Events Calendar
In This Section
WWII veteran honored through hospice program
Don't expect Zips' exhibition game to be pretty
Akron home prices rank best in college-town poll
Zips fit well together for a victory
Dyer: Chapel Hill isn't rolling right along
Ridenour: Browns are back but nothing has changed so far
Bank helps more save their homes
Most Read Stories
Unusual sports bar to be sold at auction
Motorcyclist killed, wife injured in Stark County crash
Family found dead in Ohio home
Man says he was punched, robbed by 3 people in parking lot
Man gets 3 years in prison for having sex with horse
Bank helps more save their homes
Circle K on Brown Street robbed
Woman says clinic refused to help her get pregnant because she's not married
Blogs:
Pets:
Cats are trainable — and that's not a punchline
The Heldenfiles:
Monday Notebook
Patrick McManamon:
Time for Kokinis, Browns to agree and part ways
Akron Zips:
Zips tip off tomorrow
Tribe Matters:
Indians announce spring dates
Cleveland Browns:
Mangini doesn't name a quarterback
Kent State Sports:
KSU Notes – November 9
Cleveland Cavaliers:
Shaq: It’s All About Winning Championships
Buckeye Blogging:
Weekly ‘B’ Deck Report – New Mexico St.
Varsity Letters:
Walsh Jesuit’s Caponi commits to Duquesne
All Da King's Men:
If It Looks Like Islamic Terrorism…
Blog of Mass Destruction:
Dems Message To Women: Don't Enjoy The Sex
Akron Law Café:
Abortion Analogies
See Jane Style:
Muffle Your Muffler
Car Chase:
Clock Tender- Extending the Life of Collector Car Clocks
Let's Talk Real Estate:
Rumors: Akron Starbucks Closing
Ohio Travels with Betty:
Jack is looking for a trip to Southern Ohio the week of November 16.
Sound Check:
The Black Keys to perform benefit concert at Musica on November 27
HRLite House:
Personal Rant – Why People Do Not Live in Northeast Ohio
Akron Gamer:
New 'Call of Duty' could set entertainment record
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.
Comments
Click here to post your comments
