Football
The banged-up Zips fell again today, getting plowed by the strong rushing attack of Northern Illinois.
Despite a final score of 27-10, Akron held a 10-6 lead heading to the fourth quarter. Northern Illinois packed the scoreboard with 21 points from there.
NIU outgained Akron in rushing yards 275 to 31 in a game where DeVoe Torrence did not play and Akron stripped the redshirt off Broderick Alexander.
The play of the game for Akron was when Alex Allen took a handoff and threw a pass to Andre Jones for an 80-yard touchdown. Hasan Hazime also blocked NIU's first field goal attempt of the game.
Mostly, the game was what I expected, except for the play of Patrick Nicely, who only completed 11-of-27 passes for 124 yards. Without a running game, though, it's hard to do much of anything through the air.
Akron will next embark on "Mission: Salvage the Season." Kent State visits InfoCision Stadium on Saturday for a 3:30 kickoff. If the Zips lose this rivalry game, 2009 will be a failure of Biblical proportions.
{ 25 comments… read them below or add one }
Mike- where do we go from here?? It seems obvious that a coaching change is inevitable but whats your opinion on this……….. JD dismissed on Nov 28 or Nov 2nd it is announced JD's contract will not be renewed (although he will finish out the season)? It would certainly quiet some of Zipsnations discontent if TW would acknowledge JDs unacceptable results- and just maybe salvage a few season tickets for next year.
There is no point in removing Brookhart right now. It's not like he has lost the team's respect. I think they're still playing hard. Despite our high hopes, the talent just wasn't there from the beginning. Either that, or the team has not played at its highest capacity.
I don't think firing him now would do anything for season tickets. People may swear they're done with the team, but things will change next spring.
Good question though.
I can't wait for Nicely to have a competent coaching staff, WRs who can catch a ball, and an offensive line that can open up seams for the running game. He has shown he is the future of the Zips and we need to captialize on his talent while he's still here.
Nows the time to start lining up the new coach, how about a list with Hal Mumme and Glen Mason at the top? Maybe Dan McCarney too?
Can't imagine why Glen Mason would want to come here. He removed himself from consideration for the San Diego State job last year and that job pays a heck of a lot more money than what Akron U could pay. One thing's certain wherever he coaches…they will be able to run the ball. I think he got a bad deal at Minnesota.
I can't understand what happened to the offense. I think it was pretty potent last year. I don't think JD got dumber since last year. Maybe it was the change in coordinators. I watched a couple of games last year (I live in San Diego) and they were fun to watch from an offensive standpoint.
just remember, no matter who the coach is, you guys are still stinking Zips!! LOL
In the words of that old Negroe spiritual, "Nobody knows the troubles I`ve seen..nobody knows my sorrow." Well, at least there is your other football team, the one that really knows how to play.
Akron is inching up that "Bottom 10" list on ESPN. If Akron beats Kent this weekend you can say goodbye to the "10" list!
(Very likely) wont happen but in terms of the future coaching vacancy….. Larry Kerhres. Bit of a gamble in the jump to D1 but certainly the right mindset/attitude that needs to come to this program. Ah well, a guy can dream
Fred, before you start spouting off, learn how to spell better than Dan Quail (sic). You make as much of a mockery of Kent State as some Zip fans do of the UA. I guess that makes us equal. So the rubber leg will be played on Saturday. If K-ent (whoops I forget, does this board also spell it C-A-N-T every time?) wins, the world may get shaken out of orbit, as they might actually be in bowl con-con-con tention. Cough!!!
Aha! Akron fans do know how to spell. A little touchy I would say!? I think you are correct in saying if Kent gets to a bowl game the earth may "zip" right out of orbit! I`m just giddy with excitement!
lol, what exactly is paradise to a Zip?!? sounds like an inviting poll question to me!
is paradise somewhere outside of mogadore in the slop? analogous to your athletic dept?
but go ahead zippo, keep posting the old as the hills "can't read" blast. if you truly had an ounce of creativity you wouldn't have to use such worn out elementary school smack. the world would prolly fall off it's axis if one of you numbskulls could actually come up with something new.
I noticed a difference in blocking between Akron and NIU. It seemed NIU's linemen fired off the snap and there was a definite coordinated push for @ 3 yards, which helped their ball carriers get 5. Akron, on the other hand, looked like they were trying to finesse their blocks, which often turned into missed assignments and a NIU defensive tackle for a short gain or a loss. I don't know if it's a scheme difference or something else between these two teams, but I'd like to know if the UA coaches noticed anything and are planning any changes.
I've noticed that as well UA1987. I think it's partially scheme and partially fatigue as the game goes on. Personally, I question if them getting into their stances and waiting while the plays are sent in affects this, not a fan of that system unless the QB is running the shots to make the calls against the defense which is not the case here and is very rarely done.
This just reaffirms that spending $60 million on a stadium for a second rate program is a waste. I am a graduate from AU and when they called me last year looking for money I told them to stop that construction and spend that money on education. I also told them to never call me again asking for money. If they were smart they would go back to 1AA and then maybe be able to compete. I laugh when I see that the attendance just keeps dwindling as the weeks go by. The attraction that first week was the stadium not the team. AU football, who cares except for a few parents and former players.
Wow. Bob Owens comments hurt! Isn't it "U of A" and not AU (from an alum as well)….
Get back in your rocking chair Bob, Matlock is about to start.
Mike, it's not "Salvage the Season", it's more like salvage some dignity. The underachieving zips are a big disappointment for all zips fans. I'm sure the players aren't happy with the outcomes and they certainly don't deserve all the blame. I'm looking forward to a good game Saturday and the fortunes a new coaching staff might bring next year.
i'm with you AZipsFan!
last year's game was pretty entertaining with a nice crowd and two not so good teams —
i expect the same this year — good game, good crowd and good friendly rivalry!
last year the AK Rowdies and students showed up in Kent i hope they do the same this year
GO ZIPS!
It's alumni like Bob there that are a major issue for UA (and Kent for that matter, even though I couldn't care less about their support). This guy doesn't even know the name of his school, let alone support it. Akron is attempting to grow a program, and it won't be done in a day. It certainly takes investment, and the facilities are a start. I'm sorry life is so bitter for you Bob, and I'll thank you to go ahead and stay at home in a few years when the Zips reap the rewards of their investments in athletics.
Really folks, U of A, Akron University, or just plain Akron. It`s all the same. And to think I thought it was Akron State?
Let's cut the strings on Brookhart and get the wheels turning for Paul Winters.
Winter's has got to be a candidate. He's the only Akron Alum with head coaching experience. He also was a running backs coach at Wisconsin and our offensive coordinator prior to Brookhart. He seems to have turned around the stinking Division II program that he took over. Additionally, he would be familiar with the recruiting paths. I think he would coach here and stay as Keith Dambrot has done (so far). I'm not saying that he's the one, but you would have to look at him as a top possibility.
Akron will NOT hire Winters. There are 10 Winters in Division II football. He wouldn't be a good choice if we were Div II. Think big. Be big.
Would Larry Kerhres come to Akron ? Akron should inquire about John L Smith. He originally elevated a sad Louisville team with his recruiting and coaching skills. He is also good with the public and press. He over reached by going to Michigan State. He is currently at Arkansas has an assistant. He might be open to a spot at a MAC school.