Football

The team released a new depth chart today. (Download the new depth chart)

Here are the changes from the spring version…

Quarterback – Chris Jacquemain, then Carlton Jackson, then Matt Rodgers. In J.D. Brookhart’s weekly press conference, he said the staff trusts Jacquemain more not to commit turnovers. He added that Rodgers is the most mature freshman he’s ever dealt with.

Running back — Dennis Kennedy, then Bryan Williams. No love for Alex Allen or Andre Walker? Walker previously was the second-stringer. I figured Allen would be No. 2 after camp. He was very impressive.

Wide receiver — Jabari Arthur and Stephon Fuqua are starters. Alphonso Owen and Brandon Williams will back them up. Marcus Patterson and Richard Sandilands are third string. This is another surprise to me, as I thought that, other than Arthur, Williams and Owen looked best in practice.

Tight end — It remains Kris Kasparek, Merce Poindexter and Jose Cruz. I thought Brian Flaherty would have crept up that list, but he still should play with the many two-tight end sets the new offense will feature.

Left tackle — Chris Kemme, then Keith Huebner, then Casey Estrada.

Left guard – Mike Ward, then Elliott Bates.

Center – Mike Schepp, then Elliott Bates. As the only lineman listed at two positions, the sophomore Bates figures to play a lot.

Right guard — Zack Anderson, then Jason Sekinger. Both players came to campus as touted blockers. With Anderson, in particular, I was wondering when he’d break into the starting lineup.

Right tackle — Corey Woods, then Zac Kasparek. The younger Kasparek is the only true freshman on the offensive depth chart, other than Rodgers.

Fullback – Joe Tuzze, then Joe McDaniel. The players were tied going into the spring. The question is, how often will Joe Moorhead call plays including a fullback.

Defensive end — Almondo Sewell, then Mitchell Magloire.

Nose guard — Wallace Pendleton, then Nate Robinson, then Dan Marcoux. This position will belong to Eric Lively once Jared Cecchetti returns from a broken foot sometime around Week Four. The inclusion of Marcoux (pronounced MAR-koo) indicates he will be one of the true freshman to see time on the defensive front.

Defensive tackle — Lively, then Viktor Rajek. Until Week Four, that is.

Strongside linebacker (SAM) — Brion Stokes, then Parris McNeal. McNeal is one of two Zips to obtain a fifth-year of eligibility under Proposition 48. The other is Reggie Corner.

MIKE (named in honor of Zips blogger Mike Rasor, or perhaps it means middle linebacker) — Kevin Grant, then Ray Siler. Some might call it dumb luck, but Siler seems to be in position to make plays a lot. He had at least two turnovers returned for touchdowns this spring.

Bandit – Doug Williams, then Amin Kabir. No change from the spring.

Rover – John Mackey, then Wayne Cobham. No change.

Strong safety — Chevin Pace, then Brandon Anderson. Anderson held the job after the spring.

Free safety — Andre Jones, then Yamari Dixon. No change.

Front cornerback — Corner, then Miguel Graham. Graham is a juco transfer playing his junior season.

Back cornerback — Davanzo Tate, then Rodney Etienne. While Tate excels at pass coverage, Etienne can lay one helluva hit.

Place kicker — Igor Iveljic, then Matt Domonkos. Neither impressed me this fall. It looks like Zack Campbell will just watch this season unless there is a repeat of last season.

Holder – Mackey, then Sandilands. The backup was Carlton Jackson.

Snapper – Schepp, then Sekinger. It appears the team will differentiate between snaps on punts and place kicks.

Punter – John Stec, then Andy Hildreth. Hildreth is longer, but Stec gets the ball off faster and maintains a longer hangtime.

Long snapper — Flaherty, then Campbell. How many teams have a kicker as a snapper?

Kick returner — Bryan Williams or Alphonso Owen.

Punt returner — Andre Jones, then Brandon Anderson.

Football

Question: Did any freshmen assume key roles this month?

