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Zips average 417.7 yards, but they face experienced Bearcats defense Saturday
By Tom Gaffney
Beacon Journal sports writer
Published on Friday, Sep 26, 2008
It has quietly and efficiently done its job as well as any single unit on the University of Akron football team.
Saturday, the performance of the offensive line will go a long way toward determining if the Zips (2-2) have a chance to upset the University of Cincinnati (2-1) at the Rubber Bowl.
The line of tackles Chris Kemme and Corey Woods, guards Zack Anderson and Mike Ward, center Elliott Bates and tight end Merce Poindexter has been instrumental in UA averaging 417.7 yards in its past three games.
''We have some guys who have played together and who have a number of starts. The experience makes a world of difference,'' UA coach J.D. Brookhart said about the line. ''They have been very solid for us. They have given us the chance to run the ball decent and have time to protect. I would consider them a little bit of a strength right now.''
Kemme, Woods, Anderson and Ward started together for 11 of the 12 UA games last season. Bates and Poindexter each had one start in 2007 but saw plenty of action as reserves.
Only Kemme, an NFL prospect, and Poindexter, the offensive captain, are seniors. Anderson and Bates are juniors. Ward and Woods are sophomores.
In 2008, they have been together from the start and helped the Zips produce 478 yards against Syracuse, 418 against Ball State and 357 against Army. In those games, the Zips have averaged 6.1 yards per offensive play.
''You see body-on-body. Whether it is a great push or not, you see things getting started. You are not busting on protections, where guys are coming scot-free,'' said Brookhart, who has a 24-28 record in four seasons with the Zips. ''It's been about as clean as I have seen it since I've been here, getting the right guys on the right guys.''
The offensive line will need to continue to play well, since the Bearcats' defense starts 11 seniors.
Its front seven, which includes Ravenna graduate Lamonte Nelms at end, especially has been solid. Cincinnati has allowed 103.7 yards per game rushing in wins over Eastern Kentucky (40-7 on Aug. 28) and Miami (45-20 Saturday) and a loss to Oklahoma (52-26 on Sept. 6), which ranks them 34th nationally.
Overall, the Bearcats' defense is 69th in the country, permitting 362.7 yards. That total is deceiving because second-ranked Oklahoma had 592 yards against it.
''They are a physical team. They fly and get to the ball. With 11 seniors, they will be in their gaps every time,'' Bates said. ''There won't be too many busted assignments.
''This week, it really is on the offensive line to come through and make sure we are on the top of our game because it will be a battle.''
The offensive line has thrived because of its experience, size (6-foot-4, 295-pound average) and strength. Camaraderie also has helped.
''We are best friends,'' Bates said. ''We usually hang out almost every night with each other. We have known each other for so long. We talk about football while we are not on the field.''
It is likely that the line must do its part to help the Zips score more than the 24 and 22 points produced the last two games.
Cincinnati, a member of the Big East Conference and 10-point favorites, have a spread, no-huddle offense that is averaging 425.3 yards (33rd nationally) and 37 points (21st).
''You are going to have to score some points to beat these guys, no question,'' Brookhart said. ''I look at their defense, that's a tall task. That's an extremely veteran, talented defense.''
All the more reason for the offensive line to continue to be one of UA's best single units.
Tom Gaffney can be reached at tgaffney@thebeaconjournal.com.
It has quietly and efficiently done its job as well as any single unit on the University of Akron football team.
Get the full article here.
Comments
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Posted 07:39 AM, 09/26/2008
Beating army & syracuse - what a feat of strength! The zippers have their 2 wins and that is a GREAT season, next year will tell the tale.
Canal Fulton, OH
Posted 09:55 AM, 09/26/2008
Let's let them play the games before drawing too many conclusions. If Oregon St. can beat USC at home, anything can happen at the Rubber Bowl! Go Zips!
