Events Calendar
In This Section
Most Read Stories
Suitcase causes bomb scare at Akron bus terminal
Akron City Council OKs higher speed on I-77
Chapel Hill isn't rolling right along
Motorcyclist killed, wife injured in Stark County crash
New eateries expand menu of options
Man says he was punched, robbed by 3 people in parking lot
Patrick McManamon: Here's what the Browns should try the rest of the season
Louisville athlete commits to play for Boston College
Family found dead in Ohio home
Blogs:
Pets:
It Takes All Kinds
The Heldenfiles:
Tuesday Notebook
Patrick McManamon:
An interesting thought from a reader
Akron Zips:
Akron vs. Mount Union — Liveblog
Tribe Matters:
Indians announce spring dates
Cleveland Browns:
Mangini doesn't name a quarterback
Kent State Sports:
Flashes interested in another Cincinnati player
Cleveland Cavaliers:
Shaq: It’s All About Winning Championships
Buckeye Blogging:
Buckeyes Roll 100-60 / Season Outlook
Varsity Letters:
Report: Walsh baseball player commits
All Da King's Men:
More On The Fort Hood Jihadist
Blog of Mass Destruction:
Simply Incapable of Telling The Truth
Akron Law Café:
Health Care Financing Reform: (63) Commonwealth Fund Report on Primary Care
See Jane Style:
Muffle Your Muffler
Car Chase:
Clock Tender- Extending the Life of Collector Car Clocks
Let's Talk Real Estate:
Rumors: Akron Starbucks Closing
Ohio Travels with Betty:
Jack is looking for a trip to Southern Ohio the week of November 16.
Sound Check:
Aeromsith looking for new singer as Steven Tyler contemplates solo career
HRLite House:
Personal Rant – Why People Do Not Live in Northeast Ohio
Akron Gamer:
Video: 'Modern Warfare 2' hits the streets
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.
Get the full article here.
