[BJWilliams]

The kid is good mlschubert, but its not like we are facing the second coming of the chupacabra or anything. Kent State is a good team and them winning would not come as a surprise to me but this matchup isnt a pack of velociraptors set loose in a chicken coop. That said, he is going to have himself a good game and probably will be playing on Sundays in 2014 but its not some impossible mountain to climb

[mlschubert]

BJ - I'm not suggesting we can't compete. But, I now understand why he was the leading rusher and receiver in 2012. Legit 4.2 speed is impressive to watch. I can see why some think he could be one of the top 3 running backs.

We have our tickets and can't wait for this game. It would be a great win.

[BJWilliams]

I agree...Archer is good...very good...probably a day 2 pick, maybe day 1 if he really has a big year this year, but Liberty has never been one to back down from a challenge. If I could go to that game I certainly would, but using a word like "terrifying" is a bit much.

[thepostman]

We won't win this game. I am sure it will be respectable for a while but Kent State is a very good team. I think with us beating Ball State not so long ago has clouded people's expectations for these games.

[forbidden]

Hate to tell you BJ Archer is a day 1 pick for one of these 32 teams and he wont have to do nothing but have a decent year. He is a poor man's Tayvon Austin, to say the least. I think if you can stop Maysonet you may be able to contain Archer. Im sure he may get one run since it is the first game of the year(hope not), but we just have to try to slow him down.

[forbidden]

We won't win this game. I am sure it will be respectable for a while but Kent State is a very good team. I think with us beating Ball State not so long ago has clouded people's expectations for these games.

My number 1 question would be WHY? With the changes KSU will be facing I think this would be a good time to go in and take this game.

[thepostman]

We won't win this game. I am sure it will be respectable for a while but Kent State is a very good team. I think with us beating Ball State not so long ago has clouded people's expectations for these games.

My number 1 question would be WHY? With the changes KSU will be facing I think this would be a good time to go in and take this game.

I am not saying its impossible, but I just don't think our team has proved enough to me that they can beat a team that is without a doubt more talented then they are. Could it happen?? Of course it can, but the chances are slim.

[forbidden]

We won't win this game. I am sure it will be respectable for a while but Kent State is a very good team. I think with us beating Ball State not so long ago has clouded people's expectations for these games.

My number 1 question would be WHY? With the changes KSU will be facing I think this would be a good time to go in and take this game.

I am not saying its impossible, but I just don't think our team has proved enough to me that they can beat a team that is without a doubt more talented then they are. Could it happen?? Of course it can, but the chances are slim.

How can you say that when they beat SBU just last year, unless your not talking FCS teams. KSU has lost a lot of players on both sides of the ball and will be installing a new Defense with a new coach. They return more on offense than on defense, so if we can get going early with the run game I think we can do some things. On offense they are going to have their thunder and lightning and that is where the challenge will be, not in the passing game, where their returners coming back are only around 300 yds., they are going to try and pound us to soften us up then let Dri Archer finish you off. As I said the thing will be trying to contain him as he will most likely get some screen passes from the slot, some jet sweeps, as well as him in the return game, but we have a lot more coming back on defense and him getting and taking some hits will be the difference. This game will go thru him to try and get him established and off to a good start, it will be up to the boys in white to stop him.

[jbock13]

Yeah Postman how dare you say we won't beat an FBS team! You're a sucky fan!

Personally I think we keep it within 14-17 points. Kent State lost coaches and players but they're no Ball State of 2010, plus, they have more depth as an FBS team.

[thepostman]

I just am not sure why people set themselves up for disappointment. Could we pull a win off?? Of course. It's just unlikely

[BJWilliams]

I agree. when I put together my prediction for our record this year a while back, I had this one as a loss and still do. can we be competitive...absolutely. we haven't been genuinely "curb stomped" by an FBS team since the Karcher days back when manson, postie, GMTM and I were just landing on the mountain as students. The closest we have had to that was the WVU game where Mike Brown made his big splash on the national scene and I think the first meeting with Wake back in 06.

Archer is gonna play on Sundays that's for sure. He may end up being the best RB that we have to face all season which, though we lose the game, can be a big help the rest of the season.

[thepostman]

If BJ thinks we are going to lose, then that is pretty telling!

[jlread]

I agree. when I put together my prediction for our record this year a while back, I had this one as a loss and still do. can we be competitive...absolutely. we haven't been genuinely "curb stomped" by an FBS team since the Karcher days back when manson, postie, GMTM and I were just landing on the mountain as students. The closest we have had to that was the WVU game where Mike Brown made his big splash on the national scene and I think the first meeting with Wake back in 06.

Archer is gonna play on Sundays that's for sure. He may end up being the best RB that we have to face all season which, though we lose the game, can be a big help the rest of the season.

His big 74 yard run was Ranked #13 today on ESPNU's Best plays of 2012.

[Sly Fox]

While Archer's runs make the highlight films, Roosevelt Nix is every bit as devastating at the DL. NFL scouting directors love him. He's undersized but ridiculously explosive. I suspect more than a few NFL scouts will be in the stadium for the opener.

Here he is a couple of years ago against some guys called the Tide or something or other (he's the guy in white wearing #5) ...
[youtube]

[/youtube]


Here's another scout reel from a 2012 game against a solid FCS opponent ...
[youtube]

[/youtube]

Just found out today that I will be working on the Kent State campus ... two weeks prior to the game. Ugh. My timing is always lousy.

[jlread]

That Nix is a beast. I never realized ole Phillip Sims played that much for Alabama when he was their.

[BJWilliams]

Nix will certiainly be part of the game plan...he does tend to overplay when he is engaged with a blocker so the QB and RBs will have to be mindful of that and use it to their advantage

[Chris Lang]

All of the non-conference previews are up on my blog on the N&A site now. Wanted to get those done before media day. Will post the five Big South teams next week.

[SumItUp]

All of the non-conference previews are up on my blog on the N&A site now. Wanted to get those done before media day. Will post the five Big South teams next week.

Don't forget to add a link when you are self promoting!

http://www.newsadvance.com/sports/liber ... lang_blog/

[Sly Fox]

SumItUp beat me to it. Chris still is getting back in the Liberty state of promotion from the VT mindset.

[VAGolf]

Interesting read. Check out number 3:

http://edraft.com/college-football/news ... andidates/

[Sly Fox]

Dri Archer gets a Heisman campaign; Q&A with Kent State’s running back


Dri Archer paced Kent State with 1,429 rushing yards and 561 receiving yards last season. (Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)

By Martin Rickman

Following on the heels of Northern Illinois quarterback Jordan Lynch’s “Lynch for 6” campaign, Kent State running back Dri Archer is getting a Heisman campaign of his own.

Archer led the nation with an average of nine yards per carry and 36.9 yards per kick return last season, and he finished the year with 2,581 all-purpose yards and 23 touchdowns. He’ll also assume the role of primary punt returner this season, according to head coach Paul Haynes. Kent State announced in a release on Wednesday that Archer will get a #Dri4Heisman push, with a few extra elements thrown in:

• The campaign includes an official Dri4Heisman website, an @Dri4Heisman Twitter page, Facebook page and a digital comic strip, “The Archer,” illustrated by Chuck Ayers of Crankshaft and Funky Winkerbean.

Click Here for Full Story

[Sly Fox]

[youtube]

[/youtube]

[jlread]

So will A.A be playing as our RB for this kent st game?

[Chris Lang]

That question cannot be answered until Aug. 21, when Allen has his bench trial.

[PAmedic]

not sure he'd be in football shape that quick anyway by then even if acquitted