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Buffalo win, Edelman on field are highlights
By Stephanie Storm
Beacon Journal sports writer
Published on Wednesday, Dec 03, 2008
It used to be that when it came to Kent State football, losing was just the way things were. Over the years many people, from fans to administrators, just accepted that fate.
It's a culture coach Doug Martin has been chipping away at since taking over five years ago.
Something has happened little by little.
Take last week, for example, the final game of the regular season.
Other than playing for pride, the game meant little for the Golden Flashes; their season would end regardless of the outcome.
KSU's opponent — Mid-American Conference East Division winner Buffalo — had already wrapped up the league title and a bowl bid.
Yet, what appeared to be a mismatch on paper turned into the surprise of the season when the Flashes fought hard for a 24-21 victory to end on a winning note.
''We won three of our last five games,'' Martin said. ''And we capped it by beating a tough Buffalo team. I challenged our players before the game, telling them if they can go out and beat the MAC East champion, then they can one day be the MAC East champion.''
Many might look at the 4-8 record (3-5 in league) in 2008 as a season to forget, but it will be one Martin will always remember.
Not so much for its failures, but for the memories of a special senior in quarterback Julian Edelman. His competitive nature and never-give-up attitude won the respect of many.
''I'm proud to say Julian and I will be lifelong friends,'' Martin said. ''Over the years, with the things he and the team went through, we really developed a special bond.''
Edelman was the heart and soul of the Flashes, especially with injuries to top running back Eugene Jarvis.
Jarvis, a junior, managed just 801 yards, missing three games and playing most of the season banged up and battling a high ankle sprain.
Edelman finished his career with the MAC Offensive Player of the Week honors for the second time in the past three weeks.
He recorded his seventh consecutive 100-yard rushing game and eighth of the season by tallying 167 yards on 19 carries against the Bulls.
The final 12 yards of Edelman's career came with KSU facing third-and-11 and needing a first down to run out the clock. Edelman did it, dragging two of the last three yards to accomplish the feat.
He is second all-time in the KSU record book with 1,370 rushing yards on the season. He also completed 13-of-23 passes for 114 yards against Buffalo, including the game-winning touchdown with 5:57 remaining. In a show of his versatility, the athletic Edelman also returned two punts for 16 yards while punting twice for a 37.5-yard average.
''Coach Martin taught me a lot about the game,'' Edelman said. ''When I first came here, I couldn't tell you anything about a zone blitz or anything like that. But it's not just football; it's the things he helped me with off the field as well that I'll never forget.
''He's the guy who gave me the opportunity to play Division I football, which I was always told I would not be able to play.''
Linebacker Derek Burrell also enjoyed a standout senior season, despite being part of a struggling defensive unit.
He finished strong with a team-leading 10 tackles against Buffalo, a second-quarter sack and a game-saving play with a strip for a fumble at the 1-yard line with just 1:46 to go in the fourth quarter. For the season, Burrell recorded a team-high 119 tackles, including 50 solo.
''When we lost some games early, it really hurt our confidence, especially on defense,'' Martin said. ''The unit as a whole just never recovered from that. We'd been in the top three in the league on defense for the last couple of years; it had been our calling card. It's something we have to get back to next season.''
Stephanie Storm can be reached at sstorm@thebeaconjournal.com.
It used to be that when it came to Kent State football, losing was just the way things were. Over the years many people, from fans to administrators, just accepted that fate.
Get the full article here.
Comments
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North Hill, OH
Posted 08:54 PM, 12/03/2008
As a 5-7 Akron fan, I don't have much room to talk, but I hardly think this story warrants the headline.
Posted 10:11 PM, 12/03/2008
as an Akron fan you can understand that we don't give a flying fa-doodle what you think and actually are quite shocked at your capability to do so.
Posted 02:16 AM, 12/04/2008
As an Akron Fan I have to appreciate the way Kent State finished out their year in football. I only wish that the Zips had the same way.
