FINAL
Kent State 32, Western Michigan 14
Kalamazoo, Mich.
FOURTH QUARTER
14:45 ... Anthony Melchiori continues to be a weapon in the punt game. He gives the Flashes' defense some room again with a 54-yard punt from the Kent State goal line.
11:36 ... Colin Reardon with a veteran throw to Tyshon Goode. Good find and throw running to his right and moving the chains. A nice series here for the freshman quarterback, tacking on throws to Archer and Humphrey as the Flashes are on the move again at the Western Michigan 27.
8:26 ... Add another third-down conversion on a quarterback draw by Reardon, showing some courage on back-to-back plays, fighting just for a yard or two instead of taking a loss on second down.
7:24 ... Reardon caps the drive by rolling to his right and finding tight end Casey Pierce in the back of the end zone for an 8-yard touchdown. That's the third touchdown connection between Reardon and Pierce this season.
Kent State 29, Western Michigan 14
5:28 ... Kent State doing a nice job of dialing up blitzes to keep Van Tubbergen from setting up in the pocket. Forcing another Western Michigan punt.
Just over five minutes to play and a 15-point lead. Time for Kent State to turn to its closer and Bull Durham to eat up this clock?
4:28 ... A couple of incomplete passes on second and third down and Kent State runs off only about a minute.
1:29 ... Anthony Melchiori boots a 41-yard field goal that should seal it for the Flashes. A little confidence booster for Melchiori after missing his previous two going back to last week at Penn State.
Kent State 32, Western Michigan 14
THIRD QUARTER
11:27 ... The Flashes forced to punt after opening drive of the second half stalls. They did mix in another nice run by Dri Archer in that first series, and that play also showed what Paul Haynes has been talking about with Trayion Durham. Despite not putting up big numbers in the first four weeks, Haynes has loved the way Durham has played, doing all of the little things and having an impact in pass protection. On the Archer run here in the second half, Durham showed he can block in the running game as well, helping to clear the path after lining up at tight end.
10:10 ... First two explosion plays by the Western Michigan offense.
First, Fields with a run for about 23 yards. First "explosion" play by the Broncos offense tonight.
Then Van Tubbergen with a 46-yard throw for Roberts and a touchdown-saving tackle by Jordan Italiano. Looked like Kent State bit on play action. Defensive coordinator Brian George said he expected Western to test the Flashes' secondary with the deep ball. That's the first time it worked tonight, but it has the Broncos in position inside the Kent State 10.
8:47 ... Nix with a good hit on Van Tubbergen on second and goal from the 12. Forces a big 3rd-and-12.
8:36 ... Western Michigan touchdown – Van Tubbergen with a 12-yard strike to Josh Schaefer. An 88-yard drive. The score came on 3rd-and-12. Opponents have converted some big third-and-10-plus plays against Kent State's defense this season.
8:32 ... Just having Archer on the field on kick returns is a big boost to the Kent State special teams. Teams forced to pooch to another speedster in Ernest Calhoun.
It also forces opponent mistakes. Western Michigan here with an illegal formation in attempt to pooch to the right side.
Calhoun shows why he is a weapon with a nice return to midfield after Kent State takes the 5-yard penalty and forces the Broncos to re-kick.
6:47 ... Durham has continued to have an impact in the running game ... 64 yards on 15 carries so far.
2:35 ... Kent State takes advantage of the short field created by the return game, answering the Western score with a 1-yard touchdown run by Trayion Durham. The Flashes showed some more power behind Durham. They also offered some more creativity on a fake option and slant-throw from Reardon to Tyshon Goode, who nearly scored on a great effort with a reach for the goal line.
It's a nice mix tonight. A little bit of trickery with some of the swinging gate early. Opening up the offense a bit with the speed of Dri Archer added back to the lineup. The power of Durham with the Kent State offensive line obviously eager to run against a non-BCS defensive front. And also mixing in some creative formations and play-calling.
Seven carries by Durham on this last 12-play drive, ending with his 21st career touchdown.
1:10 ... Dylan Farrington with his second interception in as many weeks. The cornerback building on a very fine game last week at Penn State. A very nice play looking back for the football and going up to get it as he ran step-for-step down the sideline with Roberts.
0:00 ... For Kent State under Paul Haynes, it's a fist held high in the air instead of four fingers heading into the fourth quarter.
