Getsy/Gradkowski Column

[Captain Kangaroo]

MAC Attack

By John Grupp

TRIBUNE-REVIEW

Sunday, December 18, 2005

At this time last year, Bruce Gradkowski was coping with a broken hand.

Luke Getsy wasn't broke, but he was sidelined, frustrated, and there were bills to pay.

"It was a trying time," Getsy said, "but I had to be patient with it."

Gradkowski and Getsy have overcome different hurdles on their way to becoming record-breaking quarterbacks for two Mid-American Conference schools.

The two Western Pennsylvania-born players -- who combined to throw for more than 5,000 yards along with 43 touchdowns this season -- will lead their teams into bowl games in a six-day span beginning later this week.

Gradkowski, a senior from Seton-La Salle High School, will direct Akron (8-3) against Texas-El Paso (8-3) in the GMAC Bowl at 8 p.m., Wednesday in Mobile, Ala.

Getsy, a junior from Steel Valley, will guide Akron (7-5) into its first-ever Division I bowl game when it meets Memphis (6-5) in the Motor City Bowl at 4 p.m. Monday, Dec. 26 at Ford Field in Detroit.

Both games will be televised on ESPN.

Getsy, who paid tuition at Akron last year after transferring from Pitt, and Gradkowski, who had a steel plate inserted in his hand following post-season surgery, are among five Western Pennsylvania products who were quarterbacks this season at Division I programs:

Panther junior Tyler Palko threw for nearly 2,400 yards along with 17 touchdowns in Pitt's first losing season since 1999.

Junior Matt Bonislawski threw for 836 yards and six touchdowns in an injury-shortened season at Connecticut (5-6).

Sophomore Anthony Morelli played in three games while backing up Michael Robinson for Orange Bowl-bound and No. 3-ranked Penn State.

The GMAC Bowl will conclude a golden collegiate career for Gradkowski, who rewrote 19 school records since arriving as an undersized freshman at the only Division I school to offer him a scholarship.

Driven by the perception he couldn't play D-I football, Gradkowski matured into a 6-foot-2, 220-pounder, adding 45 pounds. He threw for 2,171 yards and 24 touchdowns this season to earn first-team all-conference honors. He also shared the 2005 Vern Smith Award to become the first Toledo player in 10 years to be named the MAC's MVP.

Next month, Gradkowski will play in two college all-star games, the Las Vegas All-American Classic on Jan. 14 and the Hula Bowl on Jan. 21 at Aloha Stadium.

"When I came here, I wanted to be the best quarterback to ever play at Toledo," he said. "I feel things have gone very well. I'm happy and satisfied with my career. I'd like to end it on one last note, winning on a bowl game."

Cool Hand Luke

Akron had never earned a Division I bowl bid -- or even won a football conference title -- before Getsy sealed them both with one stunning, last-minute comeback in the MAC championship game Dec. 1 at Ford Field in Detroit.

Playing in front of a nationally-televised audience, Getsy directed what is being tagged the greatest comeback in the history of Akron football. The unflappable first-year starter drove the Zips 81 yards in 1:41 without a timeout, and beat Northern Illinois, 31-30, on a 36-yard touchdown pass with 10 seconds to play.

"He's got a lot more friends than he had before," Akron offensive coordinator Jim Pry said. "He's pretty special."

Getsy finished 30 of 50 for a career-high 413 yards, as the Zips clinched their first football conference title since joining the Ohio Athletic Conference in 1915. The Zips will play in their fourth post-season game in 105 years of football (one being the 1968 Grantland Rice Bowl against Terry Bradshaw-led Louisiana Tech).

"It was kind of like a dream," Getsy said. "I dreamt so much and prepared so much, it's like it was supposed to happen. It was great moment for everyone."

The automatic bid to the Motor City Bowl was a sweet redemption for Akron. Last season, the Zips (6-5) were the only bowl eligible team to be denied a bid.

"There were 50 spots," Getsy said. "We were 51st. ... This year that was the goal I wanted to achieve coming in; I wanted to get this team to a bowl game. Everyone is real proud of us."

Getsy, who has passed for 3,000 yards -- the second-highest in school history -- and 19 touchdowns this season, deserved some good news. He missed last year, paying roughly $8,000 per semester for out-of-state tuition. The third-leading passer in WPIAL history lost his scholarship after leaving Pitt following his failed 2004 training camp battle with Palko.

"It was crazy," Pry said. "He jumped ship and (Pitt coach) Walt (Harris) wouldn't release him, and everything was history."

