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Quarterback Edelman has been a bright spot during difficult season
By Stephanie Storm
Beacon Journal sports writer
Published on Tuesday, Nov 18, 2008
KENT: Tonight is Kent State's home finale and 13 seniors will be honored before the Golden Flashes play Northern Illinois.
Emotions will run high at the 7 p.m. kickoff at Dix Stadium, perhaps none more than those of Flashes senior quarterback Julian Edelman.
In last week's 41-38 victory over Temple, Edelman became the second KSU quarterback to pass and run for more than 1,000 yards in a season, joining former KSU quarterback Joshua Cribbs.
Cribbs, now a Pro Bowl kick returner for the Browns, smiled when he heard the news.
''That's great,'' Cribbs said with a wide grin. ''I'm not mad; records are made to be broken. I've seen [Edelman] play, and he's a good quarterback. He's probably more of an all-round player then I was because of the way he leads the offense.''
Like Cribbs, Edelman is undersized for a quarterback at 5-foot-10 and 190 pounds. But the two share a passion for the game that means they will do just about anything to get on the field, including returning kicks.
With the Flashes (3-7 overall, 2-4 in league play) struggling in their return game all season, Kent State coach Doug Martin finally caved a few weeks ago and began allowing Edelman to return punts in an effort to showcase his ability and all-around athleticism to NFL scouts.
''We're a lot alike,'' Cribbs said. ''I hope he gets a shot [as a free agent in the NFL] like I did.''
For all Edelman did to lead the Flashes to Wednesday's late win, little was mentioned about his personal mark. He reached the milestone by running 22 times for 144 yards and three touchdowns in addition to completing 18-of-26 passes for 232 yards and another touchdown.
Edelman also led a successful no-huddle offense that produced 561 yards of total offense, including a season-high 185 yards from junior running back Eugene Jarvis.
KSU found a way to win, and as far as Edelman is concerned, that was the biggest positive of the game.
Next season, talented young quarterback Giorgio Morgan is expected to take over for Edelman, but no doubt the Flashes will miss Edelman's leadership and competitiveness.
''He's one of, if not the, best all-around football player in the MAC,'' Martin said. ''He is one of the most athletically gifted quarterbacks I've ever been around.''
Edelman and the Flashes have two games to go.
A win tonight coupled with another in the season finale at Buffalo on Nov. 28 would salvage the season, leaving the Flashes with a .500 record in the Mid-American Conference East Division for the fourth time in six years.
It won't be easy against the Huskies, who are 5-5 overall and 4-3 and in fourth place in the MAC West. Northern Illinois has won 14 of the past 21 meetings, but the Huskies are just 5-5 all-time at KSU.
''They play a very similar style to what Temple brought in here,'' Martin said. ''So it's going to be another major test for our offense. They give you a lot of different looks from their offense, a lot of unbalanced line sets. . . . This will be a very, very physical football game.''
Stephanie Storm can be reached at sstorm@thebeaconjournal.com.
KENT: Tonight is Kent State's home finale and 13 seniors will be honored before the Golden Flashes play Northern Illinois.
Get the full article here.
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