FOX Sports assement of Zips Football

[Ryno aka Menace]

It's not a bad article, it's pretty much what you'd expect.Here is the link http://msn.foxsports.com/cfb/story/5705506 It wasn't like Akron was fantastic in its MAC title winning season, but it was fantastic when it had to be.After not getting a deserved bowl bid in 2003 or 2004, the Zips took matters into their own hands and got an extra game by winning the MAC championship on a thrilling last minute pass to Domenik Hixon. It was a strange season with unforgivable losses to Army and Ball State mixed in with a home loss to Central Michigan and a blowout at the hands of Miami University. But when the Zips needed a win, it got one beating Northern Illinois twice and catching East rival Bowling Green without Omar Jacobs. Now J.D. Brookhart's crew wants to do even more, and it has the talent to do it with 16 returning starters led by what should be one of the MAC's best defenses. To get back to the championship game and earn another bowl bid, the Zips have to be far more consistent and get steadier play out of both sides of the ball. Akron Zips Team Information Head coach: J.D. Brookhart3rd year: 13-11Returning Lettermen: Off. 16, Def. 22, ST 1Lettermen Lost: 12 Ten Best Players 1. QB Luke Getsy, Sr. 2. DE Jermaine Reid, Sr. 3. NG Kiki Gonzalez, Sr. 4. LB Kevin Grant, Soph. 5. OG Andy Alleman, Sr. 6. OT Tim Crouch, Sr. 7. LB Brion Stokes, Jr. 8. SS Chevin Pace, Jr. 9. TE Kris Kasparek, Jr. 10. S John Mackey, Jr. 2006 Schedule 9/2 at Penn State 9/9 at NC State 9/16 at Central Michigan 9/23 North Texas 9/30 at Can't State 10/7 at Cincinnati 10/21 Miami (OH) 10/28 at Toledo 11/4 Bowling Green 11/9 Buffalo 11/16 at Ohio 11/24 Western Michigan -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- That won't be a problem for a defense with legitimate contenders for first-team All-MAC honors in guard Kiki Gonzalez, end Jermaine Reid, linebackers Kevin Grant and Brion Stokes not to mention four returning starters to a secondary that helped the Zips finish 16th in the nation in pass defense. Considering where the defense was a few seasons ago, to even be considered among the best in the MAC shows how quickly Brookhart and his staff have turned things around. The offense could be another story, at least early on, needing to replace the top receivers along with 1,000-yard back Brett Biggs. However, quarterback Luke Getsy should be able to build on a great end to 2005 and be one of the MAC's best passers, while all five starters return to what should be a top offensive line.If all things come together and the Zips get the play needed from all of their veterans, they're not going to need a miracle last second pass to win their second straight championship. The Schedule: It's a nightmare early with five road games in the first six and six road games in the first eight needing to survive non-conference games against Penn State and NC State before the MAC opener at Central Michigan. On the plus side, the big East games against Miami and Bowling Green are at home and three of the final four games are in the Rubber Bowl. The games against the West aren't all that bad missing Northern Illinois but playing Toledo on the road. Best Offensive Player: Senior QB Luke Getsy. He turned into a better passer as last season went on throwing for 868 yards over the final two games and finishing with 3,455 yards and 23 scores. He'll have to be even better this year with so much turnover in the receiving corps and in the backfield.Best Defensive Player: Senior DE Jermaine Reid and NG Kiki Gonzalez. The line wasn't always a rock against the run last season, but these two should be stronger with Gonzalez the MAC's best anchor and the 275-pound Reid a fearsome pass rusher. Key player to a successful season: Sophomore RB Dennis Kennedy. The Zips not only have to replace Brett Biggs' 1,230 rushing yards and ten touchdowns, they have to replace his 65 catches for 535 yards and four scores. The 209-pound Kennedy and fellow sophomore Alex Allen will bring a bit more speed.The season will be a success if ... Akron wins the MAC title. How do you shoot for anything less after winning it all last year? Even with seven road games a ten-win season is very possible as long as there's a second championship and a bowl victory.Key game: August 31st vs. Eastern Michigan. The Cardinals didn't win their first game last season until mid-October and didn't win their second game until almost November. Getting off to a great start with a win over a West Division foe like Eastern Michigan is a must; they can't afford to give away any home games.That last part makes no sense at all???!!2005 Fun Stats: - Second quarter scoring: Opponents 100 - Akron 54- QB Luke Getsy vs. Northern Illinois (2 games): 50-89, 819 yards, six touchdowns, one interception- Fourth down conversions: Akron 11 of 27 (41%) - Opponents 2 of 9 (22%)

[mrelegazna]

Looks like they accidentally put Ball State's "key game" in that spot.

[danalleman]

Wow...that article has some great things to say about my "little" brother too. He's actually 300lbs. even; just weighed in today.Star of the offense: Senior QB Luke GetsyBest pro prospect: Senior OG Andy AllemanTop three all-star candidates: 1) Getsy, 2) Alleman, 3) OT Tim CrouchStrength of the offense: Offensive lineOffensive LinemenThe line might be the team's strength with all five starters returning after allowing just 21 sacks in 13 games. Akron might have finished 11th in the MAC in rushing, but that wasn't the line's fault, Brett Biggs ran for over 1,000 yards and this was mostly a passing team. There's good depth and a few near-certain all-stars in guard Andy Alleman and tackle Tim Crouch. It's a big group that should be even more productive. The key to the unit: Keep on improving. The experience is there, the depth is in place, so now the line has to go to another level and be the MAC's best.Offensive Line Rating: 6.5Projected Starters- OG Andy Alleman, Sr. Watch for Alleman to grow into a first day NFL prospect as the season goes on. He's 6-4 and 295 pounds with surprising quickness and freakish strength. The former Pitt Panther brings a defensive lineman mentality to the offense.

[GP1]

Wow...that article has some great things to say about my "little" brother too. He's actually 300lbs. even; just weighed in today.Star of the offense: Senior QB Luke GetsyBest pro prospect: Senior OG Andy AllemanTop three all-star candidates: 1) Getsy, 2) Alleman, 3) OT Tim CrouchStrength of the offense: Offensive lineOffensive LinemenThe line might be the team's strength with all five starters returning after allowing just 21 sacks in 13 games. Akron might have finished 11th in the MAC in rushing, but that wasn't the line's fault, Brett Biggs ran for over 1,000 yards and this was mostly a passing team. There's good depth and a few near-certain all-stars in guard Andy Alleman and tackle Tim Crouch. It's a big group that should be even more productive. The key to the unit: Keep on improving. The experience is there, the depth is in place, so now the line has to go to another level and be the MAC's best.Offensive Line Rating: 6.5Projected Starters- OG Andy Alleman, Sr. Watch for Alleman to grow into a first day NFL prospect as the season goes on. He's 6-4 and 295 pounds with surprising quickness and freakish strength. The former Pitt Panther brings a defensive lineman mentality to the offense.

Dan,I have a friend who has Pitt season tickets and I saw your brother play several times when he was there. I always felt he wasn't given a chance to really show how good he could be. When he had a chance to produce at Pitt, he did and he continues to produce for the Zips. The move to offense at Akron was the best thing for him now and in the future.