10:10 ... First two explosion plays by the Western Michigan offense.
First, Fields with a run for about 23 yards. First "explosion" play by the Broncos offense tonight.
Then Van Tubbergen with a 46-yard throw for Roberts and a touchdown-saving tackle by Jordan Italiano. Looked like Kent State bit on play action. Defensive coordinator Brian George said he expected Western to test the Flashes' secondary with the deep ball. That's the first time it worked tonight, but it has the Broncos in position inside the Kent State 10.
8:47 ... Nix with a good hit on Van Tubbergen on second and goal from the 12. Forces a big 3rd-and-12.
8:36 ... Western Michigan touchdown – Van Tubbergen with a 12-yard strike to Josh Schaefer. An 88-yard drive. The score came on 3rd-and-12. Opponents have converted some big third-and-10-plus plays against Kent State's defense this season.
Kent State 15, Western Michigan 14
8:32 ... Just having Archer on the field on kick returns is a big boost to the Kent State special teams. Teams forced to pooch to another speedster in Ernest Calhoun.
It also forces opponent mistakes. Western Michigan here with an illegal formation in attempt to pooch to the right side.
Calhoun shows why he is a weapon with a nice return to midfield after Kent State takes the 5-yard penalty and forces the Broncos to re-kick.
6:47 ... Durham has continued to have an impact in the running game ... 64 yards on 15 carries so far.
2:35 ... Kent State takes advantage of the short field created by the return game, answering the Western score with a 1-yard touchdown run by Trayion Durham. The Flashes showed some more power behind Durham. They also offered some more creativity on a fake option and slant-throw from Reardon to Tyshon Goode, who nearly scored on a great effort with a reach for the goal line.
It's a nice mix tonight. A little bit of trickery with some of the swinging gate early. Opening up the offense a bit with the speed of Dri Archer added back to the lineup. The power of Durham with the Kent State offensive line obviously eager to run against a non-BCS defensive front. And also mixing in some creative formations and play-calling.
Seven carries by Durham on this last 12-play drive, ending with his 21st career touchdown.
Kent State 22, Western Michigan 14
1:10 ... Dylan Farrington with his second interception in as many weeks. The cornerback building on a very fine game last week at Penn State. A very nice play looking back for the football and going up to get it as he ran step-for-step down the sideline with Roberts.
0:00 ... For Kent State under Paul Haynes, it's a fist held high in the air instead of four fingers heading into the fourth quarter.
SECOND QUARTER
11:23 ... Kent State offense back on the field after drive No. 4 for Western Michigan ends with punt No. 4.
Roosevelt Nix did a great job of getting off of blocks on first and second down. He's off to a great start. While he has played well so far this season, he is back to being the best player on the field when Kent State is on defense.
9:57 ... A sack and a Reardon fumble has the Broncos in business at the Kent State 26.
9:16 ... A Brian Fields touchdown run 2 yards has tied the game.
The turnover forced and recovered by Western Michigan's Edward Rolle put Kent State's defense in a bad position defending a short field. The linebacker came clean coming off of the right side of the Golden Flashes' offensive line.
7:56 ... Kent State may be watching the number of plays Archer is on the field. He hasn't been on the field on offense in the last two drives, but he did take the field for the kickoff following the Western touchdown. An interesting decoy move as the Broncos adjusted with a short kick to the Kent State 38. The Golden Flashes will take that short field every time.
4:54 ... Dri Archer in the end zone for the first time in 2013 ... a 31-yard pass from Reardon.
Kent State continues its aggressive attitude, going for the 2-point conversion with a throw to, of all people, long snapper Chad Bushley. Throw by Chris Humphrey on the swinging gate.
1:32 ... Kent State offense on the move again after forcing another punt. Another late hit on the sideline by the Broncos helping the Flashes across midfield.
A chance to take a little control here with a late score and then getting the ball back to start the second half.
Regarding the most recent Western punt – the Broncos offense just can't keep Roosevelt Nix blocked tonight, by the way.
1:06 ... Check that, a questionable decision by Colin Reardon throwing deep over the middle into double coverage. It looked like he may have had a better look with Tyshon Goode down the right sideline.
The result was a Western Michigan interception at its own 2-yard line. Kent State will use its timeouts here in the hopes of getting another chance as the Broncos try to run the ball out of their own end.
