CODY GRICE
Senior, NT Second-Team All-MAC Team Captain
CONOR HUNDLEY Senior, RB Team Captain
JATAVIS BROWN
Senior, LB MAC Defensive Player of the Year First-Team All-MAC Team Captain
.U
GIE G A E T A T TA H S
S
(MST) M P 0 3 : 1 , 2015 • 2 2 . C E I DA H O D , , E Y S A I D O S B E • U T TA D I U M S S N O S T ALBER
vs S P I Z N AKRO
RODNEY COE
JAMAL MARCUS
Senior DL Third-Team All-MAC
Junior DL Third-Team All-MAC
ISAIAH WILLIAMS Senior OL Third-Team All-MAC
®
AKRON ZIP [7-5, 5-3 MAC] vs. UTAH STATE AGGIES [6-6, 5-3 MWC] Tuesday, Dec. 22 | Albertsons Stadium | Boise, ID | 1:30 PM MST
BOWL INFORMATION Game: This is the 19th annual Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. Date: Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2015 Site: Albertsons Stadium (on the campus of Boise State), Boise, Idaho Teams: Akron [7-5, 5-3 Mid-American Conference] vs. Utah State [6-6, 5-3 Mountain West Conference] Kickoff: 1:30 p.m. MT | 3:30 p.m. ET Television: The Famous Idaho Potato Bowl will be televised nationally by ESPN. Mark Neeley (pbp), Mike Bellotti (analyst), and Kevin Weidl (sideline) will call the game. Radio: Akron-IMG Sports Network | ESPN Radio Steve French (pbp), Brad Detwiler (analyst), Joe Dunn (sideline) WARF 1350 AM (flagship), WHK 1420 AM, WHKZ 1440 AM; iHeart Radio, TuneIn.com/Akron Zips Series History: This is the first meeting between Akron and Uta State. Bowl History: This marks Akron second bowl appearance and first in 10 seasons. The Zips played in the 2005 Motor City Bowl.
Important Phone Numbers
Cathy Bongiovi, Assistant Athletics Director for Communications (football contact) Jonathan Platten, Graduate Assistant, Athletics Communications Famous Idaho Potato Bowl Headquarters Riverside Hotel Boise [Akron Team Hotel] | 2900 Chinden Blvd., Boise, ID 83715 Courtyard by Marriott {Media Hotel] | 222 South Broadway Ave., Boise, ID 83702
ZIPS
(267) 326-5400 (216) 973-4181 (208) 424-1011 (208) 343-1871 (208) 331-2700
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Media Information...............................................2 Bowl Notes..................................................... 3-15 Akron Rosters................................................ 16-17 Depth Chart....................................................... 18 2015 Statistics.............................................. 20-30 Game Recaps................................................ 31-36 2015 Honors................................................ 37-38 Head Coach Terry Bowden............................ 40-41 Assistant Coaches & Staff.............................. 42-48 Meet the Zips................................................ 50-82 Bowl History................................................. 84-86 Feature Story Clips........................................ 88-96
Bowl Guide Credits
Akron’s 2015 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl Media Guide is a product of The University of Akron Athletics Communications office. The publication was written and designed by Cathy Bongiovi with editorial assistance from Jonathan Platten and Brian Dennison. Cover design and template by Jessica Atsas. Photography by Jeff Harwell and John Ashley.
AKRON FOOTBALL MEDIA INFORMATION: EVENT & PRACTICE SCHEDULE Friday, Dec. 18 3-5:30 p.m.
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl for Charity | Pinz at Wahooz Family Fun Zone
Saturday, Dec. 19 8-11 a.m. Team practice | Caven Williams Indoor Facility or Donna Larson Park [last 15 minutes open to media] 6:30-8 p.m.
Humanitarian Awards Dinner | Boise Centre
Sunday, Dec. 20 8-11 a.m. Winter Sports Day | Bogus Basin Ski Resort or Go Kart Racing | Fast Lane
TERRY
BOWDEN
Noon-4 p.m.
Media credential pick up & work room open | Allen Noble Hall of Fame Gallery
1-4 p.m.
Team practice | Caven Williams Indoor Facility or Donna Larson Park [last 15 minutes open to media]
Monday, Dec. 21 7:30-9:15 a.m. FCA Breakfast | Boise Centre 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Media credential pick up & work room open | Allen Noble Hall of Fame Gallery 10-11 a.m.
Hospital Visit & Charity Outreach [Team captains]
2:15-2:45 p.m.
Utah State Press Conference | Allen Noble Hall of Fame
3-3:30 p.m.
Akron Press Conference | Allen Noble Hall of Fame
4-6 p.m.
Team practice | Albertsons Stadium [last 15 minutes open to media]
5-8 p.m.
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl Mash Bash at The Village [Fan Event]
Tuesday, Dec. 22 8:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Media credential pick up & work room open | Allen Noble Hall of Fame Gallery Noon-12:30 p.m. Battle of the Bands | Caven-Williams Sports Complex
JATAVIS
BROWN
1:30 p.m.
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl kickoff | Albertsons Stadium
Postgame
Postgame Press Conference | Allen Noble Hall of Fame
Subject to change.
2
2 015 F A M O U S ID A H O P O TATO B O W L
AKRON FOOTBALL BOWL NOTES
AKRON TO FACE UTAH STATE IN FAMOUS IDAHO POTATO BOWL Akron will travel to Boise, Idaho, to take on Utah State in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl on Tuesday, Dec. 22. Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m MT [3:30 p.m. ET] at Albertsons Stadium on the campus of Boise State University. ESPN will televise the game online with Mark Neely (play-by-play), Mike Bellotti (analyst), and Kevin Weidl (sideline) calling the action. The Zips’ radio broadcast will air on the Akron-IMG Sports Network [SportsRadio with Steve French calling the action, Brad Detwiler providing analysis, and Joe Dunn with sideline report. Under the guidance of fourth-year head coach Terry Bowden, the Zips stand 7-5 overall (finished second in Mid-American Conference play at 5-3) after a 20-0 shutout of Kent State on Nov. 27 for their fourth consecutive win. Akron, which is bowl eligible for the first time since 2005, returns 47 lettermen, including 12 starters. The Zips utilize a spread offense and a 4-3 defense.
CONOR
HUNDLEY AKRON QUICK FACTS
Location:...........................................Akron, Ohio 44325 Population:..........................200,000 (5th largest in Ohio) Founded:................................. 1870 as Buchtel College Enrollment:.........................................................26,000 Nickname:................................................................ Zips Colors:...................................... Blue (282) & Gold (871) Conference:...................... Mid-American (East Division) President:..................................Dr. Scott L. Scarborough Director of Athletics:.................................Larry Williams Faculty Athletics Representative: .....Dr. Deborah Owens Athletics Dept. Phone:...........................(330) 972-7080 Ticket Office:.........................1-888-99-AKRON (-25766) Season of Football:................................................115th All-Time Record:..............................................505-525-36 All-Time MAC Record:...............................76-117 (24 yrs.) First Year of Football:..................................................1891 First Year of Div. I Football:.........................................1987 MAC Titles:.........................................................1 (2005) MAC East Division Titles:........................ 2 (2000, 2005) NCAA D-I Bowl Games:..............................1 (2005 Motor City) Stadium:....................... InfoCision Stadium - Summa Field Capacity:........... 30,000 [official sellout is 27,881] Playing Surface:.......................................ProGrass Record at InfoCision Stadium:.......... 16-26 (7 yrs.) Press Box Phone...........................(330) 972-2913
A K RON VS . U T AH STA TE
After 12 games, senior RB Conor Hundley (Hamilton, Ohio) is the team’s leading rusher with 883 yards and 10 touchdowns on 188 carries. Under center, sophomore QB Thomas Woodson (Monroeville, Pa.) leads the Zips completing 148-of-278 attempts for 2,034 yards and 16 touchdowns. Senior WR Imani Davis (Miami, Fla.) is the top receiver with 46 catches for 593 yards and three touchdowns. Senior LB Jatavis Brown (Belle Glade, Fla.) is the top defender with 108 tackles, a team-best 17.5 TFL, a team-best and season record 10.5 sacks, six hurries, three forced fumbles, and an interception. In this week’s national rankings, Akron is ranked No. 3 in rushing defense (89.8), No. 9 in blocked punts (2), No. 17 in total defense (328.5), and No. 18 in turnover margin (0.67). Individually, sophomore WR Jerome Lane (Akron, Ohio) is No. 4 nationally in yards per reception (21.43). Junior CB DeAndre Scott (Frederick, Md.) is No. 5 in total interceptions (6), No. 9 in interceptions per game (0.5) and No. 20 in passes defended (1.3). Senior LB Jatavis Brown (Belle Glade, Fla.) is No. 9 in sacks (0.88) and No. 37 in total tackles (9.0).
NCAA STATISTICAL COMPARISON UTAH STATE [6-6] AKRON [7-5] ®
Rank (average).............. MWC...................................Category................................MAC................Rank (average) 92 (370.8)............................................................Total Offense.........................................................98 (363.3) 70 (167.9).........................................................Rushing Offense............................6........................68 (169.5) 88 (202.9)....................... 5............................... Passing Offense ...........................1........................96 (193.8) 78 (124.84)...................................................... Passing Efficiency.................................................100 (117.20) 60 (29.7).......................... 5............................... Scoring Offense......................................................100 (24.0) 22 (336.7)....................... 2................................. Total Defense..............................1........................17 (328.5) 51 (156.3)....................... 4.............................. Rushing Defense......................................................... 3 (89.8) 57 (123.42)..................................................Pass Efficiency Defense...............................................57 (123.48) 64 (27.0).......................... 4............................... Scoring Defense............................2.......................... 28 (21.5) 65 (0.00)............................................................Turnover Margin............................2.......................... 18 (0.67) 118 (0.718)......................................................Red Zone Offense...................................................115 (0.744) 96 (0.872)........................................................Red Zone Defense..........................4........................40 (0.795) 63 (37.30)............................................................ Net Punting.........................................................79 (36.78) 50 (9.71).......................... 5..................................Punt Returns.........................................................100 (5.16) 99 (19.43)....................... 2................................ Kickoff Returns.....................................................125 (16.56) 57 (2.17).....................................................................Sacks.....................................3.......................... 43 (2.33) 56 (6.4)...............................................................Tackles For Loss .......................................................... 60 (6.3)
3
AKRON FOOTBALL CAREER RECORD WATCH Games Played 1. 2.
Alex Allen (2005-10) Cody Grice (2011-15)
51 48
Games Started 1.
Cody Grice (2011-15) Reggie Corner (2004-08)
48 48
Rushing Yards
1. Mike Clark (1984-86) 10. Dennis Kennedy (2005-08) 11. Conor Hundley (2012-15)
4,257 2,522 2,127
Passing Yards 1. 2. 3. 4. 12. 13.
Charlie Frye (2001-04) James Washington (1997-00) Luke Getsy (2005-06) Kyle Pohl (2012-15) Eric Schoch (1971-73 Thomas Woodson (2014-present)
Extra Points 1. 2.
Robert Stein (2011-15) Zac Derr (1998-01)
Field Goals 1. 2. 3. 4.
Bob Dombroski (1986-89) Zac Derr (1998-01) Daron Alcorn (1989-92) Robert Stein (2011-15)
Scoring Leaders 1. 2. 3.
Zac Derr (1998-2001) Brandon Payne (1999-02) Robert Stein (2011-15)
11,049 6,699 6,117 5,128 2,937 2,840
128 125
51 47 45 43
266 260 257
Kick Scoring Leaders XP FG Pts 1. Zac Derr (1998-01) 125-132 47-64 266 2. Robert Stein (2011-15) 128-131 43-63 257 3. Bob Dombroski (1986-89) 100-104 51-69 253 Most Punts 1. Andy Grahamn (1977-80) 2. Zach Paul (2011-15)
Tackling Leaders 1. 2.
Steve Cockerham (1974-77) Brad Reese (1978-81) Phil Dunn (1991-94) Jeff Lake (1982-85) Brian Wagner (2009-11) Jatavis Brown (2012-present) Dylan Evans (2012-present)
274 269
715 710 549 483 409 347 214
AKRON’S BOWL HISTORY Since jumping to Division I-A (FBS) in 1987, the Zips made just one prior bowl appearance. The 2005 squad, under head coach J.D Brookhart, won the 2005 Mid-American Conference championship (with a 31-30 victory over Northern Illinois) and advanced to the Motor City Bowl at Ford Field in Detroit. The Zips, who finished the season at 7-6 overall (5-3 MAC, East Division champions), fell to Memphis 38-31 on Dec. 26, 2005. Ironically, this season the Zips celebrated the 10th anniversary of the 2005 bowl team. Prior to 1987, the Zips played Division I-AA (from 1980 to 1986) and Division II (from 1974 to 1979) football. Additional postseason play included the 1968 Grantland Rice Bowl [Louisiana Tech 33, Akron 13], the 1976 Division II Playoffs [Akron 27, UNLV 6], Knute Rockne Bowl [Akron 29, Northern Michigan 26 (ot)], Pioneer Bowl [Montana State 24, Akron 13]; and the 1985 Division I-AA Playoffs [Rhode Island 35, Akron 27]. SCOUTING UTAH STATE Under the guidance of third-year head coach Matt Wells, Utah State stands 6-6 overall and 5-3 in Mountain West Conference play after a 51-28 loss to BYU on Nov. 28. The Aggies return 38 letterwinners, including 15 starters, to their multiple offense and multiple defense. Utah State entered the 2015 season as one of just four FBS programs to win at least 30 games and record three bowl victories in the past three years, joining Clemson, Michigan State, and Oregon. After 12 games, junior RB Devante Mays leads the rushers with 842 yards and nine touchdowns on 153 carries. Under center, sophomore QB Kent Myers is 107-of-179 for 1,470 yards and 14 touchdowns in eight games. Senior WR Hunter Sharp is the top receiver with 60 catches for 746 yards. Defensively, junior LB Nick Vigil, the only player in the nation to have at least nine tackles in every game, has 140 tackles, 12.5 TFL, 3.0 sacks, four hurries, two break-ups, and two forced fumbles. In the NCAA stats, the Aggies are No. 6 in blocked kicks (4), No. 10 in fumbles recovered (12), No. 11 in blocked punts (2), No. 14 in kickoff returns (25.48), No. 21 in defensive TDs (3), and No. 22 in total defense (336.7). Individually, senior LB Kyler Fackrell is No. 1 in fumbles recovered (5). Senior NG David Moala is No. 7 in blocked kicks (2). Junior LB Nick Vigil is No. 5 in total tackles (11.7). OPPONENT BOWL HISTORY Utah State is making its 11th overall bowl appearance since 1946 and fifth consecutive bowl appearance. The Aggies have also played in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl three times (1997, 2011, 2012), and are making their third appearance in Boise in the last five years. Riding a three consecutive bowl winning streak, also a school record, Utah State defeated UTEP in the 2014 Gildan New Mexico Bowl (21-6), No. 24 Northern Illinois (21-14) in the 2013 San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl, and Toledo (41-15) in the 2012 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. AKRON-UTAH STATE CONNECTIONS Akron has no players on its roster from the states of Utah and Idaho. Utah State has one player on its roster from Ohio– junior TE Joe Palange (Cleveland, Ohio | St. Edward HS | Oklahoma). AKRON AGAINST THE MOUNTAIN WEST CONFERENCE Over the years, Akron has faced four teams from the Mountain West Conference, but only one in Division I FBS play (since 1987). In 1965, Akron lost at San Diego State, 41-0. In Division II play, the Zips beat UNLV in the 1976 playoffs, 27-6, and fell at Boise State, 33-21, in 1979. In FBS play in 1988, UA beat New Mexico State, 52-7, at the Rubber Bowl.
4
2 015 F A M O U S ID A H O P O TATO B O W L
AKRON FOOTBALL COMMON OPPONENTS Akron and Utah State have no common opponents from the 2015 season. AKRON-UTAH STATE: THE SERIES The Famous Idaho Potato Bowl is the first game between the schools on the gridiron. AKRON STAFF IS BOWL EXPERIENCED Strolling the Akron sidelines this fall is a very experienced coaching staff. Led by fourth-year head coach Terry Bowden, the Zips’ coaching staff boasts 143 combined bowl appearances, including 34 bowl appearances by defensive coordinator Chuck Amato alone. All of the Zip coaches are former college football players. BROWN NAMED MAC DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR; FIVE ZIPS HONORED Senior LB Jatavis Brown was been tabbed the 2015 Mid-American Conference Defensive Player of the Year. Additionally, five Zips earned All-Conference accolades. Brown was the only Zip to earn first-team AllMAC honors. He was the only three-time first-team honoree among this year’s recipients. Named to the second-team All-MAC was senior NT Cody Grice (Akron, Ohio). Senior OL Isaiah Williams (Cleveland, Ohio), senior DL Rodney Coe (Fulton, Mo.), and junior DL Jamal Marcus (Durham, N.C.) were thirdteam All-MAC selections.
ISAIAH
WILLIAMS
SENIOR STATUS Akron salutes the 24 members of its Senior Class – RB Donnell Alexander, OL Andrew Bohan, LB Jatavis Brown, OL Tommy Brown, OL Dylan Brumbaugh, DB Wedley Charles, CB Bryce Cheek, DT Rodney Coe, WR Imani Davis, DE Richard Dorvilus, LB Dylan Evans, CB Kris Givens, NT Cody Grice, DL Alfonso Horner, RB Conor Hundley, LB Darryl Monroe, OL Quaison Osborne, P Zach Paul, QB Kyle Pohl, WR Andrew Pratt, WR Danny Seafler, CB John Senter, PK Robert Stein, and OL Isaiah Williams. This the first four-year graduating class to play under head coach Terry Bowden at Akron. During their collegiate careers, they competed in four of the nation’s top five biggest college stadiums. They’ve been a part of the re-building process, helping the Zips to at least five wins each of the last three seasons, more wins than the previous three seasons combined. The seniors guided the team to the school’s first bowl appearance since 2005. Individually, the Zips have re-written the record books and climbed the career charts while racking up weekly honors. Off the field, they’ve represented UA in the community with several activities, including game week visits to Akron Children’s Hospital. Congratulations, Seniors! DECEMBER POMP & CIRCUMSTANCE Prior to leaving for the bowl, eight Zips participated in graduation ceremonies. Earning their bachelor degrees were RB Donnell Alexander (organizational supervision), (LB Jatavis Brown (organizational supervision), CB Wedley Charles (public relations), CB Bryce Cheek (exercise science), CB Kris Givens (organizational supervision), P Zach Paul (mechanical engineering), and PK Robert Stein (mechanical engineering), and S James Turner (sport management). MILWEE NAMED TO AFCA 30 UNDER 30 LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE Akron offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach A.J. Milwee has been named to the inaugural American Football Coach’s Association (AFCA) 30 Under 30 Coaches’ Leadership Institute.
RODNEY
COE
A K RON VS . U T AH STA TE
The prestigious program, sponsored by the American Football Coaches Foundation® and NCAA Leadership Development, is aimed at training premier, future leaders in the football coaching profession. The 30 outstanding participants will meet at the 2016 AFCA Convention in San Antonio, Texas, for a full day of focused, interactive lectures on topics including ethics, leadership, NCAA rules, financial management, hiring, and player safety.
5
AKRON FOOTBALL SEASON RECORDS
ZIPS QUICK HITS • Five of Akron’s 2015 opponents—Oklahoma (Russell Athletic), Pittsburgh (Armed Forces), Louisiana (R+L Carriers), Bowling Green (Camellia), and Central Michigan (Bahamas)— participated in bowls in 2014.
INDIVIDUAL SACKS Jatavis Brown (2015) previous record by Jason Taylor (1996) Ken Williams (1993) TACKLES FOR LOSS 1. Bill Hadden (1985) 2. Jatavis Brown (2015)
10.5 10.0 10.0 19.0 17.5
TEAM
Five Zips’ opponents are also bowl eligible– Oklahoma, Pittsburgh, Bowling Green, Central Michigan, and Ohio.
