Football
I tell you what, beating Kent State cleansed most of the bad taste from my mouth. Is it going to give Akron a chance at bowl eligibilty? No. Will it save J.D. Brookhart's job? Probably not.
But for one evening, it was good to root for the Zips. With perfect weather and a great effort by the players, it's the kind of evening that Akron fans envisioned when InfoCision Stadium was being built.
- Here are the grades…
Quarterback – Last night, we saw two players who will be stars in the MAC East for the next three years. Spencer Keith and Patrick Nicely looked like poised gunslingers, not green teenagers. Akron and Kent have serious assets with these two. Nicely played the game I expected. He completed 19-of-34 passes with two touchdowns, one interception and 261 yards. Watching his development has made this season entertaining, despite the negative aspects. Grade: A-
Running back — Eight players took carries for Akron. The most impressive, at times, was Broderick Alexander. You can tell Alexander has talent, but he needs to play without fear. The times when he takes the ball and goes, you can see he's going to be a great runner. The times when he hesistates after the handoff, you are sure to see Akron take a loss on the play. Joe Tuzze and Dashan Miller showed bursts of effectively used energy on their opportunities. I like using Andre Jones in the Wildcat formation, too. Grade: B+
Receiver – Jeremy LaFrance scored two touchdowns with 126 yards. Jones caught six passes for 93 yards. If Deryn Bowser was healthy, this would be a phenomenal receiver tandem — the one we thought we would have in the preseason. Grade: A
Offensive line — Do you want to know the difference between this week and the previous eight? The offensive line played well. It kept Nicely from getting sacked. It opened big holes, particularly in the second half. If you don't win in the trenches, you will struggle to score. This is Akron's first victory in the trenches in a long time. Grade: A
Defensive line — Deni Odofin and Hasan Hazime combined for three tackles for loss. Hazime showed a new violent side, which I liked. You can't overstate the importance of holding Kent to 1.8 yards per carry. It put a tremendous burden on the Flashes' true freshman quarterback. Grade: A-
Linebacker – Brian Wagner continued his All-MAC season with 15 tackles, including two for loss. Mike Thomas made an interception. The whole corps did a great job filling gaps and stifling Kent State's running game. Grade: A
Secondary – It's true that Keith threw for 377 yards, but he also had 59 attempts to do it. I thought the Zips secondary did a fine job, particularly Jalil Carter, who made a few punishing tackles. Wayne Cobham and Manley Waller grabbed interceptions. Miguel Graham broke up six passes, which is a huge total. Grade: B
Special teams — Zack Campbell has turned out to be a fine punter. He pinned Kent State inside the 20-yard line twice. On the other hand, I think it's time to officially announce a problem at place kicker. Branko Rogovic missed a 27-yarder. Grade: C+
Coaching – It pains me to read how Brookhart talks about the team "not quitting." The upside is that it's true. They really have not given up on this season, despite a long losing streak, suspensions and injuries. The Zips have beaten Kent State three-straight times, and Brookhart is 5-1 against the rival team. At some schools, beating the rival is all you really need to continue as coach. I think that, combined with strong finish to the season, might (might) be enough to keep Brookhart. Right now, it's an easy decision. The team is 2-7 and has underachieved. But if it finishes the year on a four-game winning streak and has a young, improving offense, it will give Tom Wistrcill a tough decision. Grade: A
{ 32 comments… read them below or add one }
Rasor – I enjoy reading your column and appreciate the job that you do but …Rogovic has left a lot be desired on field goals this season but calling the kid out for missing a field goal due to a horrible snap and an inability for the holder to recover is completely off base. Also, not sure I'd be willing to crown Campbell a "fine" punter quite yet
Fred. Oh Fred….where are your Fred??? OH FRED!!!
Don't tell me that you are the type of weasel to go on another schools website and throw grenades….and hide when your team (and the favorite) gets beaten. Well, from your posts…it is not surprising. Go make some pizza Fred. A low tech job that is sure to fit you.
Go Zips!!!
