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By Tom Gaffney
Beacon Journal staff writer
POSTED: 10:10 p.m. EST, Nov 07, 2009
It did not necessarily salvage the season for the University of Akron football team, but it did temper the disappointment.
What's not to like when you retain the Wagon Wheel trophy and spoil the championship chances of your closest rival?
The Zips saw their six-game losing streak come to an abrupt end Saturday by beating Kent State 28-20 in a Mid-American Conference game before a crowd of 20,802 at InfoCision Stadium.
''I don't think I have ever been happier for a group of players . . . to get what they deserved,'' UA coach J.D. Brookhart said. ''They have gone through so much. To do what they are doing and the resilience they have shown. It's an emotional game. It means a lot to those kids and for this program. I am thrilled, absolutely thrilled for them.''
UA (2-7, 1-4) had lost seven consecutive MAC games over two seasons and was in last place in the MAC East.
But the Zips, behind the passing of freshman quarterback Patrick Nicely to receivers Jeremy LaFrance and Andre Jones, put the past behind them and won the Wagon Wheel game for the third consecutive year.
Meanwhile, the Golden Flashes (5-5, 4-2) entered with a three-game winning streak and were tied for second place in the MAC-East. With the defeat, KSU is third, 11/2 games behind leader Temple with two games left.
Afterward, the Zips took turns circling the field with the Wagon Wheel held as high as their heads.
''It feels so good, finally to get one. We worked so hard to get it,'' Jones said. ''Every win is good. Of course, it feels a little better because it's Kent State, knowing the situation they are in.''
KSU coach Doug Martin said the loss will not carry over to closing games against Temple and Buffalo.
''Everything is still in front of us. We can still be a 7-5 football team,'' Martin said. ''I know what's in their heart. They will be back.''
The Zips have had their share of fourth-quarter collapses in recent seasons, and KSU did its best to make it happen again.
UA led 28-13 with 12:05 remaining, but the Flashes drove 75 yards in nine plays to score on a six-yard pass from freshman quarterback Spencer Keith to Kendrick Pressley with 5:36 left.
Three minutes later, with the score 28-20, the Flashes drove from their 1 to the 49, only to see junior linebacker Mike Thomas clinch the victory with an interception at the UA 40 with 33 seconds left.
The battle of freshman quarterbacks Nicely (19-of-34 for 261 yards and two touchdowns) and Keith (30-of-59 for 377 yards and two touchdowns) did materialize.
But the game was decided up front, as related to the running games for both sides. UA rushed for 168 yards on 40 carries, an average of 4.2 yards per rush, and KSU could manage only 38 yards on 21 attempts, a 1.8 average.
''They beat us at the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball,'' Martin said.
In the first quarter, each team scored on its opening drive, with the Flashes getting a 37-yard field goal from Freddy Cortez to complete a 60-yard drive and the Zips getting a 1-yard run by Alex Allen to end a 45-yard march.
UA moved its lead to 14-3 at 14:37 of the second quarter when Nicely hit a quick slant to LaFrance, who found plenty of open space in the middle of the field and ran untouched for a 59-yard touchdown.
The Flashes then regained the momentum with drives of 72 yards and 74 yards to narrow the gap to 14-13 at the half. KSU scored on a touchdown pass from Keith to Dri Archer and a 19-yard field goal by Cortez.
That field goal came after the Zips had stopped KSU on five plays inside the 6-yard line.
The third quarter saw the Zips drive deep into KSU territory three times, but came up with just seven points to go ahead 21-13.
The first drive ended when a bad snap on a 27-yard field goal attempt did not give Branko Rogovic any chance to make it.
The second one — 11 plays for 73 yards — ended when Jones took a direct snap in the Wildcat formation and scored easily on an eight-yard run up the middle.
UA followed that with a drive to the KSU 32 that ended on downs — fortunately for the Zips. That's because Jeremy Bruce fumbled on fourth down, and it was recovered by KSU's Dan Hartman, who rumbled down the right sideline for an apparent 77-yard touchdown return.
But the replay official ruled that Bruce's elbow was down, and the touchdown was negated.
