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Team will have to start, finish strong in order to beat Central Michigan; UA coach predicts shootout
By David Lee Morgan Jr. Beacon Journal sportswriter
Published on Thursday, Nov 22, 2007
Don't let Central Michigan's overall 6-5 record deceive you.
In the Mid-American Conference, the Chippewas are 5-1 and have clinched the West Division crown. They will play in the MAC championship game against East Division winner Miami University on Dec. 1.
The Zips (4-7, 3-4) will try to end their season on a positive note Friday against a team that can really light up the scoreboard. Central Michigan leads the conference in scoring.
''They are throwing up 44 points (a game) in the league,'' UA coach J.D. Brookhart said. ''I think it's going to be a shootout, and you're going to have to score a lot of points to win.''
If Friday's game does turn into a shootout, the Zips might have problems keeping up with such a high-powered offense. They are ninth in the conference in scoring offense at 23.4 points per game.
On the other hand, UA should feel confident defensively, especially coming off a solid performance last week. Despite losing 7-0 at Miami, the defense did not allow the points and forced four turnovers (three interceptions and a fumble).
Miami's touchdown was a 7-yard fumble return with 9:38 left in the game.
It's not that the Zips can't score. The problem has been inconsistency all season — an inability to put together productive and efficient offensive efforts in back-to-back games. Against Ohio University on Nov. 7 at the Rubber Bowl, the Zips put it all together in a 48-37 win against the Bobcats.
The goal for Akron against Central Michigan is to start the game strong and finish it that way.
''We were very close this season to having a number of wins that we didn't have,'' Brookhart said. ''I believe we made some adjustments in the program that were necessary. We knew that there was some transition to this year and these were kids who have been enjoyable to coach. We haven't had cancer on the team, our locker room has been good and the attitude has been outstanding.
''The disappointing thing to me is that we suspended three players throughout the year and two of them were quarterbacks,'' Brookhart said. ''That limits your chance for success. A different commitment level has to be there at that position (quarterback). But do we have a bunch of good kids? Absolutely, I would coach them again and look forward to continuing to coach these guys.''
David Lee Morgan Jr. can be reachedat dlmorgan@thebeaconjournal.com.
Don't let Central Michigan's overall 6-5 record deceive you.
Get the full article here.
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