Recordpub.com - Flashes unsure if Jarvis will play vs. Ohio

By David Carducci

Record-Courier staff writer

Eugene Jarvis' return to the Kent State lineup may have hit a snag.

After missing three weeks with an ankle injury, the Flashes' feature back hoped to be back on the field Saturday when the Golden Flashes host Ohio University at Dix Stadium.

He practiced on Tuesday and Wednesday, but the ankle was too sore for him to return for Thursday's workouts.

"Right now, I'm not sure if we will have Eugene or not," said KSU head coach Doug Martin. "He was able to run and do some things early in the week. We'll see how he responds the next couple of days."

Even if Jarvis plays, it will be in a somewhat limited role. To allow the ankle to continue to heal, Jarvis would play in a rotation with sophomore Andre Flowers and true freshman Jacquise Terry, who have played well sharing the running back job in his absence.

Jarvis rushed for 1,669 yards as a sophomore last season. He gained 207 yards on 40 carries in three games this year before injuring his ankle in the Flashes' 24-3 win over Delaware State.

Despite not participating in Thursday's practice, Jarvis seemed a bit more upbeat about the potential for his seeing some action on Saturday.

"It feels good to be coming back," said Jarvis. "Sitting out these last three weeks has been tough. It's tough to have to watch your teammates go out there and not be able to help. I think (the ankle) is all right. It's good enough to play on.

"The good thing is Andre and Jacquise have played really well. That couldn't be better. They are making plays, and they show what kind of depth we are starting to get. Now, hopefully I can just make us a little better."

Flowers, Terry and quarterback Julian Edelman have kept KSU at the top of the Mid-American Conference's rushing rankings. At 207.2 yards per game on the ground, the Flashes rank No. 1 in the league and 23rd in the nation.

KSU NOTEBOOK

PRESSLEY A HIT -- Former Virginia Tech recruit Kendrick Pressley was a hit Saturday in his Kent State debut, catching eight passes for 57 yards and providing the Flashes with a much-needed extra weapon in both the passing game and the running game.

The true freshman, who joined the Flashes just before the end of summer training camp, was given a short playbook of seven plays to master for last weekend's game with Akron. He learned a few short pass routes, a few wide receiver screens, and a wide receiver option, allowing him to run with the ball three times for 15 yards.

Pressley is now eager for the chance to do even more Saturday against Ohio.

"I think I'm pretty comfortable now with about 12 plays," said Pressley. "It's exciting. Football is so much fun, and to have the opportunity to play right away like this at Kent State, to have my first game against our rival, and now to be doing even more, it's a real blessing. God led me to Kent for a reason."

Pressley was all set to go to Virginia Tech this fall, but when the Hokies over-recruited at wide receiver, they asked him to grayshirt, then play next season. The Sumter, S.C. native ended up being let out of his commitment, then accepted an offer to play for Kent State.

CHANGES -- Josh Pleasant is stepping back in as Kent State's primary punt returner.

The electrifying true freshman won the job out of preseason camp, but only kept it through Week 2 at Iowa State when he fumbled deep in KSU territory. He averaged only 1.5 yards per return on four attempts in those first two games. Since then, he has had an opportunity to gain some confidence by seeing action at defensive back.

Pleasant replaces Phil Garner, who averaged 4.4 yards per punt return. He also fumbled twice while trying to field punts in the fourth quarter of last week's loss to Akron.

NOT GIVING UP -- There is good news with regards to Garner.

While KSU fans had to be frustrated with his fourth-quarter fumbles, they should be encouraged by a young man who is determined to do better if he gets another chance. Garner was alone on the Dix Stadium field catching punts long after his teammates had left for the locker room following Thursday's practice.

Earlier in practice, Martin had two KSU players stand next to Garner to immediately try to knock the ball from his hands every time he caught a punt. To his credit, he never dropped the ball.