Discussion: Akron keeps bringing in these outstanding recruiting classes. And usually the team sees an impact from one or two true freshmen throughout the season. Many players showed off their talent. Jalil Carter, for example, will be an outstanding cornerback. But it would be hard to justify wasting his redshirt on a position with considerable depth. Then you have players who competed well without necessarily blowing anyone away, but will probably see time this season out of a starvation for warm bodies at their positions. Examples include defensive linemen Shane Shead, Dan Marcoux and Shawn Lemon.

But if you’re looking for the next DH, the best chance is Almondo Sewell. In fact, he had been practicing with the team for only two weeks before J.D. Brookhart handed him the starting defensive end job. Given the nature of his position — a defensive lineman in the 3-3-5 scheme — you might not hear Sewell’s name a lot, but that won’t mean he’s not making an impact. If you watch closely, Sewell will show his value if the offensive line is devoting two or more blockers to stopping his penetration.

As I wrote yesterday, more freshman could emerge as the season progresses. If both quarterbacks fail, Brookhart won’t hesitate to call upon Matt Rodgers. Once Gary Pride’s back heals, he could become an option at punt or kicker returner.

Answer: One for sure. Perhaps more to come.

Football

Question: Which quarterback will lead the team?

Discussion: As you probably know by now, Chris Jacquemain will take the Zips first snap Saturday against Army.

The Mentor native entered camp as the implied No. 2. The depth chart showed a tie with Carlton Jackson and Sean Hakes, but Jackson was Luke Getsy’s backup last season.

Typically, this would mean Jacquemain must outright beat his competitor and former roommate. Did it happen? I don’t think so.

Both passers put up nearly identical stats. Their throwing ability, although somewhat different, appeared comparable. The passers each made critical errors, yet also showed they can move the offense when at their best. So where did Jacquemain overtake Jackson? The coaches pinpointed their main issue in the decision as finding a quarterback who “would not lose the game” for them. That factor did not separate the candidates.

With Jacquemain’s victory in the battle, one must assume there was an intangible that propelled him. Perhaps he showed a firmer grasp on Joe Moorhead’s new offense in team meetings. Maybe Jacquemain possessed stronger leadership capability.

Regardless, this decision appeared to be one that would reverberate throughout the next three season. With true freshman Matt Rodgers’ incredible progression, a second battle could ensue next August.

Answer: Jacquemain will get the first chance. However, the mere mention that Jackson will play in the second quarter shows that the coaches are willing to allow the quarterback battle to continue at least through the early part of the season. My guess is Jackson will eventually overtake Jacquemain.

While quarterbacks wear green jerseys, coaches were in the dark as to which player could elude tacklers in the open field. It is only my opinion, but that is why I think Jackson will be the starter by the Kent State game. And if neither player proves capable, watch for Rodgers to get a chance.

Men’s soccer

Akron beat Cleveland State 3-0 Sunday afternoon in the final preseason game.

Volleyball

The Zips knocked off Lehigh and Temple Sunday to win the Temple Invitational and retain an undefeated record.

Jennifer Stewart led the team with 25 digs. (Is that a lot?)

Football

The ABJ’s Marla Ridenour wrote about how Domenik Hixon won’t let injuries deter him again. You’ll have to pick up a copy of the paper because I can’t find the story online.

Hixon and Charlie Frye both played well last night. Frye’s performance solidified his status as the starter — unless Romeo Crennel is dumber than I thought.

Hixon caught three balls for 18 yards. Frye went 5-of-7 for 68.

Later today, I’ll attempt to answer camp question No. 2: What is the quarterback situation?

Football

The question: Can the defensive line hold up?

Discussion: The defensive line was my biggest concern heading into camp. J.D. Brookhart was pretty uncertain, too. Has it changed? Yes and no.

In scrimmage situations, the defense was able to penetrate and rush the quarterback. What does that mean? For one, it shows the pass rush is ahead of last season, when even bad offensive lines were able to protect their passers. Maybe Akron’s offensive line is really bad at pass blocking. Maybe the Zips’ blitz has improved. It will be hard to decipher the real reason until Sept. 1 against Army.