• In 2015, Akron completed its seventh season playing on-campus in InfoCision Stadium – Summa Field. The Zips have a 16-26 record at the venue (3-3 in 2015). The stadium opened in 2009. • Since 1979, Akron has faced 25 nationally ranked teams, going 1-24. The Zips’ sole victory was a 34-20 win over No. 25 Marshall at the Rubber Bowl on Nov. 2, 2002. • The 2015 season marked the 10th Anniversary of the Zips’ 2005 Mid-American Conference championship. Under coach J.D. Brookhart, UA defeated Northern Illinois, 31-30, in the MAC title game before participating in the Motor City Bowl, its first bowl appearance as an NCAA Division I-A member (FBS).
CONSECUTIVE GAMES WITH BEING SHUTOUT 1. 66 [199 through 9/8/2004] 2. 59 [Sept. 10, 2011 to present]
• Akron has 51 student-athletes on its roster from the state of Ohio; 37 of those live within a 30-mile radius to campus.
GAME RECORDS MOST PLAYS Thomas Woodson
•
• The Zips feature experienced players on the roster, including 14 transfers– senior RB Donnell Alexander (Colorado State), senior OL Tommy Brown (Ohio State), sophomore QB Tra’Von Chapman (Pittsburgh), r-junior CB Wedley Charles (Hiram), r-senior DL Rodney Coe (Iowa State), r-sophomore WR A.J. Coney (Weber State), junior DB Larry Hope (Miami [Fla.]), r-senior DB Bryce Jones (Boston College), sophomore OL Josh Krok (Kentucky), r-junior DL Jamal Marcus (Ohio State), senior LB Darryl Monroe (Washington State), junior DL Se’Von Pittman (Ohio State), junior OL Xavier Quigley (Western Iowa), and sophomore ATH Anthony Young (Indiana).
73 vs. Ohio, 10/3/15
GREAT PERFORMANCES
•
100-Yard Rushing Games
Conor Hundley (2012-15) 4 at Pittsburgh, 9/27/14 148 vs. Savannah State, 9/29/15)0 120 • at Eastern Michigan, 10/10/15 119 at Miami (Ohio), 11/14/15 110
The players elected seniors LB Jatavis Brown, RB Conor Hundley, and NT Cody Grice as team captains for the 2015 season. Senior WR Michaelee Harris (Achilles), junior OL Michael Casimos (ankle), and junior WR Mykel Traylor-Bennett (hand) are out for the season with the injuries.
Donnell Alexander (2015) 4 * vs. Buffalo, 11/21/15 143 MAC PLAYERS OF THE WEEK * includes 3 from Colorado State (2011-13)
300-Yard Passing Games
Kyle Pohl (2012-present) at Michigan, 9/14/13 311 vs. Louisiana, 9/21/13 321 vs. Howard, 8/28/14 308 vs. Eastern Mich., 10/4 326 vs. BGSU, 11/4/14 304
100-Yard Receiving Games
5
Five Zips earned Mid-American Conference weekly honors during the season. Senior P Zach Paul earned Special Teams Player of the Week honors on Nov. 30, while sophomore QB Thomas Woodson was tabbed the Offensive Player of the Week for the East Division on Nov. 23. On Sept. 28, sophomore LS Michael Buddenberg (Massillon, Ohio) earned Special Teams Player of the Week honors, while senior PK Robert Stein earned the honor on Oct. 5. Senior LB Jatavis Brown earned Defensive Player of the Week accolades on Nov. 16. LAST GAME: AKRON 20, KENT STATE 0 The Akron Zips re-claimed the coveted Wagon Wheel from cross-town rival Kent State with a 20-0 shutout in Mid-American Conference action at InfoCision Stadium-Summa Field on Nov. 27.
Imani Davis (2012-15) vs. Buffalo, 11/21/15 118
1
Jerome Lane (2015-present) at Eastern Michigan, 10/10/15 104
1
Riding a four-game winning streak, Akron improved to 7-5 overall (5-3 MAC). The seven wins are the most for a Zips’ team since 2005, tying the program’s FBS record of wins in a season. The shutout was the Zips’ first over the Golden flashes since 1985 and first over any team since 1992.
Andrew Pratt (2012-15) vs. James Madison, 9/7/13 118
1
Akron held Kent to just 10 yards rushing.
6
2 015 F A M O U S ID A H O P O TATO B O W L
AKRON FOOTBALL Sophomore QB Thomas Woodson went 11-of-19 for 140 yards and a touchdown. In his final home game, senior RB Conor Hundley rushed for 98 yards and touchdown on 22 carries. Sophomore WR Jerome Lane had four catches for 75 yards. Defensively, senior LB Jatavis Brown led the Zips with eight tackles and forced fumble. POSTGAME NOTES • The Zips are a perfect 6-0 when leading at the half.
THOMAS
WOODSON
•
The 20-0 shutout was Akron’s first over Kent State in 30 years (24-0 in 1985) and first in any FBS games since 1992 (13-0 vs. Ohio).
•
The seven wins on the season tie the school record for wins as an FBS team (since 1987). The Zips also had seven wins in 1992, 1999, 2003, and 2005.
•
Sophomore QB Thomas Woodson threw for 11-of-19 and 140 yards and a touchdown.
•
Senior DB Bryce Cheek (Lewis Center, Ohio) had a fumble recovery in the first quarter. It was the second of his career and his first this season.
•
In the second quarter, senior LB Darryl Monroe (Orlando, Fla.) forced the first fumble of his career, recovered by junior DE Se’Von Pittman (Canton, Ohio), the first of his career, leading to a Zips’ touchdown on the very next play.
•
Redshirt freshman TE Newman Williams’ 11-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter was the first TD of his collegiate career.
•
The Zips’ opening drive of the third quarter was 12:44, the longest drive of the season, resulting in a 24-yard field goal by senior PK Robert Stein. Kent State did not have one offense play in the entire quarter.
AKRON RANKED NO. 2 IN MOST IMPROVED TEAMS Phil Steele ranked the Akron Zips at No. 2 in his Top 10 list of the nation’s most improved teams entering the 2015 season. Miami (Fla.) is No. 1, followed by UA, Michigan, Pittsburgh, Indiana, Temple, Texas, Northwestern, Ball State, and Colorado. NFL TIES Five Zips have family ties to the NFL. Senior RB Donnell Alexander’s father was the late Derrick Thomas, the NFL Hall of Famer with the Kansas City Chiefs. Sophomore LS Michael Buddenberg’s father John was drafted by the Cleveland Browns to begin his seven-year NFL career. Junior OL Michael Casimos’ father Chris played with the New York Giants as a free agent. Redshirt senior Rodney Coe’s grandfather Charlie Coe is a former NFL coach; his uncle Michael won a Super Bowl ring with the New York Giants. Junior QB Matthew Hoyer’s older brother Brian is currently the starting QB for the Houston Texans. HITTING THE AIRWAVES All 13 of Akron football games were televised nationally this season: at Oklahoma (Fox Sports), Pittsburgh (ESPN3), Savannah State (ESPN3), Louisiana (ESPN3), Ohio (ESPN3), at Eastern Michigan (ESPN3), Central Michigan (ESPN3), at Bowling Green (ESPN3), at Massachusetts (CBS Sports Network), at Miami (ESPN3), Buffalo (CBS Sports Network), Kent State (ESPN3), and Utah State (ESPN).
ZACH
GUISER A K RON VS . U T AH STA TE
7
AKRON FOOTBALL CURRENT STREAKS
OFFENSE
Games Started 11 12 13 14 15 Total DL Cody Grice, Sr. – 12 12 12 12 48 LB Jatavis Brown, Sr. 1 12 12 12 37 OT Dylan Brumbaugh, Sr. – 5 12 7 12 36 DL Alfonso Horner, Sr. 7 4 10 3 24 OL Isaiah Williams, R-Sr. – 3 – 11 9 23 DL Se’Von Pittman, Jr. 12 11 23 OL Tommy Brown, Sr. 10 12 22 CB Kris Givens, Sr. 10 12 22 CB DeAndre Scott, Jr. – 10 12 22 QB Kyle Pohl, Sr. – 0 12 10 - 22 RB Conor Hundley, Sr. 3 – 6 11 20 LB Dylan Evans, Sr. 1 3 2 12 18 CB Bryce Cheek, Sr. – 2 3 12 17 WR Andrew Pratt, Sr. – – 5 12 17 OL Quaison Osborne, Sr. 3 – 2 10 15 WR Imani Davis, Sr. 0 1 2 12 15 S Zach Guiser, So. – 12 12 LB Darryl Monroe, Sr. 12 12 OL Andrew Bohan, Sr. – – – 11 11 WR Tyrell Goodman, R-Jr. – 5 – 3 8 WR Mykel Traylor-Bennett, Jr. – 6 – 6 CB John Senter, Sr. – – 5 1 6
QUARTERBACK POSSIBILITIES All three quarterbacks have seen action so far; each brings a different strength to the Zips’ offense.
Consecutive Games Started
After 12 games, Woodson is the Zips’ top quarterback, going 148-of-278 for 2,034 yards and 16 touchdowns in eight starts. He stands second in rushing with 553 yards and three touchdowns on 120 carries. Woodson stands No. 13 on both the season (2,034 yards) and career (2,840 yards) passing yards lists.
11 12 13 14 15 Total DL Cody Grice, Sr. – 12 12 12 12 48 LB Jatavis Brown, Sr. – 12 12 12 36 OL Tommy Brown, Sr. 10 12 22 CB Kris Givens, Sr. 10 12 22 OT Dylan Brumbaugh, Sr. – 5 12 17 WR Andrew Pratt, Sr. – – 5 12 17 CB Bryce Cheek, Sr. – 2 12 14 WR Imani Davis, Sr. – – – 12 12 LB Dylan Evans, Sr. – – – 12 12 S Zach Guiser, So. – 12 12 LB Darryl Monroe, Sr. 12 12 CB DeAndre Scott, Jr. – – 12 12 OL Andrew Bohan, Sr. – – – 11 11
Sophomore Thomas Woodson, who saw action in eight games with two starts as a redshirt freshman last fall, rushed three times for 30 yards at No. 19 Oklahoma. He played on a short-yardage play against Pitt but recorded no stats. In the win over Savannah State, Woodson came off the bench and guided the Zips to the endzone. He finished the game 12-of-20 for 207 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed 11 times for 63 yards and a touchdown. In the win at Louisiana, Woodson moved into the starting role which he maintained for the rest of the season. He finished the game at 13-of-29 for 238 yards and two touchdowns. His 72-yard TD pass to Jerome Lane was a career-long. He was also the Zips’ leading rusher, finishing with a career-high 93 yards and 14-yard touchdown on eight carries. For his efforts, Woodson was selected as the Zips’ Student-Athlete of the Week, presented by The University of Akron, Ohio’s Polytechnic University, and the College Sports Madness MAC Offensive Player of the Week. In the MAC opener against Ohio, Woodson went 18-of-38 231 yards. In the MAC win at Eastern Michigan, had a career-high four touchdown passes, all in the first half. He finished 14-of-22 for 222 yards en route to Zips’ Student-Athlete of the Week honors again. Against Bowling Green, Woodson went 13-for-28 for 91 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 54 yards. Against Central Michigan, he was 22-of-26 for 252 yards and a touchdown. In the win at UMass, Woodson went 15-for-27 for 174 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed for 58 yards and a 15-yard TD run. In the win at Miami (Ohio), Woodson went 13-of-28 for 221 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 70 yards. In the win over Buffalo, Woodson threw for 258 yards and a career-high four touchdowns on 17-of-30. In the shutout of Kent State, he threw for 11-of-19 and 140 yards and a touchdown.
Senior QB Kyle Pohl, who handled duties under center for the last two seasons, is No. 4 on the Zips’ career passing chart with 5,128 yards. At No. 19 Oklahoma, he came off the bench and led the Zips under center, going 6-of-17 for 88 yards. Against Pitt, Pohl went 3-of-8 for 34 yards. He missed the Savannah State game with an injury. Pohl returned to action in the win at Louisiana, playing in the fourth quarter. Against Bowling Green, he went 2-for-2 for 13 yards. In five games, Pohl is 11-of-27 for 135 yards. Sophomore newcomer Tra’Von Chapman, who waited a year for his shot, received the starting nod in the first three contests. A transfer from Pitt, he challenged returner Pohl through spring and training camp drills. At the 19th-ranked Sooners, Chapman went 0-8 in passing, but finished as the Zips’ leading rusher with 48 yards on 14 carries. Against Pitt, he went 4-for-14 for 29 yards. In the win over Savannah State, Chapman went 6-of-13 for 128 yards and a touchdown. He did not play at Louisiana. In three games, Chapman is 10-of-35 for 157 yards and one touchdown. He’s also rushed for 38 yards. BACKFIELD STACKED The graduation of two-time team offensive MVP Jawon Chisholm didn’t deplete the Zips’ backfield. Running back Conor Hundley came into the campaign ready for a breakout senior season.
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2 015 F A M O U S ID A H O P O TATO B O W L
AKRON FOOTBALL A starter at No. 19 Oklahoma, Hundley had eight carries for 36 yards. Against Pittsburgh, Hundley scored the Zips’ first touchdown of the year with a 32-yard run. In the win over Savannah State, Hundley led all rushers with 127 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries. The game marked the second 100-yard rushing performance of his career. In the win at Louisiana, Hundley rushed a career-high 20 times for 77 yards and two touchdowns. He also had a 33-yard reception. Against Ohio in the MAC opener, Hundley led all rushers with 66 yards on 18 carries. In the win at Eastern Michigan, rushed for 119 yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries. It was the third 100-yard rushing performance of his career. Hundley was the Zips’ leader at Bowling Green with 69 yards on 16 carries. Against Central Michigan, he led the Zips with 34 yards on 12 carries. In the win at UMass, Hundley was the top Zip with 92 yards on 23 carries. In the win at Miami (Ohio), he finished with 21 carries for 110 yards and a career-high three touchdowns, marking the fourth 100-yard performance of his career and third this season. In the shutout of Kent State, Hundley led all rushers with 98 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries. After 12 games, Hundley leads the Zips with 883 yards and 10 touchdowns on 188 carries. He is second on the team in scoring with 60 points.
DONNELL
ALEXANDER
New to the Zips is senior Donnell Alexander (Kansas City, Mo.), who transferred from Colorado State. In his last action in 2013, the speedster rushed for 428 yards and two touchdowns on 71 carries. In his first action as a Zip, Alexander had seven carries for 16 yards at No. 19 Oklahoma. In the win over Savannah State, Alexander rushed for 78 yards on 11 carries. In the win at Louisiana, he rushed 12 times for 65 yards. In the win at Eastern Michigan, Alexander rushed 21 times for 78 yards. Against Bowling Green, he rushed seven times for 14 yards. In the win at Miami (Ohio), Alexander gained 33 yards on five carries. In the win over Buffalo, Alexander scored his first collegiate touchdown on a seven-yard run in the third quarter. He added a second TD in the fourth quarter, eclipsing the 100-yard rushing mark for the first time as a Zip. He finished with 143 yards and two TDs on 24 carries, all career highs at Akron. In the shutout of Kent State, Alexander rushed eight times for 40 yards. In 10 games, Alexander is third in rushing with 476 yards and two touchdowns on 98 carries. The Zips have extensive depth with junior Hakeem Lawrence (Miami, Fla.) and true freshman Van Edwards (Cape Coral, Fla.). In 12 games, Lawrence has six rushes for 11 yards, while Edwards has 14 rushes for 60 yards. DON’T FORGET ABOUT CODY On the roster, he’s listed as the starting nose tackle, but don’t let his size or agility fool you. Senior captain Cody Grice can run. Used last season in short-yardage situations, Grice has reprised his role as the short-yardage fullback. In the win over Savannah State, he rushed for five times for seven yards and career-high three touchdowns, all in the first half. Grice ranked No. 11 nationally that week in scoring (18.0) and No. 13 in points per game (6.0). He was named the Zips’ Student-Athlete of the Week on Sept. 21. In the first three games, Grice rushed six times for eight yards and three touchdowns. In the MAC opener against Ohio, he rushed just once for six yards, a career long. In the win at Miami (Ohio), Grice had a two-yard rushing touchdown, his fourth this season (eighth of his career). After 12 games, Grice has 33 yards and four touchdowns on 19 carries. AIRING IT OUT Akron has used a plethora of wide receivers this fall, led by seniors Imani Davis and Andrew Pratt (North Canton, Ohio).
KYLE
POHL A K RON VS . U T AH STA TE
Against Pittsburgh, Davis had three receptions for 27 yards. In the win over Savannah State, he had three receptions for 50 yards and a touchdown. In the win at Louisiana, Davis had two receptions for 24 yards. Against Ohio in the MAC opener, Davis led all receivers with 94 yards on five receptions,
9
AKRON FOOTBALL 2015 ZIPS UNDER TERRY BOWDEN At home ................................................................3-3 On the road...........................................................4-2 At neutral sites............................................................
including a 42-yard catch. He also rushed for seven yards. In the win at Eastern Michigan, Davis led the receivers with five catches for 92 yards and a touchdown. Against Central Michigan, he led the Zips with a career-high eight receptions for a career-high 96 yards. In the win at UMass, Davis had two catches for 21 yards. In the win at Miami (Ohio), he led the Zips with seven receptions for 64 yards. In the win over Buffalo, Davis led all receivers with a career-high 118 yards and a touchdown on seven catches. It was the first 100-yard receiving game of his career.
On television (live)................................................7-5 In non-televised games..............................................
After 12 games, Davis is the Zips’ leading receiver with 46 receptions for 593 yards and three touchdowns.
On natural grass....................................................0-1 On artificial surface................................................7-4
Adding wide receiver duties along with his linebacker duties is sophomore Jerome Lane (Akron, Ohio). He led the Zips at No. 19 Oklahoma with three receptions for 57 yards, including a 42-yard catch. In the win over Savannah State, Lane led all receivers with three catches for 99 yards and his first career touchdown, a 50-yard catch. In the win at Louisiana, Lane had one reception, a 72-yard touchdown catch. Against Ohio, he had a 14-yard catch. In the win at Eastern Michigan, Lane had a TD reception on each of his first two catches on the day. The two TD receptions were the most in a game in his young career. He finished with four catches for 104 yards, all in the first half. It marked the first 100-yard performance of his collegiate career. At Bowling Green, Lane led the Zips with 45 yards on four receptions. Against Central Michigan, he scored the Zips’ only points on a 57-yard TD reception. In the win at UMass, Lane led the Zips with four receptions for 45 yards. In the win at Miami (Ohio), he had four catches for a team-high 83 Yards and a 32-yard touchdown reception to put the Zips on the scoreboard first. In the win over Buffalo, Lane had five receptions for 80 yards and two touchdowns. In the shutout of Kent State, he was the top receiver with four receptions for 75 yards.
