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2013 is not going well for Kent State. Coming off the best year in program history the team took a huge blow in Week 1 when its electrifying offensive weapon, Dri Archer, suffered a sprained ankle early in the season opener against Liberty. With Archer on the sideline, Kent State needed a late fourth quarter comeback to beat the Flames in Week 1.
The sprain was severe enough that Archer sat out the entire Bowling Green game which resulted in the Golden Flashes offense struggling to produce on the ground. Last week Archer returned to action, albeit briefly, in Kent State's 45-13 loss to LSU. But it appears that limited action might become even more limited. Archer is doubtful once again for this week's matchup against Penn St..
"Dri is kind of back to where we'll see where he is...So we're going to assess him as the week goes on and see how it is, but he's probably doubtful right now.,"head coach Paul Haynes told the Plain Dealer.
Without Archer once more, the Flashes will continue to have to rely on a ground game that has been ineffective without him, and redshirt freshman quarterback Colin Reardon.
But if the Archer injury news wasn't bad enough, the Golden Flashes roster is riddled with injuries.
Safety Luke Wollet is apparently dealing with some nagging shoulder and knee issues that could leave him on the sidelines this week. Defensive tackle Roosevelt Nix is apparently suffering from back pain that couldn't force him to have a limited role. Defensive tackle Nate Terhune suffered a broken leg and will be out for at least 4-6 weeks. Offensive lineman Pat McShane missed the LSU game with a knee injury, and could miss the Penn St. game as well.
Kent State is off to a 1-2 start so far, and with all of these injuries taking key players off the field, the team is on the verge of slipping into a big hole to start the season.
The Golden Flashes need Archer back now, and at this rate he really could be the team's superhero.