Kent State fans took in a hard-fought spring football game Saturday afternoon at Dix Stadium. Players on both sides of the ball had breakthrough performances in the offense-defense contest.
“Our guys competed their tails off and worked at a good pace,” Head Coach Sean Lewis said. “I was really pleased with the way the defense was able to stop the run early on and the way our offense was able to throw the football. It was a great effort, great attitude…really good day all around.”
Redshirt freshman wide receiver Lon’kevious McFadden and sophomore wideout Isaiah McKoy each caught first-half touchdown passes. McFadden led all receivers with eight catches, while McKoy made the big play of the day, going 63 yards over the middle on a touchdown toss from redshirt freshman Marquez Glover.
Junior quarterback Woody Barrett completed six of his first seven passes and finished the day with 119 yards and two touchdowns. Barrett believes that “everything is clicking on offense” this spring compared to where the team was a year ago.
“There’s a calmness about Woody right now,” Lewis said. “His decision-making is really good and he’s operating at an efficient clip.”
Senior Jo-El Shaw led the rushing effort with 109 yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries, most of which came in the second half.
“I was really pleased with the way Jo-El ran the ball,” Lewis said. Defensively Lewis pointed out the consistency of outside linebacker Nick Faulkner, inside linebacker Matt Bahr and defensive back Keith Sherald Jr.
Bahr, who finished the game with four tackles, was also presented with the Leo Strang Award as the upperclassman with the highest grade point average.
Safety Qwuantrezz Knight, who recently transferred in from Maryland, led the defense with eight tackles. Linebackers Mandela Lawrence-Burke and Matt Harmon had six tackles apiece. Lawrence-Burke produced one of game’s two turnovers with a forced fumble, while defensive back Richie Carpenter had the only interception.
The Flashes gave out a total of five spring awards. Wide receiver Kavious Price earned the Gerald and Victoria Read Award, given to the player who exemplifies hard work and dedication beyond the call of duty. Linebacker Cepeda Phillips was given the Matt Ramser Award, for exemplifying the qualities of courage, dedication attitude and commitment that Matt did during his fight with cancer.
“KP and CP are really the heart and soul of their sides of the ball,” Lewis said. “They bring an attitude, an intensity, a passion and a purpose that really embody the way that all of us coaches and players should attack our day.”
Nose tackle Dominic Hill was presented with the Jack Lambert Award as the most improved player on defense during the spring.
“Dom has proved this spring that he’s more than just a run-stopper” Lewis said. “He’s really grown and developed as a pass-rush guy and he’s taking strides every day.”
Running back Xavier Williams claimed the Don Nottingham Award as the most improved player on offense during the spring.
“Xavier is a guy with speed,” Lewis said. “And even though he didn’t get loose a whole lot today, he’s really become a good fit into our running and passing schemes and has grown leaps and bounds since the season ended.”
Kent State opens its 2019 season Thursday, August 29 at Arizona State.