In day games.........................................................6-3 In night games (6 p.m.+).....................................1-2 When winning coin toss........................................1-1 When opponent wins toss.....................................6-4 In overtime games..................................................... In games decided by 3 pts or less.........................1-1 In gamed decided by 7 pts or less............................. In September........................................................2-2 In October..............................................................1-3 In November ........................................................4-0 Against ranked opponents....................................0-1 Against non-ranked opponents.............................7-4 Coming off a win...................................................4-2 Coming off a loss...................................................3-3 When scoring first ................................................6-1 When opponent scores first..................................1-4 When leading at the half......................................6-0 When trailing at the half.......................................1-5 When tied at the half................................................. When scoring 0-9 points.......................................0-3 When opp. scores 0-9 pts......................................2-0 When scoring 10-19 points...................................1-2 When opp. scores 10-19 pts..................................2-2 When scoring 20-29 points...................................1-0 When opp. scores 20-29 pts..................................3-1 When scoring 30+ points.....................................5-0 When opp. scores 30+pts.....................................0-2 With 100-yard rusher............................................4-0 When opp. has 100-yard rusher............................1-0 With no 100-yard rusher.......................................3-5 With 100-yard receiver..........................................2-0 When opp. has 100-yard receiver.........................3-4 With no 100-yard receiver.....................................4-1
After 12 games, Lane is second in team receiving with 35 receptions for a team-best 750 yards and team-best eight touchdowns. Senior Andrew Pratt had two receptions in the win at Louisiana, including a nine-yard touchdown catch to put the Zips on the scoreboard. Against Ohio, he had three receptions for 40 yards. At Bowling Green, Pratt had two receptions for 17 yards. Against Central Michigan, he had four catches for 25 yards. In the win at UMass, Pratt had two receptions for 12 yards. In the win at Miami (Ohio), he had a 34-yard reception. In the shutout of Kent State, he had four receptions for 37 yards. After 12 games, Pratt is third in receiving with 19 catches for 186 yards and a touchdown. After a redshirt season in 2014, junior Tyrell Goodman (Yonkers, N.Y.) has worked his way back into the starting line-up. Against Pittsburgh, he had three receptions for 27 yards. In the win at Louisiana, Goodman had two catches for 18 yards. In the MAC opener against Ohio, he had three receptions for 29 yards, including a 12-yard catch. At Bowling Green, Goodman had a 14-yard touchdown reception. He had an eight-yard catch in the win at UMass. In nine games, Goodman is fourth in receiving with 12 receptions for 104 yards and a touchdown. Junior TE Josh McNeil (Durham, N.C.) scored the first touchdown of his collegiate career with a oneyard reception in the win at Eastern Michigan. At Bowling Green, he had two receptions for 13 yards. Adding depth are junior Michael Means, Jr. (Cincinnati, Ohio); sophomores A.J. Coney (Orlando, Fla.) and Austin Wolf (Lebanon, Ohio); and freshman Richie Cooper (Hollywood, Fla.). All have seen game action. In the win at UMass, Coney had a career-high three receptions for a career-high 38 yards, while Wolf put the Zips on the scoreboard with a 27-yard TD reception. The touchdown was the second of his collegiate career and his first this season.
With 300-yard passer................................................. When opp. has 300-yard passer............................0-2 With no 300-yard passer ......................................7-3
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2 015 F A M O U S ID A H O P O TATO B O W L
AKRON FOOTBALL FIRST LINE OF DEFENSE The Zips’ offensive line is heavy ... senior heavy. All five starters– LT Isaiah Williams (Cleveland, Ohio), LG Dylan Brumbaugh (Green, Ohio), C Andrew Bohan (Avon Lake, Ohio), RG Tommy Brown (Akron, Ohio), and RT Quaison Osborne (Hudson, Ohio)– have started a combined 116 starting nods between them. The only newcomer is Bohan, who replaced four-year starting center Travis Switzer. Redshirt freshman Kyle Ritz (Willoughby, Ohio) started the first five games (Eastern Michigan, Bowling Green, Central Michigan, Miami, Buffalo) of his career at right tackle. Sophomore C Stephen Ericksen (Sherrodsville, Ohio) made his first career start (at center) in the win at Massachusetts. Akron’s run blocking and pass protection schemes elevated the offensive production this season. The Zips averaged 170.2 yards per game on the ground, 46.5 yards better than last season. Additionally, the Zips rushed for 2,043 total yards, exceeding last year’s season total of 1,484 (after just 10 games). Akron also allowed nine fewer sacks.
DEFENSE ANDREW
PRATT
LINEBACKER U Three-time first-team All-MAC honoree and the 2015 MAC Defensive Player of the Year, senior Jatavis Brown was the only returning starter at linebacker. At No. 19 Oklahoma, Brown had seven tackles, including a two-yard sack. Against Pittsburgh, Brown led all defenders with a career-high 16 tackles, including eight solo stops, 2.5 sacks for a loss of 18 yards, and a forced fumble. In the win over Savannah State, he had seven tackles. In the win at Louisiana, Brown had five tackles, including 2.0 TFL, and a hurry. In the MAC opener against Ohio, he had seven tackles. In the win at Eastern Michigan, Brown had nine tackles, including five solo stops and a TFL. At Bowling Green, he had nine tackles and a team-best two sacks for a loss of 13 yards. Against Central Michigan, Brown led the Zips with six tackles and a nine-yard sack. In the win at UMass, Brown led the Zips with 11 tackles, 1.5 TFL, and an eight-yard sack. In the win at Miami (Ohio), he had a very busy day. Brown led all defenders with 11 tackles, two sacks, a career-high 4.5 TFL, a forced fumble, a break-up, and the first interception of his career en route to MAC Defensive Player of the Week honors. In the win over Buffalo, Brown led all defenders with 12 tackles and two hurries. In the shutout of Kent State, he led the Zips with eight tackles, a forced fumble, and a hurry. With his two sacks against Miami, Brown set the school record for sacks in a season [the previous record was 10.0 sacks, held by Jason Taylor (1996) and Ken Williams (1993)]. He now has 10.5 sacks. After 12 games, Brown is the team tackling leader with 108 tackles, including a team-best 17.5 TFL and a season record 10.5 sacks, six hurries, three forced fumbles, and an interception. Joining Brown are seniors Dylan Evans (Nazareth, Pa.), who played in all 12 games last fall with two starts, and Darryl Monroe (Orlando, Fla.), who transferred from Washington State.
QUAISON
OSBORNE A K RON VS . U T AH STA TE
At No. 19 Oklahoma, Evans led the Zips with a career-high 13 tackles, including eight solo stops, and a break-up. Against Pitt, he had 11 tackles and a six-yard sack. In the win over Savannah State, Evans was the team leader with nine tackles and a game-high four break-ups. In the win at Louisiana, he had five solo stops, including 2.0 TFL, and a 17-yard interception return. In the win over Eastern Michigan, Evans led the defense with 10 tackles, including five solo stops. Evans led the Zips with 11 tackles, including six solo stops, at Bowling Green. Against Central Michigan, Evans made five solo stops. In the win at UMass, he led the Zips with 11 tackles, including seven solo stops. In the win at Miami (Ohio), he had eight tackles. In the shutout of Kent State, Evans had six tackles, including 1.5 TFL.
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AKRON FOOTBALL After 12 games, Evans is second in team tackling with 98 tackles, including a team-best 59 solo stops, 10.0 TFL, six break-ups, 1.5 sacks, and an interception. Against Pittsburgh, Monroe racked up 10 tackles, including five solos. In the win over Savanna State, he had three tackles. In the win at Louisiana, Monroe had five solo stops. In the MAC opener against Ohio, he led the Zips with eight tackles, including six solo stops. In the win at Eastern Michigan, Monroe had seven tackles, including a TFL. At Bowling Green, he had nine tackles. Against Central Michigan, he had six tackles, including five solo stops. In the win at UMass, Monroe had four tackles. In the win at Miami (Ohio), he had six tackles and a hurry. In the win over Buffalo, Monroe had nine tackles. In the shutout of Kent State, he had five tackles, a 12-yard sack, and a forced fumble. After 12 games, Monroe is third in tackling with 78 tackles, 4.0 TFL, two hurries, a forced fumble, and a sack. THE FANTASTIC FOUR The Zips’ front four are a force of strength, highlighted by second-team All-MAC honoree and senior NT Cody Grice, a starter in every game of his collegiate career (48 and counting).
CODY
GRICE
And yes, his haircut– the half man, half amazing– is back! At No. 19 Oklahoma, Grice had three tackles. Against Pittsburgh, he had two solo stops and rushed once for one yard in the third quarter. In the win over Savannah State, Grice had two tackles, including a TFL, in addition to his three rushing touchdowns. In the win at Louisiana, he had a 12-yard fumble recovery. In the win at Eastern Michigan, Grice had four tackles. In the win at UMass, he had a solo tackle and an eight-yard sack. In the win at Miami (Ohio), Grice had a tackle and a two-yard rushing touchdown. In the shutout of Kent State, he had three tackles. Joining him on the line are three preseason All-MAC honors– junior ends Se’Von PIttman (Canton, Ohio) and Jamal Marcus (Durham, N.C.), and senior tackle Rodney Coe (Fulton, Mo). Pittman started all 12 games last fall. Transfers Marcus (Ohio State) and Coe (Iowa State) sat out last year per NCAA transfer rules. At No. 19 Oklahoma, Pittman had two solo tackles. Against Pitt, he had four tackles, including two TFL for a loss of 11 yards. In the win over Savannah State, Pittman had two tackles and a hurry. In the win at Louisiana, Pittman had a TFL and a forced fumble. Against Ohio, he had four tackles. In the win at Eastern Michigan, Pittman had four tackles. Against Central Michigan, he had three tackles, a break-up, and a hurry. In the win at UMass, Pittman had six tackles, including 2.0 TFL, and a forced fumble. In the win over Buffalo, he had four tackles and a break-up. In the shutout of Kent State, Pittman had a five-yard sack and a fumble recovery, the first of his career. A third-team All-MAC selection, Marcus had four tackles, including a TFL for a loss of four yards, at No. 19 Oklahoma. He missed the Savannah State game with an injury. In the MAC opener, Marcus had a career-high six tackles, including a career-high five solo stops and 4.0 TFL. He also had a career-high two sacks for a loss of 14 yards. At Bowling Green, Marcus had two solo tackles and a sack for a loss of 15 yards. In the win at Miami (Ohio), he had three tackles, an eight-yard sack, a fumble recovery, and five hurries. In the shutout of Kent State, Marcus had two solo tackles, a five-yard sack, and two hurries.
JAMAL
MARCUS
A third-team All-MAC selection, Coe had two tackles at No. 19 Oklahoma. He missed the Savannah State game with an injury. In the win at Louisiana, Coe had six solo stops. Against Ohio, he had three tackles and two break-ups. In the win at Eastern Michigan, Coe had six tackles, 1.5 TFL, and a hurry. At Bowling Green, he had four tackles. Against Central Michigan, Coe had a career-high two sacks (for a loss of 16 yards), the first of his Akron career. He also had a career-high three tackles for a loss of 18 yards. In the win at UMass, Coe had four tackles. In the win at Miami (Ohio), he had four tackles. In the win over Buffalo, Coe had five tackles and forced the first fumble of his collegiate career. The Zips scored a touchdown on the very next play. In the shutout of Kent State, Coe had four tackles, 1.5 TFL, and two hurries. Akron’s Fantastic Four has combined for a 89.8 rushing defense which ranks first in the MAC and No. 3 nationally.
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2 015 F A M O U S ID A H O P O TATO B O W L
AKRON FOOTBALL SECONDARY SECOND TO NONE The Zips’ secondary is stacked with returning starters. At corner, seniors Kris Givens (Ridgeland, Miss.) and John Senter (Huber Heights, Ohio), and junior DeAndre Scott (Frederick, Md.) lead the competition from the underclassmen. At No. 19 Oklahoma, Givens was the top defensive back, finishing second with seven tackles, including six solo stops. He had three solo stops against Pitt. In the win over Savannah State, Givens had three tackles and a break-up. In the MAC opener against Ohio, he led the Zips with eight tackles, including six solo stops. At Bowling Green, Givens had seven tackles. In the win at UMass, he had three tackles and an interception. In the win over Buffalo, Givens had four solo tackles and a break-up. In the shutout of Kent State, he had three tackles and a break-up. After 12 games, Givens has 48 tackles, six break-ups, and an interception. Senior CB Bryce Cheek (Lewis Center, Ohio) had six tackles at No. 19 Oklahoma. Against Pittsburgh, he had seven tackles. In the win over Savannah State, Cheek had four tackles. In the win at Louisiana, he had four tackles. Against Ohio, Cheek had four tackles and a break-up. In the win over Eastern Michigan, he had six tackles and a forced fumble. At Bowling Green, Cheek had five tackles and a break-up. Against Central Michigan, he had three solo stops. In the win at UMass, Cheek had five tackles and a break-up. In the win over Buffalo, he had four solo tackles, an interception, and two break-ups. In the shutout of Kent State, Cheek recovered a fumble, the second of his career and first this season.
DE’ANDRE
SCOTT
After 12 games, Cheek is the top defensive back, standing fourth in team tackling, with 51 tackles, five break-ups, an interception, a TFL, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. In the win over Savannah State, Scott had three solo tackles, two break-ups, and a 13-yard interception return. In the win at Louisiana, he had three solo stops, an interception, and a break-up. Against Ohio, he had two tackles and an interception. Against Central Michigan, he had three tackles and a break-up. In the win at UMass, Scott had two tackles and an interception in the final minute of play to seal Akron’s win. It was the fifth interception of the season (and the eighth of his career). In the win at Miami (Ohio), he had two solo tackles, a forced fumble, an interception, and two break-ups. In the win over Buffalo, Scott had six tackles and fumble recovery, the first of his career. The Zips scored on the very next play. In the shutout of Kent State, Scott had two solo stops and a break-up. After 12 games, Scott has 27 tackles, a team-best 10 break-ups, a team-best six interceptions, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. Against Central Michigan, redshirt freshman CB Jordan George (Ketering, Ohio) had his first career interception. Sophomore S Zach Guiser (Fayette City, Pa.) had four tackles in his first start as a Zip at No. 19 Oklahoma. Against Pittsburgh, he had five tackles. In the win at Louisiana, Guiser led the Zips with eight tackles and a break-up. Against Ohio, he had three solo tackles. In the win at Eastern Michigan, Guiser had four tackles and his first career interception. At Bowling Green, he had five tackles. Against Central Michigan, Guiser had four tackles and a break-up. In the win at UMass, he had seven tackles and a break-up. In the win at Miami (Ohio), Guiser had four tackles, a forced fumble, and a break-up. In the win over Buffalo, he had six tackles and an interception. After 12 games, Guiser is fifth in team tackling with 50 tackles, two interceptions, five break-ups, and a fumble recovery.
KRIS
GIVENS A K RON VS . U T AH STA TE
13
AKRON FOOTBALL SPECIAL TEAMS SENIOR LEADERSHIP One area that remained consistent has been special teams. Senior placekicker Robert Stein resumed his kicking and PAT duties again this fall. At No. 19 Oklahoma, Stein scored the Zips’ only points with a 26-yard field goal. He also kicked off twice for 107 yards. Against Pittsburgh, Stein connected on a PAT and kicked off twice for 77 yards. In the win over Savannah State, he had a 21-yard field goal while kicking a perfect 7-for-7 in extra points, extending his consecutive streak to 35. He also kicked off a career-high nine times for a career-high 542 yards (60.2 average). In the win at Louisiana, Stein made five extra points. He kicked off six times for 371 yards (61.8 average). In the MAC opener against Ohio, Stein scored all 12 of Akron’s points with a career-high four field goals, including a 41-yarder, en route to MAC Special Teams Player of the Week honors. In the win at Eastern Michigan, Stein was a perfect 6-for-6 in extra points on the day, extending his consecutive made streak to 46. He also converted a 39-yard field goal in the second quarter. At Bowling Green, Stein nailed a 46-yard field goal in the second quarter, his longest this season and the second longest of his career. He missed a PAT, snapping his consecutive streak (49). In the win at UMass, Stein made a 36-yard field goal and two PAT. In the win at Miami (Ohio), Stein nailed 50-yard field goal with less than three minutes left to seal the Zips’ victory. In the win over Buffalo, he made six extra points and kicked off seven times for 422 yards (60.3 avg.). In the shutout of Kent State, Stein had two field goals (23 and 20 yards) and two extra points.
ROBERT
STEIN
After 12 games, Stein is the Zips’ scoring leader with 70 points (12-of-19 field goals and 34-of-36 PAT). He has also kicked off 60 times for 3,460 yards (57.7 avg.) with 16 touchbacks. Punter Zach Paul (Broadview Heights, Ohio) returned for his senior season. Paul punted 12 times at No. 19 Oklahoma for 557 yards (46.4 avg.) with four landing inside the 20, all career bests. His long was 73 yards. Against Pittsburgh, he punted nine times for 355 yards (39.4 avg.), including a long of 62 yards. In the win over Savannah State, Paul punted just three times for 102 yards. In the win at Louisiana, he punted three times for 97 yards. Against Ohio, Paul punted five times for 164 yards (32.8 avg.). In the win at Eastern Michigan, he punted four times for 165 yards (41.2 avg.) with three landing inside the 20. At Bowling Green, Paul punted five times for 196 yards, including a long of 64 yards. Against Central Michigan, he punted nine times for 378 yards (42.0 average), with a long of 53. Four punts landed inside the 20 and two were touchbacks. In the win at UMass, Paul punted six times for 275 yards (45.8 avg.) His long punt of 59 yards came in the fourth quarter before UMass’ final drive. In the win at Miami (Ohio), Paul punted five times for 205 yards (41.0 avg.). In the win over Buffalo, he punted seven times for 311 yards (44.4 avg.). In the shutout of Kent State, Paul punted just three times for 117 yards (averaging 39.0), including a long of 45 yards. Two of those punts landed inside the 20. His final punt in the fourth quarter was downed at the one-yard line to start Kent’s final drive of the game. After 12 games, Paul has punted 71 times for 2,922 yards (41.2 average), including 12 longer than 50 yards, 23 inside the 20, and 16 fair catches. PAUL NOMINATED FOR RAY GUY AWARD Senior punter Zach Paul was one of 79 players nationally named as nominees for the 2015 Ray Guy Award as the nation’s top collegiate punter. A 2015 preseason All-MAC honoree by Athlon Sports, Paul is a two-time All-MAC selection, earning second-team honors last fall. Paul was named to the Ray Guy Watch List in 2013 and 2014.
ZACH
PAUL
LONG SNAPPER’S BIG MOVE In Akron’s 35-14 win at Louisiana, sophomore LS Michael Buddenberg recorded his first stat as he recovered a Louisiana fumble following a punt in the second quarter. The recovery gave the Zips the ball back to close out the first half and take away the Cajuns’ opportunity to tie the game before halftime. He was tabbed the Mid-American Conference Special Teams Player of the Week for the East Division on Sept. 28.
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2 015 F A M O U S ID A H O P O TATO B O W L
AKRON FOOTBALL RETURN THIS The Zips had two new players working on returns this fall. On punt returns, sophomore WR A.J. Coney is utilizing his size and speed. He has 17 punt returns for 73 yards (4.3 average). On kickoff returns, freshman RB Van Edwards has 19 returns for 396 yards (20.8 average), including a 31-yard return in the win at Eastern Michigan. At Bowling Green, junior WR Tyrell Goodman had four returns for 36 yards, including a 21-yard return. In the win at UMass, redshirt freshman WR Anthony Lauro (Bradenton, Fla.) returned his first kick, good for an eight-yard return in the second quarter.
ON THE SIDELINES THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE HOME Akron is in its seventh season on campus at InfoCision Stadium – Summa Field. The Zips have a 16-26 record at the venue (3-3 in 2015).
AJ
CONEY
The 30,000-seat stadium features 17 suites, state-of-the-art video board, and 80,000 square feet of academic space used daily by all University students. Additionally, the Sport Science and Wellness Education Department conducts classes on two levels, and the University’s Alumni Association resides there as well. FRYE INDUCTED INTO RING OF HONOR Former Zips’ quarterback Charlie Frye (2001-04) was inducted into the school’s Ring of Honor on Nov. 27. Frye became the seventh inductee overall and third player, joining TE Chris Angeloff (2003) and LB/DE Jason Taylor (2004). ZIPS IN THE NFL Three former Zips are currently listed on NFL rosters– DB Jalil Carter (Minnesota), LB Justin March-Lillard (Kansas City), and G Jarrod Pughsley (Kansas City).
TYRELL
GOODMAN A K RON VS . U T AH STA TE
DID YOU KNOW . . .
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Zippy is just one of five female-gendered college mascots in Division I athletics. Do you know the other four? (YoUDee, the Delaware Blue Hen; Mrs. Wuf of N.C. State; Lucy Lobo of New Mexico; and Wilma Wildcat of Arizona)
•
Akron was the first school to jump from Division I-AA football (now called FCS) to I-A (now called FBS). The Zips made the move in 1987.
