08-11-2004, 01:14 AM
Akron QB focus of MAC media attention
By Matt LaWell, The Post
August 5, 2004
(U-WIRE) DETROIT -- For one day, at least, Charlie Frye was the belle of the ball. That is, of course, if a 6-foot-4, 230-pound Heisman Trophy candidate quarterback can be the belle of any ball.
For most of the Mid-American Conference football Media Day on Tuesday, Frye, Akron's quarterback, was surrounded by reporters from the Akron Beacon-Journal, the Columbus Dispatch and even USA Today. For nearly four hours, he fielded the same dull questions in the manner of a seasoned professional.
"I should have my answers down pat by [the middle of the season]," he said. "Once you hear the same questions, you can only come up with something different for so long."
National publications have touted Frye as one of the nation's top signal-callers -- some as high as third -- and not without merit. In starting all but two games for the Zips since 2001, Frye has passed for 8,426 yards and 46 touchdowns. Last year, he threw for 22 scores against just nine interceptions in leading Akron to its first winning season since 2000.
Frye, however, seems to be beyond the hype, worried more about what happens on the field than in the press boxes.
"To tell you the truth, I probably think about it this much," he said, holding up thumb and pointer finger less than one inch apart. "The only time I think about it is when you guys bring it up. For me, it's just about going out and doing something I like to do --play football."
Frye's biggest challenge will come during Akron's first game, when the Zips travel to State College, Pa., to play Penn State. If he stumbles there, his Heisman hopes will likely be dashed, much like Miami's Ben Roethlisberger's were last year after the RedHawks' season-opening 21-3 loss at Iowa.
Akron kicks off against the Nittany Lions on Sept. 4.
MIAMI LOOKS TO DEFEND CROWN
The Miami of Ohio RedHawks, too, received ample media attention Tuesday following a 13-1 season that resulted in six players signing NFL contracts, including Roethlisberger with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Miami won its last 13 games -- currently the nation's longest winning streak -- including a 49-28 trouncing of Louisville at the 2003 GMAC Bowl. All of that, coupled with a 41-21 win at Colorado State, prompted the Rams to back out of a home-and-home that would have sent them to Yaeger Stadium this season. Instead, Miami was left to scramble for a final opponent, which wound up being I-AA Indiana State.
"With the success we've had and the success our league has had, teams don't want to come and play at our place," coach Terry Hoeppner said. "This is the first time in my 19 years that we've played a non-[Division] I-A opponent."
The RedHawks will play their second game on the road at Michigan, a nationally televised Saturday afternoon game that should only further build Miami's reputation as a top-profile program.
"Our football team has played well," Hoeppner said. "The challenge now is for our football program to reach the level that our football team is at. That means you have the national recognition, that you do the things some of the higher-profile teams do. It's a challenge.
"It gives you credibility; it gives your program credibility. We'll play anyone, anytime, if you put it on TV. We'll play Tuesday morning, 10 o'clock if that's when people are watching."
CHAMPIONSHIP SITE STILL DEBATED
Expected at Media Day was an announcement concerning the location of the 2004 MAC Championship game, which has traditionally been hosted at campus sites. Following a morning of closed-door discussions, the MAC athletics directors and council were unable to reach an agreement.
"The group did not take any action today," MAC Commissioner Rick Chryst said. "I think there is still some work that needs to be done, and I think everyone is hopeful that something will be reached before the season kicks off. You want to do the best you can to get it right. We want to go where MAC football can really grow and be showcased."
Suggested sites include Columbus Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio, Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati and Ford Field in Detroit. Early speculation points to Ford Field for its central location among MAC schools, if the game's situation changes.
NEWS AND NOTES FROM THE MAC
Of the MAC's 14 head coaches, five will enter their first season with their current school, including Central Florida's George O'Leary, formerly a coach at Georgia Tech and Notre Dame. Other new coaches are Akron's J.D. Brookhart, Central Michigan's Brian Kelly, Eastern Michigan's Jeff Genyk and Kent State's Doug Martin. 2004 marks the final season in the MAC for both Central Florida and Marshall, who will move to Conference USA. Though no longer a conference rival for 2005, rumors have already spread that Marshall and Ohio will continue to play on an annual basis.
OHIO TIES EVERYWHERE
After reaching national prominence, Northern Illinois Athletic Director Cary Groth left to fill that same position at Nevada, which opened after the Wolf Pack's Chris Ault left the office to return as the school's football coach. When Ault rejoined the football team, he changed almost his entire coaching staff, including new Ohio offensive coordinator Phil Earley.
THEY SAID IT
"I don't know why everyone is talking about our inexperience at quarterback. We have one guy who's great at charting plays. I mean, his handwriting is excellent. And our other guy has been great at holding the [headset] cord."
-- Brian Kelly, Central Michigan coach, on his team's lack of experience at quarterback.
