Flashes Picked to Finish Third in East at MAC Football Media Preview Day

DETROIT -  Kent State was picked to finish third among the seven teams in the Mid-American Conference East Division Friday during the 2010 MAC Football Media Preview at Ford Field.   Temple and Northern Illinois were selected to win their respective divisions in the preseason poll, which was determined by 20 members of the league’s media contingent. Temple was also chosen to win the 2010 Marathon MAC Football Championship Game.

The Golden Flashes return 49 letterwinners and 20 starters (9 offense, 7 defense, 4 specialists) from a team that went 4-4 in conference play last season.  Three of KSU’s MAC losses were single-digit deficits, including a 36-35 decision to Bowling Green and a 9-6 setback against Buffalo.  Two-time All-MAC selections Eugene Jarvis and Brian Lainhart are among the five all-conference players returning for the Flashes in 2010.

Temple garnered 17 first-place votes en route to the top of the poll in the MAC East Division. The Owls return 56 letterwinners and 16 starters from last year’s 9-4 team that finished 7-1 in the MAC (East Division Co-Champions) and earned a bid to the EagleBank Bowl.

The Owls were followed by Ohio, who received three first place votes in the East Division preseason predictions. Kent State was picked third, followed by Bowling Green, Miami, Buffalo and Akron.

Northern Illinois racked up 15 first-place votes in the MAC West Division.  Defending MAC Champion Central Michigan was picked second in the West and earned three first place votes. Western Michigan was selected third and also garnered two first place votes.  Toledo was fourth, while Ball State and Eastern Michigan round out the predictions in the MAC West.

The Golden Flashes kick off the season in Dix Stadium Thursday, Sept. 2 against Murray State at 7 p.m.  Kent State 2010 football season tickets are available for as low as $30 for the six-game home slate. Call (330) 672-2244 or log on to www.90Ksu.com for more information.

Team (First Place Votes)    Points
East
1. Temple (17)            137
2. Ohio (3)            116
3. Kent State            94
4. Bowling Green            74
5. Miami            53
6. Buffalo            48
7. Akron            38

West
1. Northern Illinois (15)            115
2. Central Michigan (3)            83
3. Western Michigan (2)            77
4. Toledo            75
5. Ball State            50
6. Eastern Michigan            20