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Hall of Fame coach John Heisman coached football from 1893-94 for Buchtel College (Akron’s original name). The Cleveland native went on to take Georgia Tech to the national championship in 1917. The Heisman Trophy, given to the nation’s most outstanding college player, is named in his honor. On Sept. 12, 2015, an 8-ft., 750-lb. bronze statue of Heisman was unveiled at InfoCision Stadium (outside Gate 1).
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Only one player in school history has had his number retired– #89 Chris Angeloff. The junior tight end collapsed and died of cardiac arrest during UA’s 20-8 victory over Marshall on Sept. 6, 1975. The Chris Angeloff Scholarship was created in his honor.
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The 2015 season marked the 10th Anniversary of the Zips’ 2005 MAC Championship team and Motor City Bowl appearance. The 2005 team was honored during the home opener against Pittsburgh.
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AKRON FOOTBALL 2015 AKRON FOOTBALL ROSTER
NUMERICAL ROSTER
1 Jatavis Brown LB Sr. 5-11 222 1 Hakeem Lawrence RB R-Jr. 5-7 180 2 Larry Hope DB Jr. 6-0 192 2 Tyrell Goodman WR R-Jr. 6-2 215 2 Michaelee Harris WR R-Sr. 6-0 210 3 Darryl Monroe LB Sr. 6-1 235 3 Richie Cooper WR Fr. 5-8 158 4 Conor Hundley RB Sr. 5-10 206 5 Tra’Von Chapman QB R-So. 6-1 216 5 Ulysees Gilbert III LB Fr. 6-1 225 6 DeAndre Scott CB Jr. 5-11 185 7 Jerome Lane LB/WR So. 6-3 220 7 Devyn Wood QB R-Fr. 6-2 185 8 Donnell Alexander RB Sr. 5-11 219 8 Richard Dorvilus DE R-Jr. 6-1 227 9 Rodney Coe DL R-Sr. 6-3 305 10 Brian Bell LB Fr. 6-3 218 10 Mykel Traylor-Bennett WR Jr. 6-3 215 11 A.J. Coney WR R-So. 5-8 180 12 Imani Davis WR Sr. 5-9 180 13 Thomas Woodson QB So. 6-1 240 13 Wedley Charles CB R-Jr. 5-7 162 14 James Turner S R-Jr. 5-11 201 14 Caleb Chapman QB R-Fr. 6-2 212 15 Cory Morrow S Jr. 6-0 204 15 Matthew Hoyer QB Jr. 6-4 210 16 Kyle Pohl QB Sr. 6-3 210 17 Anthony Young ATH So. 6-0 176 18 Josh McNeil TE Jr. 6-5 265 19 Anthony Lauro WR R-Fr. 5-10 195 19 Vince Lockett ATH Fr. 5-11 202 20 Kyron Brown CB R-Fr. 6-1 186 21 Kris Givens CB Sr. 5-11 175 21 Michael Means, Jr. WR R-Jr. 6-2 200 22 Mikee Hayes CB So. 5-9 166 23 Van Edwards, Jr. RB Fr. 5-9 185 24 Jordan George CB R-Fr. 5-11 193 25 D.J. Jones RB Jr. 5-8 191 26 Fredrick Crow II RB So. 5-8 180 27 John Senter CB Sr. 5-7 165 28 Manny Morgan RB So. 5-8 185 29 Bryce Cheek CB Sr. 6-0 195 30 Chuck Turfe RB Fr. 5-11 205 31 Jamal Baggett S R-Fr. 5-11 190 32 Zach Guiser S So. 6-0 195 33 LaVonne Gauthney TE So. 6-1 290 33 Jason Williams DB Fr. 6-3 185 34 Jamal Marcus DL R-Jr. 6-2 240 35 Newman Williams TE/LB R-Fr. 6-2 250 36 Cody Grice DL Sr. 5-11 275 37 Tom O’Leary PK So. 5-11 190 37 Danny Seafler WR Sr. 5-9 175 38 Zach Paul P/K Sr. 6-3 221 39 Landon Yeartie WR R-Fr. 5-7 165 40 John Lako LB Fr. 6-2 208 41 Kyle Foster P R-Fr. 6-2 185 43 Nathan Bischof DB R-Fr. 6-2 210 43 Zach Gingerich P/K So. 6-3 209
ALPHABETICAL ROSTER No. Name Pos. 8 Donnell Alexander RB 49 Christian Allen FB 31 Jamal Baggett S 10 Brian Bell LB 43 Nathan Bischof DB 77 Andrew Bohan OL 50 Brock Boxen DL 1 Jatavis Brown LB 20 Kyron Brown CB 55 Tommy Brown OL 75 Dylan Brumbaugh OL 88 Michael Buddenberg LS 50 Undrea Bullard OL 84 Avery Cagle TE 70 Michael Casimos OL 14 Caleb Chapman QB 5 Tra’Von Chapman QB 13 Wedley Charles CB 29 Bryce Cheek CB 9 Rodney Coe DL 11 A.J. Coney WR 3 Richie Cooper WR 95 Darius Copeland DL 26 Fredrick Crow II RB 12 Imani Davis WR 85 Jaquavis Dixon ATH 8 Richard Dorvilus DE 23 Van Edwards, Jr. RB 57 Stephen Ericksen OL 54 Dylan Evans LB 41 Kyle Foster P 60 Nick Gasser PK/P 33 LaVonne Gauthney TE 24 Jordan George CB 5 Ulysees Gilbert III LB 43 Zach Gingerich P/K 21 Kris Givens CB 2 Tyrell Goodman WR 36 Cody Grice DL 65 Hayden Grover LS 32 Zach Guiser S 2 Michaelee Harris WR 58 Andrew Hauser LB 22 Mikee Hayes CB 73 Mitchell Hlay OL 2 Larry Hope DB 96 Alfonso Horner DE 15 Matthew Hoyer QB 4 Conor Hundley RB 25 D.J. Jones RB 53 Travonte Junius DE/LB 45 Brandon Junk TE 79 Rich Kallay OL 47 Shawn Kirk PK 83 Michael Kish TE 69 Ryan Kortokrax OL 40 John Lako LB
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Yr. Sr. Jr. R-Fr. Fr. R-Fr. Sr. Fr. Sr. R-Fr. Sr. Sr. So. R-Fr. Fr. Jr. R-Fr. R-So. R-Jr. Sr. R-Sr. R-So Fr. So. So. Sr. Fr. R-Jr. Fr. So. Sr. R-Fr. R-Fr. So. R-Fr. Fr. So. Sr. R-Jr. Sr. R-Fr. So. R-Sr. Jr. So. Fr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Fr. Fr. Fr. R-Fr. So. So. Fr.
Ht. 5-11 6-1 5-11 6-3 6-2 6-3 6-3 5-11 6-1 6-4 6-5 5-11 6-6 6-4 6-2 6-2 6-1 5-7 6-0 6-3 5-8 5-8 6-1 5-8 5-9 6-2 6-1 5-9 6-3 6-2 6-2 6-0 6-1 5-11 6-1 6-3 5-11 6-2 5-11 5-11 6-0 6-0 6-1 5-9 6-7 6-0 6-3 6-4 5-10 5-8 6-3 6-2 6-5 5-10 6-4 6-3 6-2
Wt. 219 252 190 218 210 290 272 222 186 336 288 195 295 227 320 212 216 162 195 305 180 158 280 180 180 185 227 185 300 220 185 167 290 193 225 209 175 215 275 200 195 210 219 166 275 192 230 210 206 191 210 235 290 210 237 300 208
Hometown / High School / Previous School Kansas City, Mo. / Blue Springs South / Colorado State Morgantown, W.Va. / Morgantown Oak Park, Ill. / River Forest Valdosta, Ga. / Lowndes Akron, Ohio / St. Vincent-St. Mary Avon Lake, Ohio / Avon Lake New Galilee, Pa. / Beaver Falls Belle Glade, Fla. / Glades Central Boynton Beach, Fla. / Boynton Beach Akron, Ohio / Firestone / Ohio State Green, Ohio / Green Massillon, Ohio / Jackson St. Petersburg, Fla. / Gibbs Gainesville, Ga. / Riverside Military Academy Upper Saddle River, N.J. / Don Bosco Prep Ft. Myers, Fla. / Evangelical Christian Kent, Ohio / Kent Roosevelt / Pittsburgh St. Cloud, Fla. / St. Cloud / Hiram Lewis Center, Ohio / Olentangy Fulton, Mo. / Edwardsville / Iowa State Orlando, Fla. / Oviedo / Weber State Hollywood, Fla. / Hallandale Ft. Myers, Fla. / Ft. Myers Canton, Ohio / Bridgeport Miami, Fla. / Belen Jesuit Prep Oviedo, Fla. / Hagerty Miami, Fla. / Cypress Bay / Independence CC Cape Coral, Fla. / Island Coast Sherrodsville, Ohio / Carrollton Nazareth, Pa. / Pen Argyl Area Parkersburg, W. Va. / Parkersburg Liberty Township, Ohio / Lakota East Reynoldsburg, Ohio / Reynoldsburg / Hargrave MA Kettering, Ohio / Archbishop Alter Ocala, Fla. / Trinity Catholic Bellefontaine, Ohio / Bellefontaine Ridgeland, Miss. / Ridgeland / Holmes (Miss.) CC Yonkers, N.Y. / Archbishop Stepinac Akron, Ohio / Firestone Spencer, N.Y. / Spencer-van Etten Central Fayette City, Pa. / Greensburg Central Catholic Miami, Fla. / Northwestern / Louisville Mason, Ohio / William Mason Ocala, Fla. / West Port Richfield, Ohio / Revere Miami, Fla. / American Senior / Miami (Fla.) Miami, Fla. / Belen Jesuit Prep North Olmsted, Ohio / St. Ignatius / Mercyhurst Hamilton, Ohio / St. Xavier Ravenna, Ohio / Ravenna Akron, Ohio / St. Vincent-St. Mary Clearwater, Fla. / Central Catholic Largo, Fla. / Central Catholic Alliance, Ohio / Marlington Pittsburgh, Pa. / Brentwood Haviland, Ohio / Wayne Trace Monroe, Mich. / St. Mary Catholic
2 015 F A M O U S ID A H O P O TATO B O W L
AKRON FOOTBALL 2015 AKRON FOOTBALL ROSTER No. Name Pos. Yr. 7 Jerome Lane LB/WR So. 19 Anthony Lauro WR R-Fr. 1 Hakeem Lawrence RB R-JR. 19 Vince Lockett ATH Fr. 34 Jamal Marcus DL R-Jr. 92 Daryan Martin TE Jr. 18 Josh McNeil TE Jr. 21 Michael Means, Jr. WR R-Jr. 3 Darryl Monroe LB Sr. 28 Manny Morgan RB So. 15 Cory Morrow S Jr. 37 Tom O’Leary PK So. 71 Quaison Osborne OL Sr. 38 Zach Paul P/K Sr. 90 Se’Von Pittman DL Jr. 16 Kyle Pohl QB Sr. 80 Andrew Pratt WR Sr. 74 Xavier Quigley OL Jr. 59 John Rachal LB Jr. 94 Brian Reinke DL R-Fr. 66 Kyle Ritz OL R-Fr. 6 DeAndre Scott CB Jr. 37 Danny Seafler WR Sr. 44 Dylan Seibel TE R-So. 27 John Senter CB Sr. 99 Tyler Shipman DT Fr. 98 Christopher Spruill DL So. 48 Robert Stein PK Sr. 10 Mykel Traylor-Bennett WR Jr. 30 Chuck Turfe RB Fr. 14 James Turner S R-Jr. 93 Daumantas Venckus DE R-Jr. 52 Josh Ward LB Fr. 97 Brennan Williams DL R-Fr. 56 Isaiah Williams OL R-Sr. 33 Jason Williams DB Fr. 35 Newman Williams TE/LB R-Fr. 82 Austin Wolf WR So. 7 Devyn Wood QB R-Fr. 13 Thomas Woodson QB So. 39 Landon Yeartie WR R-Fr. 17 Anthony Young ATH So.
Ht. 6-3 5-10 5-7 5-11 6-2 6-0 6-5 6-2 6-1 5-8 6-0 5-11 6-3 6-3 6-3 6-3 6-5 6-1 6-2 6-4 6-5 5-11 5-9 6-4 5-7 6-1 6-2 5-8 6-3 5-11 5-11 6-5 6-2 6-1 6-3 6-3 6-2 6-3 6-2 6-1 5-7 6-0
Wt. 220 195 180 202 240 245 265 200 235 185 204 190 305 221 269 210 210 286 225 220 305 185 175 232 165 240 270 171 215 205 201 230 214 264 296 185 250 210 185 240 165 176
Hometown / High School / Previous School Akron, Ohio / Firestone Bradenton, Fla. / Manatee Miami, Fla. / Hialeah-Miami Lakes Akron, Ohio / St. Vincent-St. Mary Durham, N.C. / Hillside / Ohio State Cincinnati, Ohio / Princeton Durham, N.C. / Milford Academy / Copiah-Lincoln CC Cincinnati, Ohio / Archbishop Moeller / Scottsdale CC Orlando, Fla. / Dr. Phillips / Washington State Naples, Fla. / Naples Geneva, Ohio / Geneva Tucker, Ga. / St. Pius X Catholic Hudson, Ohio / Hudson Broadview Heights, Ohio / Padua Canton, Ohio / Canton McKinley / Ohio State Farmersville, Ohio / Valley View North Canton, Ohio / Green Ankeny, Iowa / Ankeny / Western Iowa Fort Lauderdale, Fla. / Dillard Copley, Ohio / Copley Senior Willoughby, Ohio / Willoughby South Frederick, Md. / Thomas Johnson / Hargrave MA Brecksville, Ohio / Brecksville-Broadview Heights Uniontown, Ohio / Uniontown Lake / Albany Huber Heights, Ohio / Wayne Buford, Ga. / Buford Maple Heights, Ohio / John Adams Cincinnati, Ohio / Sycamore Columbus, Ohio / Reynoldsburg Canton, Mich. / Canton Fairfield, Ohio / Fairfield Weston, Fla. / Cypress Bay / Iowa Delray Beach, Fla. / American Heritage Akron, Ohio / Firestone Cleveland, Ohio / John Adams Hialeah, Fla. / Champagnat Catholic / Milford Akron, Ohio / St. Vincent-St. Mary Lebanon, Ohio / Lebanon Mount Orab, Ohio / Western Brown Monroeville, Pa. / Gateway Senior Jacksonville, Fla. / Marion-Franklin Medina, Ohio / Lakewood St. Edward / Indiana
NUMERICAL ROSTER 44 Dylan Seibel 45 Brandon Junk 47 Shawn Kirk 48 Robert Stein 49 Christian Allen 50 Brock Boxen 50 Undrea Bullard 52 Josh Ward 53 Travonte Junius 54 Dylan Evans 55 Tommy Brown 56 Isaiah Williams 57 Stephen Ericksen 58 Andrew Hauser 59 John Rachal 60 Nick Gasser 65 Hayden Grover 66 Kyle Ritz 69 Ryan Kortokrax 70 Michael Casimos 71 Quaison Osborne 73 Mitchell Hlay 74 Xavier Quigley 75 Dylan Brumbaugh 77 Andrew Bohan 79 Rich Kallay 80 Andrew Pratt 82 Austin Wolf 83 Michael Kish 84 Avery Cagle 85 Jaquavis Dixon 88 Michael Buddenberg 90 Se’Von Pittman 92 Daryan Martin 93 Daumantas Venckus 94 Brian Reinke 95 Darius Copeland 96 Alfonso Horner 97 Brennan Williams 98 Christopher Spruill 99 Tyler Shipman
TE R-So. 6-4 232 TE Fr. 6-2 235 PK R-Fr. 5-10 210 PK Sr. 5-8 171 FB Jr. 6-1 252 DL Fr. 6-3 272 OL R-Fr. 6-6 295 LB Fr. 6-2 214 DE/LB Fr. 6-3 210 LB Sr. 6-2 220 OL Sr. 6-4 336 OL R-Sr. 6-3 296 OL So. 6-3 300 LB Jr. 6-1 219 LB Jr. 6-2 225 PK/P R-Fr. 6-0 167 LS R-Fr. 5-11 200 OL R-Fr. 6-5 305 OL So. 6-3 300 OL Jr. 6-2 320 OL Sr. 6-3 305 OL Fr. 6-7 275 OL Jr. 6-1 286 OL Sr. 6-5 288 OL Sr. 6-3 290 OL Fr. 6-5 290 WR Sr. 6-5 210 WR So. 6-3 210 TE So. 6-4 237 TE Fr. 6-4 227 ATH Fr. 6-2 185 LS So. 5-11 195 DL Jr. 6-3 269 TE Jr. 6-0 245 DE R-Jr. 6-5 230 DL R-Fr. 6-4 220 DL So. 6-1 280 DE Sr. 6-3 230 DL R-Fr. 6-1 264 DL So. 6-2 270 DT Fr. 6-1 240
COACHING STAFF
Team Captains: Jatavis Brown, Conor Hundley, Cody Grice
PRONUNCIATION GUIDE Michael Casimos Tra’Von Chapman LaVonne Gauthney Travonte Junius Se’Von Pittman
ca-SEE-mos TRAY-von La-von Goth-knee Tra-VON-tay SAY-von
A K RON VS . U T AH STA TE
Kyle Pohl John Rachal Brian Reinke Chuck Turfe
Pole RAH-schal RINE-key TUR-fee
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Terry Bowden, Head Coach Chuck Amato, Associate HC / Defensive Coord. A.J. Milwee, Offensive Coord. / Quarterbacks Jeff Bowden, ST Coord./ Wide Receivers Trent Boykin, Tight Ends/H-Backs Darrell Funk, O-Line / Off. Run Game Coord. Eric Hickson, Running Backs Otis Mounds, CB / Def. Passing Game Coord. Todd Stroud, Defensive Line Mike Woodford, Safeties Brett Ekkens (Offense), Kory Gribbin (Defense), Tim Hargrett (Offense), John Hughes (Defense), Graduate Assistants
AKRON FOOTBALL DEPTH CHART
OFFENSE (Spread)
DEFENSE (4-3)
QB RB FB
13 16 5
Thomas Woodson (So., 6-1, 240) Kyle Pohl (Sr., 6-3, 210) Tra’Von Chapman (R-So., 6-1, 216)
4 8
Conor Hundley (Sr., 5-10, 206) Donnell Alexander (Sr., 5-11, 219)
35 49
Newman Williams (R-Fr., 6-2, 250) Christian Allen (Jr., 6-1, 252)
TE
18 84
Josh McNeil (Jr., 6-5, 265) Avery Cagle (Fr., 6-4, 227)
X- WR Z- WR Y- WR LT
80 2 11
Andrew Pratt (Sr., 6-5, 210) Tyrell Goodman (R-Jr., 6-2, 215) A.J. Coney (R-So., 5-8, 180)
7 21
Jerome Lane (So., 6-3, 220) Michael Means, Jr. (R-Jr., 6-2, 200)
12 82
Imani Davis (Sr., 5-9, 180) Austin Wolf (So., 6-3, 210)
56 66
Isaiah Williams (R-Sr., 6-3, 296) Kyle Ritz (R-Fr., 6-5, 295)
FC
21 2 27
Kris Givens (Sr., 5-11, 175) Larry Hope (Jr., 6-0, 192) John Senter (Sr., 5-7, 165)
LG
75 50
Dylan Brumbaugh (Sr., 6-5, 288) Undrea Bullard (R-Fr., 6-6, 295)
FS
32 14
Zach Guiser (So., 6-0, 195) James Turner (R-Jr., 5-11, 201)
