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Do IT this week: Layering
By Tom Gaffney
Beacon Journal sports writer
POSTED: 06:34 p.m. EST, Nov 26, 2009
An agonizing and frustrating season of football reaches its merciful conclusion today for the University of Akron.
The final game is here in a forgettable 2009 that is destined to end with the team's worst record since 1997.
The Zips (2-9, 1-6) will meet Eastern Michigan (0-11, 0-7) this afternoon in a Mid-American Conference crossover game at InfoCision Stadium.
Player dismissals, key injuries and crucial mistakes have led to a string of losses in a season that began with such optimism.
It has been trying for so many, especially for the group of 19 seniors who will be honored today — and has never quit along the way.
''It's been a rough few months, not what we expected as a senior class,'' said center Elliott Bates, who has been with the Zips for five years. ''But I think we handled it really well.
''We really focused on guys giving it their all, week in and week out, no matter the outcome, not folding it up.''
J.D. Brookhart, who could be coaching his last game for the Zips today, has never wavered in his belief in the team, even as the losing continued.
''There has been a lot of distractions, a lot of adversity,'' Brookhart said. ''I have never questioned . . . their effort, their character and their chemistry.
''For so many reasons, people crumble facing adversity. These guys did not. They have been good on the practice field. Their efforts have been good in the game. The results have not been good by any means. That's been the tough part.''
However, there is evidence that another solid effort today will produce better results this time.
The Zips are heavy favorites over an Eastern Michigan team whose 11 losses have come by an average of 23.18 points. A loss would give new meaning to ''Black Friday'' for the entire UA community.
Statistically, the Eagles rank at or near the bottom in many major categories nationally and in the MAC.
The Eagles are 117th (out of 120) in the Football Bowl Subdivision and 13th (and last) in the MAC in total offense (274.55 yards per game). In addition, they are 108th in the nation and 13th in the MAC in total defense (437.55 yards).
Of particular relevance for the Zips is that EMU is last in the nation in rushing defense, allowing 284.45 yards per game.
The idea is to close the first season of InfoCision Stadium and the careers of the seniors the right way, while not forgetting about the future.
''It's always tough to have a season like this,'' sophomore cornerback Manley Waller said. ''But this last game is important. We want to fight hard for the seniors and we want to set the tone for next season. We will come out with a lot of emotion.''
Brookhart is in his sixth season and recruited all of the seniors. He knows what they have meant to the team and they put more into it than they got out of it, regarding wins and losses.
''It's always a bittersweet time,'' Brookhart said about Senior Day. ''There is so much that they invest in a program. It's a tough time. For the most part, it's the last time they will put on those pads. That is what their life has revolved around in so many ways.
''We have a good group of people, above and beyond the playing piece of it. It's a very good and a very bad day for us and the kids.''
Short takes
Tailback Alex Allen is one of the seniors being honored, but it might not be his last game with the Zips. UA officials are petitioning the NCAA to give him a sixth year of eligibility, based on him missing all of 2006 and most of 2008 with injuries . . . The Zips held a walk-through practice Thursday morning and then had noon-5 p.m. off to have Thanksgiving dinners at the homes of friends or family. . . . Freshman linebacker Brian Wagner of UA continues to be first in the MAC in total tackles with 11 per game. That ranks him eighth nationally. . . . The Zips lead the series against the Eagles 16-11.
Tom Gaffney can be reached at tgaffney@thebeaconjournal.com.
An agonizing and frustrating season of football reaches its merciful conclusion today for the University of Akron.
The final game is here in a forgettable 2009 that is destined to end with the team's worst record since 1997.
The Zips (2-9, 1-6) will meet Eastern Michigan (0-11, 0-7) this afternoon in a Mid-American Conference crossover game at InfoCision Stadium.
Player dismissals, key injuries and crucial mistakes have led to a string of losses in a season that began with such optimism.
It has been trying for so many, especially for the group of 19 seniors who will be honored today — and has never quit along the way.
''It's been a rough few months, not what we expected as a senior class,'' said center Elliott Bates, who has been with the Zips for five years. ''But I think we handled it really well.
''We really focused on guys giving it their all, week in and week out, no matter the outcome, not folding it up.''
J.D. Brookhart, who could be coaching his last game for the Zips today, has never wavered in his belief in the team, even as the losing continued.
''There has been a lot of distractions, a lot of adversity,'' Brookhart said. ''I have never questioned . . . their effort, their character and their chemistry.
