kent State men's basketball is interested in Cincinnati Aiken's 6-2 sophomore guard William Moore.  Moore is also receiving interest from Akron, Xavier and West Virginia.  Ohio has offered Moore.  Cincinnati prep star Kenny Knight, a 6-7 senior forward,  made an oral commitment to the Flashes earlier this year.

Speaking of hoops recruiting, Wednesday begins the early signing period.  Elton Alexander includes this KSU note in his latest MAC Insider.

Kent State will have six scholarships available for 2010-11, with six seniors playing their final season for the Golden Flashes: Mike McKee, Chris Singletary, Brandon Parks, Anthony Simpson, Tyree Evans and Frank Henry-Ala.  According to Internet recruiting service rivals.com, at least four players are expected to sign early with the Golden Flashes. Coach Geno Ford should expect 6-8 Mark Henninger from Massillon Jackson, 6-4 Eric Games from Chicago Hillcrest, 6-6 Kenny Knight from Cincinnati Winton Woods and 6-4 junior-college wing Carlton Guyton from Mineral Area College (Mo.).  One of Kent's six scholarships is projected to go to 6-6 Robert Johnson out of Bedford High, who is already on campus but currently not academically eligible to play. The last scholarship will likely be held until the spring signing period.  Kent State opens its season Friday against Samford as host of the three-game Hispanic College Fund Tournament. The event also includes Alabama-Birmingham, Wisconsin-Green Bay and Rochester and runs through Monday at KSU's MAC Center.

And this football note about Kent State's division title and bowl chances…

For a division title, Kent State needs Temple to lose twice in its final three games, and Ohio to lose at least once in its final three.  If the Golden Flashes defeat Temple and Buffalo and move to 7-5, they would have one advantage: Bowls seeking an at-large team to fill a spot are required to take a team with seven wins ahead of a 6-6 team. For example, a 7-5 MAC team can't be trumped by a 6-6 Big Ten team for an at-large bowl slot.

The Kent State football team will not have a game this weekend, and perhaps that is a good thing.  After a tough, emotional loss to Akron on Saturday, the Golden Flashes can get healthy and refocus on the final two games of the 2009 season.  Kent State has a lot to play for.  They can still win the MAC East with some help and get to a bowl game.  Kent State football has not won at least seven games since 1987 when Glen Mason led the Flashes to a 7-4 record.  Kent State has not won six games in the conference since 1976.

Stephanie Storm from the ABJ writes about how the team will try and use the bye week to recuperate from the loss on Saturday.

As we said, the Flashes can win the division but will need some help.  Kent State fans can start rooting for that help this week.  Tonight Ohio will travel to Buffalo for a 7:00 p.m. game on ESPN2.  A Buffalo win would be a good thing since Ohio is 4-1 in the MAC and a half game ahead of KSU.  Kent State fans will then be rooting for the Akron Zips to knock off Temple on Friday night at 8:30 p.m. on ESPNU.

Check out what else is going on in the MAC in Tom Gaffney's MAC Notebook.

KSU Notes – November 10

The Kent State men's basketball team has welcomed freshman walk-on Jordan Wilds to the team.  Wilds is from Hickory High School in Hermitage, Pennsylvania.  Wilds isn't listed on the official roster, but appears to be about 6-4 and is supposedly a skilled perimeter shooter.  I've been told Wilds will not dress in any games this season.  Wilds did see action in Saturday's exhibition game at Wooster.  

The Kent State women's basketball team will open their season on Friday night at Robert Morris.  The Golden Flashes will play their first four games on the road before hosting Rhode Island on November 29.  The Daily Kent Stater is grading the 2009-2010 team.  Check out this preview of the team and listen to head coach Bob Lindsay from the MAC Preview Teleconference from October 28.

Kent State wrestler Brendan Barlow has been named the Kent State Athlete of the Week.

Members of the Kent State football team recently visited two classes at the Family Child Learning  Center's Integrated Preschool for Children with Autism in Tallmadge.

FOOTBALL

The Golden Flashes have their bye week and will not play until Saturday, November 21 at Temple.  Game time is set for 1:00 p.m. and can be seen on K-Zone at KentStateSports.com.