C
77 57
Andrew Bohan (Sr., 6-3, 290) Stephen Ericksen (So., 6-3, 300)
ROV
29 7
Bryce Cheek (Sr., 6-0, 195) Jerome Lane (So., 6-3, 220)
RG
55 57
Tommy Brown (Sr., 6-4, 336) Stephen Ericksen (So., 6-3, 300)
CB
6 20
DeAndre Scott (Jr., 5-11, 185) Kyron Brown (R-Fr., 6-1, 186)
RT
71 66
Quaison Osborne (Sr., 6-3, 305) Kyle Ritz (R-Fr., 6-5, 295)
CB
27 11
John Senter (Sr., 5-7, 165) A.J. Coney (R-So., 5-8, 180)
DE
90 8
Se’Von Pittman (Jr., 6-3, 269) Richard Dorvilus (R-Jr., 6-1, 227)
DT
9 50
Rodney Coe (R-Sr., 6-3, 305) Brock Boxen (Fr., 6-3, 272)
NT 36 Cody Grice (Sr., 5-11, 275) 95 Darius Copeland (So., 6-1, 280) DE 34 Jamal Marcus (R-Jr., 6-2, 240) 96 Alfonso Horner (Sr., 6-3, 230) SAM
54 53
Dylan Evans (Sr., 6-2, 220) Travonte Junius (Fr. 6-3, 210)
MIKE
3 59 58
Darryl Monroe (Sr., 6-1, 235) John Rachal (Jr., 5-11, 225) Andrew Hauser (Jr., 6-1, 219)
WILL
1 5
Jatavis Brown (Sr., 5-11, 222) Ulysees Gilbert (Fr., 6-1, 225)
SPECIALISTS
K
48 37
Robert Stein (Sr., 5-8, 171) Tom O’Leary (So., 5-11, 190)
H
41 15
Kyle Foster (R-Fr., 6-2, 185) Matthew Hoyer (Jr., 6-4, 210)
P
38
Zach Paul (Sr., 6-3, 221)
PR
11 12 6
A.J. Coney (R-So., 5-8, 180) Imani Davis (Sr., 5-9, 180) DeAndre Scott (Jr., 5-11, 185)
LS
88
Michael Buddenberg (So., 5-11, 195)
KR
23 1 29
Van Edwards, Jr. (Fr., 5-9, 185) Hakeem Lawrence (R-Jr., 5-7, 180) Bryce Cheek (Sr., 6-0, 195)
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2 015 F A M O U S ID A H O P O TATO B O W L
STATISTICS & RESULTS
速
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AKRON FOOTBALL 2015 AKRON FOOTBALL STATISTICS & RESULTS 2015 AKRON FOOTBALL RESULTS Date Opponent W/L Score Overall MAC Time Attend. Sept. 5 at #19 Oklahoma L 3-41 0-1 3:33 85,370 Sept. 12 PITTSBURGH L 7-24 0-2 2:56 23,425 Sept. 19 SAVANNAH STATE W 52-9 1-2 3:19 16,763 Sept. 26 at Louisiana W 35-14 2-2 3:20 24,679 Oct. 3 *OHIO^ L 12-14 2-3 0-1 3:04 17,301 Oct. 10 *at Eastern Michigan W 47-21 3-3 1-1 3:14 5,638 Oct. 17 *at Bowling Green L 10-59 3-4 1-2 3:21 20,021 Oct. 31 *CENTRAL MICHIGAN L 6-14 3-5 1-3 2:58 18,981 Nov. 7 *at Massachusetts W 17-13 4-5 2-3 3:52 6,228 Nov. 14 *at Miami (Ohio) W 37-28 5-5 3-3 3:44 15,629 Nov. 21 *BUFFALO* W 42-21 6-5 4-3 3:42 15,727 Nov. 27 *KENT STATE W 20-0 7-5 5-3 3:00 16,391 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl Dec. 22 vs. Utah State 3:30 p.m. ET | 1:30 MT | ESPN * - Mid-American Conference Games ^ - Homecoming Home games in bold
DYLAN
EVANS
TEAM STATISTICS AKRON OPP SCORING 288 258 Points Per Game 24.0 21.5 Points Off Turnovers 74 33 FIRST DOWNS 239 226 Rushing 108 70 Passing 107 127 Penalty 24 29 RUSHING YARDAGE 2,043 1,077 Yards gained rushing 2,302 1,436 Yards lost rushing 259 359 Rushing Attempts 494 381 Average Per Rush 4.1 2.8 Average Per Game 170.2 89.8 TDs Rushing 19 12 PASSING YARDAGE 2,326 2,865 Comp-Att-Int 169-340-11 254-433-13 Average Per Pass 6.8 6.6 Average Per Catch 13.8 11.3 Average Per Game 193.8 238.8 TDs Passing 17 20 TOTAL OFFENSE 4,369 3,942 Total Plays 834 814 Average Per Play 5.2 4.8 Average Per Game 364.1 328.5 KICK RETURNS: #-Yards 32-530 40-687 PUNT RETURNS: #-Yards 19-98 20-102 INT RETURNS: #-Yards 13-29 11-82 KICK RETURN AVERAGE 16.6 17.2 PUNT RETURN AVERAGE 5.2 5.1 INT RETURN AVERAGE 2.2 7.5 FUMBLES-LOST 13-6 23-12 PENALTIES-Yards 94-820 90-862 Average Per Game 68.3 71.8 PUNTS-Yards 73-2,937 69-2,840 Average Per Punt 40.2 41.2 Net punt average 36.6 38.3 KICKOFFS-Yards 60-3,460 53-3,118 Average Per Kick 57.7 58.8 Net kick average 39.5 39.4 TIME OF POSSESSION/Game 32:43 27:17 3RD-DOWN Conversions 68/183 60/163 3rd-Down Pct 37% 37% 4TH-DOWN Conversions 7/14 9/21 4th-Down Pct 50% 43% SACKS BY-Yards 28-209 15-117 MISC YARDS 0 86 TOUCHDOWNS SCORED 36 34 FIELD GOALS-ATTEMPTS 12-19 7-9 ON-SIDE KICKS 0-0 0-1 RED-ZONE SCORES (32-43) 74% (31-39) 79% RED-ZONE TOUCHDOWNS (22-43) 51% (26-39) 67% PAT-ATTEMPTS (34-36) 94% (33-33) 100% ATTENDANCE 108,588 157,565 Games/Avg Per Game 6/18,098 6/26,261 Neutral Site Games 0/0 Score by Quarters Akron Opponents
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1st 2nd 3rd 4th Total 80 110 58 40 288 44 96 70 48 258
2 015 F A M O U S ID A H O P O TATO B O W L
AKRON FOOTBALL RUSHING GP ATT GAIN LOSS NET AVG TD LG AVG/G HUNDLEY, Conor 12 188 938 53 883 4.7 10 32 73.6 WOODSON, Thomas 12 120 650 97 553 4.6 3 38 46.1 ALEXANDER, Donnell 10 98 494 18 476 4.9 2 35 47.6 EDWARDS, Van 11 14 63 3 60 4.3 0 12 5.5 CHAPMAN, Tra’Von 3 31 90 52 38 1.2 0 24 12.7 GRICE, Cody 12 19 34 1 33 1.7 4 6 2.8 DAVIS, Imani 12 4 17 2 15 3.8 0 9 1.2 LAWRENCE, Hakeem 12 6 12 1 11 1.8 0 3 0.9 POHL, Kyle 5 5 9 8 1 0.2 0 9 0.2 FOSTER, Kyle 12 1 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0.0 COOPER, Richie 7 1 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0.0 GOODMAN, Tyrell 9 0 -3 0 -3 0.0 0 0 -0.3 MEANS, Michael 7 1 0 4 -4 -4.0 0 0 -0.6 TEAM 7 6 0 20 -20 -3.3 0 0 -2.9 TOTAL 12 494 2,302 259 2,043 4.1 19 38 170.2 OPPONENTS 12 381 1,436 359 1,077 2.8 12 36 89.8 PASSING WOODSON, Thomas CHAPMAN, Tra’Von POHL, Kyle TOTAL OPPONENTS
GP EFFIC 12 126.49 3 69.97 5 82.74 12 117.20 12 123.48
COMP-ATT-INT 148-278-10 10-35-1 11-27-0 169-340-11 254-433-13
PCT YDS TD 53.2 2,034 16 28.6 157 1 40.7 135 0 49.7 2,326 17 58.7 2,865 20
LG 72 53 42 72 78
AVG/G 169.5 52.3 27.0 193.8 238.8
IMANI
DAVIS
RECEIVING GP NO. YDS AVG TD LG AVG/G DAVIS, Imani 12 46 593 12.9 3 42 49.4 LANE, Jerome 12 35 750 21.4 8 72 62.5 PRATT, Andrew 12 19 186 9.8 1 34 15.5 GOODMAN, Tyrell 9 12 104 8.7 1 14 11.6 WOLF, Austin 12 102 12 21.2 2 41 17.7 CONEY, A.J. 11 10 83 8.3 0 23 7.5 HUNDLEY, Conor 12 7 70 10.0 0 33 5.8 McNEIL, Josh 9 7 37 5.3 1 10 4.1 WILLIAMS, Newman 5 6 71 11.8 1 16 14.2 COOPER, Richie 7 6 49 8.2 0 16 7.0 MEANS, Michael 7 5 61 12.2 0 19 8.7 YOUNG, Anthony 9 3 94 31.3 0 53 10.4 LAWRENCE, Hakeem 12 1 12 12.0 0 12 1.0 ALLEN, Christian 12 1 6 6.0 0 6 0.5 ALEXANDER, Donnell 10 1 -2 -2.0 0 0 -0.2 TOTAL 12 169 2,326 13.8 17 72 193.8 OPPONENTS 12 254 2,865 11.3 20 78 238.8 TOTAL OFFENSE G PLAYS RUSH PASS TOTAL AVG/G WOODSON, Thomas 12 398 553 2,034 2,587 215.6 HUNDLEY, Conor 12 188 883 0 883 73.6 ALEXANDER, Donnell 10 98 476 0 476 47.6 CHAPMAN, Tra’Von 3 66 38 157 195 65.0 POHL, Kyle 5 32 1 135 136 27.2 EDWARDS, Van 11 14 60 0 60 5.5 GRICE, Cody 12 19 33 0 33 2.8 DAVIS, Imani 12 4 15 0 15 1.2 LAWRENCE, Hakeem 12 6 11 0 11 0.9 GOODMAN, Tyrell 9 0 -3 0 -3 -0.3 MEANS, Michael 7 1 -4 0 -4 -0.6 TEAM 7 6 -20 0 -20 -2.9 TOTAL 12 834 2,043 2,326 4,369 364.0 OPPONENTS 12 814 1,077 2,865 3,942 328.5
A K RON VS . U T AH STA TE
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ALL PURPOSE G RUSH RCV PR KR IR TOTAL AVG/G HUNDLEY, Conor 12 883 70 0 0 0 953 79.4 LANE, Jerome 12 0 750 0 0 0 750 62.5 DAVIS, Imani 12 15 593 0 0 0 608 50.7 WOODSON, Thomas 12 553 0 0 0 0 553 46.1 ALEXANDER, Donnell 10 476 -2 0 0 0 474 47.4 EDWARDS, Van 11 60 0 0 396 0 456 41.5 WOLF, Austin 12 0 212 0 0 0 212 17.7 CONEY, A.J. 11 0 83 73 40 0 196 17.8 PRATT, Andrew 12 0 186 0 0 0 186 15.5 GOODMAN, Tyrell 9 -3 104 0 36 0 137 15.2 YOUNG, Anthony 9 0 94 0 0 0 94 10.4 WILLIAMS, Newman 5 0 71 0 0 0 71 14.2 MEANS, Michael 7 -4 61 0 0 0 57 8.1 COOPER, Richie 7 0 49 0 0 0 49 7.0 CHAPMAN, Tra’Von 3 38 0 0 0 0 38 12.7 LAWRENCE, Hakeem 12 11 12 0 14 0 37 3.1 McNEIL, Josh 9 0 37 0 0 0 37 4.1 GRICE, Cody 12 33 0 0 0 0 33 2.8 MORGAN, Manny 7 0 0 0 30 0 30 4.3 HAUSER, Andrew 12 0 0 25 0 0 25 2.1 EVANS, Dylan 12 0 0 0 6 17 23 1.9 SCOTT, DeAndre 12 0 0 0 0 14 14 1.2 LAURO, Anthony 12 0 0 0 8 0 8 0.7 ALLEN, Christian 12 0 6 0 0 0 6 0.5 POHL, Kyle 5 1 0 0 0 0 1 0.2 GUISER, Zach 12 0 0 0 0 -2 -2 -0.2 TEAM 7 -20 0 0 0 0 -20 -2.9 TOTAL 12 2,043 2,326 98 530 29 5,026 418.8 OPPONENTS 12 1,077 2,865 102 687 82 4,813 401.1
AKRON FOOTBALL PUNTING PAUL, Zach TEAM TOTAL OPPONENTS
NO. YDS AVG LG TB FC I20 50+ BLK 71 2,922 41.2 73 8 16 23 12 2 2 15 7.5 15 0 0 0 0 0 73 2,937 40.2 73 8 16 23 12 2 69 2,840 41.2 60 5 25 14 12 2
KICKOFFS STEIN, Robert TOTAL OPPONENTS
ROBERT
STEIN SCORING TD FG KICK RUSH RCV PASS DXP SAF PTS STEIN, Robert 0 12-19 34-36 0-0 0 0-0 0 0 70 HUNDLEY, Conor 10 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0-0 0 0 60 LANE, Jerome 8 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0-0 0 0 48 GRICE, Cody 4 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0-0 0 0 24 DAVIS, Imani 3 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0-0 0 0 18 WOODSON, Thomas 3 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0-0 0 0 18 ALEXANDER, Donnell 2 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0-0 0 0 12 WOLF, Austin 2 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0-0 0 0 12 WILLIAMS, Newman 1 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0-0 0 0 6 GOODMAN, Tyrell 1 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0-0 0 0 6 PRATT, Andrew 1 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0-0 0 0 6 McNEIL, Josh 1 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0-0 0 0 6 TEAM 0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0-0 0 1 2 TOTAL 36 12-19- 34-36 0-0 0 0-0 0 1 288 OPPONENTS 34 7-9 33-33 0-1 0 0-0 0 0 258 FIELD GOALS STEIN, Robert
FG PCT. 01-19 20-29 30-39 40-49 50-99 LG BLK 12-19 63.2 0.-0 4-5 4-6 3-7 1-1 50 1
FG SEQUENCE AKRON at Oklahoma 21, (26) PITTSBURGH - SAVANNAH STATE 31, (21) at Louisiana 42 OHIO (40), (33), (41), (30) at Eastern Michigan (39) at Bowling Green (46) CENTRAL MICHIGAN 48 at Massachusetts 42, (36) at Miami (Ohio) 42, (50) BUFFALO - KENT STATE 37, (23), (20)
OPPONENTS (35), (41) (25), 34 (30) 32, (28) (36), (40) -
NO. YDS AVG TB OB RETN NET YDLN 60 3,460 57.7 16 1 60 3,460 57.7 16 1 17.2 39.5 25 53 3,118 58.8 20 1 16.6 39.4 24
PUNT RETURNS CONEY, A.J. DAVIS, Imani HAUSER, Andrew TOTAL OPPONENTS
NO. YDS AVG TD LG 17 73 4.3 0 18 1 0 0.0 0 0 1 25 25.0 0 0 19 98 5.2 0 18 20 102 5.1 0 13
KICK RETURNS EDWARDS, Van GOODMAN, Tyrell CONEY, A.J. MORGAN, Manny LAWRENCE, Hakeem LAURO, Anthony EVANS, Dylan TOTAL OPPONENTS
NO. 19 4 3 2 2 1 1 32 40
YDS 396 36 40 30 14 8 6 530 687
AVG TD 20.8 0 9.0 0 13.3 0 15.0 0 7.0 0 8.0 0 6.0 0 16.6 0 17.2 0
LG 31 21 19 18 17 8 6 31 77
INTERCEPTIONS SCOTT, DeAndre GUISER, Zach GEORGE, Jordan EVANS, Dylan CHEEK, Bryce BROWN, Jatavis GIVENS, Kris TOTAL OPPONENTS
NO. 6 2 1 1 1 1 1 13 11
YDS AVG TD 14 2.3 0 -2 -1.0 0 0 0.0 0 17 17.0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0.0 0 29 2.2 0 82 7.5 1
LG 13 0 0 17 0 0 0 17 31
FUMBLE RETURNS GRICE, Cody TOTAL OPPONENTS
NO. YDS AVG TD LG 1 12 12.0 0 12 1 12 12.0 0 12 0 0 0.0 1 0
Numbers in (parentheses) indicate field goal was made.
22
2 015 F A M O U S ID A H O P O TATO B O W L
AKRON FOOTBALL DEFENSIVE STATISTICS
|-------Tackles-------| |-Sacks-| |------Pass Def--------| |-Fumbles-| Blkd # DEFENSIVE LEADERS GP Solo Ast Total TFL/Yds No-Yards Int-Yds BrUp QBH Rcv-Yds FF Kick Saf 1 BROWN, Jatavis 12-12 57 51 108 17.5-98 10.5-80 1-0 1 6 . 3 . . 54 EVANS, DYLAN 12-12 59 39 98 10.0-20 1.5-7 1-17 6 1 . . . . 3 MONROE, Darryl 12-12 41 37 78 4.0-19 1.0-12 . . 2 . 1 . . 29 CHEEK, Bryce 12-12 30 21 51 1.0-4 . 1-0 5 . -0 1 . . 32 GUISER, Zach 12-12 33 17 50 0.5-1 . 2-(-2) 5 . 1-0 . . . 21 GIVENS, Kris 12-12 38 10 48 0.5-2 . 1-0 6 . . . . . 9 COE, Rodney 11-10 16 27 43 7.5-34 2.0-16 . 3 3 . 1 . . 24 GEORGE, Jordan 12-0 24 15 39 2.0-6 . 1-0 3 . . . . . 90 PITTMAN, Se’Von 12-11 17 17 34 7.0-35 3.0-17 . 2 3 1-0 2 . . 6 SCOTT, DeAndre 12-12 22 5 27 1.5-2 . 6-14 10 . 1-0 1 . . 34 MARCUS, Jamal 10-9 16 10 26 11.5-62 5.5-45 . . 10 1-0 . . . 36 GRICE, Cody 12-12 11 13 24 4.0-18 1.5-11 . . 1 1-12 . . . 27 SENTER, John 12-1 13 4 17 . . . 4 . 1-0 . . . 93 VENCKUS, Daumantas 12-0 6 6 12 2.0-13 1.5-13 . . . . . . . 59 RACHAL, John 12-0 6 5 11 0.5-2 . . . . . . . . 5D GILBERT, Ulysees 12-0 7 4 11 . . . . . . . 1 . 58 HAUSER, Andrew 12-0 6 4 10 . . . . . . . 1 . 20 BROWN, Kyron 12-0 4 5 9 . . . 2 . . . . . 15 MORROW, Cory 12-0 6 2 8 . . . . . . 1 . . 96 HORNER, Alfonso 11-3 4 4 8 1.0-2 . . . 2 . . . . 50 BOXEN, Brock 11-2 4 3 7 2.5-5 0.5-2 . . . . 1 . . 2 HOPE, Larry 9-0 6 . 6 . . . 2 . . . . . 8D DORVILUS, Richard 11-0 4 1 5 1.0-6 1.0-6 . . . . . . . 97 WILLIAMS, Brennan 4-0 1 3 4 1.0-1 . . . . . . . . 12 DAVIS, Imani 12-12 1 2 3 . . . . . . . . . 10 BELL, Brian 11-0 2 1 3 . . . . . . . . . 11 CONEY, A.J. 11-3 1 2 3 . . . . . . . . . 14 TURNER, James 10-0 3 . 3 . . . . . . . . . 95 COPELAND, Darius 8-0 1 1 2 . . . . . . . . . 48 STEIN, Robert 12-0 2 . 2 . . . . . . . . . 3D COOPER, RIchie 7-1 2 . 2 . . . . . . . . . 82 WOLF, Austin 12-0 2 . 2 . . . . . 1-0 . . . 31 BAGGETT, Jamal 1-0 . 1 1 . . . . . . . . . 38 PAUL, Zach 12-0 1 . 1 . . . . . . . . . 49 ALLEN, Christian 12-1 . 1 1 . . . . . 1-0 . . . 8 BUDDENBERG, Michael 12-0 1 . 1 . . . . . 1-0 . . . 19 LAURO, Anthony 12-0 . 1 1 . . . . . . . . . 80 PRATT, Andrew 12-12 . 1 1 . . . . . 1-0 . . . 22 HAYES, Mikee 11-0 1 . 1 . . . . . . . . . 7F YOUNG, Anthony 9-1 1 . 1 . . . . . . . . . TM TEAM 7-0 . . . . . . . . . . . 1 98 SPRUILL, Christopher 5-0 . . . . . . . . 1-0 . . . TOTAL 12-0 450 314 764 75-330 28-209 13-29 50 28 12-12 11 2 1 OPPONENTS 12-0 445 379 824 67-237 15-117 11-82 32 32 6-0 10 3 .
