Two articles in today's papers

[Dr Z]

Posted Tuesday September 27

Zips' victory significant

Brookhart's team gains identity in 48-42 OT win in home opener

By David Lee Morgan Jr.

If the University of Akron second-year coach J.D. Brookhart is wondering whether Saturday's overtime win was special, the answer is easy. It was.

Yes, it was the 2005 home opener at the Rubber Bowl for the Zips and their second win in three games.

But the outcome seemed to have a deeper meaning than just one game, and Brookhart understood the significance of the 48-42 overtime win against Northern Illinois.

The Zips played as a team that finally seems to have an identity. It's a team that found a way to win, instead of coming oh-so-close but still short.

Remember some defeats in recent years, such as 38-37 to UConn in 2003 and 42-24 to Marshall in 2003? Or how about 37-27 to Miami last year? Exciting games, yes. But not a victory.

This time, the Zips prevailed. And it happened against a team that beat Akron 49-19 last year.

``It was a very big win, all the (Mid-American Conference) games are,'' Brookhart said.

``Hopefully, we can expand on it. If things go well for the rest of the season, I think we'll look at that game as a huge win and a win that was very important to the program. In the end, maybe it will be something that helped the program turn the corner.''

Many college football observers did not think the Zips (2-1 overall, 1-0 in the MAC) would beat Northern Illinois.

The Huskies had played Michigan tough in a 33-17 loss and then lost 38-37 to another Big Ten opponent, Northwestern, when Northern Illinois coach Joe Novak went for a 2-point conversion instead of kicking an extra point to send the game into overtime.

Akron knew its defense had to stop Huskies running back Garrett Wolfe, who entered the game ranked No. 5 in the country averaging 151.3 yards per game.

The Zips held Wolfe to 52 yards rushing.

Akron played a style it hadn't shown since 2000, when the Zips shared the MAC East Division championship. That year, the Zips, led by current New Orleans Saints safety Dwight Smith, allowed 26.8 points per game. Akron allowed 32.6 points in 2001, 30.9 in 2002, 29.4 in 2003 and 28.9 last year.

Suppose someone said that the key to success for the Zips the rest of the season will be the play of their defense. Fans might wonder how that could be, when the program came into the new season having to replace the all-time leading passer in current Browns backup Charlie Frye.

Well, the truth is that junior quarterback Luke Getsy, a transfer from Pitt, has exceeded everyone's expectations except his own. Plus, the Zips have several offensive weapons including all-purpose wide receiver/kick returner Domenik Hixon and receiver Jason Montgomery, both seniors, along with senior running back Brett Biggs.

The Zips should be able to put up points every week.

But consistency on defense will be important. After three games, including a 49-24 loss at Purdue, Akron ranks high in several defensive categories in the conference.

The Zips are second in rushing defense (105 yards a game) behind Toledo (95), third in total defense (408), third in opponent's first downs with 60 (Toledo and Buffalo are tied for first with 57 each) and tied for second with Western Michigan in sacks (8). Toledo is first with 10.

Senior linebacker Jay Rohr of Jackson might seem undersized at 5-foot-11, 220 pounds. But he is fifth in the MAC in tackles, averaging 11.

Rohr is someone who has always heard he just wasn't big enough. But he always proved critics wrong and he's doing the same this year.

In fact, the entire defensive unit is making a name for itself.

``At the end of last year, we started to develop an identity on defense,'' Brookhart said. ``I think the biggest thing is that they are playing with a lot more confidence because they understand the scheme so much better. You see a different tempo and it's exciting to see.''

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Gonzalez giving Zips a good name

Tuesday, September 27, 2005

Elton Alexander

Plain Dealer Reporter

For years it seemed the Akron Zips' defense was considered a weakness. Now it is considered a strength with nose guard Kiki Gonzalez a big key to that improvement.

The 6-2, 300-pound senior from Elizabeth, N.J., may not have the stats to dazzle, but his reputation as a line plugger is growing. His six tackles on the season belie his impact on the game. Last week, Northern Illinois coach Joe Novak identified the former high school multiposition player as the key to how the Zips run their 3-3 defense.

Gonzalez then went out and anchored an Akron effort that helped hold the MAC's leading rusher, Garrett Wolfe, to 52 yards, nearly 100 yards below his 151.3 average in a 48-42 overtime victory against the Huskies. This week, Central Michigan coach Brian Kelly said his team will also key on Gonzalez.

The 22-year-old said forcing offenses to focus on him may not add up statistically, but it can lead to some wins and a lot of self-satisfaction.

"Just knowing you are the heart and soul of the defense . . ." Gonzalez said. "You're in the middle and everything is around you. It's like the heart. It's just hard-nosed football. It's never really one-on-one, it's one-on-two, one-on-three."

Gonzalez' ability to draw so much attention allows the other Akron defenders to run, hit and tackle. After three games, the once-woeful Zips now rank No. 3 in the league in overall defense and No. 2 against the rush.

Akron held NIU, the MAC's leading rushing team, to 50 yards overall on the ground.

"We shut the run game down," Gonzalez said.

Akron coach J.D. Brookhart said the sign of a good defense is one that holds teams below 20 points a game. Right now only one MAC team, Toledo, is doing that, and that has been against less-than-stellar competition. The rest of the MAC is allowing at least 27 points a game. Even Akron is allowing 32.7 points a game.

Gonzalez said the defense, especially nose guards, are always working.

