|
CONTENTS
|
From Kent
State To The Dawg Pound
Continued
by Phil Novak
photos by Mike Nash
 Along with his teammates, Zahursky does some stretching before a practice. |
Zahursky says he worked hard to bulk up, getting bigger and stronger each year.
"I gained about 20 pounds a year, and I ended up being about 310 by my senior year," Zahursky says. "I did a lot of heavy lifting."
Molnar says it took little encouragement to get him to work, and he knew Zahursky was going to be an exceptional player.
"He really just took off," Molnar says. "He was really self-motivated. You could see the way he was growing, and you could see his desire, his toughness and his work ethic.
"To be frank, we knew by his sophomore year that he would make it."
Zahursky's hard work eventually paid off, but he endured some rough times while at Kent State.
"It was tough going out there and not winning games," Zahursky says. "You just go out there and try to play the best game you can."
Despite the losses, Kent State's offense ranked No. 12 in the nation after the 1997 season, Zahursky's senior year. The offense scored more than 40 points three times, including a season high of 60 points against Central Michigan University.
He played on that team with three other current NFL players: wide receiver Eugene Baker and offensive lineman Bob Hallen, both of the Atlanta Falcons and tight end Jason Gavadza of the Tennessee Titans. He also enjoyed playing with quarterback Jose Davis and Kent State's all-time leading rusher, Astron Whatley, for whom Zahursky often opened up some big holes.
"One game my senior year, Whatley had about 370 yards rushing in one game," Zahursky says."He was just a great back to block for."
Even though Zahursky played with a good group of guys, his time at Kent State was marred by numerous injuries.
"I had a fractured foot I played on my whole junior year," Zahursky says."I played all right on it, but maybe it looked like I was a slower person, or not as nimble an athlete. My senior year I played the last two games on a sprained ankle."
Molnar says this possibly hurt his chances in the NFL draft.
 Zahursky helps hold the line against the Bengals. |