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By Tom Gaffney
Beacon Journal sports writer
POSTED: 11:32 a.m. EDT, Oct 30, 2009
The University of Akron football team will be facing a potent rushing offense Saturday that bears little resemblance to its own.
The Zips (1-6, 0-3) will attempt to end a five-game losing streak in DeKalb, Ill., against a Northern Illinois ground attack that averages 196.1 yards per game, which is first in the Mid-American Conference and 20th among 120 Football Bowl Subdivision teams.
''They are very physical. They know what they want to do. They commit to it,'' UA coach J.D. Brookhart said. ''They continue to pound it, pound it. They believe they will eventually wear you down.
''The offensive line is nasty. They have a get-after-you attitude.''
The Huskies (4-3, 2-1), who are 11-point favorites Saturday, have averaged 4.8 yards per rush, running for 1,373 yards on 289 attempts. They have surpassed 200 yards in a game four times, including a season-high 280 in a 28-21 upset of Purdue.
Sophomore Me'co Brown is the top rusher with 554 yards on 105 attempts and four touchdowns. But junior Chad Spann has been a productive second option with 468 yards on 88 rushes for 11 touchdowns. Spann was at his best last Saturday in a 27-22 victory at Miami by rushing for a career-high 156 yards on 21 carries and scoring twice.
''A lot of it has to do with our two backs having improved from a year ago,'' NIU coach Jerry Kill said about his run offense. ''The offensive linemen, you have two seniors and the rest are young kids who are getting better.
''We've emphasized it. We said we had to run the ball better to have a chance to win. We have done OK with it.''
Contrast that with the rushing production of the Zips, who have averaged 106.6 yards per game. That is 11th in the MAC and 104th nationally. There have been 234 rushes for 746 yards, a 3.2 average.
The Zips have been hurt by injuries to their tailback candidates. Joe Tuzze, DeVoe Torrence, Alex Allen and Dale Martin have had injury issues at various times.
Not having a healthy or productive No. 1 tailback has meant that the leading rusher has not surpassed 200 yards on the season. Tuzze is first with 167, and injured quarterback Matt Rodgers is second with 156.
''It's probably three problems,'' Brookhart said. ''We are a little banged up on the offensive line. Our running backs, right now as a whole, all have areas that hurt them. And we have to force more running attempts. That's on me. It's a little bit of everything.''
The Zips' troubles in that area could continue because the NIU run defense allows just 116 yards per game. That is third in the MAC and 37th nationally. That part of the defense was at it best last weekend, holding Miami to minus-11 yards on the ground.
That fact seems to put more pressure on freshman Patrick Nicely, who will make his third collegiate start at quarterback for the Zips. Nicely was rushed hard against Syracuse but managed to complete 16-of-25 passes for 191 yards and his first career touchdown pass.
The Zips have vowed to rally behind Nicely, the team's third quarterback of the season.
''Every day, he gets better and better, and matures. He is making his reads and making the shifts,'' senior receiver Andre Jones said. ''He is always working hard, even after practice.''
The Huskies also might be playing with a backup quarterback. Sophomore starter Chandler Harnish suffered a minor knee injury against Toledo on Oct. 17, had surgery and missed the Miami game. He is listed as questionable for Saturday.
Sophomore DeMarcus Grady started at quarterback against Miami. He completed 6-of-10 passes for 60 yards and ran 10 times for 55 yards.
The UA-NIU game will be the first time the teams have met since the 2005 MAC championship game. In that one, the Zips won 31-30 when Luke Getsy threw a 36-yard touchdown pass to Domenik Hixon with 10 seconds left.
After Saturday, the Zips have three of their final four games at home, starting Nov. 7 against Kent State.
Tom Gaffney can be reached at tgaffney@thebeaconjournal.com.
The University of Akron football team will be facing a potent rushing offense Saturday that bears little resemblance to its own.
The Zips (1-6, 0-3) will attempt to end a five-game losing streak in DeKalb, Ill., against a Northern Illinois ground attack that averages 196.1 yards per game, which is first in the Mid-American Conference and 20th among 120 Football Bowl Subdivision teams.
''They are very physical. They know what they want to do. They commit to it,'' UA coach J.D. Brookhart said. ''They continue to pound it, pound it. They believe they will eventually wear you down.
''The offensive line is nasty. They have a get-after-you attitude.''
The Huskies (4-3, 2-1), who are 11-point favorites Saturday, have averaged 4.8 yards per rush, running for 1,373 yards on 289 attempts. They have surpassed 200 yards in a game four times, including a season-high 280 in a 28-21 upset of Purdue.
Sophomore Me'co Brown is the top rusher with 554 yards on 105 attempts and four touchdowns. But junior Chad Spann has been a productive second option with 468 yards on 88 rushes for 11 touchdowns. Spann was at his best last Saturday in a 27-22 victory at Miami by rushing for a career-high 156 yards on 21 carries and scoring twice.
