2008 Woodie Awards
Akron game proves dangerous
By: Brian Manzullo
Issue date: 11/19/07 Section: Sports
- Page 1 of 1
Some may believe the football team had its proverbial letdown in this past Friday's 48-45 loss to EMU.
But Friday's season finale at Akron could prove to be just as dangerous.
Like EMU, Akron plays CMU in its final game of the season, which sophomore quarterback Dan LeFevour said could motivate the Zips to play their best game of the year.
"It's going to be the exact same thing (as the last game), except it's on their turf, not ours," LeFevour said.
Akron (4-7 overall, 3-4 Mid-American Conference) is coming off a 7-0 loss to East Division champion Miami University.
The Zips rank last in the MAC in total offense with 310.6 yards per game and have lost four of their last five games.
Defensive tackle Steven Friend, however, said none of that matters after playing an Eastern team that ranked 11th in total offense.
"It'd be great for Akron to say, 'Hey, we beat the MAC Champions,'" Friend said. "They're going to play their best game just like any other team."
Akron's main weapon is receiver Jabari Arthur, who is third in the MAC with 1,091 yards and seven touchdowns on 78 catches. Freshman tailback Bryan Williams leads the team in rushing with 583 yards on 134 carries.
On defense, the Zips have two players who can disrupt the passing game.
Cornerback Reggie Corner is tied for first in the MAC with six interceptions, while Davanzo Tate leads the MAC with 16 breakups.
Deja vu
The Chippewas faced a similar letdown last season coming off their MAC West-clinching win against Western Michigan.
Garrett Wolfe rushed for 203 yards on 33 carries to lead Northern Illinois past CMU 31-10 in the 11th game of the season for both teams. Central responded by winning 55-28 at Buffalo the following week.
"I don't know if it's like deja vu all over again, getting a reality check before the offseason," Friend said. "Hopefully, that is what it is - to let everyone know that we're not invincible and that we have to come out hard every game."
Coach Butch Jones said despite the loss, the team still has a lot to play for.
"Everyone in that locker room is hurting," Jones said. "But we've got to let it go and we've got to move on. There's great things around the corner for us. We need to learn from our mistakes, move on and start preparing again."
bmanzullo@cm-life.com
But Friday's season finale at Akron could prove to be just as dangerous.
Like EMU, Akron plays CMU in its final game of the season, which sophomore quarterback Dan LeFevour said could motivate the Zips to play their best game of the year.
"It's going to be the exact same thing (as the last game), except it's on their turf, not ours," LeFevour said.
Akron (4-7 overall, 3-4 Mid-American Conference) is coming off a 7-0 loss to East Division champion Miami University.
The Zips rank last in the MAC in total offense with 310.6 yards per game and have lost four of their last five games.
Defensive tackle Steven Friend, however, said none of that matters after playing an Eastern team that ranked 11th in total offense.
"It'd be great for Akron to say, 'Hey, we beat the MAC Champions,'" Friend said. "They're going to play their best game just like any other team."
Akron's main weapon is receiver Jabari Arthur, who is third in the MAC with 1,091 yards and seven touchdowns on 78 catches. Freshman tailback Bryan Williams leads the team in rushing with 583 yards on 134 carries.
On defense, the Zips have two players who can disrupt the passing game.
Cornerback Reggie Corner is tied for first in the MAC with six interceptions, while Davanzo Tate leads the MAC with 16 breakups.
Deja vu
The Chippewas faced a similar letdown last season coming off their MAC West-clinching win against Western Michigan.
Garrett Wolfe rushed for 203 yards on 33 carries to lead Northern Illinois past CMU 31-10 in the 11th game of the season for both teams. Central responded by winning 55-28 at Buffalo the following week.
"I don't know if it's like deja vu all over again, getting a reality check before the offseason," Friend said. "Hopefully, that is what it is - to let everyone know that we're not invincible and that we have to come out hard every game."
Coach Butch Jones said despite the loss, the team still has a lot to play for.
"Everyone in that locker room is hurting," Jones said. "But we've got to let it go and we've got to move on. There's great things around the corner for us. We need to learn from our mistakes, move on and start preparing again."
bmanzullo@cm-life.com
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Stewart Sorenson
posted 11/19/07 @ 7:32 PM EST
Offensively the Chippewas seem like they can always move the ball and with Hoskins coming into his own as a running back they have one more weapon in their arsenal. (Continued…)
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