After losing to Bowling Green last Saturday, the Flashes know that focusing and getting back to their style of rugby will lift them up from their poor start to the season.

“On our off week our practice numbers were very thin, and the week leading up to the Bowling Green game was a poor week of practice,” said Ian Brooks, the junior assistant coach and fly half. “With this game, we are really trying to get the guys to focus more at practice (so we can) avoid an outcome like we had at Bowling Green again.”

That outcome was a 78-0 loss to the best team in the Mid-American Conference who has won the conference for the last 33 seasons.

The Flashes (0-3) believe their prior errors can be corrected, however, and the best way to do that is by getting back to what they’re good at, said Keegan Gillilan, the team’s president.

“Hard and fast-paced rugby, with a quick and adaptable defense,” Gillilan said. “We’re not overcomplicating our strategies.”

The Flashes are hoping that after a loss like that, the team can rise up and bring intensity to the field against Ball State University – who won last week against Central Michigan University on Saturday.

This thinking strategy is the difference between this year’s matchup and the last time the Flashes played the Cardinals, Gillilian said.

“This time we are more than hungry,” Gillilan said. “Ball State has a Kent team coming its way with a lot of steam to blow off.”

Kyle Samec is a sports reporter for The Kent Stater. Contact him at [email protected].