Akron
I like this one better than EMU. Akron has some positive things to point to on O, D, are at home and taking on an Ohio team that has appeared beatable.
Last 3 games
Akron's offense has come alive once again. The offense came out of dormancy in year 1 under Bowden, but lost a 3400y QB and took some time to get things going this year. Soph Kyle Pohl has a firm grasp of that spot now.
Over the last 3 games vs Mich, ULL and BGSU (all of whom were in bowls '12) Akron has posted 418, 455, and 296 TY with Pohl in that span passing for 277 ypg, 58% (51% vs Mich) and 6-4 ratio (2-2 vs Mich) and also rushing for 43y (8.6) vs ULL and 26 (4.3) with a TD vs BG.
Here is Phil Steele's recap of the Akron - BG game:
Bowling Green struggled at times vs
Akron. The Zips opened with 67/3pl and 72/12pl td drives and led 14-3. The two teams combined for 5 punts on the next 5 possessions. BG blocked a punt with 4:53 left in the half and got a 22 yard td pass with 1:41 left to gain momentum. They only trailed 14-10 with Akron having a 204-159 yard edge. BG went 69/11pl, and 60/6pl for td’s to lead 24-14. The key play happened when Akron went 74/11pl. On 4&gl at the 1 they settled for a 19 yard FG, much like last week when they missed FG’s in the final minutes of the game. They missed the 19 yard FG and BG went 80/13pl getting an 11 yard td run with 4:49 left to have their biggest lead of the game, 31-14 and Akron’s final drive was SOD at its own 31. BG had a 396-296 yard edge.
BG owned the 2nd half with Akron having just 112 2nd half yards (222 1st half). Much BG they did a few weeks ago vs Kent (252 1st half yards - 65 2nd half yards). Vs teams their own size, BG D is top 3 MAC in all major yard and point categories.
While Zips did not cover, they were just inches away from coveing. Their 17y FG hit the upright after a 74y drive, which if good would have made the game just 24-17 early 4th qrt and BG would go on to front door and win by 17 laying 15/16.
Post game Dave Clawson had this to say:
“Going into the week I really thought Akron was much more physical on both sides of the line than a year ago, and all that proved to be true,” Clawson said in Monday’s MAC coaches teleconference. “They really got after us in the first half.”
2 weeks ago vs ULL, the Zips had just the opposite occurred. Akron started slow, but finished strong. Akron did have to backdoor ULL for the cover, but Zips did have the lead twice in the 2nd half and yards were even, ULL only had 4 more FDs.
Phil's recap of the ULL game:
Akron was off its big game vs Michigan and a couple of times
Louisiana appeared on its way to a rout. UL got a td with 9:51 left in the 2Q to lead 14-0 but UA got a 77 yard td pass and drove 69/6pl for a td to tie 14-14. With :36 left to go in the half, UL was at the UA15 yard line when they opted to go for it on 4th down, passing up the FG and they came up short getting no points out of the drive. UL had a 223-189 yard edge at the half. The lead changed hands four times in the 2H but UL took the lead 28-24 with 8:07 left then surprised UA with an onside kick and recovered. They went 54/5pl for a td with 6:19 left for an 11 point lead. UA missed a 46 yard FG on 4th & 9 with 3:49 left but UL threw an interception. UA was at the UL32, but missed a 48 yard FG on 4th & 5 with 2:33 left. UL punted with just 1:32 left and UA25 went 75/7pl and got a 28 yard td pass with :29 left saw them only lose by 5 (2ptng). UL recovered the onside kick. Terrance Broadway hit 25-37-305 and rushed for 68 while Kyle Pohl hit 27-43-321.
We all know how the Michigan game played out.
I'm still amazed that Akron had more FDs and only 7 less total yards and actually led Michigan late and had a couple chances to win at the end. The ND hangover was surely a factor and Michigan did have 4 TOs, but Akron had 2 themselves in that game and Zips also missed 2 FGs.
That makes 4 straight games (including James Madison which they won) that they have had the lead in the 2nd half. And their margin of loss is 8.6 pts the last 3.
Offense
Zips have only allowed 4 sacks in 5 games which is 2.1% per attempt, this is an improvement over last year's 4.1%.
Their passing offense ranks 3rd MAC (5th eff) and converting 47% 3rd down.
Pohl's numbers are above.
They don't run it nearly enough for the quality of RB they have. Jawon Chisholm was just 47y shy of 1000 last year and he is capable of being one of the MAC's best, but zone blocking isn't his strength and the OL isn't strong run blockers. Chisholm only 35 attempts L3g, 130 (3.7). Bowden says he wants to run it, but Akron is just simply better at throwing it around. 5 players have DD catches, including Chisholm. Zach D'Orazio is the key and LT Smith is a big play type.
Defense
Akron still gives up bunches of yards especially rushing. 451 total ypg. However, there are some positives burried within. Akron has 14 sacks this year just 2 shy of their '12 season total. They can get after the QB, sacked BG 6x in the 1st half last week. Also sacked UCF 4x. Akron seems so committed to getting to the QB sometimes and do not put as much emphasis on their run D. Still, there are some All Conf potential players (James, Caponi) in this front 7 which is a rarity for Akron and LB March is playing well.
They also rank 3rd nationally with 38 tkl for loss. USC is #1 with 44 for comparison. 7.6 pg, last year was 5.92 per game.
Ohio
The biggest problem for Bobcats and their offense is the OL is hurting. 3 5th yr seniors are out with injuries (McGrath, Lechner, Johnson as is Jr Mark Smith). There have been 4 different starting lineup combos in 4 games. As of 9/28 there were only 7 players in rotation, 3 of which are Sophs, 2 rFr, 1 tFr - only one of the preseason projected starting lineup (Prior) is currently starting. This is on top of losing 2 All Conf OL and some top reserves from last season.
Solich wants to run the ball, but the OL has not allowed them much success there. They were able to run for 251 on Austin Peay and 203 on N Texas, but just 60 (1.67) vs Marshall (top 2 RBs combined for just 1.7 ypc on 27 att). Tettleton ran for 240 LY, but has -5 net this year. Instead they bring in Vick at QB for runs, he has 52y. Ohio will want to run it vs Akron and the stats say they should be able to, but how will their OL matchup?
I've thought that something has seemed off with Ohio this season. You can really only judge them by the N Tex and Marshall wins. They did beat NTex by 6 at home (had 42y INT ret TD) and had a misleading final win vs Marshall, Herd outgained them by 150y, but lost 4 TOs in 3 pt Bobcat win.
The defense hasn't seemed especially good either. Even vs Austin Peay who gained 298y, their best output of the season. Previously Austin Peay only gained 210y on Chattanooga.
I guess they haven't played as good as I might have thought they could, without factoring Louisville game.
2012 Akron at Ohio 34-28 (+20')
Zips moved the ball early gaining 112y on their first 3 drives, but were SOD and INT'd inside Ohio 30; while Bobcats got out to a 20-0 lead. Akron started finishing drives in the 2nd half and had 456-441 TY edge, but was -2 TOs.
Akron on the cusp of a win vs IA team?
It has been 0-25 vs IA teams dating back to 2010 finale, Akron's last win vs an FBS team. They would appear to be getting closer.
Zips couldn't seize the opportunity vs Michigan. They started slow vs ULL, but finished strong. They started fast vs BG, but faded. Is this the week Akron puts together a complete game?
Marsski, Ohio is your team. Upset?
