Recordpub.com - Flashes, BC might move game to Cleveland

By David Carducci

Record-Courier staff writer

Kent State could end up opening the 2008 college football season at Cleveland Browns Stadium after all.

According to a source close to the Golden Flashes' football program, KSU is close to finalizing a deal with the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission that would move the high-profile Aug. 30 home game with Boston College from Dix Stadium to the shores of Lake Erie.

Up until a few months ago, the Flashes had been considered a favorite to represent the Mid-American Conference against one of the United States military academies in a second Patriot Bowl at Cleveland Browns Stadium. That possibility died when the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission decided to scrap the Patriot Bowl idea after just one game when Akron's win over Army attracted just 17,865 fans back on Sept. 1.

The commission is now eager to explore other opportunities to bring Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly Division I-A) college football to Cleveland Browns Stadium.

According to a KSU source, the commission would like to eventually feature an annual meeting between Big Ten and MAC schools. That would be difficult if the Big Ten votes to adopt a nine-game conference schedule in the near future.

In the meantime, Boston College's already-planned visit to Northeast Ohio would give the commission a big name to market. While most KSU fans would probably prefer to see the Flashes play Boston College at a newly renovated Dix Stadium, the commission may be prepared to make an offer the school cannot refuse.

The deal could include an attendance guarantee as well as an agreement to take over Kent State's guaranteed payment to Boston College in its current two-for-one contract. The Flashes host the Eagles next year, then play at Boston College in two future seasons.

Another benefit for Kent State would be the commission's ability to promote a meeting with Boston College. The game is rumored to be targeted for broadcast on SportsTime Ohio, meaning the network could air ads on its Cleveland Indians broadcasts during baseball season.

The Indians are scheduled to play the Seattle Mariners at 7:05 p.m. on Aug. 30, meaning the KSU-Boston College kickoff would most likely be scheduled for early afternoon.

Kent State is also rumored to be close to completing a contract to play at Penn State in 2010. If the idea of a MAC-Big Ten rivalry game takes off, Penn State could agree to a return game at Cleveland Browns Stadium in 2011.

If the game with Boston College is moved to Cleveland, Kent State would delay the debut of the second phase of its Dix Stadium renovation to a true home opener with Delaware State Sept. 20. Phase one of the stadium's renovation was already debuted in a game against Delaware State earlier this year.

KSU's second game of 2008 will be played at Iowa State Sept. 6, completing the road portion of a two-for-one contract with the Cyclones. Iowa State will play at Kent State in 2009.

A game has not yet been scheduled for Sept. 13 on next year's schedule, but with Delaware State in town Sept. 20, Akron visiting Kent Oct. 4 and Homecoming tentatively scheduled for Oct. 11, the Flashes will most likely play a Week 3 MAC road game on that date.

KSU is set to visit Louisiana-Lafayette Sept. 27. Other games on the tentative schedule include a Nov. 11 home game with Western Michigan and a Nov. 18 game at Bowling Green.