A first-down run on second down, and we'll likely see both teams just try to get to halftime.
0:47 ... Another injury scare for Kent State with Roosevelt Nix on the field and trainers looking at his lower leg.
Good to see him run off the field, however. Can't afford to lose Nix with all of the injury issues already so far in 2013
9:57 ... A sack and a Reardon fumble has the Broncos in business at the Kent State 26.
9:16 ... A Brian Fields touchdown run 2 yards has tied the game.
The turnover forced and recovered by Western Michigan's Edward Rolle put Kent State's defense in a bad position defending a short field. The linebacker came clean coming off of the right side of the Golden Flashes' offensive line.
Western Michigan 7, Kent State 7
7:56 ... Kent State may be watching the number of plays Archer is on the field. He hasn't been on the field on offense in the last two drives, but he did take the field for the kickoff following the Western touchdown. An interesting decoy move as the Broncos adjusted with a short kick to the Kent State 38. The Golden Flashes will take that short field every time.
4:54 ... Dri Archer in the end zone for the first time in 2013 ... a 31-yard pass from Reardon.
Kent State continues its aggressive attitude, going for the 2-point conversion with a throw to, of all people, long snapper Chad Bushley. Throw by Chris Humphrey on the swinging gate.
Kent State 15, Western Michigan 7
1:32 ... Kent State offense on the move again after forcing another punt. Another late hit on the sideline by the Broncos helping the Flashes across midfield.
A chance to take a little control here with a late score and then getting the ball back to start the second half.
Regarding the most recent Western punt – the Broncos offense just can't keep Roosevelt Nix blocked tonight, by the way.
1:06 ... Check that, a questionable decision by Colin Reardon throwing deep over the middle into double coverage. It looked like he may have had a better look with Tyshon Goode down the right sideline.
The result was a Western Michigan interception at its own 2-yard line. Kent State will use its timeouts here in the hopes of getting another chance as the Broncos try to run the ball out of their own end.
A first-down run on second down, and we'll likely see both teams just try to get to halftime.
0:47 ... Another injury scare for Kent State with Roosevelt Nix on the field and trainers looking at his lower leg.
Good to see him run off the field, however. Can't afford to lose Nix with all of the injury issues already so far in 2013
HALFTIME
FIRST QUARTER
13:25 ... After deferring and kicking off, Kent State's defensive front gave us what we were hoping for on first and second down ... Two running plays yields a third-and-10, forcing a third-down throw short of the markers. Quick three-and-out, and an encouraging start for the Golden Flashes defense.
After the punt, coach Paul Haynes was quick to the bench, slapping the shoulder pads of his defensive linemen.
12:36 ... Two offensive plays, both run for Archer ... and the Golden Flashes showing a surprise wrinkle right off the bat with the swinging gate offense leaving Reardon and Huff unprotected and away from the rest of the line.
I love to see the creativity.
9:54 ... Shades of 2012 as the statue of liberty to Dri Archer goes for 13. The athleticism of Terrell Johnson helping to clear some space out in front of Archer as he scampered to the left sideline and a first down near the Western 10.
For the second consecutive week, Anthony Melchiori can't convert a short field goal after a promising early drive. Wide right on the 25-yard attempt.
In the meantime, Tyshon Goode moved into second place alone on Kent State's all-time reception list with the 153rd of his career.
5:47 ... Kent State's defense stops Western Michigan again after a short Broncos drive. Two holding calls after the Broncos had a third-and-one near midfield helped the Golden Flashes' cause.
A good punt and short return by Calhoun will have Kent State starting drive No. 2 deep in its own territory at the six.
5:16 ... Archer with a 33-yard run to get the Flashes out of the shadow of their own goalposts. He takes the pitch, gets the corner and into some space.
It's obviously such a different team with Archer on the field and healthy.
3:40 ... Drive No. 2 for Kent State stalls just inside Western Michigan territory, and just as he did last week Anthony Melchiori makes up for his early field-goal miss with more brilliance in the punt game, dropping one dead at the Broncos' 3.
Melchiori helps the defense again. He has to be credited with some of the improvement on defense for the Golden Flashes last week. When Penn State scored, it had to be on a long drive.
Good play in the Kent State secondary again with Polk step-for-step with Western wideout Timmy Keith and nice help over the top from safety Luke Wollet.
