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With 18 days since last game, UA to face Toledo
By Tom Gaffney
Beacon Journal sports writer
Published on Wednesday, Nov 05, 2008
I-f y-o-u t-h-i-n-k t-h-i-sp-a-r-a-g-r-a-p-h i-s t-a-k-i-n-gl-o-n-g t-o r-e-a-d, t-h-e-ny-o-u k-n-o-w h-o-w t-h-eU-n-i-v-e-r-s-i-t-y o-f A-k-r-o-nf-o-o-t-b-a-l-l t-e-a-m f-e-e-l-s.
Time has passed just as slowly for the Zips, who have gone 18 days since playing an actual game against an actual opponent on an actual field.
Finally, the wait will end tonight, when UA (4-4, 2-2) meets the University of Toledo (2-6, 1-3) in a Mid-American Conference crossover game at the Rubber Bowl.
The outcome ultimately will determine if the break helped or hurt the Zips.
''I am hoping we gained from this time off,'' coach J.D. Brookhart said. ''The proof is in the pudding on Wednesday night.''
Tonight begins a stretch of four closing games Brookhart has called his team's ''second season.'' The November run will determine whether the Zips will be champions or also-rans in the close and wacky MAC East, which probably will not be decided until the final whistle on the final weekend.
''It's anybody's race. We
have nothing to control but our own team,'' Brookhart said. ''That's all we are focusing on in this game. We are all so close right now. Everybody is within a game for the most part.
''The only thing we can do is start this second season 1-0. That has been our focus.''
The Rockets have been a model of inconsistency this season. They beat Michigan (13-10), routed Eastern Michigan (41-17) and took then-No. 25 Fresno State (55-54) to double overtime before losing, but also lost to Arizona (41-16), Florida International (35-16), Ball State (31-0) and Northern Illinois (38-7).
The ups and downs of the season continued Monday, when coach Tom Amstutz said he will step down at the end of the season.
Conversely, the Zips will be well rested, are a legitimate contender in the division and will be highly motivated to win their first home game of the season.
''This game will be a challenge for our players and coaches,'' Amstutz told reporters Monday in Toledo. ''They will need to focus on preparing for Akron and block out the distractions the best they can.
''Akron is a well-coached team with good athletes. They are a team with a lot to play for right now, so this will be a challenging game for us.''
The Zips have had to put all the momentum they gained from a harrowing and dramatic 42-35 victory Oct. 18 at Eastern Michigan on hold.
Senior tailback Dennis Kennedy ran for a career-high 277 yards against the Eagles to move into fifth place in MAC rushing. The 42 points and 547 yards of total offense in that game moved UA to fourth (28.1) and fifth (390.4), respectively, in those categories in the MAC.
Junior quarterback Chris Jacquemain, who is fifth in the MAC in passing, believes the offense is ready to pick up where it left off.
''The 18 days are up. We got rested and used our time off wisely,'' Jacquemain said. ''We have proved we have weapons on offense and can expose defenses with our schemes. We are fresh and are ready for the stretch run.''
Toledo is 12th in the MAC in points allowed (31.4) and sixth in total defense (367.9). It also is 10th in scoring (21.2) and 11th in total offense (321.1).
On offense, the Rockets don't rank high overall, but they do have one of the top rushers in DaJuane Collins (sixth with 557 yards) and two of the top receivers in Stephen Williams (fourth in catches with 51) and Nick Moore (fifth with 49).
In addition, quarterback Aaron Opelt is eighth in passing and Canton McKinley graduate Morgan Williams is second on the team in rushing with 408 yards.
''They are pretty scary with the two running backs and the wide receiving corps they have,'' Brookhart said. ''It's a scary group that can make a lot of things happen.''
Zips shorts
UT has won six consecutive games in the series and holds an 8-7 edge. The teams have met only once since 1998; Toledo won 35-20 in 2006. . . . The Zips have recovered 14 fumbles, which has them in a tie for first in the nation. . . . UT is 0-4 at home and 2-2 on the road. UA is 0-3 at home and 4-1 on the road.
Tom Gaffney can be reached at tgaffney@thebeaconjournal.com.
I-f y-o-u t-h-i-n-k t-h-i-sp-a-r-a-g-r-a-p-h i-s t-a-k-i-n-gl-o-n-g t-o r-e-a-d, t-h-e-ny-o-u k-n-o-w h-o-w t-h-eU-n-i-v-e-r-s-i-t-y o-f A-k-r-o-nf-o-o-t-b-a-l-l t-e-a-m f-e-e-l-s.
Get the full article here.
Comments
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Canal Fulton, OH
Posted 01:51 PM, 11/05/2008
It's time to put it all together UA. Go Zips!!!
