Kent State Football: Golden Flashes look to make program history in 2020

Stopping the run a priority in 2020

While Kent State’s offense put together a quality 2019 campaign, the Golden Flashes’ defense struggled.

Kent State’s defense finished 96th in the country in total defense and finished with the nation’s fourth-worst rushing defense as they allowed an average of 245.5 yards on the ground per game.

Turning around the run defense may not come easy for Kent State as their top run-stopper in defensive tackle Theo Majette is gone. The Flashes will look for more production out of redshirt junior Zayin West and Senior Sekou Diaby as they look to get more push up front in 2020.

The team will also have to improve their pass rush. Majette led the team with 5.5 sacks last year; thus, linebacker Mandela Lawrence-Burke, who made four sacks and Kesean Gamble made 2.5 sacks, will be counted on to guide the pass rush.

While the run defense and pass rush struggled, Kent State’s secondary was solid as the Flashes finished 68th in the nation in passing defense as they allowed 228.8 yards per game through the air.

In 2020 much of Kent State’s secondary from a year ago remains intact, including Keith Sherald Jr., who led the team with three interceptions and Elvis Hines who broke up seven passes.

For the Flashes to get back to a bowl for a second straight year, they’ll need their secondary to continue to slow down opposing quarterbacks while seeing their front-seven stop the run and chase down quarterbacks at a much higher clip.