"If not, you will find yourself being embarrassed," he said. "On defense, we've got to find work all the time."

So far, Akron's defense has found plenty of work.

[Hilltopper]

I wish I could be optimistic about this but you have to consider that the Tribe din't play last night and the Browns are headed into a bye week. A more likely explaination is it's a slow news day!

[Dr Z]

I wish I could be optimistic about this but you have to consider that the Tribe din't play last night and the Browns are headed into a bye week. A more likely explaination is it's a slow news day!

I'm sure your right Hilltopper.

Hard to express sarcasm in a post. I would have if I could in the above sub head.

[Buckzip]

They probably feel these articles are going to suffice UA fans.

Now they won't say anything else for the next year.

[Captain Kangaroo]

I wish I could be optimistic about this but you have to consider that the Tribe din't play last night and the Browns are headed into a bye week. A more likely explaination is it's a slow news day!

I'm sure your right Hilltopper.

Hard to express sarcasm in a post. I would have if I could in the above sub head.

Post of the Month Winner!!!!

[GP1]

I'm not sure what you guys want. You complain when they don't write articles and you complain when they write articles. This is a good team and there are plenty of articles yet to write. It's only week four.

These are two VERY good articles, especially the BJ article.

By the way, the identity Morgan is writing about is the toughness of the team. Both physical and emotional toughness.

[zipper]

In all fairness, I'm not sure David Lee Morgan has the authority or pull to get his articles in or placed well. My guess is he gets equally frustrated and would like to have the funding to travel with the team to away games.

I say we keep the pressure on the ABJ. The squeaky wheel...

[Z-Pouch]

There were actually two articles in the Beacon alone. The other article was about Getsy's leadership and fast start. It also had a stat by stat breakdown with Frye

[Dr Z]

It also had a stat by stat breakdown with Frye 

Did he just cut and paste my post from the previous day?

[Z-Pouch]

Just a follow up and maybe an indication that the Beacon is listening.

Sometimes you have to give credit where it is do, the Beacon has been all over the Zips this week. Mainly Football ( I think 5 or 6 articles since Monday - Even the DB's got an article/pic to themselves today) but also good coverage of soccer and pre season basketball. Actual player interviews and coverage this many consecutive days has not been seen for a long time It's great to see. Maybe it's just a coincidence with the all emails to the editors. You can't complain much about the amount of coverage unless you are going to dwell on the quality but beggers can't be choosers and it is a start.

I know a number of people here have soured to some ridiculous extent on the Beacon but dont kid yourselves - the UA sports programs NEED their coverage. It is the quickiest way to the masses of casual local sports fans that can fill our arena and bowl. If you want to act like we dont need them and are content with Zipsnation (readership 300) and GoZips, you better be happy with 13k for football and 4k for basketball. Those internet sites just dont have the reach into an important paying fan base that can be developed thru a local paper.

Fire away CK but you will see in the long run, Beacon coverage of a winning team will help generate interest and attendence. Will the Captain breakdown and renew his subscription ?

[Captain Kangaroo]

Just a follow up and maybe an indication that the Beacon is listening.

Sometimes you have to give credit where it is do, the Beacon has been all over the Zips this week. Mainly Football ( I think 5 or 6 articles since Monday - Even the DB's got an article/pic to themselves today) but also good coverage of soccer and pre season basketball. Actual player interviews and coverage this many consecutive days has not been seen for a long time It's great to see. Maybe it's just a coincidence with the all emails to the editors. You can't complain much about the amount of coverage unless you are going to dwell on the quality but beggers can't be choosers and it is a start.

I know a number of people here have soured to some ridiculous extent on the Beacon but dont kid yourselves - the UA sports programs NEED their coverage. It is the quickiest way to the masses of casual local sports fans that can fill our arena and bowl. If you want to act like we dont need them and are content with Zipsnation (readership 300) and GoZips, you better be happy with 13k for football and 4k for basketball. Those internet sites just dont have the reach into an important paying fan base that can be developed thru a local paper.

Fire away CK but you will see in the long run, Beacon coverage of a winning team will help generate interest and attendence. Will the Captain breakdown and renew his subscription ?

The Beacon has ignored Zips athletics for in excess of 6 years, so forgive me if I don't start doing cartwheels and tossing rose petals in Larry Pantages' cubicle after they have one decent week of Zips coverage.

The columns they've actually written over the past 6 years have been fraught with errors. Not typos, but flat-out half-assed, no attention to detail pieces of tripe that you learn nothing from...except that the Beacon really doesn't take Zips athletics seriously.

Furthermore, the editors at The Beacon display a very condescending tone when discussing their non-coverage. They essentially say "Zips fans don't matter"..."the University doesn't matter"..."be happy with the table scraps we give you because your lucky you get that much."

To answer your question: Yes, I do realize it is important the Beacon cover Zips athletics. There are a lot of "sheep" out there incapable of thinking on their own. If the Beacon doesn't follow the team, the sheep think there's nothing of interest going on.

Look at Lee Owens' firing. Pluto railed the University for canning Owens. Most of the Beacon readers...the Pluto Sheep...automatically followed suit. Their coverage, and lack of coverage, makes an impact.

I'll subscribe to the Beacon again when David Lee Morgan realizes Marshall is no longer a MAC member. Or, when Pluto openly admits he was wrong for condescendingly telling Zips fans they should accept Mediocre Owens because "you're Akron, not Ohio State or Notre Dame."

I think I'm safe until sometime in 2010.