KENT: This week's rivalry game against Akron couldn't have come at a better time for Kent State, which hosts the Zips at noon Saturday at Dix Stadium.

With four losses over the first five games of the season, the Golden Flashes once again are headed in the wrong direction. Morale is shaky.

On offense, a high ankle sprain has sidelined standout running back Eugene Jarvis, whom head coach Doug Martin tabbed ''doubtful'' to play against the Zips. It would mark the third consecutive week he has had to sit out.

On the other side of the ball, injuries claimed two more starters in linebackers Cedrick Maxwell (broken left fibula) and Cobrani Mixon (broken bone in left foot) in last week's 41-20 loss at undefeated Ball State.

''Nobody's feeling sorry for us,'' Martin said. ''The next guy has got to go play. We're
coaching as hard as we can with who's there. . . . We've just got to keep going, but the injuries have obviously been a problem around here for a long time.''

And so the rival Zips (2-3 overall, 0-1 in the Mid-American Conference) will make the 14-mile trek to Kent just in time to divert the attention of the Flashes (1-4, 0-1) from their myriad problems to a much-anticipated matchup played for Wagon Wheel Trophy bragging rights.

One of the players intent on bringing the wheel back to Kent is senior quarterback Julian Edelman, who has been one of the Flashes' few bright spots this season. The maturing play-maker has gained 374 yards on the ground with four touchdown runs and has thrown for 665 yards and five touchdowns to lead the team in both categories.

Despite KSU's overall lack of success, Martin believes Edelman is playing the best football of his career since joining the Flashes two seasons ago from junior college.

''I guess I'd agree with him in that I think I'm playing my smartest football,'' Edelman said. ''I'm not turning the ball over and trying not to take a big hit — stuff [Martin has] been emphasizing to me over the last few years.''

KSU's mounting injuries and a slumping defense that hasn't played up to par the past two games have negated much of Edelman's recent success.

''We've got to play better on defense, and we've got to start creating some turnovers defensively,'' Martin said. ''We're not getting a lot of pressure from our four down. We need Monte Simmons to come back and start making some plays off the edge to where he can't get single-blocked, and the same with Kevin Hogan.''

Kent State may need a lot of things right now, but this week, at least, one of them is not added motivation.

''Oh, I know our players are excited about this game,'' Martin said. ''This is what college football is all about. It should be a great atmosphere.''