Dave Carducci from the Record Courier checks in with some notes about the tough loss on Saturday to Akron, including a note that RB Jacquise Terry should be back healthy for the Temple game after leaving with a sprained knee on Saturday.

Elton Alexander from The Plain Dealer includes this note about Kent State in his MAC Insider on Monday.

Standing firm: Kent State coach Doug Martin said earlier in the season his team would end the campaign with a winning record and go to a bowl game. For that to happen, the Golden Flashes will have to win at Temple on Nov. 21 then top visiting Buffalo on Nov. 27.  After the loss at Akron, Martin did not back off his prediction, despite uncertainty about tailback Jacquise Terry, who injured a knee on the second series Saturday.  "We are all right, still at the top of the [East] right now, even after this game today," he said. "We need a little help, but Ohio and Temple still have to play each other, somebody is getting a loss right there. We've got two losses, but we still get to play Temple. Everything is still in front of us as far as what we want.  "We can still be a seven-win football team. I said all along this would be a winning football team and this team would be in a bowl game. By God that's where we're going to be. These kids are going to get that done. They'll bounce back. I know what's in their heart."

The Daily Kent Stater says Kent State had to win that game on Saturday.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

The Golden Flashes beat Wooster on Saturday night, 76-59.  The more important thing was that the game drew 1,825 fans to raise money for the Corey John Cline Fund.  Corey Cline is the young boy who lost his life in an auto accident last February.  Read about the special night in The Daily Record.

Geno Ford is grading his team as it prepares for the 2009-2010 season.  The Kent Stater also is giving out grades.

Kent State will open the season this weekend as they host the Hispanic College Fund Classic, with games on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  The Flashes will play Samford, UAB and Green Bay.  We will be in Kent all weekend to take in the games so stay tuned to NewsFlashes for some great hoop coverage coming this weekend…

FIELD HOCKEY

Congratulations to KSU junior Rachel Miller for winning the 2009 MAC Field Hockey Player of the Year award.  The team lost on Friday in the MAC semifinals to Miami in overtime, 2-1.

VOLLEYBALL

Kent State was able to win its senior night, beating Buffalo 3-0.  Kent State travels to Bowling Green for a game on Thursday that can clinch a first round home game in the MAC tournament with a win.

WRESTLING

Kent State was competing at Virginia Tech over the weekend, and beat the #21 ranked Hokies 20-18.  They then beat Chattanooga 22-15.

Former Kent State men's basketball player Haminn Quaintance was drafted in the second round of the National Basketball Developmental League draft on Thursday night.  Quaintance was selected 26th overall by the Reno Bighorns, a minor league affiliate of the Orlando Magic and Sacramento Kings.

Quaintance played last season for Bnei HaSharon in Israel.  'Q' was MAC Defensive Player of the Year and MAC Tournament MVP in his senior season, leading the Flashes to regular season and tournament championships in the 2007-2008 season.

Former Kent State forward Rashad Woods was also drafted.

KENT STATE-AKRON NOTES

The Kent State football team is taking a very business like approach into their game at Akron on Saturday afternoon.  All season, coach Doug Martin has gotten his team to focus on every game being a "one game MAC Championship game."  This game will be no different.  “I talked to (the team) Sunday night, and I told them I don’t want to hear anything about wagon wheels and rivalries,” said Martin. “All of that will take care of itself.  What we need to focus on is just what we’ve done the last three or four weeks. We’ve been very focused and very single minded about each one of these games being their own championship.  This one is no different.  We have to go play this one the same way.  We can’t let any of those outside distractions cloud our view of things.  We’ve played very well the last couple weeks because we have been very, very focused.”

Dave Carducci from the Record Courier is writing about the big game this weekend.

The Daily Kent Stater is breaking down the Flashes' focused approach as well.

Kent State has put a limited number of 250 student tickets on sale for Saturday's game.  They are at a discounted price of $10.  I suggest students take advantage of that deal and gobble up those tickets then get themselves over to InfoCision Stadium on Saturday.