I wanted/always want to beat Kent as much as the next UA Alum but this win alone should in no way be enough for JD to keep his job. Every season is so much more than just this game…
Here i iz boss massa! I za keep telin u I love to eat pizza. I za shoulda been born Italiun. An I za been telin ya that I za OWN the stores and I za emploi 4 Ackron grajewates. I za been gone fer da air show all day so I za just gettin home. Them flyin machines are sumum else! Daz a real fast and fly a reel hih! You ever ate weasel befer? I tasts a real good, two. I za dunt know one Kent bloger wit a deroguhtori, I za mean bad infrence name bout Ackron. But I za seenin 4 ur 5 of dem Ackron blogers wit very bad names bout Kent St. And I za sayin last week iffa Kent beets Ackron, not when. So iffa I wur yuns, I za look in the mirror befur yu start a throwin gernades!
I saw Akron's AD give a big pat on the back and hand shake to JD after the game. As there is one more year on JD's contract, it's not impossible that this win could keep save his job if the offense starts to click and the Zip's pick up a few more wins.
Fred.
Most of the Zips fans are not familiar with your Portage County dialect. Maybe you could market a rosetta stone version along with upcoming season ticket packages for Kent athletics. Jstu ae tought.
I think everyone should lay off JD, because of this win? NO. The team has had a stressful season, and it was not due to JD. The QB was a piece of S**t from day one when I started as a fan. He shouldn't have had the time spent on him as he did. He was pretty much a sissy! Now that we lost him due to his own mess ups, Zips just needs some time to get experience to the right players…which is Nicely. It would have been nice to have more of Rodgers last year and this year for experience. It's too bad we lost him, and hopefully we will see him back strong next year, right along with Nicely. Also we lost other excellent players, my fav has got to be Bowser
All the team members and coaches have been working very hard, and deserve respect and support . Great win ZIPS!!
if baffles me to think you even have the right to a two-bit column, but what baffles me more is the fact that your paper allows you to enter data without even checking the records. JD is 5-1 against the Flashes, but who is counting, obviously not you!…..it's alright for you to make an error, but hell if anyone else does…. let's strike them down!
i just have to reiterate; you also show that you don't know how to spell players names; you figure that one out on your own. You will never amount to more than this column; Campbell as a good punter?….guaranteed your stroking the boy due to his affiliation with the last rag you dribbled on or the fact you have absolutely no clue what your talking about, I'm thinking both. So, as you beat down on JD and the coaching staff for the remainder of this season… worry about your future as a half ass reporter that has no clue about perfection and what your profession actually entails; you are a disgrace to your university and a disgrace to the profession of reporting and writing. Rasor Grade: F
First off, this is a blog. I wouldn't be surprised if Mike writes this up, reads it over once, and puts it up on the site. You keep coming back, Smart guy, so why not just shut the hell up or get your own blog. I doubt anyone would read it.
Second, Campbell had two punts inside the 10, another which should have been downed inside the 5, and has been fairly consistent throughout his time on the field. Not to mention the wind this week and last has been horrible. I hate open-ended stadiums for that very reason.
Third, as was mentioned above, the QB position has been in upheaval since week 3 or so. Imagine if the Patriots had to go without Brady for half the season (not comparing Jacq to Brady). Oh wait, the Patriots did go without Brady last season, and, although they were still a good team, they did not play like they had under Brady. Losing your 1st QB is bad enough, but when you lose 2 and 3 QBs, you're in trouble.
Lastly, I loved the way this team battled on Saturday. Let's hope they can derive some confidence from this as they head into the end of the season.
One last comment from me on this big victory… our offensive line played great and, the defense played with heart, and thanks for Andre Jones. I hope Andre gets his chance at the next level.
So-called "Smart Guy"….you are anything BUT "smart" and are not welcome here. Your insipid views do not in any way reflect those who read and support Mike in his efforts, which are above and beyond what the Beacon has ever furnished local readers with. You might be new here, since you apparently don't realize this is a "blog" and full-time reporting is not Mike's first priority. So, as Matthew so eloquently put it above, STHU or get your own blog. Better yet, wander over to ZN, where the best of the best whiners congregate. You'll fit right in.
Anyway,back to football. I think the real test to see if the team has turned the corner comes Friday with Temple. They have a tough running game and a very tough defense,the Miami game notwithstanding. The Zips caught some breaks when Kent's RB went down early and Akron's D could play pass more. I don't think anyone questioned the effort of the players during the loses. What still puzzles me is that the coaching staff had a QB with the obvious talent of a Nicely(I know he is a freshman)but refused to play him over an obviously less talented and more troubled Jacquemain. That started the whole fiasco. Couple that with the complete disappearance of any running game,partly because the coaches were frankly starting the wrong people there(tell me the name of the kid who was playing the first 2-3 games!) and the seeming inabilty of the O line to block anything,the injuries accelerated the spiral, and you have what you have now. The defense did play well when it had to against Kent. We still need to see game to game consistency from that unit however.