In terms of run stopping, the line performed fairly well. Sure, the Zips offense moved the ball, but it should have. The ground game will be the focus of the new offense, and the roster is peppered with talented running backs.

As far as personnel goes, the 3-3-5 scheme includes a tackle, nose guard and end on the defensive line. The coaches added a potential four-year starter at defensive end in Almondo Sewell. Don’t expect him to be a star right away, but the fact that he displaced Eric Lively should say something. With the injury to Jared Cecchetti (which I will soon discuss further), Lively moves again — from guard to tackle. Wallace Pendleton will start in the middle of the formation at guard.

Of course, the real concern never has been the starters. It’s the depth. Nate Robinson can backup at tackle and guard. Until Cecchetti returns, the rest is a crapshoot. The coaches don’t quite know what they have in Mitchell Magloire, Viktor Rajek, Shawn Lemon or the seven true freshmen. Of the newcomers, the most imposing appears to be Marquinn Davis, who stands 6-foot-6, 280 pounds. Brookhart said at least two of the true freshmen will burn their redshirts to help in 2007.

Cecchetti could return from his broken foot by the end of September. That grants Brookhart the flexibility of a five-man rotation, and perhaps six if one the “unknowns” emerges. But that’s only if the line hasn’t suffered another injury.

So yes, the defensive line’s play has been better than expected this month, but depth still is a monumental concern. If I’m defensive coordinator Jim Fleming, I insert and substitute the unproven defensive linemen like a manager switching pitchers in a late-inning nailbiter. He must find a couple more players who will step up and provide energy. I understand the concern of wasting their true freshman redshirt rights, but what good is a bulk of defensive linemen who never see the field until their junior year?

Looking ahead to next season, the starting line probably will include Iowa transfer and consensus “beast” of the team, Ryan Bain, along with Sewell and Lively. By then, the young players should be prepared to add an imposing two-deep field.

But this year, the line’s viability depends on health, quick learning on the job and the full recovery of Cecchetti.

Answer: Maybe

Miscellaneous

UofAZips.com has added a new feature called RooTube (how appropriate).

You can view Zips-related videos on the site or send new clips to site administrator Jason Roberts at contact@uofazips.com.

Men’s soccer

Even without three regulars, Akron beat Michigan State 2-0 in the Zips’ first exhibition match.

Ben Zemanski and Elliot Bradbrook scored the game’s only goals. Matt Tutich, Ossie Michalsen and Anthony Ampaipitakwong sat out with minor injuries.

Akron will play Cleveland State in the preseason’s final game tomorrow at 5 p.m. at Lee Jackson Field.

Football

Waking up at 7:30 on a Saturday isn’t ideal.

Getting up for no reason makes it worse.

Without notice to the media, J.D. Brookhart canceled its final practice of fall camp, which was supposed to be a mock game.

Regardless, sometime today, I’ll answer the first of my camp questions: Will any defensive line depth emerge?

Football

Recruiting is an exciting business, but what always has fascinated me is which teams a player turns down in favor of their ultimate suitor.

That, in my opinion, is the best way to get a grasp on the player’s talent. For example, we knew Almondo Sewell would be an immediate contributor based on Al Groh and Virginia’s desire to lock him up. The level of competition should say much more than an arbitrary ranking from a Web site’s “scouts.”

That said, I will list whom each team has beaten so far this recruiting season.

