Kent State concludes spring football season with annual Spring Game on Saturday
4/21/2013 12:00:00 AM | Football
Kent State will conclude its spring football season with the annual Spring Game at Dix Stadium on Saturday.
The game will feature the Golden Flashes' first team offense and defense battling the rest of the roster. The game can be heard on Golden Flashes Radio on iHearRadio.
"We will run 12 minutes in the first half and 10 minutes in the second half with a running clock," said head coach Paul Haynes. "We decided not to do a draft. With the No. 1 offense and No. 1 defense on one side, you would think that the game would go a certain way, but it'll be interesting to see what happens. We will put on a show for everyone who comes out and hopefully we can get a good crowd for these kids."
The Spring Game is open to the public and will offer fans the first chance to see the Golden Flashes in action since their Mid-American Conference East Division championship in 2012.
"We hope the fans will come out to get a glimpse of some of the same things we showed them last season and some of what they are going to see next season," said senior running back and wide receiver Dri Archer, who also earned All-American honors last season as a kick returner. "We have a lot of new faces, but our young guys are learning really fast. It's going to be fun."
The Golden Flashes are hoping to build on an 11-3 season that saw them earn their first bowl invitation since 1972. Continuing to engage the fan base is a big part of that goal.
"Hopefully we will put a good product on the field in 2013 and get more support to keep building this Kent State football program," said senior safety Luke Wollet. "The fans were a huge part of our success last year. We want them to come out on Saturday and preview this new football team that is trying to be even better than last year's team. Hopefully the fans will come out and have a good time."
Kent State will host a free youth football clinic prior to the Spring Game with instruction from the Golden Flashes' coaches and players. The clinic starts at 4:30 p.m. on the Dix Stadium field. Registration opens at 3:30 p.m.
For more information or to register for the free youth clinic, call 330-672-8830.
Fans will also have an opportunity to meet head coach Paul Haynes at a Spring Game Preview held at the Water Street Tavern at 5 p.m. on Thursday. The event will be presented by the Kent Area Chamber of Commerce. The Water Street Tavern will also hold a $2 happy hour that includes $2 taco specials.
The Water Street Tavern is located at 132 South Water Street in downtown Kent. For more information, call 330-677-0770.
