Changes in the depth chart heading into game at Virginia

The Golden Flashes coaching staff has tinkered with the offensive line a bit during the bye week, making the full-time move of Wayne Scott back to left guard from the right guard spot he had manned during the season’s first three weeks.

The 6-foot-3, 320-pound Scott and 6-6, 292-pound Reno Reda at left tackle had been meshing well during the preseason and appeared to have a chance to grow into a similar strength on the left side to what Brian Winters and Josh Kline provided the Flashes back in 2012.

Nathan Puthoff, a 6-4, 296-pound freshman, is also now the starting right guard after playing parts of the last two games there when Scott switched to left guard mid-game.

Redshirt freshman Brock Macaulay is also listed as the starting right tackle again with fifth-year senior Terrell Johnson still on the mend. Johnson missed the Ohio State game as Macaulay made his first career start.

I like getting the “veterans” of Reda and Scott back together on the left side. They are only sophomores, but they have the most combined experience up front and they’ll have a chance to keep getting better playing side by side. 

The moves mean the Flashes get even younger on the offensive line, though. And that’s ultimately not a bad thing, according to Kent State’s coaches. 

“They are what you want,” Paul Haynes said of all of his youngers on Monday during his weekly press conference. “They are just young.”

Those youngsters include Zach Singer, whose role has increased with each week and now has the 310-pound freshman listed No. 2 at nose tackle behind fellow freshman Jon Cunningham. That move has allowed redshirt freshman Jontey Byrd the chance to move to a three-technique behind junior Nate Terhune. It also allows Marcus Wright to play more of a swing role, moving inside and out along the defensive line. 

There was some unfortunate news to come out of today’s press conference as cornerback Najee Murray is considered doubtful for Saturday’s game at Virginia. Haynes revealed that Murray suffered a concussion two weeks ago against Ohio State. Even if Murray is considered ready by Saturday, Haynes said he probably wouldn’t risk playing him. The priority for the Flashes is to be as close to full strength when they get into MAC play in two weeks at Northern Illinois.

Another youngster who may get more opportunities is freshman Eldin Anu, the converted cornerback who is now listed No. 2 at the Z receiver spot behind senior Chris Humphrey. The coaches love Anu’s potential, and while as Haynes says, “he still needs 1,000 reps,” the Flashes have limited his package to give him the chance to see the field. Instead of throwing the full playbook at him, they are allowing Anu to get comfortable with just a few plays that would allow him to have an impact when he checks into the game.