Akron Scouting Report

LongJim · September 19, 2006

From Penn State rivals board:

"Don't be fooled. Akron is not the same team it was in 2004 when Penn State rolled up 48 points in three quarters against the hapless Zips. J.D. Brookhart's team is coming off a milestone year where Akron captured its first Mid-American Conference Championship and won its first bowl game (Motor City Bowl) in school history. To make matters even worse, the Zips return eight starters on both offense and defense.

Offense

Senior quarterback Luke Getsy is back at the helm. He threw for 3,455 yards and a school-record 23 touchdowns in 2005. The Sporting News tabbed him as the No. 10 quarterback in the nation entering this season.

"Right off the get-go we hot a heck of a quarterback, Luke Getsy," Tom Bradley said at media day. "I know Luke from Steel Valley. He's a heckuva football player. He threw for over 3,000 yards. My guys watch him play. They know what he can do. Coach Brookhart does a great job with that offense and always has."

Blocking for Getsy will be a veteran offensive line led by three-year starter Tim Crouch. (A)ll four other offensive linemen have a year of experience under their belt. But the Zips will have to replace its two starting wide receivers and its tailback. Gone are Domenik Hixon and Jason Montgomery. The duo accounted for 75 percent of the receptions for the receiving corps last season. Meanwhile, running back Brett Biggs rushed for 1,230 yards, its highest total for an Akron back at the Division I-A level. He also saw 80 percent of the carries in 2005. Now the Zips will look toward David Kennedy to carry the load, but he has only garnered 131 career yards.

(Receiver) Jabari Arthur will fill one of the voids left by Montgomery and Hixon and was the No. 1 wide receiver coming out of spring practice. (Schools are) familiar with Arthur's athleticism as he was the backup quarterback to Charlie Frye in 2004. Lining up opposite of Arthur could be either Johnny Long or Brandon Williams. Long is the only other receiver on Akron's roster to catch a pass besides Arthur.

Defense

In 2004, Akron finished in the basement of the MAC in defense, but made great strides last year knocking off nearly 100 yards per game with its 3-3 stack formation. They finished ranked No. 2 in the conference in defense and 32nd in the nation in 2005.

Seniors Kiki Gonzalez and Jermaine Reid are the two returning starters on three man front. Three other linemen also saw action in 2005. Reid led the team in tackles for loss and sacks with seven while Gonzalez has started 24 straight games. At linebacker, the Zips lost its leading tackler (121) in middle linebacker Jay Rohr, but have up and coming sophomore Kevin Grant and All-Mac linebacker Brion Stokes to pick up the slack. Grant was a third team CollegeFootballNews.com freshman All-America selection last season.

Akron's secondary shouldn't lose a step. Four of five players in the secondary return to a unit that ranked No. 16 in the country in pass defense. The only departure was free safety Dion Elie, but his season ended early last year with a knee injury. Rover John Mackey is a preseason All-Mac selection with senior Reggie Corner and sophomore Brandon Anderson occupying the corner spots. Andre Jones and Chevin Pace are listed as first-team safeties.

Special Teams

This is the area of most concern for Brookhart heading into the season. Akron lost its starting kicker and punter, both whom had three-years of experience. Placekicker Matt Domonkos and punter Andy Hildreth are the only two players from last year's team on the roster, but neither of them have seen action in a game. Domonkos is listed as the starting kicker with true freshman John Stec ahead of Hildreth right now for punting duties."

FirefightnRick · September 19, 2006

Akron is averaging 347 yards per game on offense and rank 62nd nationally.

69.33 yards rushing per game: Rank 108th.

278 yards passing per game: Rank 18th.

Scoring 19 points per game: Rank 84th

On defense they are allowing 287 yards per game: Rank 42nd.

192 yards allowed passing: Rank 63rd.

95.3 yards allowed rushing: Rank 42nd.

Allowing 25 points a game on defense: Rank 82nd.

Note: Prior to their game with us Tulsa was allowing 28 points a game and was ranked in the 90's in scoring defense. They are now ranked 46th.

Rick

flyonthewall · September 19, 2006

Akron is averaging 347 yards per game on offense and rank 62nd nationally.
69.33 yards rushing per game: Rank 108th.
278 yards passing per game: Rank 18th.
Scoring 19 points per game: Rank 84th
On defense they are allowing 287 yards per game: Rank 42nd.
192 yards allowed passing: Rank 63rd.
95.3 yards allowed rushing: Rank 42nd.
Allowing 25 points a game on defense: Rank 82nd.
Note: Prior to their game with us Tulsa was allowing 28 points a game and was ranked in the 90's in scoring defense. They are now ranked 46th.
Rick
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Note: You guys are doing more scouting than our offensive coordinator