The Golden Flashes are 0-2 with losses at Alabama and to Louisiana-Lafayette. The Golden Flashes return 16 starters from a team that went 5-7 (4-4 in the MAC). The Golden Flashes are projected to finish in the middle of the East division of the MAC.
QB Spencer Keith has completed 44% of his passes for 213 yards with 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions in 2011. "Spencer's really a smart player," offensive coordinator Brian Rock said. "He sees the field very well. He studies the game and understands it. He drives himself very hard and works hard at being a manager of the offense."
RB's Jacquise Terry and Anthony Meray have combined for 90 yards (50 by Terry) on 34 carries (20 by Terry) (2.6 yards/carry) with 0 touchdowns. While Terry is the man man in the Golden Flashes backfield, look for Dri Archer, Robert Hollomon and Trayion Durham to get carries as well. Rock said of Archer: "He's electric. He has big-play capabilities. Speedy is smart, a good leader, a hard worker and he's got some talent. He's more of a well-rounded running back."
Terry and Meray will run behind an offensive line that features 1 senior (C Chris Anzevino), 3 juniors (LT Brian Winters, RG Josh Kline and RT Kent Cleveland) and 1 sophomore (LG Tyler Arend). It is an offensive line that has allowed Keith to be sacked 7 times so far in 2011.
WR's Sam Kirkland and Eric Adeyemi have combined for 98 yards (67 by Kirkland). Rock says of the receiving corps: "I really like our receiving corps," Rock said. "The two groups that really impressed me when we came in [in January] and started watching film were the receivers and the offensive line. We have five or six guys that are really good players."
Defensively, the Golden Flashes return 5 starters from a defense that finished 10th in the nation in total defense and 4th in the nation in rushing defense. DT Roosevelt Nix finished last season 4th in the nation in tackles for loss and 11th in sacks. DT Dana Brown and DE Jake Dooley also return and are players to watch. The LB corps has to be rebuilt. Luke Batton returns at SLB and they'll rely alot on JUCO transfer C.J. Malauulu. Both CB's (Josh Pleasant and Norman Wolfe) return. Wolfe led the team in interceptions last season.
The Golden Flashes return both kickers in P Matt Rinehart and PK Freddy Cortez. Rinehart is the best punter in the MAC (43 yard average a year ago) and Cortez was perfect on extra points and 11-17 on field goals a year ago.