A K RON VS . U T AH STA TE
23
AKRON FOOTBALL AKRON GAME-BY-GAME STATISTICS
|---RUSHING---| |--RECEIVING--| |-------PASSING-------| |--KICK RET--| |--PUNT RET--| TOTAL DATE OPPONENT NO. YDS TD LG NO. YDS TD LG CMP-ATT-INT YDS TD LG NO YDS TD LG NO YDS TD LG OFF 09/05/15 at Oklahoma 44 138 0 24 6 88 0 42 6-26-0 88 0 42 2 28 0 15 1 0 0 0 226 09/12/15 PITTSBURGH 24 42 1 32 7 63 0 18 7-22-0 63 0 18 3 69 0 27 3 13 0 10 105 09/19/15 SAVANNAH STATE 47 291 5 32 18 335 2 53 18-33-2 335 2 53 1 8 0 8 5 36 0 18 626 09/26/15 at Louisiana 42 220 3 38 13 238 2 72 13-29-1 238 2 72 1 23 0 23 1 1 0 1 458 10/03/15 OHIO 35 88 0 16 18 231 0 42 18-38-1 231 0 42 2 36 0 18 0 0 0 0 319 10/10/15 at Eastern Michigan 53 278 2 29 14 222 4 39 14-22-0 222 4 39 3 84 0 31 1 25 0 0 500 10/17/15 at Bowling Green 42 167 0 16 15 104 1 17 15-30-2 104 1 17 7 76 0 22 0 0 0 0 271 10/31/15 CENTRAL MICHIGAN 25 25 0 12 22 252 1 57 22-36-1 252 1 57 2 46 0 23 2 6 0 8 277 11/07/15 at Massachusetts 41 155 1 18 15 174 1 27 15-27-2 174 1 27 3 51 0 23 0 0 0 0 329 11/14/15 at Miami (Ohio) 45 193 4 21 13 221 1 40 13-28-2 221 1 40 4 58 0 19 1 0 0 0 414 11/21/15 BUFFALO 45 217 2 35 17 258 4 36 17-30-0 258 4 36 4 51 0 17 3 19 0 9 475 11/27/15 KENT STATE 51 229 1 29 11 140 1 37 11-19-0 140 1 37 0 0 0 0 2 -2 0 5 369 AKRON 494 2,043 19 38 169 2,326 17 72 169-340-11 2,326 17 72 32 530 0 31 19 98 0 18 4,369 OPPONENT 381 1,077 12 36 254 2,865 20 78 254-433-13 2,865 20 78 40 687 0 77 20 102 0 13 3,942
|---------TACKLES---------| |-SACKS-| |-FUMBLE-| |-PASS DEFENSE-| BLKD |-KICKS--XPTS-| DATE OPPONENT SOLO AST TOTAL TFL-YDS NO-YDS FF FR-YDS INT-YDS QBH BRK KICK ATT-MAD RUN RCV SAF PTS 09/05/15 at Oklahoma 46 30 76 4.0-15 1.0-2 1 1-0 1-0 1 4 0 0-0 0 0 0 3 09/12/15 PITTSBURGH 43 30 73 11.0-48 5.0-34 2 0-0 0-0 0 1 0 1-1 0 0 0 7 09/19/15 SAVANNAH STATE 33 26 59 3.0-17 2.0-12 0 1-0 1-13 2 8 0 7-7 0 0 0 52 09/26/15 at Louisiana 44 10 54 6.0-23 2.0-16 1 2-12 2-17 1 2 0 5-5 0 0 0 35 10/03/15 OHIO 40 20 60 6.0-28 3.0-20 0 0-0 1-0 1 3 0 0-0 0 0 0 12 10/10/15 at Eastern Michigan 33 38 71 6.0-14 1.0-6 1 2-0 1-(-2) 4 2 1 6-6 0 0 1 47 10/17/15 at Bowling Green 39 42 81 6.0-39 3.0-28 0 0-0 0-0 2 1 0 1-1 0 0 0 10 10/31/15 CENTRAL MICHIGAN 36 12 48 8.0-34 3.0-25 0 0-0 1-0 2 5 0 0-1 0 0 0 6 11/07/15 at Massachusetts 28 44 72 7.0-31 2.0-16 1 0-0 2-0 0 9 0 2-2 0 0 0 17 11/14/15 at Miami (Ohio) 41 22 63 8.0-39 3.0-28 2 2-0 2-1 6 5 1 4-5 0 0 0 37 11/21/15 BUFFALO 41 30 71 3.0-5 0.0-0 1 1-0 2-0 4 7 0 6-6 0 0 0 42 11/27/15 KENT STATE 26 10 36 7.0-37 3.0-22 2 3-0 0-0 5 3 0 2-2 0 0 0 20 AKRON 450 314 764 75.0-330 28.0-209 11 12-12 13-29 28 50 2 34-36 0 0 1 288 OPPONENT 445 379 824 67.0-237 15.0-117 10 6-0 11-82 32 32 3 33-33 0 0 0 258
|---------------------------PUNTING---------------------------| |--FIELD GOALS--| DATE OPPONENT NO YDS AVG LONG BLKD TB FC 50+ I20 ATT-MADE LG BLKD 09/05/15 at Oklahoma 12 557 46.4 73 0 0 2 3 4 1-2 26 0 09/12/15 PITTSBURGH 9 355 39.4 62 0 1 4 2 0 0-0 0 0 09/19/15 SAVANNAH STATE 3 102 34.0 37 0 0 1 0 1 1-2 21 1 09/26/15 at Louisiana 3 97 32.3 44 0 0 0 0 0 0-1 0 0 10/03/15 OHIO 5 164 32.8 37 0 1 2 0 2 4-4 41 0 10/10/15 at Eastern Michigan 4 165 41.2 49 0 0 1 0 3 1-1 39 0 10/17/15 at Bowling Green 5 196 39.2 64 0 1 0 2 2 1-1 46 0 10/31/15 CENTRAL MICHIGAN 9 378 42.0 53 0 2 3 2 4 0-1 0 0 11/07/15 at Massachusetts 6 275 45.8 59 0 1 1 1 2 1-2 36 0 11/14/15 at Miami (Ohio) 7 220 31.4 51 2 0 1 1 1 1-0 50 0 11/21/15 BUFFALO 7 311 44.4 59 0 2 1 1 2 0-0 0 0 11/27/15 KENT STATE 3 117 39.0 45 0 0 0 0 2 2-3 23 0 AKRON 73 2,937 40.2 73 2 8 16 12 23 12-19 50 1 OPPONENT 69 2,840 41.2 60 2 5 25 12 14 7-9 41 0
24
|-----------KICKOFFS-----------| NO YDS AVG TB OB 2 107 53.5 0 0 2 77 38.5 0 0 9 542 60.2 2 0 6 371 61.8 1 0 5 295 59.0 0 1 8 458 57.2 4 0 3 171 57.0 0 0 2 126 63.0 1 0 4 238 59.5 1 0 7 391 55.9 0 0 7 422 60.3 4 0 5 262 52.4 3 0 60 3,460 57.7 16 1 53 3,118 58.8 20 1
2 015 F A M O U S ID A H O P O TATO B O W L
AKRON FOOTBALL OPPONENT GAME-BY-GAME STATISTICS
|---RUSHING---| |--RECEIVING--| |-------PASSING-------| |--KICK RET--| |--PUNT RET--| TOTAL DATE OPPONENT NO. YDS TD LG NO. YDS TD LG CMP-ATT-INT YDS TD LG NO YDS TD LG NO YDS TD LG OFF 09/05/15 at Oklahoma 33 100 2 15 28 439 3 76 28-42-1 439 3 76 2 43 0 39 5 32 0 12 539 09/12/15 PITTSBURGH 46 127 2 17 18 180 1 26 18-25-0 180 1 26 1 -1 0 0 1 -6 0 0 307 09/19/15 SAVANNAH STATE 34 74 0 15 13 128 0 26 13-34-1 128 0 26 6 93 0 23 1 0 0 0 202 09/26/15 at Louisiana 28 112 1 17 19 173 1 23 19-37-2 173 1 23 5 90 0 25 1 0 0 0 285 10/03/15 OHIO 32 48 1 20 18 179 1 29 18-29-1 179 1 29 4 105 0 53 1 2 0 2 227 10/10/15 at Eastern Michigan 31 161 0 36 24 252 3 48 24-35-1 252 3 48 3 68 0 39 1 13 0 13 413 10/17/15 at Bowling Green 42 120 3 19 27 412 5 43 27-33-0 412 5 43 3 93 0 77 2 14 0 11 532 10/31/15 CENTRAL MICHIGAN 24 39 0 18 23 226 2 37 23-37-1 226 2 37 1 21 0 21 1 7 0 7 26 11/07/15 at Massachusetts 32 88 1 14 19 173 0 24 19-44-2 173 0 24 3 54 0 23 2 18 0 9 261 11/14/15 at Miami (Ohio) 31 68 0 22 20 316 3 78 20-42-2 316 3 78 7 93 0 22 3 19 0 10 384 11/21/15 BUFFALO 28 130 2 21 32 262 1 25 32-51-2 262 1 25 3 20 0 19 2 3 0 3 392 11/27/15 KENT STATE 20 10 0 9 13 125 0 45 13-24-0 125 0 45 2 8 0 1 0 0 0 0 135 AKRON 381 1,077 12 36 254 2,865 20 78 254-433-13 2,865 20 78 40 687 0 77 20 102 0 13 3,942 OPPONENT 494 2,043 19 38 169 2,326 17 72 169-340-11 2,326 17 72 32 530 0 31 19 98 0 18 4,369
|---------TACKLES---------| |-SACKS-| |-FUMBLE-| |-PASS DEFENSE-| BLKD |-KICKS--XPTS-| DATE OPPONENT SOLO AST TOTAL TFL-YDS NO-YDS FF FR-YDS INT-YDS QBH BRK KICK ATT-MAD RUN RCV SAF PTS 09/05/15 at Oklahoma 31 42 73 7.0-19 2.0-7 1 1-0 0-0 2 2 0 5-5 0 0 0 41 09/12/15 PITTSBURGH 28 12 40 8.0-52 3.0-39 2 1-0 0-0 1 3 0 3-3 0 0 0 24 09/19/15 SAVANNAH STATE 49 24 73 3.0-4 0.0-0 0 0-0 2-24 3 1 1 0-0 0 0 0 9 09/26/15 at Louisiana 37 25 62 3.0-4 0.0-0 0 0-0 1-12 1 3 0 2-2 0 0 0 14 10/03/15 OHIO 38 26 64 8.0-30 2.0-15 1 0-0 1-16 1 6 0 2-2 0 0 0 14 10/10/15 at Eastern Michigan 30 56 86 4.0-11 1.0-6 0 0-0 0-0 7 2 0 3-3 0 0 0 21 10/17/15 at Bowling Green 46 32 78 5.0-23 1.0-9 2 2-0 2-0 6 2 0 8-8 0 0 0 59 10/31/15 CENTRAL MICHIGAN 36 16 52 10.0-37 4.0-25 2 0-0 1-0 2 4 0 2-2 0 0 0 14 11/07/15 at Massachusetts 22 60 82 4.0-13 0.0-0 1 1-0 2-0 0 2 0 1-1 0 0 0 13 11/14/15 at Miami (Ohio) 42 28 70 4.0-14 1.0-9 0 0-0 2-30 6 2 2 4-4 0 0 0 28 11/21/15 BUFFALO 42 26 68 7.0-20 0.0-0 0 0-0 0-0 3 4 0 3-3 0 0 0 21 11/27/15 KENT STATE 44 32 76 4.0-10 1.0-7 1 1-0 0-0 0 1 0 0-0 0 0 0 0 AKRON 445 379 824 67.0-237 15.0-117 10 6-0 11-82 32 32 3 33-33 0 0 0 258 OPPONENT 450 314 764 75.0-330 28.0-209 11 12-12 13-29 28 50 2 34-36 0 0 1 288 |---------------------------PUNTING---------------------------| |--FIELD GOALS--| DATE OPPONENT NO YDS AVG LONG BLKD TB FC 50+ I20 ATT-MADE LG BLKD 09/05/15 at Oklahoma 6 298 49.7 53 0 1 3 3 2 2-2 41 0 09/12/15 PITTSBURGH 5 217 43.4 52 0 0 1 1 1 1-2 25 0 09/19/15 SAVANNAH STATE 9 378 42.0 48 0 1 1 0 0 1-1 30 0 09/26/15 at Louisiana 5 233 46.6 53 0 0 4 3 2 0-0 0 0 10/03/15 OHIO 7 265 37.9 42 0 1 4 0 2 0-0 0 0 10/10/15 at Eastern Michigan 3 72 24.0 38 1 0 1 0 0 0-0 0 0 10/17/15 at Bowling Green 2 81 40.5 41 0 0 0 0 0 1-2 28 0 10/31/15 CENTRAL MICHIGAN 8 333 41.6 55 0 0 5 1 4 0-0 0 0 11/07/15 at Massachusetts 6 225 37.5 44 0 0 3 0 2 2-2 40 0 11/14/15 at Miami (Ohio) 6 217 36.2 49 1 0 1 0 0 0-0 0 0 11/21/15 BUFFALO 7 298 42.6 52 0 1 2 2 1 0-0 0 0 11/27/15 KENT STATE 5 223 44.6 60 0 1 0 2 0 0-0 0 0 AKRON 69 2,840 41.2 60 2 5 25 12 14 7-9 41 0 OPPONENT 73 2,937 40.2 73 2 8 16 12 23 12-19 50 1
A K RON VS . U T AH STA TE
25
|-----------KICKOFFS-----------| NO YDS AVG TB OB 8 517 64.6 6 0 5 320 64.0 2 0 3 169 56.3 2 0 2 126 63.0 1 0 3 186 62.0 1 0 5 328 65.6 2 0 10 531 53.1 3 0 3 194 64.7 1 0 4 214 53.5 1 0 5 286 57.2 0 1 4 182 45.5 0 0 1 65 65.0 1 0 53 3,118 58.8 20 1 60 3,460 57.7 16 1
AKRON FOOTBALL RED ZONE STATS AKRON INSIDE OPPONENTS RED ZONE
TIMES TIMES TOTAL RUSH PASS FGS ---- FAILED TO SCORE INSIDE RZ ---DATE OPPONENT SCORE IN RZ SCORED PTS TDS TDS TDS MADE FGA DOWNS INT FUMB HALF GAME 09/05/15 at Oklahoma L 3-41 2 1 3 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 09/12/15 PITTSBURGH L 7-24 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 09/19/15 SAVANNAH STATE W 52-9 9 6 38 5 5 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 09/26/15 at Louisiana W 35-14 7 4 28 4 3 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 10/03/15 OHIO L 12-14 4 4 12 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 10/10/15 at Eastern Michigan W 47-21 4 4 24 3 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 10/17/15 at Bowling Green L 10-59 1 1 7 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 10/31/15 CENTRAL MICHIGAN L 6-14 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 11/07/15 at Massachusetts W 17-13 3 2 10 1 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 11/14/15 at Miami (Ohio) W 37-28 4 4 27 4 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 11/21/15 BUFFALO W 42-21 2 2 14 2 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 11/27/15 KENT STATE W 20-0 6 4 20 2 1 1 2 1 0 0 0 1 0 TOTALS 43 32 183 22 16 6 10 6 1 2 0 2 0 32 of 43 (74.4%)
OPPONENTS INSIDE AKRON RED ZONE
TIMES TIMES TOTAL RUSH PASS FGS - --- FAILED TO SCORE INSIDE RZ ---DATE OPPONENT SCORE IN RZ SCORED PTS TDS TDS TDS MADE FGA DOWNS INT FUMB HALF GAME 09/05/15 at Oklahoma L 3-41 5 4 24 3 2 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 09/12/15 PITTSBURGH L 7-24 5 4 24 3 2 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 09/19/15 SAVANNAH STATE W 52-9 1 1 3 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 09/26/15 at Louisiana W 35-14 3 2 14 2 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 10/03/15 OHIO L 12-14 3 1 7 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 10/10/15 at Eastern Michigan W 47-21 2 2 14 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 10/17/15 at Bowling Green L 10-59 9 8 52 7 3 4 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 10/31/15 CENTRAL MICHIGAN L 6-14 2 2 14 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 11/07/15 at Massachusetts W 17-13 2 2 10 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 11/14/15 at Miami (Ohio) W 37-28 3 2 14 2 0 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 11/21/15 BUFFALO W 42-21 3 3 21 3 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 11/27/15 KENT STATE W 20-0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 TOTALS 39 31 197 26 12 14 5 2 2 2 1 1 0 31 of 39 (79.5%)
26
2 015 F A M O U S ID A H O P O TATO B O W L
AKRON FOOTBALL 2015 PLAYER PARTICIPATION 2015 CAREER NO. PLAYER GP-GS GP-GS OKLA PITT SAV ST UL OHIO EMU BGSU CMU UMASS MIAMI BUFF KSU 8 ALEXANDER, Donnell 10-0 30-8 * XXX ... XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX ... XXX XXX XXX XXX 49 ALLEN, Christian 12-1 23-1 XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX TE XXX XXX 31 BAGGETT, Jamal # 1-0 1-0 ... ... XXX ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 10 BELL, Brian $ 11-0 11-0 XXX XXX XXX ... XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX 43 BISCHOF, Nathan # 7-0 7-0 XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX ... ... ... ... ... 77 BOHAN, Andrew 11-11 35-11 C C C C C C C C ... C C C 50 BOXEN, Brock $ 11-2 11-2 XXX XXX DT XXX XXX ... XXX DT XXX XXX XXX XXX 1 BROWN, Jatavis 12-12 47-37 WILL WILL WILL WILL WILL WILL WILL WILL WILL WILL WILL WILL 20 BROWN, Kyron # 12-0 12-0 XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX 55 BROWN, Tommy 12-12 36-21 * RG RG RG RG RG RG RG RG LG RG RG LG 75 BRUMBAUGH, Dylan 12-12 32-18 LG LG LG LG LG LG LG LG RG LG LG RG 88 BUDDENBERG, Michael 12-0 24-0 XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX 5G BULLARD, Undrea # 2-0 2-0 ... XXX ... ... ... XXX ... ... ... ... ... ... 5 CHAPMAN, Tra’Von 3-3 3-3 QB QB QB ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 29 CHEEK, Bryce 12-12 47-15 S S S S S S S S S S S S 9 COE, Rodney 11-10 23-14 * DT DT ... DT DT DT DT XXX DT DT DT DT 11 CONEY, A.J. 11-3 11-3 ... XXX XXX WR XXX XXX XXX WR XXX XXX WR XXX 3D COOPER, Richie $ 7-1 7-1 XXX XXX WR ... ... ... ... XXX XXX XXX XXX ... 95 COPELAND, Darius 8-0 17-0 XXX ... XXX XXX ... XXX XXX ... XXX XXX XXX ... 12 DAVIS, Imani 12-12 48-15 WR WR WR WR WR WR WR WR WR WR WR WR 8D DORVILUS, Richard 11-0 19-1 XXX XXX ... XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX 23 EDWARDS, Van $ 11-0 11-0 XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX ... XXX XXX 57 ERICKSEN, Stephen 10-1 10-1 XXX ... XXX XXX ... XXX XXX XXX C XXX XXX XXX 54 EVANS, Dylan 12-12 46-18 SAM SAM SAM SAM SAM SAM SAM SAM SAM SAM SAM SAM 41 FOSTER, Kyle # 12-0 12-0 XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX 33 GAUTHNEY, LaVonne 12-2 12-2 XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX TE XXX XXX TE 24 GEORGE, Jordan # 12-0 12-0 XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX 5D GILBERT, Ulysees $ 12-0 12-0 XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX 21 GIVENS, Kris 12-12 24-22 CB CB CB CB CB CB CB CB CB CB CB CB 2G GOODMAN, Tyrell 9-3 28-9 XXX XXX WR WR WR XXX XXX XXX XXX ... ... ... 36 GRICE, Cody 12-12 48-48 NT NT NT NT NT NT NT NT NT NT NT NT 32 GUISER, Zach 12-12 24-12 FS FS FS FS FS FS FS FS FS FS FS FS 58 HAUSER, Andrew 12-0 22-0 XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX 22 HAYES, Mikee 12-0 12-0 XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX 2 HOPE, Larry 9-0 11-0 * XXX ... XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX ... ... 96 HORNER, Alfonso 11-3 45-24 XXX XXX DE DE DE XXX XXX ... XXX XXX XXX XXX 4 HUNDLEY, Conor 12-10 47-19 RB RB XXX RB RB RB RB XXX RB RB RB RB 53 JUNIUS, Travonte $ 3-0 3-0 XXX ... XXX ... ... ... XXX ... ... ... ... ... 