Da’Realyst Clark is more than a great name. He embodies Kent State football | Opinion
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KENT — The young man whose electric playmaking sparked a turnaround for the Kent State University football team is confident the Golden Flashes will finish this season the right way, even with their bowl dreams shattered.
Junior wide receiver and returner Da’Realyst Clark isn’t hanging his head after Kent State’s 28-16 loss to Central Michigan on Nov. 19 in the home finale at Dix Stadium.
Kent State (4-7, 3-4 in the Mid-American Conference) needed to prevail to keep its bowl hopes alive. However, Central Michigan (7-4, 5-2) reminded Kent State it must level up before it can beat some of the better teams in the MAC.
“We’re just about to jump over the hurdle. We’re just nicking it,” Clark told the Beacon Journal. “I feel like we can add some more pieces to the offense this upcoming season and add more pieces to the defense.”
First, the season finale Nov. 28 at Northern Illinois (3-8, 2-5) awaits.
“Finish strong,” Clark said. “It’s the last game of the season, so let’s just go out with a bang — put it all on the line.”
After going a combined 1-23 the past two seasons, Kent State is fun and feisty under first-year head coach Mark Carney. The Golden Flashes have come a long way since being a winless embarrassment last year. Yet, there is a difference between being immensely improved and legitimately good. Beating a tough MAC team like Central Michigan at home is a box KSU will need to check next season to prove its ascent can continue.
Kent State loses home finale and its bowl hopes in MAC loss to Central Michigan football
Kent State’s conference wins have come against rival Akron (5-7, 4-4), Bowling Green (3-8, 1-6) and UMass (0-11, 0-7). Its conference losses have come against Central Michigan, Ball State (4-6, 3-3), Toledo (6-4, 4-2) and Buffalo (5-6, 4-3). Three of KSU’s four conference losses have been in close games. A 45-10 defeat at Toledo has been the only blowout. There have been 17-13 and 31-28 setbacks to Ball State and Buffalo, respectively.
Despite its offensive struggles, Kent State trailed Central Michigan by just five points with less than five minutes left to play. Wide receiver Wayne Harris returned a punt 59 yards for a touchdown to cut KSU’s deficit to 14-9 with 10:38 remaining.
However, Central Michigan answered with a 10-play, 75-yard drive and seized a 21-9 lead when running back Brock Townsend rushed for a 10-yard TD with 4:41 left. A Kent State turnover on downs ending with quarterback Dru DeShields being sacked led to another Central Michigan TD with 3:02 remaining before DeShields rushed for a too-little-too-late TD with 1:28 left.
Not all steps can be taken in one season. Worst to first sounds great, though worst to average is a more realistic progression. Kent State’s reality is a bit more harsh after its encounter with Central Michigan.
“Even though we didn’t come out with this win tonight, we have a lot of potential,” Clark said.
Clark embodies this revitalized version of Kent State football in several ways. He’s competitive and entertaining. He’s an underdog who’s on the rise and simultaneously far from a finished product.
Coming out of Lima Senior High School in Lima, Ohio, Clark didn’t plan on playing college football, but he gave it a shot because he received encouragement. He played in Division III for Defiance College before transferring to Butler Community College in El Dorado, Kansas. He redshirted before playing one season with Butler.
Kent State football’s Da’Realyst Clark has thrown a touchdown pass, caught one and returned two kickoffs for TDs this season
Clark wanted to make the leap from junior college to Division I, so he entered the NCAA transfer portal. Kent State offensive coordinator Clay Patterson contacted Clark last winter and told him he would have an opportunity at KSU. This is Clark’s first season with the Golden Flashes.
“I’m actually a walk-on,” Clark said. “I’m paying for school.”
Not for long. In the age of the transfer portal and name, image and likeness deals, Kent State should make retaining Clark a priority.
Clark bounced back from surgery on a broken collarbone he suffered in April during spring ball to become a versatile weapon for Kent State. He caught an 89-yard TD pass in a 42-35 overtime triumph over Akron and threw the game-winning 12-yard TD pass to Harris in a 24-21 victory against Bowling Green. Clark also returned two kickoffs for touchdowns. His 100-yard TD return with 5:28 left in the season opener lifted KSU to a 21-17 win over Merrimack, halting what had been a 21-game losing streak.
Against Central Michigan, Clark received just one kickoff and gained 17 yards. KSU’s Maurice Stephens had four kickoff returns for 81 yards.
“I think the conference has kind of got the motto don’t kick it to me,” said Clark, who’s listed as 5 feet, 10 inches and 150 pounds.
Does Clark blame MAC teams for avoiding him as a returner?
“Nah, I wouldn’t kick to me, either,” Clark said with a laugh.
Clark and Notre Dame’s Jadarian Price are tied for the FBS lead with two kickoff return touchdowns.
What is the story behind Da’Realyst Clark’s name?
Like Kent State football, Clark has been energized by the support he has received on campus this year.
“I feel like this is the most love I’ve gotten outside of my mother loving me,” Clark said.
The fan-favorite ingredients are impossible to miss. Dynamic talent. Magnetic personality. All-time great name.
Clark explained his biological mother who lives in Tennessee named him Da’Realyst. Although Clark occasionally talks to her, he said he has never asked her for the story behind his name. Clark said he was adopted by his mom, Josie “JoJo” Clark.
“She just fell in love with [my first name] and then just kept it,” he said.
Kent State football is trying to make a name for itself again. The home finale is a reminder KSU hasn’t arrived yet. Nevertheless, a satisfying ending can still be achieved.
Nate Ulrich is the sports columnist of the Akron Beacon Journal and a sports features writer. Nate can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Da’Realyst Clark seeks win to end breakout Kent State football season
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