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Loss of MAC title bid no surprise, but loss to Ohio U takes emotional toll
By Tom Gaffney
Beacon Journal sports writer
Published on Tuesday, Nov 25, 2008
Call it the Weekend That Wasn't for the University of Akron football team.
On Friday night, the Zips lost any chance to appear in the Mid-American Conference championship game when the University at Buffalo defeated Bowling Green in double overtime to win the East Division.
Then, on Saturday afternoon, UA lost a chance to get to six wins and become bowl-eligible by losing to lowly Ohio University 49-42,
Zips coach J.D. Brookhart said the loss to the Bobcats had a far worse effect on his players than the Buffalo victory.
''Buffalo-Bowling Green didn't have much to do with it,'' Brookhart said, referring to his team's emotional state. ''The chance to get bowl-eligible and the fact we fought back (against Ohio) and lost . . . it was very disappointing. Guys were pretty crushed, without question.''
The Zips didn't take the Friday outcome hard because the MAC title game was a long shot anyway. But the loss against 2-8 Ohio probably ended their bowl hopes.
Bowl eligibility comes with six wins in an 11- or 12-game season. A triumph against Ohio and then another on Friday against Temple would have given the Zips a chance. But the Ohio loss deprived them of a 7-5 record that would have moved them ahead of all 6-6 teams, regardless of conference affiliation.
There are 34 bowls in 2008, meaning 68 teams will play. As of Saturday, 63 teams were bowl-eligible and another 16 teams, including the Zips, have five wins.
So even with a victory at Temple, it would appear the Zips' season will end Friday.
''Every year, bowl eligibility is something you are shooting for, at least that,'' Brookhart said. ''Opportunities come there, not as often at 6-6; it's more secure at 7-5.''
Against Ohio, the Zips rallied from a late 42-28 deficit to tie the score, but they lost on a touchdown pass with 32 seconds left. The defense did have trouble stopping Bobcats' quarterback Boo Jackson (20-of-28 for 222 yards and a school-record five touchdowns), but the real culprit was special teams.
UA (5-6, 3-4) allowed touchdowns on a 66-yard punt return and a 97-yard kickoff return. It also allowed, just before halftime, a 62-yard kickoff return that set up an Ohio touchdown that made it 28-21 at the break.
''That's not how we have done it. We have prided ourselves on our special teams,'' Brookhart said. ''When it comes down to it, that's on me. I am coaching those units, and it wasn't good enough. That changed the game.''
Senior tailback Dennis Kennedy was the offensive standout for the Zips against Ohio. Kennedy ran 34 times for 123 yards and scored four rushing touchdowns. It was his second consecutive four-touchdown game, following his performance Nov. 13 in a 43-40 loss to Buffalo.
He has rushed for 17 touchdowns and caught a pass for another to give him 18 touchdowns. He also has a 2-point conversion run, giving him 110 points. The rushing touchdowns, total touchdowns and points all are school single-season records.
The 18 touchdowns place him third in the nation behind Javon Ringer of Michigan State (21) and Jarett Dillard of Rice (19).
''Dennis is playing how we knew he was always capable of playing,'' Brookhart said. ''It's pretty impressive to see what he has done and to see the improvement in the offense. Dennis is a big part of that improvement.''
On Friday, the Zips will meet a Temple team that defeated Eastern Michigan 55-52 Saturday. Senior quarterback Adam DiMichele, who missed three games with a shoulder injury before returning Oct. 21, threw a school-record six touchdown passes in the victory.
Tom Gaffney can be reached at tgaffney@thebeaconjournal.com.
Call it the Weekend That Wasn't for the University of Akron football team.
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