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By Tom Gaffney
Beacon Journal sports writer
POSTED: 12:04 p.m. EST, Nov 12, 2008
The Rubber Bowl has provided lasting memories for University of Akron football fans since 1940.
The Zips (5-4, 3-2) would like to provide one last memory Thursday night against the University at Buffalo (5-4, 3-2) in a Mid-American Conference showdown that will leave the winner in first place in the East Division.
''It [the stadium] means a lot to a lot of people for different reasons . . . their histories and traditions,'' UA coach J.D. Brookhart said. ''So you would like to send the bowl out the right way.''
The ''right way'' could only mean a victory in the program's Rubber Bowl finale that would give the Zips a one-game lead in the MAC East with two games remaining.
''There is a lot on the line,'' Brookhart said. ''The message is that it is a big opportunity to have one of those special moments.''
Nostalgia will be a byproduct of the game itself because it will end a 66-year association between the Zips and the stadium.
The Zips' first game at the Rubber Bowl was Oct. 4, 1940, a 6-0 loss to Western Reserve. The first UA victory there came Nov. 9, 1940, when the Zips downed Kent State 23-7.
In the 66 years (no teams were fielded in 1943-45 because of World War II), the Zips have an all-time record of 191-122-10 in the stadium.
''I have been playing at the Rubber Bowl since I was a freshman at Buchtel,'' said senior safety Bryan Williams. ''I know it will touch me. It's a huge game for the stadium and for the fans. And it's a huge game for us as a team. It should be a nice night.''
Naturally, the largest crowd of the season is being anticipated. Former players and coaches will be there, as well as rabid and casual fans.
Minds will be wandering at times to the past, but the players hope the action on the field will share their attention.
''We know it is going to be an exciting atmosphere and we want to close it with a bang,'' said senior tailback Dennis Kennedy, who has rushed for 612 yards in his past three games.
''It's the last game in the Rubber Bowl and my last home game. The large crowd will motivate us. We plan to feed off the crowd.''
Of course, the UB players and coach Turner Gill have their own plans for the Rubber Bowl finale. Gill, a former standout quarterback for Nebraska, watched his first Buffalo team lose to the Zips 31-16 in the stadium on Nov. 9, 2006.
Gill would rather the disappointment this time be reserved for the UA fans than his team.
''We have the opportunity to play in the last game there. It's an honor and a privilege for us,'' Gill said. ''I know a lot of historic things have happened there.
''Hopefully, we can have another historic way, but for Buffalo, not Akron.''
The hoopla surrounding the last Rubber Bowl game and the last home game for the seniors presents a chance for the players to become distracted from their primary objective.
So Brookhart said part of the coaching done since last week's 47-30 victory over Toledo has been to emphasize the importance of what happens between the white lines, not outside them.
''We are not part of the planning for this, the fireworks and everything that goes with it,'' Brookhart said. ''Our job is to go out and compete and try to win this football game. That's the way we are approaching this.''
The entertainment value of the game might be heightened because it probably will be a showcase for the offenses.
Points should be accumulated routinely because UA is fourth in the MAC in total offense (397.9 yards per game) and 12th in total defense (401.6). Meanwhile, UB is seventh in total offense (379.3) and 10th in total defense (391.8).
Both teams feature quality skill players, with UA being led by Kennedy, quarterback Chris Jacquemain and receivers Andre Jones and Deryn Bowser. UB counters with tailback James Starks, quarterback Drew Willy and receiver Naam Roosevelt.
''It's a big challenge for us and also a big opportunity for us,'' Brookhart said.
For fans looking ahead, the Zips' next home game is Sept. 19, 2009, against Indiana at InfoCision Stadium, the on-campus facility under construction.
Tom Gaffney can be reached at tgaffney@thebeaconjournal.com.
The Rubber Bowl has provided lasting memories for University of Akron football fans since 1940.
The Zips (5-4, 3-2) would like to provide one last memory Thursday night against the University at Buffalo (5-4, 3-2) in a Mid-American Conference showdown that will leave the winner in first place in the East Division.
