1997 Kent State Golden Flashes football team

The 1997 Kent State Golden Flashes football team was an American football team that represented Kent State University in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) during the 1997 NCAA Division I-A football season. In their fifth and final season under head coach Jim Corrigall, the Golden Flashes compiled a 3–8 record (3–5 against MAC opponents), finished in a tie for fourth place in the MAC East, and were outscored by all opponents by a combined total of 490 to 337.[1][2]

1997 Kent State Golden Flashes football
ConferenceMid-American Conference
DivisionEast Division
Record3–8 (3–5 MAC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorCharley Molnar (4th season)
Home stadiumDix Stadium
Seasons
← 1996
1998 →
1997 Mid-American Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
East Division
Marshall x$   7 1     10 3  
Miami (OH)   6 2     8 3  
Ohio   6 2     8 3  
Bowling Green   3 5     3 8  
Kent State   3 5     3 8  
Akron   2 7     2 9  
West Division
Toledo x   7 1     9 3  
Western Michigan   6 2     8 3  
Ball State   4 4     5 6  
Eastern Michigan   4 5     4 7  
Central Michigan   1 7     2 9  
Northern Illinois   0 8     0 11  
Championship: Marshall 34, Toledo 14
  • $ – Conference champion
  • x – Division champion/co-champions

The team's statistical leaders included running back Astron Whatley with 876 rushing yards, quarterback Jose Davis with 2,707 passing yards, and wide receiver Eugene Baker with 1,549 receiving yards.[3][4] Four Kent State players were selected as first-team All-MAC players: Whatley, Baker, offensive guard Bob Hallen, and offensive tackle Steve Zahursky.[5]

Schedule

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DateTimeOpponentSiteResultAttendance
August 28at OhioL 7–31
September 67:00 p.m.at No. 9 Youngstown State*L 23–4417,974
September 133:30 p.m.MarshallL 17–4211,021
September 20at Eastern MichiganW 41–38
October 42:00 p.m.UCF*
  • Dix Stadium
  • Kent, OH
L 43–5910,584
October 11Miami (OH)
  • Dix Stadium
  • Kent, OH
L 26–62
October 18at Western MichiganL 27–50
October 25Central Michigan
  • Dix Stadium
  • Kent, OH
W 60–37
November 1Bowling Green
W 29–20
November 8at AkronL 35–45
November 22at Navy*L 29–62
  • *Non-conference game
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
  • All times are in Eastern time

Roster

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1997 Kent State Golden Flashes football team roster
Players Coaches
Offense
Pos. # Name Class
QB 6 Jose Davis So
TE 46 Jason Gavadza   So
QB 13 Todd Goebbel Jr
TE 82 Dan Goodspeed Jr
C 66 Bob Hallen Sr
QB 18 Brian Magrell   Jr
QB 10 Jon Rapella   Fr
QB 19 Zach Williams   Fr
Defense
Pos. # Name Class
Special teams
Pos. # Name Class
Head coach
Coordinators/assistant coaches

Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  •   Injured
  •   Redshirt

Roster
Last update: 1998-01-30

References

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  1. ^ "2016 Kent State Football Record Book" (PDF). Kent State University. p. D8. Retrieved October 5, 2016.
  2. ^ "1997 Kent State Golden Flashes Schedule and Results". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved October 5, 2016.
  3. ^ 2016 Kent State Football Record Book, pp. D17-D19.
  4. ^ "1997 Kent State Golden Flashes Stats". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved October 5, 2016.
  5. ^ 2016 Kent State Football Record Book, p. D42.