I've watched a few of their games this year and they are very similar to EMU . Again like EMU, their record does not not indicate the type of team they are. They've played very inconsistent this year and have allot of weapons on offense, however they just have not played well together. I'm actually surprised they haven't played better with the talent they have. This one will not be easy. It's their last home game...they have nothing to lose and it is very possible for them to beat us.

Here is a REPORT:

Team Report: Inside Slant

For the first time since 1995, the Zips (4-7, 3-4) were shut out by Miami, and now they must accept a second consecutive losing season.

Akron closes its season at home Nov. 23 against Central Michigan. The RedHawks have clinched a berth in the MAC championship game.
The Akron offense, which one week earlier scored a season-high 48 points in a win over Ohio, turned the ball over three times and could muster only 216 yards in a 7-0 loss at Miami.

The game's lone score came in the fourth quarter when Miami's Craig Mester returned a Carlton Jackson fumble 7 yards for a touchdown.

"The team fought really hard," Akron coach J.D. Brookhart told the Akron Beacon Journal. "We just couldn't convert when we had our opportunities."

The Zips' game of musical chairs at quarterback continued. Early in the fourth quarter, starter Chris Jacquemain was replaced by Jackson.

"I thought we needed to change things up because we were not moving the ball," Brookhart said. "That ended up biting us."

Akron's defense forced four Miami turnovers, limited the home team to 320 yards of total offense, and kept the RedHawks from scoring.

Senior defensive captain John Mackey had two interceptions and Reggie Corner one for the Akron defense.

Team Report: Notes and Quotes

--The Zips are last again in the MAC in total offense (310.6 ypg). After moving past 300 yards per game, Akron dropped back after a 216-yard effort at Miami. The Zips, Temple, and Northern Illinois have generated just 22 offensive touchdowns this season (two per game), last in the conference.

--WR Jabari Arthur is a 6-foot-4, 225-pound NFL prospect. The Canadian caught six passes for 73 yards at Miami. He is tied for second in the MAC in receptions (7.09 per game) and ranks third in receiving yardage (96.4 ypg).
--DB Reggie Corner, a fifth-year senior, is tied for first in the MAC with six interceptions (career 14) and has 142 return yards. The Canton McKinley High product also is among MAC leaders with 14 passes defended (eight breakups and six INTs).

GAME BALL GOES TO: DB John Mackey -- The senior defensive captain was thought to be lost for the season when he tore his ACL on Sept. 22 in a home win over Kent State. Wearing a brace, Mackey saw limited action against Buffalo on Oct. 27 and has played effectively the last three games against Bowling Green, Ohio, and Miami. He had two picks and nine solo tackles against the RedHawks. The Akron Walsh Jesuit High product has inspired the team with his never-say-die approach.

KEEP AN EYE ON: DL Almondo Sewell -- The true freshman had five tackles and one TFL at Miami. He came to Akron from Hargrave Military and Trenton (N.J.) Central High.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "Despite it all, we still had our chances to the very end." -- Akron coach J.D. Brookhart.

Team Report: Strategy and Personnel

LOOKING GOOD: Akron's defense rallied with a superb effort at Miami and deserved a better fate. The secondary, led by senior captain John Mackey's inspirational return to the field, gave the offense four turnovers. Reggie Corner, Corner Davanzo Tate, and Andre Jones all contributed to turning Miami over. Mackey had two interceptions, and Corner one, his MAC-leading sixth of the season, and 14th of his career.

STILL NEEDS WORK: The Zips are a mess at quarterback. J.D. Brookhart keeps searching and may need to develop a third or fourth option for next season. Two sophomores have tried to fill the void left by Luke Getsy, but neither has been consistent enough to hold onto the job.
ROSTER REPORT: Junior DB Andre Jones was questionable for the Miami game, but he answered the bell with six tackles and a fumble recovery.