Akron - 2 recruits. Beat out Cincinnati, Indiana, West Virginia and Minnesota (for cornerback Marvase Byrd). Quarterback Jordan Miller had no other offers.
Ball State - 0 recruits.
Bowling Green - 1 recruit. He is an “athlete” without any other offers.
Buffalo - 0 recruits.
Central Michigan - 2 recruits. Beat out Eastern Michigan, Ohio, Toledo, Western Michigan, Ball State and Bowling Green for a quarterback. The other player, a running back, had no other offers.
Eastern Michigan - 2 recruits. Neither player, a center and defensive end, have other offers.
Kent State - 1 recruit. The player, Charles Walls, is an offensive tackle from Virginia with no other offers.
Miami - 8 recruits. Beat out Cincinnati, Eastern Michigan, Western Michigan, Kansas, Akron (on quarterback Zac Dysert and linebacker Luke Kelly), Ball State, Central Michigan, Wyoming, Bowling Green, Northern Illinois, Rice, Army, Kent State, Middle Tennessee State, Navy, Air Force and Alabama-Birmingham.
Northern Illinois - 1 recruit. Beat out Central Michigan for an offensive guard.
Ohio - 0 recruits.
Temple - 11 recruits. Beat out Army and UCF on an offensive guard.
Toledo - 1 recruit. The player, outside linebacker Kurtis Rassan, had no other offers.
Western Michigan - 4 recruits. Beat out Akron (for tight end Blake Hammond), Kansas State and Eastern Michigan.

How do you analyze those numbers? Well, it certainly shows Temple recruits are high on quantity, bare-bones on quality. Miami is putting together a terrific class. Also, it’s pretty apparent there is little discrepancy between the worst BCS teams and best MAC teams. Results in recent games confirm that.

The Zips will play a mock game tomorrow. It’s not open to the public, but I’ll give you plenty of information. Also, I’ll spend the next five days answering the questions I posed at the beginning of camp.

Volleyball

Akron swept its first day of competition, logging wins over La Salle and Rider.

Football

The News-Herald’s Mark Podolski spoke with Chris Jacquemain, who learned this week he will start at quarterback.

You can read “Jaq”’s comments by clicking the link.

Football

Well, I screwed up.

Contrary to my report, Chris Jacquemain has earned the “starting” job. I use quotation marks because it seems like the coaches settled on a platoon.

Carlton Jackson will play the second quarter of games, coach J.D. Brookhart said.

I like the idea of giving both a chance to play early. You never really know what an inexperienced quarterback is capable of until you send blitzers who won’t yield because you’re wearing a different color jersey.

Despite the perception that Jackson is the Michael Vick-type quarterback and Jacquemain is a West Coast passer, both players have shown a similar style during spring and fall. Both scramble quite often. Both rely on passes to the flats.

If you’re curious, here’s how I screwed this up: A player told me after practice that they made the quarterback decision already. He said he was sworn to secrecy. I did a little snooping and found out how one of the candidates felt about the decision, and that response made it clear, to me at least, what Brookhart decided. That turned out to be false. Sorry.

Here are a few tidbits on where local recruits stand…

North High School running back Larry Dawson is deciding between Bowling Green and Akron, according to the ABJ’s Nate Ulrich. It will come down to comfort for the 6-foot back. Current Zips runner Bryan Williams, a friend of Dawson’s, may help with that.

Ulrich adds that Buchtel wide receiver Johnny Adams is playing quarterback this season, so the Griffins’ best playmaker has the ball in his hands more often. He told Rivals.com that he wants to be a shut-down cornerback in college. That college decision still is wide open.

Mentor offensive tackle Chad Hounshell could be more apt to choose the Zips if he knows two of his former teammates — Igor Iveljic and Chris Jacquemain — are starting in crucial positions. I’ll find out about the kicking situation asap.

Garfield defensive end Whitney Mercilous has ruled out the Zips, saying his finalists are Purdue and Illinois. He would’ve been a great grab for Akron.

Football

After a little snooping, I found out that Carlton Jackson took over first-string at quarterback.

He is poised to start Sept. 1 against Army.

After practice, J.D. Brookhart said he’s not opposed to a semi-platoon, where the backup (which now appears to be Chris Jacquemain) gets a couple series per game. He also remained open to changing that decision upon future performance.

I am about 90 percent certain that this information is accurate. Brookhart told me he would decide tonight, which apparently wasn’t the case. I will confirm it tomorrow at practice.