''A lot of it has to do with our two backs having improved from a year ago,'' NIU coach Jerry Kill said about his run offense. ''The offensive linemen, you have two seniors and the rest are young kids who are getting better.
''We've emphasized it. We said we had to run the ball better to have a chance to win. We have done OK with it.''
Contrast that with the rushing production of the Zips, who have averaged 106.6 yards per game. That is 11th in the MAC and 104th nationally. There have been 234 rushes for 746 yards, a 3.2 average.
The Zips have been hurt by injuries to their tailback candidates. Joe Tuzze, DeVoe Torrence, Alex Allen and Dale Martin have had injury issues at various times.
Not having a healthy or productive No. 1 tailback has meant that the leading rusher has not surpassed 200 yards on the season. Tuzze is first with 167, and injured quarterback Matt Rodgers is second with 156.
''It's probably three problems,'' Brookhart said. ''We are a little banged up on the offensive line. Our running backs, right now as a whole, all have areas that hurt them. And we have to force more running attempts. That's on me. It's a little bit of everything.''
The Zips' troubles in that area could continue because the NIU run defense allows just 116 yards per game. That is third in the MAC and 37th nationally. That part of the defense was at it best last weekend, holding Miami to minus-11 yards on the ground.
That fact seems to put more pressure on freshman Patrick Nicely, who will make his third collegiate start at quarterback for the Zips. Nicely was rushed hard against Syracuse but managed to complete 16-of-25 passes for 191 yards and his first career touchdown pass.
The Zips have vowed to rally behind Nicely, the team's third quarterback of the season.
''Every day, he gets better and better, and matures. He is making his reads and making the shifts,'' senior receiver Andre Jones said. ''He is always working hard, even after practice.''
The Huskies also might be playing with a backup quarterback. Sophomore starter Chandler Harnish suffered a minor knee injury against Toledo on Oct. 17, had surgery and missed the Miami game. He is listed as questionable for Saturday.
Sophomore DeMarcus Grady started at quarterback against Miami. He completed 6-of-10 passes for 60 yards and ran 10 times for 55 yards.
The UA-NIU game will be the first time the teams have met since the 2005 MAC championship game. In that one, the Zips won 31-30 when Luke Getsy threw a 36-yard touchdown pass to Domenik Hixon with 10 seconds left.
After Saturday, the Zips have three of their final four games at home, starting Nov. 7 against Kent State.
Tom Gaffney can be reached at tgaffney@thebeaconjournal.com.
Comments
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hudson, oh
Posted 11:57 AM, 10/30/2009
Eliminate the program altogether.
That'd be a positive for the regions economy.
Highland Square, OH
Posted 12:44 PM, 10/30/2009
it's almost basketball season...
Canton, OH
Posted 04:22 PM, 10/30/2009
FEAR THE ' ROO. . .
akron, oh
Posted 04:39 PM, 10/30/2009
I have to agree with Patriot 76! There's nothing positive about akron U football!!!and stop saying fear the roo. Your embarassing yourselves!
Canton, Oh
Posted 11:09 PM, 10/30/2009
Pity that Mount Union doesn't kick the snot out of the pathetic zip football team.
Akron, Oh
Posted 09:12 AM, 10/31/2009
@Knight Rider 30 - Fear the Roo! And stop saying "Akron U". You're embarassing yourself.
Akron, Oh
Posted 09:44 AM, 10/31/2009
What's a Mount Union?
Posted 10:17 AM, 10/31/2009
If I was NIU I would give the quarterback another weeks rest because they won't need him to defeat this pitiful Akron team.
akron, oh
Posted 10:56 AM, 10/31/2009
Jason 12 must be a football player. Hey jason your on the titanic. You better jump!
Highland Square, OH
Posted 11:02 AM, 10/31/2009
Nope. Jason's a crazy alumni. And Mount might give us a good game right about now....actually..no they wouldn't. There's a reason those kids are in Division III. Akron would whoop them, but that's really nothing to brag about. We still suck.
@ Buck Stops
Yeah, that sound like a good plan. We stink. Go Akron Soccer/hoops!
Posted 12:02 PM, 10/31/2009
An NPR report on the tough luck Akron football team.... informative,report on the tough luck Akron football team.......we feel your pain....... report on the tough luck football team by W-K-S-U in K-E-N-T, Ohio.........PRICELESS!!! Go Flashes!
Akron, Oh
Posted 12:28 PM, 10/31/2009
@UAEngineering - looking in that mirror again I see.
Akron, Oh
Posted 12:30 PM, 10/31/2009
BTW, you may not want to hear this but I graduated from KSU.
