College Football 2008
Kent's Jarvis Lights It Up
By Ray Mernagh

Did you know that the top returning rusher in all of college football is a Pittsburgh native playing in relative obscurity 105 miles west of here? After starring in high school at local powerhouse Central Catholic-where he was the two-time Post-Gazette Player of the Year-Eugene Jarvis says at one time he had a scholarship offer on the table from Pitt. So how did the 5'5, 170 pound powerhouse end up playing for Kent State in the MAC?

"Pitt had offered me and LaRod Stephens-Howling a scholarship," says Jarvis. "I felt like I needed some more time while he was ready to commit, so they pulled my offer after he committed because they felt like they didn't need two smaller backs I guess."

The scenario is common - first player to take the offer gets it - in college sports and Jarvis understands that.

"There's no hard feelings at all towards Pitt because it's just part of the recruiting process of college football."

Jarvis was all about business last season as he led both the Golden Flashes, and the MAC, in rushing with 1,669 yards. His per game average of 139.1 was good for fifth in the nation in 2007. Understandably, people on a national level have started to take notice. Jarvis has been named to the Maxwell Award (college football's player of the year award) Watch List for the upcoming season. His running style is reminiscent of Barry Sanders with cutbacks and spins that leave the opposition grasping for air.

Jarvis set school single-season records in rushing yards and rushing yards per attempt (6.0), and was also 16th in the nation in total offense. Want more? OK - Jarvis also set a school record with nine games of over 100 yards rushing. But Jarvis isn't interested in individual awards and goals. In fact he wouldn't take the bait when asked about a yardage prediction for the upcoming season saying, "I've read about guys predicting a 2,000 yard season and then falling flat on their face! Plus, what I really want is for our team to start winning."

There's hunger in his voice.

Jarvis yearns to be part of the group that keys a football turnaround at Kent State. The red shirt junior has had enough losing. Kent has gone 1-10, 6-6, and 3-9 the last three years and Jarvis thinks the pieces are in place for the Flashes to put some W's up on the board.

"This year's team has a lot of experience on it," says Jarvis, "guys that have been through a lot of tough times and hopefully the character that's been built from going through that will pay off this season."

The Golden Flashes-and Jarvis-can make it start paying off when they open up with Boston College on the night of August 30th at Cleveland Browns Stadium.

Look for Jarvis to have a big night in Cleveland. While he's not ready to make any proclamations, I am. Mark him down for 160-plus against BC.