RB Bryan Williams, an Akron Buchtel High product, drew the attention of Miami and was limited to 23 yards rushing, minus-2 receiving, and 38 yards on two kickoff returns. His total of 59 all-purpose yards is a major indicator of the Zips' lack of productivity.

The following is a transcript of head coach J.D. Brookhart's discussion with the media from today's weekly press conference.

On the loss versus Miami (Ohio) last Wednesday...
“When you look back on the game, its crazy. The interception that Chris Jacquemain threw we were down at the 25, second and nine. If he just runs the ball we are third and four and who knows whether we get a first down or not. Worst case scenario would have been Igor Iveljic kicking and then we are probably up 3-0 and win 3-0. But we made a decision to make a change, tried to make something happen to get some points going. We didn’t protect overly well, the ball got loose. It was the only touchdown of the game. Never would I have imagined that low scoring of a game out of that contest.”

On senior wide receiver Jabari Arthur...
“He is really different than anyone else I have been able to coach. I think he has gotten so good, purely on a want to basis. He wants to be good at whatever he does. He has that personality and that attitude towards school. He isn’t the fastest; he doesn’t have the greatest flexibility and he is not a natural hands guy. All those things that you need to be great are not real god given for him as a receiver. I think it’s a real testament to the kind of guy he is. He has worked on his speed, he’s worked on his hands, he’s worked on his route running and he has become extremely effective at it. I think it’s the way he will be the rest of his life. What he chooses to be good at, he will be good at. He’s a smart kid, bright and vibrant. I don’t think I’ve had a bad moment with him. He takes full advantage of the student-athlete experience. He is looking for a good opportunity in the NFL but if it doesn’t work out, he is very well prepared.”

On the senior class...
“It is going to be sad to see some of these guys go. These guys were a big part of that first year when we tried to develop a mentality here. One of the first things we did was try to develop a defensive mentality that I think is showing up. We have made huge strides in that area. I think we got a toughness factor about the defense. These kids overcame a lot and they’ve been through a lot in changing a program. They will be able to look back and say that we were the guys that had to find a ride to practice in the beginning, had to bring our clothes to the P.E. locker room and now we are sitting here having been part of advancing this program to the indoor facility and after winning a championship getting offices approved and continuing to do well and have enough faith in the program to build a stadium. They have a lot to be proud of.”

On the 2007 season as a whole...
“We were very close this season to having a number of wins that we didn’t have. I believe we made some adjustments in the program that were necessary. We knew that there was some transition to this year and these were kids that have been enjoyable to coach. We haven’t had cancer on the team, our locker rooms been good, the attitude has been outstanding, I would coach these kids again. Are we missing some things? Yes, two NFL receivers who didn’t find it important to go to school. That obviously hurts. I made a decision to dismiss six others. They were talented kids and it hurt in depth. Was it the right thing to do? Yes, it was right for the future of the program. I talked with Mack Rhoades and we agreed upon it. Because of those things there were some limitations and we had some things to overcome. We were close to doing that in a number of games. The disappointing thing to me is that we suspended three players throughout the year and two of them were quarterbacks. That limits your chance for success. A different commitment level has to be there at that position. Do we have a bunch of good kids? Absolutely, I would coach them again and look forward to continuing to coach these guys.”

On facing Central Michigan on Friday...
“They are extremely talented. They are throwing up 44 points in a league game. I think it’s going to be a shootout and your going to have to score a lot of points to win. The quarterback (Dan LeFevour) is clearly the best in the league. He makes it happen, both running and throwing the ball. He has very good skills. There are two running backs and a number of receivers that can make some things happen. They will move the ball effectively.”

What, no respect for our defense?



:bean:

BarnardHall211 Wrote:What, no respect for our defense?



:bean:

Indeed it will be another offensive shootout. :noisycricket:

Our defense would make Rudy look like an all-american.

This game, like the last, could be decided by turnovers. (Hopefully not by personal fouls.)

How about @#$% that tool. Put the accelerator down and see where the dust settles. I think Akron's O is going to make our D look like the steel curtain. FIRE THE F(*& UP!