Kent State coach Doug Martin has declared the quarterback position open and the two primary candidates -- senior Julian Edelman and sophomore Giorgio Morgan -- are returning from injury-shortened seasons in 2007.

In order to better evaluate their play, Martin has said quarterbacks will be live for most spring scrimmages.

The Golden Flashes are coming off a 3-9 season and looking for more efficient play behind center. Kent State is scheduled to complete spring drills on April 19.

The program has produced plenty of offseason news as well, some good and some bad.

Kent State will open its 2008 season Aug. 30 against Boston College at Cleveland Browns Stadium in the Patriot Bowl. Rival Akron played Army last year for the first such game.

Martin has promoted assistant A.J. Pratt to offensive coordinator and moved Zane Vance into Pratt's role as recruiting coordinator.

Three former Kent State standouts were chosen for the NFL Pro Bowl in February. Pittsburgh linebacker James Harrison and Cleveland wide receiver/kick returner Josh Cribbs appeared for the first time in the game Feb. 10 in Honolulu.

Former Kent State basketball star Antonio Gates of San Diego was voted to start his fourth consecutive Pro Bowl, but was sidelined because of an injury.

Two Kent State football players were arrested on Feb. 29 and each charged with one count of aggravated burglary, according to the Ravenna Record-Courier. The charges stem from an incident occurring Oct. 28, 2007.

Linebacker Cobrani Mixon and defensive back Brian Lainhart, former teammates at Cincinnati Colerain High, were released on bond.

A former Kent State player, Christen Haywood, who transferred to Eastern Kentucky, also was to be charged.

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