83 KISH, Michael 1-0 1-0 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... XXX 69 KORTOKRAX, Ryan 2-0 2-0 ... ... ... XXX ... XXX ... ... ... ... ... ... 7 LANE, Jerome 12-10 24-10 WR WR WR XXX XXX WR WR WR WR WR WR WR 19 LAURO, Anthony # 12-0 12-0 XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX 1D LAWRENCE, Hakeem 12-0 25-1 XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX 34 MARCUS Jamal 10-9 34-9 * DE DE ... ... XXX DE DE DE DE DE DE DE 18 McNEIL, Josh 9-3 9-3 XXX ... XXX XXX WR WR WR XXX ... ... XXX XXX 2D MEANS, Michael 7-0 7-0 XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX ... ... ... ... ... 3 MONROE, Darryl 12-12 49-44 * MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE 28 MORGAN, Manny 7-0 10-0 ... ... ... XXX ... XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX ... 15 MORROW, Cory 12-0 33-0 XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX 71 OSBORNE, Quaison 12-10 31-20 RT RT RT RT RT LT LT LT LT XXX XXX LT 38 PAUL, Zach 12-0 48-0 XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX 90 PITTMAN, Se’Von 12-11 24-23 DE DE DE DE DE DE XXX DE DE DE DE DE 16 POHL, Kyle 5-0 33-22 XXX XXX ... XXX ... XXX XXX ... ... ... ... ... 80 PRATT, Andrew 12-12 44-17 WR WR WR WR WR WR WR WR WR WR WR WR 59 RACHAL, John 12-0 23-0 XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX 94 REINKE, Brian # 1-0 1-0 ... ... XXX ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 66 RITZ, Kyle # 12-5 12-5 XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX RT RT RT XXX RT RT XXX 6 SCOTT, DeAndre 12-12 28-22 CB CB CB CB CB CB CB CB CB CB CB CB 3G SEAFLER, Danny 1-0 1-0 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... XXX ... 27 SENTER, John 12-1 43-6 XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX CB XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX 98 SPRUILL, Christopher 4-0 4-0 XXX ... XXX ... ... XXX ... ... ... ... XXX ... 48 STEIN, Robert 12-0 48-0 XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX 14 TURNER, James 10-0 28-0 XXX ... ... XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX 93 VENCKUS, Daumantas 12-0 12-0 XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX 97 WILLIAMS, Brennan # 4-0 4-0 ... ... XXX ... ... XXX XXX ... ... ... XXX ... 56 WILLIAMS, Isaiah 10-9 44-23 LT LT LT LT LT ... ... XXX RT LT LT RT 35 WILLIAMS, Newman # 5-2 5-2 FB FB XXX ... ... ... ... XXX ... ... ... XXX 82 WOLF, Austin 12-0 18-0 XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX 13 WOODSON, Thomas 12-9 20-12 XXX XXX XXX QB QB QB QB QB QB QB QB QB 7F YOUNG, Anthony 9-1 9-1 XXX ... XXX XXX XXX ... XXX WR XXX XXX ... XXX XXX – Played
POS – Position Started ... – Did Not Play # – Redshirt Freshman $ – True Freshman
* includes participation from other D-I schools
A K RON VS . U T AH STA TE
27
AKRON FOOTBALL 2015 STARTING LINE-UPS OFFENSE (SPREAD) Game LT LG C RG RT at Oklahoma I. Williams Brumbaugh Bohan T. Brown Osborne Pittsburgh I. Williams Brumbaugh Bohan T. Brown Osborne Savannah State I. Williams Brumbaugh Bohan T. Brown Osborne at Louisiana I. Williams Brumbaugh Bohan T. Brown Osborne Ohio I. Williams Brumbaugh Bohan T. Brown at Eastern Michigan Osborne Brumbaugh Bohan T. Brown Ritz at Bowling Green Osborne Brumbaugh Bohan T. Brown Ritz Central Michigan Osborne Brumbaugh Bohan T. Brown Ritz at Massachusetts Osborne T. Brown Ericksen Brumbaugh I. Williams at Miami (Ohio) I. Williams Brumbaugh Bohan T. Brown Ritz Buffalo I. Williams Brumbaugh Bohan T. Brown Ritz Kent State Osborne T. Brown Bohan Brumbaugh I. Williams
X Pratt Pratt Pratt Pratt Pratt Pratt Pratt Pratt Pratt Pratt Pratt Pratt
H/FB/TE/RB Y/TE Z N. Williams (FB) Davis Goodman N. Williams (FB) Davis Lane Cooper (WR) Davis Lane Coney (WR) Davis Goodman McNeil (TE) Davis Goodman McNeil (TE) Davis Lane McNeil (TE) Davis Lane Coney (WR) Davis Lane Gauthney (TE) Davis Lane Allen (TE) Davis Lane Coney (WR) Davis Lane Gauthney (TE) Davis Lane
QB RB Chapman Hundley Chapman Hundley Chapman Goodman (WR) Woodson Hundley Woodson Hundley Woodson Hundley Woodson Hundley Woodson Young (WR) Woodson Hundley Woodson Hundley Woodson Hundley Woodson Hundley
DEFENSE (4-3) Game DE at Oklahoma Pittman Pittsburgh Pittman Savannah State Pittman at Louisiana Pittman Ohio Pittman at Eastern Michigan Pittman at Bowling Green Senter (CB) Central Michigan Pittman at Massachusetts Pittman at Miami (Ohio) Pittman Buffalo Pittman Kent State Pittman
DT Coe Coe Boxen Coe Coe Coe Coe Boxen Coe Coe Coe Coe
NT DE/CB/LB Grice Marcus Grice Marcus Grice Horner Grice Horner Grice Horner Grice Marcus Grice Marcus Grice Marcus Grice Marcus Grice Marcus Grice Marcus Grice Marcus
SAM Evans Evans Evans Evans Evans Evans Evans Evans Evans Evans Evans Evans
MIKE Monroe Monroe Monroe Monroe Monroe Monroe Monroe Monroe Monroe Monroe Monroe Monroe
WILL J. Brown J. Brown J. Brown J. Brown J. Brown J. Brown J. Brown J. Brown J. Brown J. Brown J. Brown J. Brown
ROV Cheek Cheek Cheek Cheek Cheek Cheek Cheek Cheek Cheek Cheek Cheek Cheek
FS Guiser Guiser Guiser Guiser Guiser Guiser Guiser Guiser Guiser Guiser Guiser Guiser
FC Givens Givens Givens Givens Givens Givens Givens Givens Givens Givens Givens Givens
CB Scott Scott Scott Scott Scott Scott Scott Scott Scott Scott Scott Scott
AKRON STATISTICAL LEADERS Game at Oklahoma Pittsburgh Savannah State at Louisiana Ohio at Eastern Michigan at Bowling Green Central Michigan at Massachusetts at Miami (Ohio) Buffalo Kent State
Rushing (att.-Yds.TD) Tra’Von Chapman (14-55-0) Conor Hundley (11-59-1) Conor Hundley (11-120-1) Thomas Woodson (8-93-1) Conor Hundley (18-66-0) Conor Hundley (17-119-2) Conor Hundley (16-69-0) Conor Hundley (12-34-0) Conor Hundley (23-92-0) Conor Hundley (21-110-3) Donnell Alexander (24-143-2) Conor Hundley (22-98-1)
Passing (C-A-I-Y-TD) Kyle Pohl (6-17-0-88-0) Tra’Von Chapman (4-14-0-29-0) Thomas Woodson (12-20-1-207-1) Thomas Woodson (13-29-1-238-2) Thomas Woodson (18-38-1-231-0) Thomas Woodson (14-22-0-222-4) Thomas Woodson (13-28-2-91-1) Thomas Woodson (22-36-1-252-1) Thomas Woodson (15-27-2-174-1) Thomas Woodson (13-28-2-221-1) Thomas Woodson (17-30-0-258-4) Thomas Woodson (11-29-0-140-1)
28
Receiving (Att.-Yds.-TD) Jerome Lane (3-57-0) Imani Davis (3-27-0) Jerome Lane (3-99-1) Austin Wolf (2-70-0) Imani Davis (5-94-0) Imani Davis (5-92-1) Jerome Lane (4-45-0) Imani Davis (8-96-0) Jerome Lane (4-56-0) Imani Davis (7-64-0 Imani Davis (7-118-1) Jerome Lane (4-75-0)
Tackles (S-A-T) Dylan Evans (8-5-13) Jatavis Brown (8-8-16) Dylan Evans (4-5-9) Zach Guiser (6-2-8) Darryl Monroe/Kris Givens (6-2-8) Dylan Evans (5-5-10) Dylan Evans (6-5-11) Jatavis Brown/ Darryl Monroe (5-1-6) D. Evans (7-4-11)/Jatavis Brown (4-7-11) Jatavis Brown (7-4-11) Jatavis Brown (6-6-12) Jatavis Brown (6-2-8)
2 015 F A M O U S ID A H O P O TATO B O W L
AKRON FOOTBALL SUPERLATIVES AKRON INDIVIDUAL GAME HIGHS Rushes 24 Yards Rushing 143 TD Rushes 3 3 Long Rush 38 Pass attempts 38 Pass completions 22 Yards Passing 258 TD Passes 4 4 Long Pass 72 Receptions 8 Yards Receiving 118 TD Receptions 2 2 Long Reception 72 Field Goals 4 Long Field Goal 50 Punts 12 Punting Avg 46.4 Long Punt 73 Punts inside 20 4 4 Long Punt Return 18 Long Kickoff Return 31 Tackles 16 Sacks 2.5 2.5 Tackles For Loss 4.5 4.5 Interceptions 1
OPPONENT INDIVIDUAL GAME HIGHS
ALEXANDER, Donnell vs. Buffalo (Nov. 20, 2015) ALEXANDER, Donnell vs. Bufalo (Nov. 20, 2015) GRICE, Cody vs. Savannah State (Sept. 19, 2015) HUNDLEY, Conor at Miami (Nov. 14, 2015) WOODSON, Thomas at Louisiana (Sept. 26, 2015) WOODSON, Thomas vs. Ohio (Oct. 3, 2015) WOODSON, Thomas vs. Central Michigan (Oct. 31, 2015) WOODSON, Thomas vs. Buffalo (Nov. 21, 2015) WOODSON, Thomas at Eastern Michigan (Oct. 10, 2015) WOODSON, Thomas vs. Buffalo (Nov. 21, 2015) WOODSON, Thomas at Louisiana (Sept. 26, 2015) DAVIS, Imani vs. Central Michigan (Oct. 31, 2015) DAVIS, Imani vs. Buffalo (Nov. 21, 2015) LANE, Jerome at Eastern Michigan (Oct. 10, 2015) LANE, Jerome vs. Buffalo (Nov. 21, 2015) LANE, Jerome at Louisiana (Sept. 26, 2015) STEIN, Robert vs. Ohio (Oct. 3, 2015) STEIN, Robert at Miami (Nov. 14, 2015) PAUL, Zach at Oklahoma (Sept. 5, 2015) PAUL, Zach at Oklahoma (Sept. 5, 2015) PAUL, Zach at Oklahoma (Sept. 5, 2015) PAUL, Zach at Oklahoma (Sept. 5, 2015) PAUL, Zach vs. Central Michigan (Oct. 31, 2015) CONEY, A.J. vs. Savannah State (Sept. 19, 2015) EDWARDS, Van at Eastern Michigan (Oct. 10, 2015) BROWN, Jatavis vs. Pittsburgh (Sept. 12, 2015) BROWN, Jatavis vs. Pittsburgh (Sept. 12, 2015) MARCUS, Jamal vs. Ohio (Oct. 3, 2015) MARCUS, Jamal vs. Ohio (Oct. 3, 2015) BROWN, Jatavis at Miami (Nov. 14, 2015) (13 times), last by CHEEK, Bryce vs. Buffalo (Nov. 21, 2015)
Rushes 24 Yards Rushing 112 TD Rushes 2 2 Long Rush 36 Pass attempts 51 Pass completions 32 Yards Passing 388 TD Passes 5 Long Pass 78 Receptions 11 11 Yards Receiving 181 TD Receptions 2 Long Reception 78 Field Goals 2 2 Long Field Goal 41 Punts 9 Punting Avg 49.7 Long Punt 60 Punts inside 20 4 Long Punt Return 13 Long Kickoff Return 77 Tackles 16 16 Sacks 2.0 Tackles For Loss 4.0 Interceptions 1
AKRON TEAM GAME HIGHS Rushes Yards Rushing Yards Per Rush TD Rushes Pass attempts Pass completions Yards Passing Yards Per Pass TD Passes Total Plays Total Offense Yards Per Play Points Sacks By First Downs Penalties Penalty Yards Turnovers Interceptions By Punts Punting Avg Long Punt Punts inside 20 Long Punt Return
53 291 6.2 5 38 22 335 10.2 4 4 80 626 7.8 52 5 31 11 92 4 2 12 46.4 73 4 4 18
at Eastern Michigan (Oct. 10, 2015) vs. Savannah State (Sept. 19, 2015) vs. Savannah State (Sept. 19, 2015) vs. Savannah State (Sept. 19, 2015) vs. Ohio (Oct. 3, 2015) vs. Central Michigan (Oct. 31, 2015) vs. Savannah State (Sept. 19, 2015) vs. Savannah State (Sept. 19, 2015) at Eastern Michigan (Oct. 10, 2015) vs. Buffalo (Nov. 21, 2015) vs. Savannah State (Sept. 19, 2015) vs. Savannah State (Sept. 19, 2015) vs. Savannah State (Sept. 19, 2015) vs. Savannah State (Sept. 19, 2015) vs. Pittsburgh (Sept. 12, 2015) vs. Savannah State (Sept. 19, 2015) at Louisiana (Sept. 26, 2015) at Louisiana (Sept. 26, 2015) at Bowling Green (Oct. 17, 2015) (four times), last at Miami (Nov. 14, 2015) at Oklahoma (Sept. 5, 2015) at Oklahoma (Sept. 5, 2015) at Oklahoma (Sept. 5, 2015) at Oklahoma (Sept. 5, 2015) vs. Central Michigan (Oct. 31, 2015) vs. Savannah State (Sept. 19, 2015)
A K RON VS . U T AH STA TE
JACKSON, Darius, Eastern Michigan (Oct. 10, 2015) JACKSON, Darius, Eastern Michigan (Oct. 10, 2015) WILSON, Donovan, Bowling Green (Oct. 17, 2015) JOHNSON, Jordan, Buffalo (Nov. 21, 2015) VANN, Shaq, Eastern Michigan (Oct. 10, 2015) LICATA, Joe, Buffalo (Nov. 21, 2015) LICATA, Joe, Buffalo (Nov. 21, 2015) MAYFIELD, Baker, Oklahoma (Sept. 5, 2015) JOHNSON, Matt, Bowling Green (Oct. 17, 2015) BAHL, Billy, Miami (Nov. 14, 2015) BOYD, T., Pittsburgh (Sept. 12, 2015) WILLOUGHBY, Ron, Buffalo (Nov. 21, 2015) WILLIAMS, Ro., Miami (Nov. 14, 2015) LEWIS, Roger, Bowling Green (Oct. 17, 2015) WILLIAMS, Ro., Miami (Nov. 14, 2015) SEIBERT, Austin, Oklahoma (Sept. 5, 2015) LAURENT, L., Massachusetts (Nov. 7, 2015) SEIBERT, Austin, Oklahoma (Sept. 5, 2015) BARRON, John, Savannah State (Sept. 19, 2015) SEIBERT, Austin, Oklahoma (Sept. 5, 2015) MELCHIORI, A., Kent State, (Nov. 27, 2015) COLUZZI, Ron, Central Michigan (Oct. 31, 2015) BANHAM, Blake, Eastern Michigan (Oct. 10, 2015) MILLER, Scott, Bowling Green (Oct. 17, 2015) IBE, Great, Eastern Michigan (Oct. 10, 2015) HOLLEY, Nate, Kent State (Nov. 27, 2015) SERPA, Blake, Central Michigan (Oct. 31, 2015) SERPA, Blake, Central Michigan (Oct. 31, 2015) (11 times), last by BURRIS, Brison, Miami (Nov. 14, 2015)
OPPONENT INDIVIDUAL GAME HIGHS Rushes Yards Rushing Yards Per Rush TD Rushes Pass attempts Pass completions Yards Passing Yards Per Pass TD Passes Total Plays Total Offense Yards Per Play Points Sacks By First Downs Penalties Penalty Yards Turnovers Interceptions By Punts Punting Avg Long Punt Punts inside 20 Long Punt Return
29
46 161 5.2 3 51 32 439 12.5 5 79 539 7.2 59 4 27 11 11 126 4 4 2 9 49.7 60 4 13
Pittsburgh (Sept. 12, 2015) Eastern Michigan (Oct. 10, 2015) Eastern Michigan (Oct. 10, 2015) Bowling Green (Oct. 17, 2015) Buffalo (Sept. 12, 2015) Buffalo (Sept. 12, 2015) Oklahoma (Sept. 5, 2015) Bowling Green (Oct. 17, 2015) Bowling Green (Oct. 17, 2015)) Buffalo (Nov. 21, 2015) Oklahoma (Sept. 5, 2015) Oklahoma (Sept. 5, 2015) Bowling Green (Oct. 17, 2015) Central Michigan (Oct. 31, 2015) Bowling Green (Oct. 17, 2015) Savannah State (Sept. 19, 2015) Louisiana (Sept. 26, 2015) Louisiana (Sept. 26, 2015) Louisiana (Sept. 26, 2015)) Miami (Nov. 14, 2015) (four times), last by Miami (Nov. 14, 2015) Savannah State (Sept. 19, 2015) Oklahoma (Sept. 5, 2015) Kent State (Nov. 27, 2015) Central Michigan (Oct. 31, 2015) Eastern Michigan (Oct. 10, 2015)
