Quick, raise your hand if you know who the nation’s leading returning rusher is.
If you read the first part of my MAC preview the other day (or the MAC East preview), you know it, and if you’re a MAC or Kent State fan, you probably know the answer already.
Still don’t know? It’s Kent State junior Eugene Jarvis, who ran for 1,669 yards last season for the Golden Flashes. That total was 7th in the nation last season, but with the six guys ahead of him all in the NFL now, Jarvis is the top returning runner, 60 yards ahead of Ohio State’s Chris Wells.
After making an impact as a redshirt freshman (798 yards, 3 TD) on a 6-6 team, Jarvis really broke out last season, establishing himself as the MAC’s top back.
Jarvis ran for at least 100 yards nine times last season, with a high of 230 yards in a 33-25 win over Ohio on September 29, and also had games of 183, 170, 168, 159, and 156 yards. He also led the Golden Flashes in receiving yards and touchdowns with 306 yards and three scores on 23 catches, so all in all, he compiled 1,975 all-purpose yards and scored 13 touchdowns.
Is he the best back that a lot of people haven’t heard of? Maybe so, but that shouldn’t be the case much longer.
Did I mention that Jarvis is all of 5’5, 170 pounds? That’s anything but a detriment for him – just ask all of the defenses that he piled up the yards against.
Regardless of his stature, the way that Jarvis produced last season likely isn’t a surprise to anyone who has been able to watch him over the last several years. Over his last two seasons at Pittsburgh Central Catholic, Jarvis ran for nearly 4,000 yards and 77 touchdowns.
Given his physical makeup and the conference that he plays in, it’s easy to make a comparison to former Northern Illinois star Garrett Wolfe, the 5’7 speedster who was drafted in the third round by the Chicago Bears last season after running for 5,164 yards and 52 touchdowns in three seasons. Another big season for Jarvis could launch him into the national spotlight and give him a chance at the All-America accolades that Wolfe received in his collegiate career.
And as for his professional prospects? Unfortunately we live in a world where physical tools tend to outweigh the rest of the resume for scouts, but if Jarvis keeps running like he has, he’ll find a place on the next level.
If some continuity – and health – can be found at quarterback, it’ll not only give Jarvis more opportunities to make a big impact in the passing game, but it’ll take the pressure off of him to have to do it all. That could translate into a similar – or better – year for Jarvis, and more importantly, more wins for Kent State, who finished a disappointing 3-9 last season. The Golden Flashes went through four starting quarterbacks last season, with three different starters under center over the final four games.
Julian Edelman, a second-team All-MAC selection in 2006, started the first eight games, but missed the final four due to injury. True freshman Giorgio Morgan stepped in when Edelman was hurt against Bowling Green, and got his first career start against Central Michigan, going an impressive 18 for 28 for 247 yards and three scores (with no interceptions) in a 41-32 loss. However, he was injured in the next game against Northern Illinois, which put him on the sidelines with Edelman. Jon Brown finished the NIU game and started the next week against Temple, but a four-interception performance in a 24-14 loss saw Brown give way Anthony Magazu for the final game of the season, a 30-23 overtime loss to Buffalo.
If Edelman can hold off Morgan for the starting job this season, defenses will have a second big running threat to worry about, as the senior has 1,113 yards and nine touchdowns on the ground in the last two seasons.
If things click all around on offense, it could bode well for Kent State’s hopes for success this season. The Golden Flashes lost their last seven games, but four of their 2007 losses were by seven points, and three others came by 11 points or less, with being unable to finish in the fourth quarter standing in their way multiple times. So, if 2008 is to be a success, the defense will play a major role, especially in preventing fourth-quarter comebacks.
Can Jarvis break the 2,000 yard mark in 2008? Can the Golden Flashes make a run in the MAC?