The game will be televised on Fox Sports Ohio, as well as on ESPN360.com.  Kent State alum Jeff Phelps and Hanford Dixon will have the call.  The game will also be available over the K-Zone.  

Both teams have put up their game notes at their respective athletic websites.  Kent State.  Akron.

GoZips.com has put up a video of what the Wagon Wheel means to them.  Kent State fans, what does it mean to you?

KSU Notes – November 4

The Cleveland Plain Dealer has published their MAC Men's Basketball preview today.

The Daily Kent Stater profiles men's cross country runner Aiman Scullion.

Debbie Bell won her fourth career MAC Field Hockey Player of the Week this week.  Against Ball State on Sunday, Bell scored five goals which is a career high for her and tied a NCAA single-game high this season.  The Golden Flashes will start the MAC Tournament on Friday in Muncie, Indiana.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Kent State defeated Ohio Northern last night in an exhibition game at the M.A.C. Center 75-66.  Tyree Evans led the way with 24 points, including 19 in the first half.  Justin Greene had 16 points and 7 rebounds while freshman Randal Holt had 12 points, seven assists and just one turnover.

Box Score

Tyree's 3s lead Kent State to victory – Daily Kent Stater

Flashes edge Polar Bears, 75-66 – Kent Sports Report

- Chris Singletary and Rod Sherman did not play as both recover from their injuries.  Singletary is out with a sore ankle and Sherman is recovering from a dislocated elbow.  Both are expected back for the season opening weekend.

- It is obvious that rebounding and defensive toughness still have the potential to be an issue with this team.  The much smaller Ohio Northern team out rebound the Flashes 39-37. 

- Kent State still has a long way to go on defense, as pointed out by head coach Geno Ford.  Kent State struggled with putting ONU away.

- Ohio Northern is coached by John Rhodes, who is in his first year.  MAC fans may remember him as a long time assistant and player at Ohio University.  He inherits a program that has had 19 consecutive winning seasons.

- Tyree Evans looked impressive shooting the basketball on Monday.  And yes, the argyle socks that Evans debuted last year were worn by him last night. 

- Freshman Randal Holt, from Cleveland Glenville High, looked very promising.  Starting at point guard, Holt displayed quickness and vision.  It is clear that Holt is better in the open court at this point, and he attacks the basket with some aggression when given the opportunity.  "He’s somebody who is going to need to make a quick adjustment to life at the Division I level," Ford said.  "It’s a far cry from playing the point in high school.  He’s doing well and has been pretty effective and it’s going to be a good chance for him in the pre-season to get some major minutes, maybe even more than he would have gotten."        

- Former KSU star Haminn Quaintance sat behind the Flashes' bench on Monday night.

- In an effort to help raise proceed for the Corey Cline Memorial Fund, the Kent State men’s basketball team will play an exhibition game at the College of Wooster this Saturday, Nov. 7.  All proceeds from the game will to benefit the Fund, which among other things will generate a scholarship in Corey’s name for the College of Wooster Nursery School.  “The game is a way for us to pay tribute to Corey, the Cline family and the extended Wooster community,” said Head Coach Geno Ford.  “We are honored to be part of the game and look forward to having a positive impact with everyone involved.” The three-year son of long-time Wooster assistant coach Doug Cline, Corey was killed in an auto accident last February.  Game time is set for a 7:00 pm start. 

- Kent State came in at #29 in the first CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major Top 25 Poll.  Akron checked in at #8.  Kent State was the second highest ranked team in the MAC.

FOOTBALL NEWS, NOTES

KSU junior defensive end Monte Simmons was named MAC East Defensive Player of the Week for his three sack, five tackle effort on Saturday while also forcing a fumble.

Simmons, punter Matt Rinehart, and wide receiver Tyshon Goode were all recognized by the College Football Performance Awards for their performances on Saturday.  All three were named honorable mention for their respective positions.

