The Sports Xchange
NCAAF Team Report – Akron – INSIDE SLANT
Akron took a different approach than last week’s contest against Bowling Green in Saturday’s conference game at Ohio. Instead of starting fast and fading in the second half, the Zips started slow and picked up steam in the second half.
But the end result was the same — another loss. The Zips fell into an early 20-0 hole in the second quarter, but stormed back before falling 34-28 at Ohio. Yet again, the Zips experienced an all-too-familiar situation following Saturday’s game in Athens — the dreaded moral victory. However, in the case of the Zips, the close loss was another step in the right process.
Akron coach Terry Bowden said the team must eliminate key mistakes that prove costly in close losses.
“I’m not going to make excuses. I don’t need to know you fight hard,” Bowden said. “I need to know when we’re going to stop making mistakes that keep us out of the game early. We are not doing the things championship teams do.”
The Akron offense turned in another memorable performance, but tailback Jawon Chisholm carried the bulk of the load. In a sign that could prove helpful in the future, Chisholm rushed for 177 yards for his three straight 100-yard rushing game.
Akron senior quarterback Dalton Williams nearly capped a stirring comeback victory by completing 32-of-53 passes for 298 yards and four touchdowns. Williams connected with wide receiver Jerrod Dillard twice for touchdowns in the final quarter. The Zips (1-6, 0-3 MAC East) couldn’t over two interceptions by Williams and a big rushing day by Ohio’s offense. The Bobcats ran for 252 yards and didn’t turn over the ball.
“He hit some big plays and missed some,” Bowden said of his quarterback. “They were making us (have) to make plays and we weren’t making them.”
The six-point loss might sting for the next few days, but the Zips fought back from a 20-0 deficit to make the undefeated Bobcats sweat out the final minutes. The Zips just didn’t have the depth and playmakers on defense to contain the Bobcats (7-0, 3-0) for four quarters. Akron finished with an impressive 456 yards of total offense compared to 441 for the Bobcats.
The Zips return home next week to face Northern Illinois. After playing the East-leading Bobcats, one of the few remaining undefeated teams in the country, the Zips get another test against the West-leading Huskies. Northern Illinois has won six straight games since losing to Iowa in its season opener. The Huskies, like the Bobcats, have one of the best quarterbacks in the conference in Jordan Lynch. The junior will test the injured Akron defense with his arm and legs.
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NCAAF Team Report – Akron – NOTES, QUOTES
WHAT’S AHEAD: The Zips come back to InfoCision Stadium for another tough game. After playing undefeated Ohio to the wire, the Zips host Northern Illinois. The Huskies became bowl-eligible with their sixth straight victory last week over Buffalo. The Huskies rack up points in bundles, relying on a high-octane offense led by quarterback Jordan Lynch. The junior represents a tough matchup for Akron’s defense. His running and passing has led to the Huskies dominating teams this year.
–DL Jamel Turner saw his first major action of the season in Saturday’s loss at Ohio. Turner had two and a half tackles for a loss totaling 27 yards.
–DE Albert Presley missed the Ohio game due to a fractured fibula.
–DT Nico Caponi did not play against Ohio after spraining his ankle last week.
–RB Jawon Chisholm passed the 100-yard mark for the third straight game, rushing for a season-high 177 yards.
KEEP AN EYE ON: Defensive lineman Jamel Turner made the most out of some extended playing time against Ohio due to injuries to Nico Caponi and Albert Presley. Turner, a seldom-used freshman reserve in the first five weeks, got plenty of snaps and finished with five tackles, including two and a half tackles for a loss and sack.
LOOKING GOOD: Sophomore tailback Jawon Chisholm is helping provide more balance to Akron’s spread offense. Chisholm rushed for a season-high 177 yards on 28 carries against the Bobcats. Chisholm has rushed for 100-plus yards in three straight games, helping deflect some attention off quarterback Dalton Williams.
STILL NEEDS WORK: The Zips can’t seem to put together a full four quarters worth of effort. But that’s expected of a program in rebuilding mode after consecutive 1-11 seasons. The Zips have played some really good football, mostly on the offensive side, in some stretches of games. But the roof eventually caves in on the Zips during one stretch that costs them a victory. That was the case at Ohio. One week after holding Bowling Green scoreless for the first half and then allowing 24 points after halftime, the Zips trailed 20-0 in the second quarter, but fought back to lose 34-28.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “He is just a relentless running back who will not be denied. I am so proud of him. He gives a superhuman effort every day in practice and our players look up to him.” — Akron coach Terry Bowden on Jawon Chisholm’s 177-yard rushing game.
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NCAAF Team Report – Akron – STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
PLAYER NOTES:
–QB Dalton Williams nearly engineered a stirring comeback win before falling short at Ohio. Williams just missed the 300-yard passing mark, finishing 32-of-53 for 298 yards with four touchdowns and two interceptions.
–RB Jawon Chisholm was a big-playmaker on Saturday. Chisholm rushed for a season-best 177 yards and caught five passes for 55 yards.
–WR Jerrod Dillard was a big surprise in the Ohio loss. Dillard had three receptions for 32 yards and caught a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns. He caught a six-yard touchdown pass and added a five-yarder late in the fourth.
ROSTER REPORT
–NT Nico Caponi sat out Saturday’s game with an injured left ankle.
–DE Albert Presley missed the first game of what should be an extended absence after he suffered a fractured fibula against Bowling Green.
–LB Kurt Mangum notched his third double-digit tackle game and second in a row with a career-best 16 tackles against Ohio.
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