Texas A&M Football: 3 X-factors vs. Kent State in Week 1

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Dustin Crum, Kent State Football Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /

Texas A&M vs. Kent State X-Factor No. 2: KSU QB Dustin Crum

Say what you want about Kent State as a football program — there is one undeniable fact for the Golden Flashes. Their quarterback knows how to play football.

Dustin Crum isn’t just another MAC quarterback, he’s one of the best returning quarterbacks in all of college football. The 22-year old passer is entering his fifth season with Kent State and has steadily improved each year.

Last season, he threw for 12 touchdowns and just two interceptions in only four games. He completed over 73% of his passes. That puts him at a total of 36 touchdown passes and just six interceptions in his entire college football career. Surely a quarterback of this caliber can’t be a threat on the ground, right?

Wrong. Crum is also a strong dual-threat quarterback, having rushed for over 1,300 yards thus far in his career. Last season, he reached the endzone on the ground four times in four games and averaged 5.5 yards per carry.

Heck, he’s so good that most media outlets have him among the best quarterbacks in college football for the upcoming season. Look at CBS Sports, who has Crum in the same tier as guys like D’Eriq King and Matt Corral.

This experienced Texas A&M defense will have to keep an eye on Crum in both facets of the game.