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Confident Jacquemain, teammates improve knowing he's starting
By Michael Beaven
Special to the Beacon Journal
Published on Tuesday, Sep 09, 2008
The improved play of University of Akron quarterback Chris Jacquemain can be attributed mainly to one thing.
''It's all about confidence,'' said Jacquemain, a 6-foot-2, 215-pound junior from Mentor who will lead UA against Ball State at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Rubber Bowl.
Jacquemain's higher level of assurance helped the Zips (1-1) win 42-28 Saturday at Syracuse in the Carrier Dome. The Mid-American Conference on Monday rewarded him with its Offensive Player of the Week Award in the East Division.
''It's the total opposite, with me personally, this year compared to last year,'' Jacquemain said Monday at the Zips' weekly news conference. ''The biggest thing for me is confidence. I have the confidence and respect of my teammates offensively and defensively. When I am out there, I am seeing the defense and making the correct reads.''
Jacquemain shared the quarterback duties last season with Carlton Jackson, a combination that wasn't effective. Jackson transferred to Morgan State University to play, which left Jacquemain in the driver's seat to start. He beat out redshirt freshman Matt Rodgers for the job and has delighted UA coach J.D. Brookhart.
''Chris is much improved,'' Brookhart said Monday. ''I think he is playing very smart, calculated football. He is making great decisions. I think he made four little miscues in the Wisconsin game and two in the Syracuse game. If he can continue to eliminate those things, it is pretty exciting to see what he can do.''
Jacquemain led a balanced offensive attack against Syracuse by throwing three touchdown passes and completing 20-of-26 attempts for 260 yards and one interception.
''He has been extremely accurate with people in his face, executing and operating like a very good quarterback does,'' Brookhart said. ''You can tell the commitment at that position has changed over the last eight months.''
Brookhart said the absence of Jackson has helped Jacquemain emerge as a leader.
''I think that is a big piece of it,'' Brookhart said. ''Neither of those kids committed to the position to have success [last season]. Chris has been No. 1 on the charts since the spring and he has earned it. Matt Rodgers played pretty well in camp, but Chris has taken it to the level you would hope a third-year guy would be at.''
In addition to Jacquemain, the Zips had several players succeed at Syracuse. Senior receiver Andre Jones had seven receptions for 98 yards and two touchdowns. Junior Alex Allen (21 carries, 103 yards, two touchdowns) and senior Dennis Kennedy (11 carries, 89 yards, touchdown) were effective behind an offensive line led by senior left tackle Chris Kemme.
''It was a obviously a good victory, a BCS and Big East victory,'' Brookhart said. ''I watched the tape, and offensively we played a very good football game. We were consistent and operated very well. I thought we played physically defensively. We made some improvements, but we still have a ways to go.''
The improved play of University of Akron quarterback Chris Jacquemain can be attributed mainly to one thing.
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