The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Crum is contending in Kent QB competition
Midview product in battle with Auburn transfer; Rankin solidifies backfield
There was plenty discussed at the 2018 Mid-American Conference Media Day at Ford Field on July 24.
One thing discussed but not resolved was who would be under center on Sept. 1 at Illinois for Kent State: Midview product Dustin Crum or former Auburn recruit Woody Barrett, who transferred to Kent State via Copiah-Lincoln Community College.
“Both kids have done a phenomenal job through the spring and the summer,” firstyear Kent State head coach Sean Lewis said. “They’re both starting out at the same spot. Even though Dustin has been there and he’s gotten more game experience from playing against FBS opponents and kind of feeling what it’s like to be that guy at this level. Woody spent last year at the junior college level and has settled in nicely.
“Those two guys are doing a really good job. Both have different strengths, different weaknesses. And again, the time we spend through fall camps, we’ll know more about who can do what and who’s going to be the guy that gets the keys to the car.”
Crum, a sophomore, was arguably the most successful Kent State quarterback last season, completing 16 of his 30 passes (53.3 percent) in 10 games for 232 yards for a touchdown and two interceptions. The 6-foot-3, 205-pound Crum posted a 115.96 passer rating, but was hampered by inconsistent playing time that at times hindered his ability to get into a rhythm.
His main competition, Barrett, was redshirted his first year at Auburn before transferring to Copiah-Lincoln Community College in Wesson, Mississippi, where he threw for 1,294 yards and eight touchdowns to go with three interceptions, adding 485 yards and six touchdowns on the ground for the Wolves.
“I think everyone is at their best when they know they have to compete and get better,” said Lewis, the youngest FBS coach at 31. “You have to be on the right track, but if you stop even though you’re on that right path, there’s someone coming behind you and you’re going to get passed by. We want guys that are constantly working and getting better.”
Whichever player is tabbed to lead the Golden Flashes will be tasked with improving what was a stagnant passing game last season. Kent State averaged 122.7 passing yards per game in 2017 — ranking 123rd in the FBS out of 129 teams.
What Kent State will not have to worry about offensively is the run game, and the Golden Flashes can thank Lorain County for that.
Kent State returns its top-two runners from last season in junior Justin Rankin (Elyria Catholic) and Crum.
Rankin paced the Golden Flashes with 490 yards on 123 carries, notching three touchdowns and averaging 4.0 yards-per-carry. He added a team-high 42 receptions for 311 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
“He (Rankin) has done a phenomenal job,” Lewis said. “He just max-squatted over 450 pounds the other day and is doing a heck of a job. He’ll have a major impact in what we are doing going forward, no doubt.”
Crum came in second on the ground with 310 yards on 85 carries for a touchdown and a 3.6 yards-percarry average.
Both players should thrive under the new uptempo offense installed by Lewis — an offense that features screens and quick snaps, similar to the style both thrived with while in high school.
“I would say our team has progressed, honestly, from when these coaches first got here,” Rankin said. “The offense was one of the most difficult ones I’ve been a part of so far speed-wise and pace-wise. I’d say from spring when they first got here to now in July that we’ve gotten a lot better. When camp comes around, I think we’re going to be like a totally different team. It’s really exciting.
“I think we’re working a lot harder as a team to get everybody on board faster because we need everyone on board. Not just the starter, but the backup and third string. We need everyone coming in to know what’s going on as well.”
Rankin, who along with linebacker Matt Bahr represented the Golden Flash athletes at the media day, said he has enjoyed an increased leadership role in the offseason and hopes to help lead Kent State to the next level.
“I think I’ve become more of a leader on this team,” Rankin said. “A lot of guys respect me a lot more. Not just because of play, but because of things that I’m doing off the field as well.”
Other storylines to emerge from the MAC Media Day:
Bobcats team to beat
The annual MAC preseason media poll was released July 24, and Ohio University appears to be the team to beat.
The Bobcats were selected to win the East Division and then advance to win the 2018 Marathon MAC Football Championship game at Ford Field on Nov. 30.
“It’s very easy to select people at the beginning of the year,” Ohio head coach Frank Solich said. “Obviously, what we all strive for is to get something done at the end of the year and get into that MAC championship game and get it won.
“I appreciate what the people have been all about in terms of selecting us. I think it is a credit to our football players ... and obviously to our coaching staff as well. We appreciate that, but we know what the MAC is all about. Every time you step on the field, you have to play your best football, or you’re not going to get it done.”
Ohio received a leaguebest 140 total points in the poll — including 21 firstplace votes — with projected West Division champion Northern Illinois coming in at second with 133 total points and 15 firstplace votes.
In the East, the order was Ohio, Buffalo (112), Miami (95), Akron (74), Bowling Green (58), Kent State (25).
In the West, the order was Northern Illinois, Toledo (125), Western Michigan (87), Eastern Michigan (67), Central Michigan (58), Ball State (34).
The title for the Bobcats would be Ohio’s first MAC title since 1968.
The Solich standard
Solich is not only the MAC’s longest tenured coach at 14 years, but closing in on a key coaching milestone.
Solich enters the season with 97 career victories and is poised to break the 100 threshold this season.
“I’ve been around a lot of great people,” Solich said. “It’s been tremendous in terms of the support.”
The leader of the Bobcats ranks third in MAC history for wins, trailing only Bill Hess (Ohio, 108 wins, 1958-77) and Herb Deromedi (Central Michigan, 110 wins, 1978-93).
Pirates of college football?
There’s a new MAC flag that will grace conference fields after key non-conference victories.
MAC Commissioner Dr. Jon Steinbrecher debuted a MAC logo above cross-bones flag that will be sent to all of the conference teams with the intent that it be flown after a team picks up a major non-conference win. Steinbrecher commented he felt the flag was appropriate as he has always viewed the MAC as the pirates of college football.
The new flag debuts following a successful 2017 during which MAC teams picked up wins against Power 5 teams such as Nebraska, Rutgers and Kansas (twice).