After coming out on the wrong side of its fair share of blow outs, one would think the Kent State football team might shed some sympathy on an opponent.

But that didn’t happen Saturday afternoon, as Kent State exorcised the demons from decades of blow-outs and took it out on Bowling Green 38-3.

Memories of the 44-0 embarrassment to Minnesota must have been fresh in the minds of every player wearing blue and gold. The coaches and players remembered that feeling and decided they didn’t want it back.

Like a younger brother who was constantly beaten down by older siblings, the Flashes finally grew up and took out their aggression. There was no mercy wrought by the Flashes, and it was great to see them play the bully for a change.

Kent State has a series losing record with nearly every team in the Mid-American Conference. It had been 34 years since the Flashes traveled to Bowling Green and won. That year the Flashes won the Mid-American Conference title, and coach Doug Martin was nine years old.

We have a history here at Kent State, and a lot of it involves crumbling during games and beating ourselves. Well, Saturday Bowling Green crumbled and beat itself while we watched and reaped the benefits.

We finally know what it looks like from the other side of the ball.

Kent State came as close to playing a complete game against Bowling Green as it has all season. Both the defense and the offense were exceptional and played off each other.

The silly mistakes and blown opportunities that marred each of the Flashes previous games were absent yesterday. For the first time this season they were a perfect 4-for-4 in converting from the redzone.

After last week’s narrow victory over Miami, Kent State wide receiver Najah Pruden said he was tired of going for field goals instead of touchdowns. He got his wish; the team only settled for only one field goal Saturday.

The Flashes were at their most mature and controlled in the drive just before the end of the first half.

After a weak punt by Bowling Green, Kent State had just more than two minutes to close the half with another touchdown.

Sophomore quarterback Julian Edelman led the drive with confidence, wasting no time in play-calling and execution. A 12-yard pass to Eugene Jarvis brought the Flashes to the Falcon’s 2-yard line. Edelman scored the next play on a quarterback sneak, his second rushing touchdown of the year. In six plays and less than a minute of playing time, Kent State put the game out of Bowling Green’s reach before halftime.

If there was a star of yesterday’s win, it was senior strong safety Andre Kirkland. If Kirkland isn’t awarded the MAC East Defensive Player of the Week for his 14 tackles, two sacks, two interceptions and a forced fumble in Saturday’s game, then the award is meaningless.

Bowling Green may not be the greatest team in the conference, but the 35-point margin of victory finally gave Kent State fans something to be proud of.

Contact assistant sports editor Sean Ammerman at [email protected].