Football Cruises to 38-10 Victory Against Liberty
9/11/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
KENT, Ohio The return of a familiar face and a big first half on both sides of the ball lifted the Kent State University football team to a convincing 38-10 victory over visiting Liberty University (1-1) tonight in its home opener at Dix Stadium.
After sitting out last weekends season-opening loss at Iowa, senior quarterback Joshua Cribbs (Washington, D.C./Dunbar H.S.) threw for 144 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 105 and another score and the Golden Flashes (1-1, 0-0 MAC) scored four first half touchdowns to give new coach Doug Martin his first career victory as a head coach.
"I am very happy for our football team and our football program," said Martin. "These kids have worked very hard, theyve practiced very hard, and done everything weve asked."
After forcing a three-and-out on Libertys opening possession, Kent States Antonio King (Burlington, N.C./Hargrave) partially blocked Noah Crouchs punt, giving the Golden Flashes the ball at the Flames 39-yard line. Seven plays later, Cribbs hit Derrick Bush (Colquitt, Ga./Hargrave Academy [Va.]) across the middle for a seven-yard touchdown.
On the drive, his first of 2004, Cribbs completed all four of his pass attempts and added 10 yards on three carries.
The Flashes wasted little time getting the ball back with All-MAC linebacker Eric Mahl (Monroeville, Ohio/Monroeville) picking off Paul Troths first pass on the ensuing drive to set up David Alstons (Willingboro, N.J./Willingboro) six-yard scoring run and a 14-0 lead less than six minutes into the game.
Kent States defense held Liberty, which rolled up over 400 yards of offense in its season-opening 55-17 win over West Virginia Tech last week, to just 83 total yards in the first half. The Flames also were forced to punt six times and averaged less than three yards per play in the first two quarters.
"Our defense in the first half was outstanding," added Martin. "We continue to progress and were getting much better. We are a better defensive team now than at any point last season."
Cribbs showed off why he is a dual threat in the second quarter, breaking free up the middle for a 25-yard touchdown scamper to put Kent State up 21-0 with 10:22 remaining in the first half.
Sophomore running back Kevin Beverly (New Carrollton, Md./Parkdale) capped a 12-play, 63-yard drive with a three-yard run and Travis Mayles (Ravenna, Ohio/Crestwood) fourth extra point of the opening half put the Flashes ahead 28-0 with just over four minutes to go before halftime.
Libertys furthest penetration into Kent State territory in the first half was the 34-yard line on their third possession before turning the ball over on downs. The Flames would cross midfield just once more before heading into the locker room.
Following a Kent State three-and-out to open the second half, Liberty broke through on the scoreboard, finishing off a 17-play, 68-yard, 7:37 drive with a 27-yard field goal by Zacry Kolegue.
Mayles 22-yard field goal on Kent States ensuing possession- set up by a 26-yard return and later a 16-yard run by Alston- put the Golden Flashes up 31-3 heading into the fourth quarter.
Liberty made a late charge early in the fourth when Paul Troth scored on an 11-yard keeper with twelve minutes to go to make the score 31-10. The Flames recovered an onside kick and drove to the Kent State 14-yard line before turning the ball over.
Kent State capped the scoring when Cribbs found a wide open Brian Bell in the corner of the end zone for an 8-yard touchdown pass, making the score 38-10 Flashes.
Cribbs finished 20-of-29 with an interception, hitting seven different receivers on the night. It was his eighth career 100-100 game (passing-rushing), and his 10th career 100-yard rushing performance. Senior wideout and former high school teammate Darrell Dowery (Washington, D.C./Dunbar H.S.) was his favorite target, catching seven passes for 67 yards. Bush caught three passes for 31 yards and a score.
Troth completed just 9-of-29 passes for 112 yards and two interceptions. He also was sacked three times. The Flames were just 4-of-16 on third down and rushed for 180 yards as a team just one week after picking up over 300 yards on the ground against West Virginia Tech.
Alston added 70 yards on 14 carries as the Golden Flashes picked up 201 yards on the ground as a team.
The Golden Flashes are on the road next Saturday, Sept. 18 when they travel to take on Rutgers University in their final nonconference game at 7 p.m. in Piscataway, N.J.