<a href='http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/news?slug=uwire-akronqbfocusofmacmediaatte&prov=uwire&type=lgns' target='_blank'>http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/news?slug=uw...uwire&type=lgns</a>
By Matt LaWell, The Post
August 5, 2004
(U-WIRE) DETROIT -- For one day, at least, Charlie Frye was the belle of the ball. That is, of course, if a 6-foot-4, 230-pound Heisman Trophy candidate quarterback can be the belle of any ball.
For most of the Mid-American Conference football Media Day on Tuesday, Frye, Akron's quarterback, was surrounded by reporters from the Akron Beacon-Journal, the Columbus Dispatch and even USA Today. For nearly four hours, he fielded the same dull questions in the manner of a seasoned professional.
"I should have my answers down pat by [the middle of the season]," he said. "Once you hear the same questions, you can only come up with something different for so long."
National publications have touted Frye as one of the nation's top signal-callers -- some as high as third -- and not without merit. In starting all but two games for the Zips since 2001, Frye has passed for 8,426 yards and 46 touchdowns. Last year, he threw for 22 scores against just nine interceptions in leading Akron to its first winning season since 2000.
Frye, however, seems to be beyond the hype, worried more about what happens on the field than in the press boxes.
"To tell you the truth, I probably think about it this much," he said, holding up thumb and pointer finger less than one inch apart. "The only time I think about it is when you guys bring it up. For me, it's just about going out and doing something I like to do --play football."
Frye's biggest challenge will come during Akron's first game, when the Zips travel to State College, Pa., to play Penn State. If he stumbles there, his Heisman hopes will likely be dashed, much like Miami's Ben Roethlisberger's were last year after the RedHawks' season-opening 21-3 loss at Iowa.
Akron kicks off against the Nittany Lions on Sept. 4.
MIAMI LOOKS TO DEFEND CROWN
The Miami of Ohio RedHawks, too, received ample media attention Tuesday following a 13-1 season that resulted in six players signing NFL contracts, including Roethlisberger with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Miami won its last 13 games -- currently the nation's longest winning streak -- including a 49-28 trouncing of Louisville at the 2003 GMAC Bowl. All of that, coupled with a 41-21 win at Colorado State, prompted the Rams to back out of a home-and-home that would have sent them to Yaeger Stadium this season. Instead, Miami was left to scramble for a final opponent, which wound up being I-AA Indiana State.
"With the success we've had and the success our league has had, teams don't want to come and play at our place," coach Terry Hoeppner said. "This is the first time in my 19 years that we've played a non-[Division] I-A opponent."
The RedHawks will play their second game on the road at Michigan, a nationally televised Saturday afternoon game that should only further build Miami's reputation as a top-profile program.
"Our football team has played well," Hoeppner said. "The challenge now is for our football program to reach the level that our football team is at. That means you have the national recognition, that you do the things some of the higher-profile teams do. It's a challenge.
"It gives you credibility; it gives your program credibility. We'll play anyone, anytime, if you put it on TV. We'll play Tuesday morning, 10 o'clock if that's when people are watching."
CHAMPIONSHIP SITE STILL DEBATED
Expected at Media Day was an announcement concerning the location of the 2004 MAC Championship game, which has traditionally been hosted at campus sites. Following a morning of closed-door discussions, the MAC athletics directors and council were unable to reach an agreement.
"The group did not take any action today," MAC Commissioner Rick Chryst said. "I think there is still some work that needs to be done, and I think everyone is hopeful that something will be reached before the season kicks off. You want to do the best you can to get it right. We want to go where MAC football can really grow and be showcased."
Suggested sites include Columbus Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio, Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati and Ford Field in Detroit. Early speculation points to Ford Field for its central location among MAC schools, if the game's situation changes.
NEWS AND NOTES FROM THE MAC
Of the MAC's 14 head coaches, five will enter their first season with their current school, including Central Florida's George O'Leary, formerly a coach at Georgia Tech and Notre Dame. Other new coaches are Akron's J.D. Brookhart, Central Michigan's Brian Kelly, Eastern Michigan's Jeff Genyk and Kent State's Doug Martin. 2004 marks the final season in the MAC for both Central Florida and Marshall, who will move to Conference USA. Though no longer a conference rival for 2005, rumors have already spread that Marshall and Ohio will continue to play on an annual basis.
OHIO TIES EVERYWHERE
After reaching national prominence, Northern Illinois Athletic Director Cary Groth left to fill that same position at Nevada, which opened after the Wolf Pack's Chris Ault left the office to return as the school's football coach. When Ault rejoined the football team, he changed almost his entire coaching staff, including new Ohio offensive coordinator Phil Earley.
THEY SAID IT
"I don't know why everyone is talking about our inexperience at quarterback. We have one guy who's great at charting plays. I mean, his handwriting is excellent. And our other guy has been great at holding the [headset] cord."
-- Brian Kelly, Central Michigan coach, on his team's lack of experience at quarterback.
<a href='http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/news?slug=uwire-akronqbfocusofmacmediaatte&prov=uwire&type=lgns' target='_blank'>http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/news?slug=uw...uwire&type=lgns</a>