Given what has happened over the past 4 years,I don't think one win even against Kent is going to weigh heavily in any end of the year coaching decisions. Now, if they were to beat Temple and win out(I personally feel highly unlikely) then Brookhart has an argument for one more year.
Weather is supposed to be good Friday. We will see what kind of football fans Akron has this week!
I think for the first time since the Faust era, we can play some defense. JD was right about them, they can fly and make plays, the stats just dont reflect it all because they were on the field so much in earlier games.
I dont know about his job, but t seems like once the offense gets up to speed, like they played the other night, UA can be a handful. The injuries were just a little too much that early in the year. I want to see us now help Kent next week by taking a chunk out of Temple, who are starting to get a lot of national media interest around their coach and program.
We need to stick it to Bill Cosby and knock them into a first place tie with OU.
This was a great win for Akron. Should it save JD's job, no way! Even Earl Bruce beat Michigan in his last year with Ohio State. The excuses can be made about the injuries etc. However, since the Motor City Bowl season, Akron has underachieved, in fact not achieved. JD still must go.
Go Zips!
The offense is coming together. What a treat it was to watch them move down the field and score! The defense has played tough this whole year…for being on the field the majority of every game! I agree with Jake. Wagner is 7th in the nation for total tackles! First in the MAC! Hopefully the atmosphere friday night will be the same…for another ZIPS WIN!
I agree with Chi Town Zippy. JD has underachieved. Time for a change.
GO ZIPS!
Random thoughts…
Did Einstein ever call himself a "smart guy"?? Doubtful. Anybody who has to call themselves "Smart Guy" is pobably anything but. Best to ignore him and hope he goes away. He is just looking for attention.
I have never been a Brookhart fan as a coach (never been anti Brookhart either). But he has always seemed to be a good guy (I really don't know for sure). Good guys usually get the benefit of doubt. Couple that with the economy and his contract…if he wins out he will stay. He will have righted a sinking ship and beaten MAC contenders. This is the MAC not the SEC. Money and integrity matters. I hope he does win out. It will give the young team cofidence going into next year.
The MAC is ranked #1 in both soccer and Hockey. Have 2 MAC teams ever been ranked #1 at the same time??
Go Zips!!! Go Redhawks!!!
Four consecutive losing seasons. That ain't where it's at.
Beating Kent State in football is something 111 of the 119 D-1A programs can do. And, probably 50% of the D1-AA's.
Sorry Doug, the MAC doesn't have Hockey. The Redhawks may be #1 in Hockey (which I haven't verified), but they don't represent the MAC.
As Doug put.. We are in the MAC not Big 10 or SEC and finances come into play in terms of paying a coach for a year not to coach and the cost of bringing a new coach in. I am not sure what the current athletic coffers look like at UA (red or black), but if they finish out strong don't be surprised if he is given the final year as opposed to eating the final year.
Lee… Norman Shuford started the year at RB. I am surprised Dale Martin did not get more carries against Kent. Especially, if he is healthy. 3 carries 27 yards…
Keith, I knew Shuford was the guy. Just that nobody is going to remember who he is. Martin has been hurt all year and is still hobbled. I feel bad for Alex Allen. Maybe that broken hip along with his previous injuries just took too much out of him. I have been critical of these coaches for a couple of years. Kent was a nice win. But, in the big scheme not nearly enough to make up for the last 4 years. If this team wins out however,not 2 out of 3, if I am the AD I tell coach Brookhart he can come back for the final year of the contract,nothing more. If he gets it done next year extend him 3-4 more years. I know a one year coach doesn't do much for recruiting(a VERY REAL consideration if he is brought back without an extension) but with a 4th year in a row under .500 already assured as a relative used to say its time to pull down your pants and see what ya got!(ouch)
Fred E,
Good catch…Miami Hockey is in the CCHA and the MAC does not support a hockey championship. That being said…it is still prety cool that 2 MAC schools are ranked # 1 in any sport…let alone 2 major.
Although the MAC does not have a hockey championship, Miami is the school most people associate with the MAC.