In the fourth quarter, the Zips rolled again, going 75 yards in nine plays to make it 28-13 with 12:05 left. The touchdown was a six-yard pass from Nicely to LaFrance, who finished with eight catches for 126 yards and the two touchdowns.
Tom Gaffney can be reached at tgaffney@thebeaconjournal.com.
It did not necessarily salvage the season for the University of Akron football team, but it did temper the disappointment.
What's not to like when you retain the Wagon Wheel trophy and spoil the championship chances of your closest rival?
The Zips saw their six-game losing streak come to an abrupt end Saturday by beating Kent State 28-20 in a Mid-American Conference game before a crowd of 20,802 at InfoCision Stadium.
''I don't think I have ever been happier for a group of players . . . to get what they deserved,'' UA coach J.D. Brookhart said. ''They have gone through so much. To do what they are doing and the resilience they have shown. It's an emotional game. It means a lot to those kids and for this program. I am thrilled, absolutely thrilled for them.''
UA (2-7, 1-4) had lost seven consecutive MAC games over two seasons and was in last place in the MAC East.
But the Zips, behind the passing of freshman quarterback Patrick Nicely to receivers Jeremy LaFrance and Andre Jones, put the past behind them and won the Wagon Wheel game for the third consecutive year.
Meanwhile, the Golden Flashes (5-5, 4-2) entered with a three-game winning streak and were tied for second place in the MAC-East. With the defeat, KSU is third, 11/2 games behind leader Temple with two games left.
Afterward, the Zips took turns circling the field with the Wagon Wheel held as high as their heads.
''It feels so good, finally to get one. We worked so hard to get it,'' Jones said. ''Every win is good. Of course, it feels a little better because it's Kent State, knowing the situation they are in.''
KSU coach Doug Martin said the loss will not carry over to closing games against Temple and Buffalo.
''Everything is still in front of us. We can still be a 7-5 football team,'' Martin said. ''I know what's in their heart. They will be back.''
The Zips have had their share of fourth-quarter collapses in recent seasons, and KSU did its best to make it happen again.
UA led 28-13 with 12:05 remaining, but the Flashes drove 75 yards in nine plays to score on a six-yard pass from freshman quarterback Spencer Keith to Kendrick Pressley with 5:36 left.
Three minutes later, with the score 28-20, the Flashes drove from their 1 to the 49, only to see junior linebacker Mike Thomas clinch the victory with an interception at the UA 40 with 33 seconds left.
The battle of freshman quarterbacks Nicely (19-of-34 for 261 yards and two touchdowns) and Keith (30-of-59 for 377 yards and two touchdowns) did materialize.
But the game was decided up front, as related to the running games for both sides. UA rushed for 168 yards on 40 carries, an average of 4.2 yards per rush, and KSU could manage only 38 yards on 21 attempts, a 1.8 average.
''They beat us at the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball,'' Martin said.
In the first quarter, each team scored on its opening drive, with the Flashes getting a 37-yard field goal from Freddy Cortez to complete a 60-yard drive and the Zips getting a 1-yard run by Alex Allen to end a 45-yard march.
UA moved its lead to 14-3 at 14:37 of the second quarter when Nicely hit a quick slant to LaFrance, who found plenty of open space in the middle of the field and ran untouched for a 59-yard touchdown.
The Flashes then regained the momentum with drives of 72 yards and 74 yards to narrow the gap to 14-13 at the half. KSU scored on a touchdown pass from Keith to Dri Archer and a 19-yard field goal by Cortez.
That field goal came after the Zips had stopped KSU on five plays inside the 6-yard line.
The third quarter saw the Zips drive deep into KSU territory three times, but came up with just seven points to go ahead 21-13.
The first drive ended when a bad snap on a 27-yard field goal attempt did not give Branko Rogovic any chance to make it.
The second one — 11 plays for 73 yards — ended when Jones took a direct snap in the Wildcat formation and scored easily on an eight-yard run up the middle.
UA followed that with a drive to the KSU 32 that ended on downs — fortunately for the Zips. That's because Jeremy Bruce fumbled on fourth down, and it was recovered by KSU's Dan Hartman, who rumbled down the right sideline for an apparent 77-yard touchdown return.
But the replay official ruled that Bruce's elbow was down, and the touchdown was negated.
