Zips stun Western Michigan in last seconds
Posted October 6th, 2007 by mrasor
Football
J.D. Brookhart outcoached another victim.
Alphonso Owen lateralled a free kick return to Andre Jones that turned a certain 38-33 Western Michigan win into a 39-38 three-fingered shocker for Akron.
Thanks to a key block from Andre Walker, Jones completed a 89-yard return to end the game in the Zips’ favor.
“I’m just so happy for the team,” Brookhart said. “All I could think of was the Cal-Stanford game.” (The band is on the field! The band is on the field!)
With 20 seconds remaining and a seven-point lead, the Broncos decided to run through their own end zone, taking a safety and free kick, rather than punting back to the Zips’ offense, which had a boatload of momentum.
Brookhart dusted off another trick play that somehow got Jones wide open for a lateral and a free path to paydirt.
Frank Stams, the Zips announcer with an extensive football pedigree, said it was the best finish he has ever seen to a football game. He and Steve French turned the announcer’s booth into a living room, shouting like madmen once Jones busted free. Who can blame them? Bill Morgan coined it the “Miracle in Kalamazoo.” I will second that, conditioned upon a quick check that the nickname does not currently exist.
I was personally writing the Zips’ obituary when the play occurred. In my notes, I wrote that WMU was stupid for taking the safety and introducing the possibility of losing in regulation.
Of course, the game never would have been close without career games from Chris Jacquemain and Jabari Arthur. Bryan Williams also picked up large chunks of yards in important situations.
Unfortunately, the game does not count for the division title. But almost undoubtedly, there will be a tie atop the MAC East standings at the end of the season, and a team’s record in crossover games serves as the tiebreaker to see who goes to Detroit.
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Notes…
Chris Jacquemain may be somewhat cautious with his throws, but his football IQ is highly suspect. A smart quarterback does not jump for a first down, putting himself in a vulnerable position (except for John Elway). A smart quarterback does not look around the field before catching a shotgun snap. Jacquemain’s stats were pretty good tonight, but he needs to polish up the little things. Further evidence is the end of the first half against Connecticut. “Chris continues to make good decisions. He’s operating the offense like we need him to,” Brookhart said.
The Montrose Chevrolet Cadillac (in Kent) commercial is ridiculous. Here’s the watered-down gist of it: “Akron football players are losers who get blown out. You can be a winner at Montrose Chevrolet.” Obviously, that wasn’t the dealership’s intent, but whoever wrote the ad is a total doofus. I’d be shocked if we heard it next week.
Coaches are converting Joe McDaniel from fullback to linebacker. Can’t hurt.
Jabari Arthur solidified his status as an NFL draft pick tonight with 15 catches for 223 yards. It’s very welcoming to see Alphonso Owen catch an important pass. I’ve been waiting for that for awhile.
I will have much more tomorrow.
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Around the MAC…
Boston College blew out Bowling Green 55-24 in a game many observers thought could be an upset. The Falcons would have hung with the Eagles if not for six turnovers.
Central Michigan returned to form in beating Ball State, 58-38. Dan LeFevour threw for five touchdowns, perhaps as a statement to his opposite number Nate Davis, who submitted a disappointing performance.
Shocker of the day: Buffalo “curb stomped” Ohio 31-10, if I may steal a term from a colleague of mine. The Bulls rushed for 251 yards while limiting the Bobcats to 90 ground yards.
Miami beat Kent State 20-13. Both teams showcased potent offenses, but the Flashes suffered 10 penalties for 109 yards.
Temple won its first game of the year, beating Northern Illinois 16-15 with a last-minute field goal.
Toledo survived a scare from D-IAA Liberty. The Rockets won only 35-34 despite outgaining the Flames by more than 200 yards.
Eastern Michigan played close with Michigan, but the Wolverines took control in the third quarter to win 33-22. If the Eagles didn’t have four turnovers, who knows?
October 6th, 2007 at 11:54 pm
Ugh.. Of all games not to be on TV!!!! ESPN posted the final as 33-38 loss on their ticker until they fixed it later. Anyone have video of the return?!?
October 7th, 2007 at 12:26 am
three fingered shocker? My word. I know one man who is happy to hear that.
http://cache.deadspin.com/assets/resources/2007/10/groinage.jpg
October 7th, 2007 at 1:45 am
I’ll give the Zips props for an unexpected win. If JD “outcoached” the WM guy, the Broncos need to start searching for their next mentor. The problem with Arthur catching 15 passes is, teams from here on out will most certainly be taking away our only offensive weapon, if they have any clue at all. We can’t have a one-man receiving corps.
Yes, it was undoubtedly a great final play, but Steve French’s whiney little girl screaming, together with the boorish Stams’ constant talking over him throughout the game, sounded unprofessional, to say the least. Really, how does Frank keep this job?
The next question is: Will the Zips capitalize on the momentum this game “should” give them, or squander it all like they did after the N.C. State win last season? After today’s scores, it does indeed appear that the MAC race is wide open for someone to take the reigns. Are Jacquemain and Co. up to the task?
October 7th, 2007 at 1:54 am
[...] unknown wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptFrank Stams, the Zips announcer with an extensive football pedigree, said it was the best finish he has ever seen to a football game. He and Steve French turned the announcer’s booth into a living room, shouting like madmen once Jones … [...]
October 7th, 2007 at 2:01 am
Ahhh, those announcers are okay for a M.A.C. team. I’ve heard worse, believe me. Anyone ever hear the Steelers’ Myron Cope, for instance? UA can surely celebrate this win. Hope it’s the first of many this year. No letdowns vs. Temple, guys! Play and announce with the same intensity in every game. Play like you *have to win* every game. Come out strong in the 3rd quarter, too!
October 7th, 2007 at 11:08 am
It needs to be said: What the frak is the deal with these looks to the sidelines after the team has lined up? How many delay penalties and games will this nonsense cost us this year? In all your years watching football, be honest: have you EVER seen this done? What, are Zips coaches so great that they’ve somehow “reinvented the wheel?” In opposing stadiums, the crowd takes it as a sign that the QB can’t hear, and they just ramp up the noise. And frankly, some of the “play changes” that occur are just stupid and ineffective.
French and Stams are fine. They are what they are, as the saying goes. Not in Joe Tait’s league, but who is?
October 7th, 2007 at 11:18 am
Great win for the program on the road. I wish I could have seen it on TV instead of ESPN’s ticker that just couldn’t keep up.
October 7th, 2007 at 12:29 pm
A win is a win, even if we stole it and especially on the road.
Jacquemain played his best game of the season. He seemed to be seeing the entire field and much to his surprise he found a lot of wide open receivers especially over the middle. Well done!!
We still need a couple of other receivers to step up their game so we can take the load off of Jabari. Williams and Allen hit the hole much faster than Kennedy. I vote for moving Kennedy over to FB and then throw the ball to him since he has good hands. Great all around team effort.
October 7th, 2007 at 12:31 pm
I like French, except for his gold-tinted glasses toward the refs. He’s knowledgeable, passionate, has a solid voice and certainly knows how to make a call on an exciting play. Stams gives good insight.
The Zips could do MUCH worse. Ask Kent State.
The hurry-up-and-wait offense works well against young defenses who can’t adjust to Akron’s audible. As long as it doesn’t cost the team any delay of game penalties or confusion, it’s a benefit.
October 7th, 2007 at 3:05 pm
“Hurry and wait offense”
I like that, that’s a good way to describe it.
October 8th, 2007 at 1:05 pm
Where can one see a video clip of the final kick return? Surely someone, at the very least, has some handheld videocamera footage, right?
Oh, yeah… and SCREW the Beacon Journal!
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