In any event…I am hoping both win chamionships. It will be good for both schools and the MAC.
http://www.ncaa.com/sports/m-hockey/division_i2.html
Thanks for the link Doug. I looked up the hockey standings after I posted my comment. I admit I was too LAZY to look beforehand. BTW, I looked at the CCHA's website and had not realized previously that Alaska is now in the CCHA. I'd hate to have their travel schedule!
So the Zips can spend $61million on a new stadium, but can't eat one season of JD's contract @ $150,000.
How much money will the Zips program lose in attendance if the Zips suck yet again next season?
Lets say we lose 5,000 fans per game @ $20.00 per ticket. That's $100,000. Say those fans all spent $5.00 for a soda and a bag of chips at the game. That's $25,000.
Assuming nothing else (parking, concessions, maybe MORE than a 5k attendance drop, etc) th3e Zips would stick with JD to save $25,000? Seriously…is there a finance major on this blog? Are you people for real?
$61million for a stadium. The days of keeping a perennial loser on the payroll are over. Tom has no allegiance to JD. JD should have won more games.
He's done. Done-diddly-un.
Hey Ned, go back to your Leftorium and contribute the 150k from your register to ensure a new coach.
Ned,
The flaw in your anaylis starts with the 61Million that the university DID NOT SPEND. It was paid for seperately and not part of the operating budget.
That said…there is some merit to making a change if there is certainty that the Zips will improve. But…it will be pretty impressive arguement JD will have if he wins out. Most people wrote them off and there are all kinds of excuses for failure. But…before we get ahead of ourselvs, he stl has to WIN OUT!! That is highly unlikely. But if he does, as an alumni, I would vote to keep him another year.
Go Zips!!!!
Hey Doug Semantics –
Look…it is simple…the University of Akron built a 61million dollar stadium. Do you make that investment to win…or lose football games?
Hunter Yurackek promised ".500 football will not cut it at UA anymore."
Every D-1 football coach in America is fired with time remaining on his contract. You can't recruit if you don't have at least 1 year remaining. It is that simple.
UA's Coach has one of the lowest salaries in D1-A football. If UA can't afford to eat what will amount to tens-of-thousands-of-dollars, then it should move to a lower Division. Obviously it doesn't have the cash to play at even D1-A's lowest financial level.
Temple spent $500,000 on their new coach. Where was Temple 3 years ago? Where are they now? Why?
If JD stays, it says alot about how much UA cares about it's fans. It says they aren't worth a combined $25,000.
That would blow-diddly-oh.
Think of it from Alaska's perspective,they get to come 'south' for the winter. Visit such tropical sites as Ann Arbor and East Lansing Michigan,not to mention Oxford,Bowling Green and Columbus, Ohio in December,Jaunuary,February…Where do I sign up?
Recruiting is indeed a problem if this team somehow wins out and Brookhart is coming back. Not only that but you have concerns about some freshman and sophomores leaving in any case if they figure this bunch of coaches won't be back. I sent an e-mail to the AD and got a nice diplomatic response. Things will be evaluated at the end of the year. However, it did include an acknowledgement about the frustration fans have about the record over the past 4 years. There was no outright support for this coaching staff in the response. That was just prior to the Kent game.
Personally, I think the euphoria will end Friday. I know Rasor called this a trap for Temple but Temple is the type of team that will run and run and play defense. That type of team has always given this team huge problems. It may be 17-10,but unless Temple has been very overrated, this will be an extremely tough team for Akron to succeed against.
Lee –
As a Parole Officer, are you a State or Federal employee?
Be careful what you ask for. Tell me the last great coach Akron has had? Dennison used to win somewhat, but he was playing FCS teams. Gerry Faust didn't win much. And I remember a Lee Owens team losing 50-0 at halftime. How did he do? Akron U does not have a tradition of outstanding football. The following is even worse. If they would get a decent crowd, most would be gone by the end of the third quarter….close game or not.
This has been a disappointing year for the team. But I think Brookhart has put a competitive team on the field nearly every year. He has beaten Syracuse, NC State, and Army.
Maybe you can get a better coach. But you're going to have to more than double his salary to bring someone in with a reputation. Someone mentioned Glen Mason. He pulled his name out of consideration for the San Diego State job and it pays about $700,000 a year.
You could end up with a lot worse than Brookhart. Just ask Michigan fans.