Getsy practiced with the team, but he couldn't dress for games or travel to away games. He gleaned knowledge from former Pitt assistant and current Akron head coach J.D. Brookhart and the best quarterback in Akron history, current Cleveland Browns rookie Charlie Frye.

"I appreciate everything I've gone through," Getsy said. "I wouldn't be where I am if I didn't take the road that I did."

Getsy wasted no time at Akron. He won the starting job during training camp, and threw for 283 yards and two touchdowns in his first start, a 49-24 loss to Purdue. He also passed for 406 yards and a school-record five touchdowns in an early-season 48-42 overtime win against Northern Illinois. After a mid-season slump, he recovered to reach 3,000 passing yards in 12 games, faster than any quarterback in Akron history.

"He's had some up and downs throughout the season," Pry said. "Somewhere in the middle, he took a dip. His confidence got hurt. It took him a couple weeks to get back. But the last four games, he has taken charge. ... He's not blessed with a great amount of talent, but he makes up for it in other ways. He's an unbelievable student of the game."

Getsy is a regular breaking down film in the coach's office. He and Frye became good friends last year, before Frye, who holds 54 school records, went to the Browns in the third round. Getsy this season maintained the tradition of late-night film study.

"We talked about making him a key," Pry said.

Bruce Almighty

Proving himself over and over again is part of Gradkowski's code. His hometown school never offered him a scholarship. Pitt had no interest in the 6-foot-2, 175-pounder who was suspected to be more a product of Seton-La Salle's pass-happy offense than the owner of any special Division I skills.

So, in his fourth collegiate start, Gradkowski led Toledo to a 35-31 victory over No. 9-ranked Pitt in 2003. He completed 49 passes, breaking Ben Roethlisberger's MAC record, and set school records for attempts (62) and passing yardage (461).

"Once guys start doubting me," Gradkowski said, "that drives me more."

He became the only quarterback in NCAA history to complete better than 70 percent of his passes in back-to-back seasons.

On Wednesday, Gradkowski wants to peel away the memories of last year's bowl-game disappointment. He watched the second half of a 39-10 loss to Connecticut in the Motor City Bowl with a broken right hand.

"It was frustrating," Gradkowski said. "I wasn't anywhere near 100 percent. Now, I have an opportunity to be healthy to practice and prepare."

Gradkowski underwent off-season surgery in which a three-inch plate was inserted in his throwing hand. He said the six screws and steel plate have not affected his passing.

"It's my bionic hand," he said. "I get a little more zip on the ball."

Under Gradkowski, Toledo ranks 14th in scoring offense and 17th in total offense in the nation. He led Toledo to a 44-41 double-overtime victory at Bowling Green on Nov. 22, completing 23 of 36 passes for 298 yards and four touchdowns.

Gradkowski is projected as the No. 4 quarterback in the 2006 draft and a probable third or fourth-round pick, according to NFL Draft Scout.

"I think I have the college experience and credentials to get me looked at," he said. "It's what I do in the all-star games and combine and pro day workouts. I'm very confident as long as I get my opportunity, I'll be somewhere."

[Quickzips]

Gradkowski, a senior from Seton-La Salle High School, will direct Akron (8-3) against Texas-El Paso (8-3) in the GMAC Bowl at 8 p.m., Wednesday in Mobile, Ala.

Ahhhh.....The Leakin Urinals influence is spreading!

Seriously though, not a bad read.

[GP1]

Gradkowski, a senior from Seton-La Salle High School, will direct Akron (8-3) against Texas-El Paso (8-3) in the GMAC Bowl at 8 p.m., Wednesday in Mobile, Ala.

Ahhhh.....The Leakin Urinals influence is spreading!

I have no idea what the Hell the editors at newspapers do all day. Aren't they the people who have to read this stuff to double check the reporters? Just when my opinion of journalism and journalists couldn't get any lower, I read this.

[Buckzip]

Gradkowski, a senior from Seton-La Salle High School, will direct Akron (8-3) against Texas-El Paso (8-3) in the GMAC Bowl at 8 p.m., Wednesday in Mobile, Ala.

Ahhhh.....The Leakin Urinals influence is spreading!

I have no idea what the Hell the editors at newspapers do all day. Aren't they the people who have to read this stuff to double check the reporters? Just when my opinion of journalism and journalists couldn't get any lower, I read this.

They certainly don't edit.

[zip37]

Editors spend too much time dreaming up schemes to support tax increases.

With ball ammunition lock and load.