1:43 ... Western three drives, three punts ... Flipping the field by Melchiori could change some momentum with Kent State's third drive opening up at the Western 47.
Late hits help, too, as a Western personal foul against cornerback Donald Celisar at the end of a 6-yard run by Archer will help Kent State march deeper into Broncos territory at the 26.
Dri Archer with four carries for 56 yards in what is really his first full and healthy quarter of work this season.
0:04 ... Trayion Durham bulls his way for five yards and a Kent State touchdown. Several nice runs by Durham on this march as the speed of the return of Archer is helping to create more opportunities for the big back. Dri is a perfect foil for Trayion just as Trayion is also a perfect foil for Dri.
That was also career touchdown No. 20 for Durham.
After the punt, coach Paul Haynes was quick to the bench, slapping the shoulder pads of his defensive linemen.
12:36 ... Two offensive plays, both run for Archer ... and the Golden Flashes showing a surprise wrinkle right off the bat with the swinging gate offense leaving Reardon and Huff unprotected and away from the rest of the line.
I love to see the creativity.
9:54 ... Shades of 2012 as the statue of liberty to Dri Archer goes for 13. The athleticism of Terrell Johnson helping to clear some space out in front of Archer as he scampered to the left sideline and a first down near the Western 10.
For the second consecutive week, Anthony Melchiori can't convert a short field goal after a promising early drive. Wide right on the 25-yard attempt.
In the meantime, Tyshon Goode moved into second place alone on Kent State's all-time reception list with the 153rd of his career.
5:47 ... Kent State's defense stops Western Michigan again after a short Broncos drive. Two holding calls after the Broncos had a third-and-one near midfield helped the Golden Flashes' cause.
A good punt and short return by Calhoun will have Kent State starting drive No. 2 deep in its own territory at the six.
5:16 ... Archer with a 33-yard run to get the Flashes out of the shadow of their own goalposts. He takes the pitch, gets the corner and into some space.
It's obviously such a different team with Archer on the field and healthy.
3:40 ... Drive No. 2 for Kent State stalls just inside Western Michigan territory, and just as he did last week Anthony Melchiori makes up for his early field-goal miss with more brilliance in the punt game, dropping one dead at the Broncos' 3.
Melchiori helps the defense again. He has to be credited with some of the improvement on defense for the Golden Flashes last week. When Penn State scored, it had to be on a long drive.
Good play in the Kent State secondary again with Polk step-for-step with Western wideout Timmy Keith and nice help over the top from safety Luke Wollet.
1:43 ... Western three drives, three punts ... Flipping the field by Melchiori could change some momentum with Kent State's third drive opening up at the Western 47.
Late hits help, too, as a Western personal foul against cornerback Donald Celisar at the end of a 6-yard run by Archer will help Kent State march deeper into Broncos territory at the 26.
Dri Archer with four carries for 56 yards in what is really his first full and healthy quarter of work this season.
0:04 ... Trayion Durham bulls his way for five yards and a Kent State touchdown. Several nice runs by Durham on this march as the speed of the return of Archer is helping to create more opportunities for the big back. Dri is a perfect foil for Trayion just as Trayion is also a perfect foil for Dri.
That was also career touchdown No. 20 for Durham.
Kent State 7, Western Michigan 0
PREGAME
Kickoff is about 20 minutes away, and due to some pressing issues at home I am sadly blogging from my living room instead of a press box in Western Michigan.
I am plugged in to that press box, however, so I should be able to get some additional information if anyone has any questions or comments.
I just checked in with sports information assistant director Aaron Chimenti in Kalamazoo, and he said that both Dri Archer and Pat McShane came out with the team and participated in warm-ups during pre-game. That's obviously a pretty good sign that both will play.
I'm hoping to see the Golden Flashes find some room to run with Trayion Durham today behind a line that will include McShane and against a defense of a similar level. Continued improvement by the defense is also a key for today. The secondary made some strides last week at Penn State. Next on the agenda, improvement from the front seven as a whole.
Some interesting scores today around the Mid-American Conference with Buffalo rolling over Connecticut 41-12 just one week after UConn almost beat Michigan. Old friend Darrell Hazell had a tougher time against Northern Illinois than he did last year while at Kent State as Purdue lost 55-24.
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