Clemson Football 2017 Opponent Preview: Kent State
As the summer comes to a close and we enter fall camp, Rubbing The Rock will be taking a look at the Clemson Football program’s 2017 schedule. This edition features, the Tigers’ week one matchup, Kent State.
While Kent State has not experienced much success over the past four seasons, they have a rich football history. All-time greats such as Jack Lambert and Nick Saban were once Golden Flashes; and coaches such as Lou Holtz and Gary Pinkel cut their teeth at Kent State in the early stages of their coaching careers.
Current Head Coach: Paul Haynes
Overall Record in 2016: 3-9
Kent State has struggled under the direction of head coach, Paul Haynes. Coming off of back-to-back, 3-9 seasons Haynes is under pressure to win now. In the modern world of College Football, time is not a luxury that head coaches have.
Statistical leaders in 2016:
Passing – Nick Holley (Jr), 49.3 percent completion percentage, 868 yards and four touchdowns.
Rushing – Nick Holley (Jr), 195 attempts, 905 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Receiving – Justin Rankin (Fr), 28 receptions, 335 yards and one touchdown.
Tackles – Nate Holley (Sr), 111 total tackles, 80 solo.
Interceptions – Jamal Parker (Fr), 3.
Sacks – Terence Waugh (Sr), 8.
Key players in 2017
Offense – Nick Holley. The rising senior quarterback, was Kent State’s swiss army knife a season ago. Whatever the Golden Flashes needed, Holley was able to provide. While he is not that great of a passer, Holley is a dynamic athlete and a tough competitor.
Defense – Demetrius Monday. Also a rising senior, Monday is Kent State’s most talented defender coming into the 2017 season. During his first three seasons with the Golden Flashes, Monday racked up 90 total tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, seven interceptions, one forced fumble and two touchdowns. With NFL dreams on the line, I expect Monday to step up his play in his final year of eligibility.
More from RTR: Clemson disrespected in ACC Football Preseason Poll
Kent State returns virtually all of their production from a season ago, but, that doesn’t change the fact that the Clemson football program has superior talent across the board. On the offensive side of the ball, the Golden Flashes are one-dimensional, lacking any true passing threat. With Clemson’s talent upfront running the football will be tough sledding for any opponent, let alone a Group of five opponent. I think the Tigers will smother them as the game unfolds.
Defensively, Kent State is not too shabby, holding opponents to just under 30 points in 2016. That being said, the Golden Flashes did not face an offensive attack as potent as Clemson’s a season ago. In their contest with Alabama, the Tide were able to put up 48 points. As such, I expect Clemson’s fresh-faced offense to put this game out of reach fairly early.
Next: True Freshman, Logan Rudolph may log snaps at linebacker and defensive end in 2017
This matchup is more of a tune up for the Clemson football program than anything. Kent State has been struggling as of late and the Tigers are breaking in a bevy of new starters all across the field. If everything goes according to plan, Clemson will walk out of week one with a win.