In the fourth quarter, the Zips rolled again, going 75 yards in nine plays to make it 28-13 with 12:05 left. The touchdown was a six-yard pass from Nicely to LaFrance, who finished with eight catches for 126 yards and the two touchdowns.
Tom Gaffney can be reached at tgaffney@thebeaconjournal.com.
Comments
Click here to post your comments
Canton, OH
Posted 10:21 PM, 11/07/2009
Nicely done. . . .
The Wagon Wheel stays in its rightful place. .
The black squirrel flashes getta little old dose of humility. . .
I can't wait til we sweep 'em in Hoop. . .
Any takes, Fred(erDICK) ??????????
LOL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
FEAR THE ' ROO. . . . .
Beerville, oh
Posted 10:30 PM, 11/07/2009
Go Zips!! A Win! Sorry Kent fans. Got beat by a really bad team in collage football!!
Posted 10:31 PM, 11/07/2009
KENT STATE STILL SUCKS!
Highland Square, OH
Posted 10:54 PM, 11/07/2009
Ohhh Freddie boy...
North Canton, OH
Posted 11:19 PM, 11/07/2009
And the icing on the cake...Akron's men's soccer team defeats Hartwick this evening to end the regular season at 18-0-0 overall and 6-0-0 in the MAC. MAC tourney starts on Nov 13 at Lee Jackson Field.
Akron, Oh
Posted 12:06 AM, 11/08/2009
The game was played well by both sides which makes a more worthwhile fan experience. We had a great time in the club seats (a great position for viewing football at Info) with as many KSU fans there as there were UA fans. Our rivalry with one another was everpresent as well as out mutual respect and willingness to not take ourselves too seriously. And best of all, we won!
Go Zips football and soccer!
tallmadge, OH
Posted 01:43 AM, 11/08/2009
Both schools couldn't fill the new stadium. Guess the Rubber Bowl wasn't the problem.
Posted 07:59 AM, 11/08/2009
Wonder if Konz still has a "fire in his chest".
Akron, Oh
Posted 11:38 AM, 11/08/2009
Socialist in Charge (aka: wanabe)
The Rubber Bowl was a problem due to costs related to upkeep and the fact that it rarely came close to the type of attendance the on-campus stadium has been having. I think it is dishonest to claim that anyone expected the new stadium to fill to capacity at every game. The lack of a winning team is always a factor.
Something tells me that you would play the "I told you so game" if the stadium drew 29,999 fans at a game.
I predict that as each season comes and goes we will see a gradual overall increase in attendance at the new UA stadium especially as the number of campus and adjacent campus student housing increases.
Posted 05:39 PM, 11/08/2009
You will, of course, also see an increase in attendance if/when the Zips start winning. The only folks representing for Akron last night were true diehards. The Zips are currently one of the worst teams in all of D-1 college football, and we've still been drawing nice crowds! Could you imagine what the crowds would be if the Zips were presently in contention for a MAC East title?! The future is incredibly bright for Akron football, as the Info is going to help tremendously with recruiting (yes, probably not this season as we suffer through a coaching change).
Posted 05:48 PM, 11/08/2009
Hello Zippies, Congratulations on your fine victory over the University of Kent, well done! To the master bard, I`m glad you didn`t have to kill yourself, I would even miss your lack of mastery of the English language. To UAE, I`m sorry you didn`t get accepted to KSU or OU. The anger you hold inside of you is palpable. You can`t help it if Kent and OU are a tier 3 schools and Akron is 4. When Kent wrestles your wrestling team this winter we`ll see who has the real mans sport. Ooops, I forgot......Akron doesn`t have a real mans sport.
North Hill, OH
Posted 06:11 PM, 11/08/2009
Fred: Yep, and your team lost.
Toledo, OH
Posted 06:20 PM, 11/08/2009
Fred, thanks for the congratulations. Regarding wrestling, when I was in high school I thought about trying out for the team. I changed my mind when the coach told us that to succeed in wrestling you needed to love the aroma of the human body. Good luck with that.
Also, when the KSU wrestling team is the unanimous number one team in the country in all national polls for virtually the entire season, be sure and let us know.