Flashes getting closer to bowl game – Akron Beacon Journal

Records may differ, but defenses both excel for Akron, Kent State: Mid-American Conference Insider – Cleveland Plain Dealer

Competition heats up for MAC's three bowl slots: Mid-American Conference Insider – Cleveland Plain Dealer

Kent State (5-4, 3-1): Kent has the most work to do, and perhaps the toughest challenge getting to seven wins. Desperate Akron (1-7, 0-4) has nothing to hang its hat on, other than knocking KSU off its title chase. With a win, Kent still has games at Temple and vs. Buffalo. It's East Division title or nothing, as Kent will likely trail either NIU or Ohio for any possible at-large bowl opportunity.

Monday with Mike: Potential BCS matchups – Rivals.com

All hail Kent State. The Golden Flashes beat Western Michigan 26-14 Saturday for their third victory in a row. Temple is getting a lot of attention — and rightly so — for its six-game winning streak, but Kent State is the Owls' main competition in the MAC East race. The teams meet Nov. 21 at Temple, and the MAC East title very well could be on the line. Kent doesn't do much on offense, but like Temple, it wins with defense – especially against the run. Kent State is 5-4 overall and 4-1 in the MAC, and the one conference loss came by one point to Bowling Green in a game in which BG scored the winning touchdown with five seconds left. Kent State let a 12-point lead slip away in the final five minutes.

AKRON NEWS, NOTES

Zips rue missed opportunity – Akron Beacon Journal

J.D. Brookhart Press Conference – GoZips.com

KSU ROUNDUP

The Kent State men's cross country team won their first MAC title in school history in Athens over the weekend, while dominating the field.

The Kent State field hockey team won a share of the MAC Championship on Sunday with an 8-0 victory over Ball State.  KSU will play the winner of the Missouri State/Miami game on Friday in the MAC Tournament.

The Kent State wrestling team was picked to come in 2nd place in the MAC in the pre-season rankings.  Check out this preview.

Back on September 30 we told you the KSU men's basketball team would have new home uniforms this season.  Take a look at them.  The team has adapted the "baggy short, tight top" Nike look.  The road jerseys will look the same as years past, with a Centennial patch on the back below the neck.

The Mid-American Conference has officially released their basketball television package.  As we have reported, the Kent State men will be on television at least six times this season.  The Kent State women's basketball team will be on FS Ohio when they travel to Bowling Green on February 27.

Chris Singletary and Rod Sherman's injuries appear to be a little less severe then initially thought.  Hopefully they will only miss a week or two instead of three or four.  Both players will miss Monday's exhibition game with Ohio Northern.  Geno Ford has told me they will re-evaluate Sherman and Singletary in a week.

The 'Inside Kent State Sports' show will air tonight from 6-7 p.m. from the Water Street Tavern in Kent.  Fans can listen at Fox Sports Radio 1350 or at sportsradio1350.com.

Stephanie Storm from the ABJ checks in with a KSU basketball notebook.  She reviews the injury situation and recaps the pre-season media polls with both the men and women.

Listen to Geno Ford break down the state of the team.

FOOTBALL

Are you excited about the football team's resurgence?  Will you be in attendance on Saturday afternoon to watch this team take on the Western Michigan Broncos, a West Division team that has been to two consecutive bowl games?

Western Michigan will be a bit of a measuring stick for the Golden Flashes on Saturday.  Doug Martin calls it "a tremendous task" to try and slow down Tim Hiller and the WMU passing attack.

Watch Doug Martin's press conference from Monday afternoon.

WESTERN MICHIGAN FOOTBALL NEWS, NOTES

Watch Western Michigan head coach Bill Cubit meet the media.

Playing without Juan Nunez and Jordan White (North Ridgeville) due to injury, former QB Robert Arnheim is stepping up at wide receiver for the Broncos.

Western Michigan's Brandon West was named the MAC West Special Teams Player of the Week for his efforts last week.

KSU ATHLETICS NOTES

The Daily Kent Stater chatted with junior middle blocker Celia Sabo.

The soccer team will conclude the regular season on Thursday against Buffalo.  The team has clinched a spot in the MAC Tournament and will be playing for seeding.

The KSU field hockey team had a pair of teammates honored as Rachel Miller was named to the Womensfieldhockey.com weekly honor roll while Caroline Suitch was named the MAC Defensive Player of the Week.  The Flashes conclude the regular season this weekend by hosting Miami and Ball State.