Recordpub.com - Kirkland becomes 3rd player to join 'O'

Jameson Konz was the first to make the switch. Prishod Koonce was next.
Now it is Sam Kirkland's turn to flip to the other side of the football.
The freshman defensive back became the latest Kent State player to switch from defense to offense when he debuted at wide receiver with the Golden Flashes' first-team offense in Saturday's Blue and Gold Preview.
With injuries and inconsistency plaguing the Flashes' receiving corps, KSU coach Doug Martin decided it was time for a fresh face to compete at the position.
Kirkland spent last season as a redshirt, and entered 2008 as a backup at corner, a second or third option at nickel, and one of the Flashes' primary kick returners.
"He is one of the fastest guys on the team," said Martin. "And we have to have more speed at wide receiver and guys who can consistently make plays.
"We put him at receiver in (Friday's) practice, and even though he didn't know what he was doing he still made three catches. We have two weeks to get him ready, and he is going to help us there."
In addition to having sprinter's speed, Kirkland stands 6-foot-1, which instantly makes him one of KSU's bigger targets.
During the Blue and Gold Preview, Martin shadowed Kirkland as he broke the huddle and jogged to his position. With the head coach talking him through his routes and his responsibilities on each play, Kirkland managed to get behind the defense on several deep patterns. Unfortunately, he ended up having to rely on his old defensive-back instincts to break up a few under-thrown passes.
"He doesn't know "come here' from "sic 'em' right now. He doesn't even know formations," said Martin. "But he is very bright and he is learning quickly. It's going to be a matter of him learning the offense and the terminology. He is pretty natural route runner ... and he played wide receiver in high school, so it is going to be a pretty smooth transition for him."

HOW KIRKLAND FITS - Now that Kirkland has moved into a crowded receiving corps, Martin offered a hint of who will see the bulk of playing time this season after Saturday's preview. Here is what he had to say:
"You look at (senior) Shawn Bayes, and I love what (true freshman) Chris Gilbert is doing right now. He had a great catch out here (on Saturday) and he is a track guy. (Junior) Derek McBryde can run, and he just needs to be more consistent catching the ball. (Junior) Phil Garner is our most consistent receiver. And now Kirkland gives us another speed guy with (senior tight end Jameson) Konz."
Martin said sophomores Alan Vanderink and Leneric Muldrow are set to share time at H-back, which is essentially a third wide receiver in the Kent State system. Freshman Sal Battles could also see action at that position.

CURTIS AND KSU AT RYDER CUP - Kent State will get even more exposure than it anticipated next month when Ben Curtis represents the United States in the 36th Ryder Cup matches.
The PGA contacted Kent State last week to ask for a Golden Flashes football helmet to be used as a prop during NBC's coverage of the event.
"They are going to use the football helmets of the schools of all 12 U.S. players in photo ops and various things they are doing that week," said KSU director of sports information Alan Ashby.
The PGA will also present Curtis with the helmet during a Play Golf America university check presentation. Back in 2006, the PGA of America gave each U.S. Ryder Cup team member $100,000 to designate to an alma mater or a university of each player's choice as part of the Golf: For Business & Life initiative.
The Ryder Cup will be held Sept. 16-21 at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Ky.

HELP THE FLASHES FIGHT AUTISM - A close friend of mine recently learned his son has autism, so this is a project close to my heart.
The KSU Athletic Department and Autism Speaks, the nation's leading autism advocacy group, are teaming up to battle the fastest-growing serious developmental disorder in the United States.
On October 4, Kent State is asking fans to "Help the Flashes Fight Autism." Representatives of Autism Speaks are currently selling $13 reserved seats for the Oct. 4 home football game against arch-rival Akron , and Kent State is donating $4 from every ticket sold to Autism Speaks.
Autism is a lifelong neurological disorder that impairs a person's ability to communicate and relate to others. Today, 1 in 150 children (1 in 94) boys is diagnosed with autism, but autism receives less than five percent of the research funding of many less prevalent childhood diseases.
For more information or to purchase tickets, call Allen Moff at 330-805-0266.