''It [the stadium] means a lot to a lot of people for different reasons . . . their histories and traditions,'' UA coach J.D. Brookhart said. ''So you would like to send the bowl out the right way.''
The ''right way'' could only mean a victory in the program's Rubber Bowl finale that would give the Zips a one-game lead in the MAC East with two games remaining.
''There is a lot on the line,'' Brookhart said. ''The message is that it is a big opportunity to have one of those special moments.''
Nostalgia will be a byproduct of the game itself because it will end a 66-year association between the Zips and the stadium.
The Zips' first game at the Rubber Bowl was Oct. 4, 1940, a 6-0 loss to Western Reserve. The first UA victory there came Nov. 9, 1940, when the Zips downed Kent State 23-7.
In the 66 years (no teams were fielded in 1943-45 because of World War II), the Zips have an all-time record of 191-122-10 in the stadium.
''I have been playing at the Rubber Bowl since I was a freshman at Buchtel,'' said senior safety Bryan Williams. ''I know it will touch me. It's a huge game for the stadium and for the fans. And it's a huge game for us as a team. It should be a nice night.''
Naturally, the largest crowd of the season is being anticipated. Former players and coaches will be there, as well as rabid and casual fans.
Minds will be wandering at times to the past, but the players hope the action on the field will share their attention.
''We know it is going to be an exciting atmosphere and we want to close it with a bang,'' said senior tailback Dennis Kennedy, who has rushed for 612 yards in his past three games.
''It's the last game in the Rubber Bowl and my last home game. The large crowd will motivate us. We plan to feed off the crowd.''
Of course, the UB players and coach Turner Gill have their own plans for the Rubber Bowl finale. Gill, a former standout quarterback for Nebraska, watched his first Buffalo team lose to the Zips 31-16 in the stadium on Nov. 9, 2006.
Gill would rather the disappointment this time be reserved for the UA fans than his team.
''We have the opportunity to play in the last game there. It's an honor and a privilege for us,'' Gill said. ''I know a lot of historic things have happened there.
''Hopefully, we can have another historic way, but for Buffalo, not Akron.''
The hoopla surrounding the last Rubber Bowl game and the last home game for the seniors presents a chance for the players to become distracted from their primary objective.
So Brookhart said part of the coaching done since last week's 47-30 victory over Toledo has been to emphasize the importance of what happens between the white lines, not outside them.
''We are not part of the planning for this, the fireworks and everything that goes with it,'' Brookhart said. ''Our job is to go out and compete and try to win this football game. That's the way we are approaching this.''
The entertainment value of the game might be heightened because it probably will be a showcase for the offenses.
Points should be accumulated routinely because UA is fourth in the MAC in total offense (397.9 yards per game) and 12th in total defense (401.6). Meanwhile, UB is seventh in total offense (379.3) and 10th in total defense (391.8).
Both teams feature quality skill players, with UA being led by Kennedy, quarterback Chris Jacquemain and receivers Andre Jones and Deryn Bowser. UB counters with tailback James Starks, quarterback Drew Willy and receiver Naam Roosevelt.
''It's a big challenge for us and also a big opportunity for us,'' Brookhart said.
For fans looking ahead, the Zips' next home game is Sept. 19, 2009, against Indiana at InfoCision Stadium, the on-campus facility under construction.
Tom Gaffney can be reached at tgaffney@thebeaconjournal.com.
Comments
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Posted 12:50 PM, 11/12/2008
if you aren't at the rubber bowl tomorrow night for the game, you have no respect from me. Anything short of a sellout is a disappointment and this city is always disappointing. SEE YOU ALL THERE
GO ZIPS
Posted 01:08 PM, 11/12/2008
So,what are they going to do with the old stadium,tear it down?kp
Port Saint Lucie,Fl.
(Kenmore,KSU grad.)
Posted 01:09 PM, 11/12/2008
the last Rubber Bowl game isn't until TOMORROW night.