The Flashes know there is something they can count on this season: their defense led by linebacker Cobrani Mixon.
View full sizeKent State's Cobrani Mixon put pressure on Penn State quarterback Rob Bolden during their Sept. 18 game at State College, Pa. The Nittany Lions won the game, 24-0.• Saturday: Akron at Kent State, 3:30 p.m. TV: STO.
RUN BUSTERS
Heading into Saturday’s game against Akron, Kent State’s defense is ranked first in the nation against the run. A game-by-game breakdown:
W vs. Murray State: minus-65 yards*
L at Boston College: 87 yards
L at Penn State: 162 yards
L at Miami (Ohio): 52 yards
* - denotes school record.
MIXON’S TACKLES BY GAME
Murray State: 8
Boston College: 15
Penn State: 8
Miami (Ohio): 8
-- Elton Alexander
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- With the football season already on the brink for Kent State, the Flashes know there is something they can count on the rest of the way: their defense.
KSU's defense is ranked No. 1 in the nation against the run and No. 27 overall. The Flashes allow just 59.0 rushing yards per game -- best in the nation -- and 306.5 yards total, No. 27 nationally.
Heading into Saturday's game against Akron, the Golden Flashes (1-3, 0-1 Mid-American Conference) are considered a heavy favorite despite having an offense that is sporadic at best.
Kent's defense began the season with a school record by holding Murray State to minus-65 yards on the ground. KSU has allowed over 100 yards just once, to Penn State.
As KSU's offense sputters through highs and lows, averaging 18.8 points per game, the defense offers hope. In the middle of it is senior linebacker Cobrani Mixon from Cincinnati.
"A day doesn't go by that we don't say, 'we've got to enjoy this group,'" KSU defensive co-ordinator Pete Rekstis said.
Mixon, in his third season with Kent, joins his high school teammate, safety Brian Lainhart, in calling defensive signals for the Flashes.
Cobra-quick and blacksmith-strong, Mixon operates behind a defensive line that funnels ballcarriers right to him. Mixon has a team-leading 39 tackles, including three for lost yardage and two sacks.
"Our defensive line is really playing well right now," Mixon said. "They have really stepped up. With those guys, there's really not much happening in the middle. They do all the hard work, I just clean up. I got the easy job."
It's a modesty the belies Mixon's true value. There are a lot of guys who play middle linebacker. But the gifted ones -- who can line up a defense after a quarterback's last audible; can see plays before they happen; can anticipate a tailback's cuts and a quarterback's snap count -- are rare.
The Flashes consider Mixon in that elite company.
"Obviously, his physical skills stand out," Rekstis said of the 6-1, 235-pound transfer from Michigan. "But the last two years, we've had two different inside linebacker coaches. Both of them came to the same conclusion. Don't over-coach him. Line him up and let him make plays.
"[Mixon] comes with God-given size and speed and an incredibly strong punch. He's hard to block, and he has the intangibles, leadership and all. We have him in several times a week, just with the coaches, when we formulate game plans. His ideas are as valuable and solid as any coach. He's settled more than a few debates about how we're going to defend things."
It shows up on film.
Akron (0-5, 0-1) has averaged 127.0 yards rushing, and to approach that total on Saturday, Zips coach Rob Ianello makes it clear that identifying Mixon's whereabouts will be essential.
"He is a physical guy, a big guy, runs to the ball well," Ianello said. "Their defense itself is the No. 1-ranked defense in the conference, and he is a big part why."
Mixon does it with no lingering thoughts of what could have been had he stayed at Michigan. Recruited by Lloyd Carr, he transferred to KSU after the coaching change where his high school teammate, safety Brian Lainhart, was already a part of the Golden Flashes.
"I've enjoyed my years here," Mixon said. "If I knew then what I know now, I would have come here first. ... Everything is working out. Hopefully we can start winning, so we can go out right."