''For so many reasons, people crumble facing adversity. These guys did not. They have been good on the practice field. Their efforts have been good in the game. The results have not been good by any means. That's been the tough part.''
However, there is evidence that another solid effort today will produce better results this time.
The Zips are heavy favorites over an Eastern Michigan team whose 11 losses have come by an average of 23.18 points. A loss would give new meaning to ''Black Friday'' for the entire UA community.
Statistically, the Eagles rank at or near the bottom in many major categories nationally and in the MAC.
The Eagles are 117th (out of 120) in the Football Bowl Subdivision and 13th (and last) in the MAC in total offense (274.55 yards per game). In addition, they are 108th in the nation and 13th in the MAC in total defense (437.55 yards).
Of particular relevance for the Zips is that EMU is last in the nation in rushing defense, allowing 284.45 yards per game.
The idea is to close the first season of InfoCision Stadium and the careers of the seniors the right way, while not forgetting about the future.
''It's always tough to have a season like this,'' sophomore cornerback Manley Waller said. ''But this last game is important. We want to fight hard for the seniors and we want to set the tone for next season. We will come out with a lot of emotion.''
Brookhart is in his sixth season and recruited all of the seniors. He knows what they have meant to the team and they put more into it than they got out of it, regarding wins and losses.
''It's always a bittersweet time,'' Brookhart said about Senior Day. ''There is so much that they invest in a program. It's a tough time. For the most part, it's the last time they will put on those pads. That is what their life has revolved around in so many ways.
''We have a good group of people, above and beyond the playing piece of it. It's a very good and a very bad day for us and the kids.''
Short takes
Tailback Alex Allen is one of the seniors being honored, but it might not be his last game with the Zips. UA officials are petitioning the NCAA to give him a sixth year of eligibility, based on him missing all of 2006 and most of 2008 with injuries . . . The Zips held a walk-through practice Thursday morning and then had noon-5 p.m. off to have Thanksgiving dinners at the homes of friends or family. . . . Freshman linebacker Brian Wagner of UA continues to be first in the MAC in total tackles with 11 per game. That ranks him eighth nationally. . . . The Zips lead the series against the Eagles 16-11.
Tom Gaffney can be reached at tgaffney@thebeaconjournal.com.
Comments
Click here to post your comments
Akron, OH
Posted 08:44 PM, 11/26/2009
Gaffney, your article is posted Nov 26, and you say that after today the season is over for the Zips.
The game against Eastern Michigan is TOMORROW FRIDAY
rmk/akron
Posted 08:54 PM, 11/26/2009
This guy can predict the future
Canton, OH
Posted 09:06 PM, 11/26/2009
We'll roll ' em up. . .
Posted 09:34 PM, 11/26/2009
People with any brains KNOW that this article is also written for the FRIDAY print edition. Those of us with on-line capability are able to read it ON-LINE before it is printed. It`s called common sense.
Cuyahoga Falls, OH
Posted 09:39 PM, 11/26/2009
As Gerald Ford once said, "the long national nightmare is over."
Kent, OH
Posted 09:44 PM, 11/26/2009
The error in the article isn't in the date, but where it says that JDB could be coaching his last game for the Zips. If the game against EMU is similar to any of the past couple of seasons, he will be doing very little if any coaching at all.
Macedonia, Oh
Posted 09:46 PM, 11/26/2009
Reality Check - LOL!
Akron, OH
Posted 12:44 AM, 11/27/2009
You got brains, Fred?
Posted 09:44 AM, 11/27/2009
Talk about brains. We came from Orlando this weekend and are going to the game.
Macedonia, Oh
Posted 10:27 AM, 11/27/2009
@Jack Hill - Get to campus early enough to enjoy some brews at "Pints". They've got some great beer! And, the Zipfest has some great food. Just bundle up a bit. You'll have a good time.
Go Zips!!
Posted 10:30 AM, 11/27/2009
lets go
finish up strong!
Canal Fulton, Oh
Posted 10:50 AM, 11/27/2009
@Andre,
Now that was funny!
The, US
Posted 11:01 AM, 11/27/2009
boy has the MAC stunk this year.
Highland Square, OH
Posted 02:59 PM, 11/27/2009
@ Flip the Bird
As opposed to last year? The MAC in general has stunk lately. I just wish Akron would get a coach who could take advantage of that.
Akron, OH
Posted 05:22 PM, 11/27/2009
When you stadium is built from scum at Infoprison, you know your destined for failure.