AKRON FOOTBALL THE LAST TIME IT HAPPENED . . . BY AKRON 100 Yards Rushing 143, Donnell Alexander vs. Buffalo, 11-21-15 150 Yards Rushing 151, Jawon Chisholm vs. Kent State, 11-08-13 175 Yards Rushing 184, Jawon Chisholm at Kent State, 11-28-14 200 Yards Rushing 277, Dennis Kennedy vs. Eastern Mich., 10-18-08 25+ Rushing Attempts 27, Jawon Chisholm vs. Kent State, 11-08-13 30+ Rushing Attempts 32, Alex Allen vs. Buffalo, 11-26-10 2 Touchdowns Rushing Donnell Alexander vs. Buffalo, 11-21-15 3 Touchdowns Rushing Conor Hundley at Miami (Ohio), 11-14-15 4+ Touchdowns Rushing 5, Bobby Hendry vs. Eastern Mich., 11-24-01 50-Yard Run 55, Jawon Chisholm vs. James Madison, 09-07-13 60-Yard Run 65 (TD), Jawon Chisholm vs. Ball State, 10-26-13 70-Yard Run 70 (TD), by Quentin Hines at Tennessee, 09-22-12 80-Yard Run 80 (TD), Jawon Chisholm at Kent State, 11-28-14 90-Yard Run 91, Alex Allen vs. Miami (Ohio), 11-17-10 Two Players Rushing for 100 Yards (each) Nate Burney (119) and Alex Allen (110) vs. Gardner-Webb, 09-11-10 250 Yards Passing 258, Thomas Woodson vs. Buffalo, 11-21-15 300 Yards Passing 304, Kyle Pohl vs. Bowling Green, 11-04-14 400 Yards Passing 446, Dalton Williams vs. Miami (Ohio), 09-29-12 20 Pass Completions 22, Thomas Woodson vs. Central Michigan, 10-31-15 30 Pass Completions 31, Kyle Pohl vs. Bowling Green, 11-04-14 40 Pass Attempts 42, Kyle Pohl at Kent State, 11-28-14 50 Pass Attempts *62, Kyle Pohl vs. Bowling Green, 11-04-14 2 Touchdown Passes Thomas Woodson at Louisiana, 9-26-15 3 Touchdown Passes Kyle Pohl vs. Toledo, 11-29-13 4 Touchdown Passes Thomas Woodson vs. Buffalo, 11-21-15 5 Touchdown Passes %Dalton Williams at FIU, 09-08-12 2 Interceptions Thrown Kyle Pohl at Kent State, 11-28-14 3 Interceptions Thrown Kyle Pohl vs. Bowling Green, 11-04-14 4 Interceptions Thrown Thomas Woodson at Ball State, 10-25-14 300 Yards Total Offense 331, Thomas Woodson at Louisiana, 9-26-15 350 Yards Total Offense 356, Kyle Pohl vs. Howard, 08-28-14 400 Yards Total Offense 446, Dalton Williams vs. Miami (Ohio), 09-29-12 100 Yards Receiving 118, Imani Davis vs. Buffalo, 11-21-15 150 Yards Receiving 154, Keith Sconiers vs. VMI, 09-24-11 200 Yards Receiving 223, Jabari Arthur vs. Western Michigan, 10-06-07 10 Receptions 10, Zach D’Orazio vs. UMass, 11-18-14 10+ Receptions 11, Marquelo Suel at Kent State, 11-03-12 50-Yard Reception 57 (TD), Jerome Lane (Thomas Woodson) vs. Central Michigan, 10-31-15 60-Yard Reception 68 (TD), Andrew Pratt (Nick Hirschman) vs. James Madison, 09-07-13 70-Yard Reception 72 (TD), Jerome Lane (Thomas Woodson) at Louisiana, 9-26-15 80-Yard Reception 80, Andre Jones (Alex Allen) vs. Northern Ill., 10-31-09 2 Touchdowns Receiving Jerome Lane vs. Buffalo, 11-21-15 3 Touchdowns Receiving 3, Deryn Bowser vs. Morgan State, 09-12-09 Two Players Receiving 100 Yards (each) Jabari Arthur (137) and David Harvey (133) vs. Central Michigan, 09-16-06 150 Yard Rusher and 150 Yard Receiver in Same Game #Jawon Chisholm (188 rushing) and Keith Sconiers (154 receiving) vs. VMI, 09-24-11 Kickoff Return for TD Dashan Miller (98 yards) vs. Syracuse, 10-24-09 Free Kick Return for TD 89, Andre Jones (78) and Alphonso Owen (11) vs. Western Michigan, 10-06-07 100-Yard Kickoff Return Jamie Goodwin at Connecticut, 10-25-03 Punt Return for TD Domenik Hixon (85 yards) vs. Ball State, 10-23-04 70-Yard Punt Return Domenik Hixon (85 yards) vs. Ball State, 10-23-04 200 All-Purpose Yards 200, Jawon Chisholm at Kent State, 11-28-14 250 All-Purpose Yards 263, Dennis Kennedy vs. Buffalo, 11-13-08 Interception for TD DeAndre Scott (37 yards) at Buffalo, 11-11-14 Intercepted 2 Passes 2, Justin March (one for TD) at Michigan, 09-14-13 Fumble Return for TD Nick Rossi (29 yards) vs. Morgan State, 09-15-12 Blocked a Field Goal Anthony Holmes (40-yard att.) at Northern Ill., 10-12-13 Blocked 2 Field Goals Nick Rossi (46-yard att.) and Anthony Holmes (40-yard att.) at Northern Ill., 10-12-13 Blocked a PAT Cody Grice vs. Toledo, 11-29-13 Blocked a Punt Andrew Pratt at Miami (Ohio), 10-19-13 Blocked Punt Returned for TD 0, Aaron Willliams vs. Indiana, 09-19-09 Had a 2-Pt Conversion Dalton Williams pass to Dee Frieson at FIU, 09-08-12 Had a Defensive 2-Pt. Conversion Shawn Lemon (98 yds) vs. Toledo, 11-05-08 50-Yard Field Goal 50, Robert Stein at Miami (Ohio), 11-14-15 55-Yard Field Goal 56, Daron Alcorn vs. Toledo, 09-12-92 UA Recorded a Safety Andrew Hauser at Eastern Michigan, 10-10-15
AKRON TEAM 500 Yards Total Offense 600 Yards Total Offense 700 Yards Total Offense 300 Yards Rushing Offense 400 Yards Rushing Offense 500 Yards Rushing Offense 300 Yards Passing Offense 400 Yards Passing Offense 500 Yards Passing Offense
500 at Eastern Michigan, 10-10-15 626 vs. Savannah State, 9-19-15 *753 vs Morgan State , 09-15-12 339 vs. Eastern Michigan, 10-18-08 440 vs. Liberty, 10-12-02 503 vs. Northern Arizona, 09-28-91 335 vs. Savannah State, 9-19-15 400 vs. Howard, 08-28-14 *^565 vs. Morgan State, 09-15-12
BY OPPONENT 100 Yards Rushing 112, Darius Jackson, Eastern Michigan, 10-10-15 150 Yards Rushing 151, Rjion Neal, Tennessee, 09-22-12 200 Yards Rushing 243, Zurlon Tipton, Central Michigan, 10-27-12 250 Yards Rushing 270, Garrett Wolfe, Northern Illinois, 12-01-05 300 Yards Rushing 376, Travis Prentice, Miami (Ohio), 11-06-99 20 Rushing Attempts 24, Darius Jackson, Eastern Michigan, 10-10-15 30 Rushing Attempts 32, Anthone Taylor, Buffalo, 11-11-14 40 Rushing Attempts 42, Garrett Wolfe, Northern Illinois, 12-01-05 3 Touchdowns Rushing Trayion Durham, Kent State, 11-03-12 4+ Touchdowns Rushing 5, Thomas Hammock, Northern Ill., 10-14-00 70-Yard Run 80, Remi Watson, Marshall, 09-20-14 Two Players 100 Yards Rushing (each) 178, Anthone Taylor and 104, Jordan Johnson, Buffalo, 11-11-14 300 Yards Passing 357, Matt Johnson, Bowling Green, 10-17-15 400 Yards Passing 401, Tyler Bray, Tennessee, 09-22-12 500 Yards Passing 516, Zac Dysert, Miami (Ohio), 09-29-12 20 Pass Completions 23, Cooper Rush vs. Central Michigan, 10-31-15 30 Pass Completions 32, Joe Licata, Buffalo, 11-21-15 40 Pass Attempts 45, Colin Reardon, at Kent State, 11-28-14 50 Pass Attempts 51, Joe Licata, Buffalo, 11-21-15 4 Touchdown Passes Joe Licata, Buffalo, 11-11-14 5 Touchdown Passes Matt Johnson, Bowling Green, 10-17-15 5+ Touchdown Passes 6, Zac Dysert, Miami (Ohio), 09-29-12 3 Interceptions Thrown Austin Whipple, UMass, 11-18-14 500 Yards Total Offense 514, Dan LeFevour, Central Mich., 11-23-07 600 Yards Total Offense 624, Zac Dysert, Miami (Ohio), 9-29-12 100 Yards Receiving 105, Ron Willoughby, Buffalo, 11-21-15 150 Yards Receiving 181, Rokeem Williams, Miami (Ohio), 11-14-15 200 Yards Receiving 214, Lee Evans, Wisconsin, 09-06-03 10 Receptions James Perry, Gardner-Webb, 09-11-10 10+ Receptions 11, Ron Willoughby, Buffalo, 11-21-15 3 Touchdown Receptions Jake Stoneburner, Ohio State, 09-03-11 60-Yard Reception 60, Alex Bayer, Bowling Green, 10-06-12 70-Yard Reception 78, 181, Rokeem Williams, Miami (Ohio), 11-14-15 90-Yard Reception 91, Breshad Perriman, UCF, 08-29-13 Two Players Receiving 100 Yards (each) Jordan Williams (124) and Willie Snead (100), Ball State, 10-26-13 Kickoff Return for TD Dervon Wallace (91 yards), Western Mich., 10-23-10 Punt Return for TD Delano Grennl (66 yards), Temple, 11-13-09 70-Yard Punt Return Stafford Owens (81 yards), Ohio, 11-13-04 Had 2 Interceptions 2, Byron Moore, Tennessee, 09-29-12 Returned Interception for TD Marshall Taylor, Miami (Ohio), 11-14-15 Had 3 Interceptions Brian Lainhart, Kent State, 10-04-08 Fumble Return for TD Taylor Royster (0 yards), BGSU, 11-04-14 75-Yard Fumble Return for TD 99, Quan Dillahunt, Howard, 09-20-03 Blocked a Field Goal Juwuan Tolbert (TD), Savannah State, 9-19-15 Blocked a PAT Boomer Mays, Northern Ill., 10-12-13 Blocked a Punt 2, Tony Reid, Miami (Ohio), 11-14-15 Blocked Punt Returned for TD Melvin Payne, Ohio, 10-10-09 Had a 2-Pt. Conversion Deane Cheatham (rush), JMU, 09-07-13 50-Yard Field Goal Kaleb Patterson (52 yards), Miami (Ohio), 10-19-13 500 Yards Total Offense 532, Bowling Green, 10-17-15 600 Yards Total Offense 633, Tennessee, 09-22-12 700 Yards Total Offense 705, Miami (Ohio), 09-29-12 Less Than 200 Yards of Total Offense 127, Morgan State, 09-12-09 UA Allowed a Safety vs. Ohio, 10-05-13 * - indicates school record % - indicates tied school record # - first time in program history ^ - indicates Mid-American Conference record BOLD - Indicates 2015 season
30
2 015 F A M O U S ID A H O P O TATO B O W L
AKRON FOOTBALL OKLAHOMA
#1
#2
SOONERS 0 21
0 0
0 13
0 7
- -
PANTHERS
} Sept. 12, 2015 } InfoCision Stadium– Summa Field } Akron, Ohio
} Sept. 5, 2015 } Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium } Norman, Okla. Akron (0-1) #19 Oklahoma (1-0)
PITTSBURGH
0 41
Pittsburgh (2-0) Akron (0-2)
3 0
7 7
7 0
7 0
- -
24 7
NORMAN, Okla. – Oklahoma posted 24 unanswered second-half points to register a 41-3 victory over Akron in the season-opening contest for both teams on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
AKRON, Ohio– Led by the passing of quarterback Nate Peterman, Pittsburgh defeated Akron 24-7 on a rainy Saturday night in the Zips’ home opener at InfoCision Stadium – Summa Field.
The 19th-ranked Sooners recorded a 539-226 advantage in yards in the affair, including throwing for 439 yards through the air.
Senior RB Conor Hundley led the Akron rushing attack with 59 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries. Senior QB Kyle Pohl completed three of his eight passes for 34 yards, while sophomore QB Tra’Von Chapman went 4- for-14 for 29 yards.
Senior QB Kyle Pohl was 6-of-17 for the Zips for 88 yards, while Baker Mayfield threw for 388 yards completing 23-of-33 attempts.
Peterman threw for 148 yards completing 12-of-17 attempts, with one touchdown.
Akron’s leading rusher was sophomore QB Tra’Von Chapman with 48 yards, while senior RB Conor Hundley and sophomore QB Thomas Woodson also added 36 and 30 yards on the ground. Samaje Perine paced the Sooners’ ground attack with 33 yards and one touchdown.
Three different receivers caught Pohl’s tosses with junior WR Tyrell Goodman and senior WR Imani Davis snagging three catches apiece for 27 yards. Defensively, senior LB Jatavis Brown posted a teamhigh and career-high 16 tackles, which included a 2.5 sacks.
SCORING SUMMARY: 1st 3:58 OU Austin Seibert 35 yd. field goal Drive: 5 plays, 54 yards in 1:00 2nd 5:32 OU Semaje Perine 2 yd. run (Seibert kick) Drive: 11 plays, 60 yards in 4:12 2:21 OU Dede Westbrook 29 yd. pass from Baker Mayfield (Siebert kick) Drive: 4 plays, 80 yards in 1:08 0:06 UA Robert Stein 26 yd. field goal Drive: 7 plays, 22 yards in 1:12 3rd 11:56 OU Joe Mixon 76 yd. pass from Mayfield (Seibert kick) Drive: 1 play, 76 yards in 0:14 7:11 OU Jeffrey Mead 11 yd. pass from Mayfield (Seibert kick) Drive: 9 plays, 80 yards in 3:38 2:36 OU Mayfield 2 yd. run (Seibert kick) Drive: 9 plays, 93 yards in 2:31 4th 10:29 OU Seibert 41 yd. field goal Drive: 4 plays, 2 yards in 0:50
Pitt outgained Akron 307-119, while the Zips had five sacks for a total loss of 34 yards. Akron forced two Panther fumbles but were not able to recover either of them.
FIRST DOWNS RUSHES-YARDS (NET) PASSING YDS (NET) Passes Comp-Att-Int TOTAL OFFENSE PLAYS-YARDS Fumble Returns-Yards-TD Punt Returns-Yards-TD Kickoff Returns-Yards-TD Interception Returns-Yards-TD Punts (Number-Avg) Fumbles-Lost Penalties-Yards Possession Time Third-Down Conversions Fourth-Down Conversions Red-Zone Scores-Chances Sacks By: Number-Yards
UA-OU 0-3 0 - 10
SCORING SUMMARY: 1st 2:55 UP Chris Blewitt 25 yd. field goal Drive: 13 plays, 59 yards in 7:31 2nd 6:24 UA Conor Hundley 32 yd. run (Robert Stein kick) Drive: 5 plays, 62 yards in 2:15 0:44 UP J.P. Holtz 18 yd. pass from Nate Peterman (Blewitt kick) Drive: 8 plays, 73 yards in 1:51 3rd 5:11 UP Qadree Ollison 2 yd. run (Blewitt kick) Drive: 5 plays, 51 yards in 2:36 4th 2:51 UP Darrin Hall 5 yd.. run (Blewitt kick) Drive: 10 plays, 67 yards in 7:01
0 - 17 3 - 17 3 - 24 3 - 31 3 - 38
3 - 41
AKRON OKLAHOMA 10 26 44-138 33-100 88 439 6-26-0 28-42-1 70-226 75-539 0-0-0 0-0-0 1-0-0 5-32-0 2-28-0 2-43-0 1-0-0 0-0-0 12-46.4 6-49.7 1-1 1-1 9-62 9-90 32:48 27:12 21% (4 of 19) 31% (4 of 13) 0% (0 of 0) 100% (1 of 1) 1-2 4-5 1-2 1-5
RUSHING: Akron - Chapman 14-48, Hundley 8-36, Woodson 3-30, Alexander 7-16, Lawrence 7-16, Edwards 1-4, Davis 1-4, Cooper 1-0, Means 1-(-4), Pohl 2-(-7). OU - Perine 11-33, Mixon 5-27, Ross 3-20, Brooks 4-11, Mayfield 6-8, Knight 1-6, Anderson 1-5, Team 1-(-2), Westbrook 1-(-8). PASSING: Akron - Pohl 6-17-0-88-0; Chapman 0-8-0-0-0; Woodson 0-1-0-0-0. OU - Mayfield 23-33-0-3883; Knight 5-9-1-51-0. RECEIVING: Akron - Lane 3-57, Means 1-13, N. Williams 1-12, Davis 1-6. OU- Baxter 5-51, Neal 4-65, Andrews 4-50, Mixon 3-115, Shepard 3-68, Westbrook 3-40, Mead 2-31, Perine 2-9, Brooks 1-6, Flowers 1-4.
A K RON VS . U T AH STA TE
FIRST DOWNS RUSHES-YARDS (NET) PASSING YDS (NET) Passes Comp-Att-Int TOTAL OFFENSE PLAYS-YARDS Fumble Returns-Yards-TD Punt Returns-Yards-TD Kickoff Returns-Yards-TD Interception Returns-Yards-TD Punts (Number-Avg) Fumbles-Lost Penalties-Yards Possession Time Third-Down Conversions Fourth-Down Conversions Red-Zone Scores-Chances Sacks By: Number-Yards
UP-UA 3-0 3-7 10 - 7 17 - 7 24 - 7
PITT AKRON 21 8 46-127 24-47 180 63 18-25-0 7-22-0 71-307 46-110 0-0-0 0-0-0 1-(-6)-0 3-13-0 1-(-1)-0 3-69-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 5-40.8 9-37.9 2-0 2-1 5-30 9-85 37:28 22:32 47% (7 of 15) 18% (2 of 11) 0% (0 of 1) 0% (0 of 10) 4-5 0-0 3-39 5-34
RUSHING: Pitt - Ollison 21-81, Hall 12-52, Peterman 7-12, Team 1-(-2), Boyd 1-(-6), Voytik 4-(-10). Akron Hundley 11-59, Pohl 2-9, Grice 1-1, Chapman 10-(-22). PASSING: Pitt - Peterman 12-17-0-148-1; Voytik 6-8-0-32-0. Akron - Chapman 4-14-0-29-0; Pohl 3-8-0-340. RECEIVING: Pitt - Boyd 11-95, Holtz 3-42, Hall 2-25, Challingsworth 1-11, Aston 1-7. Akron - Davis 3-27, Goodman 3-27, Cooper 1-9.
31
AKRON FOOTBALL SAVANNAH STATE
#3
#4
TIGERS
} Sept. 19, 2015 } InfoCision Stadium– Summa Field } Akron, Ohio Savannah State (0-2) Akron (1-2)
3 7
6 21
0 10
0 14
- -
9 52
Akron’s run game led the charge for the Zips’ offense, scoring five times and collecting 291 total yards on the ground. Senior RB Conor Hundley ran for a team-high 120 yards on 11 attempts with one score, marking the second 100-yard rushing performance of his career. Sophomore QB Thomas Woodson completed 12-of-20 passes for 207 yards with a touchdown through the air and 11 rushes for 67 yards and touchdown on the ground. Defensively, senior LB Dylan Evans recorded a team-high nine tackles, four solo and one for a loss, and four break-ups for Akron. Junior CB DeAndre Scott picked off Handler for his second interception of the year and the Zips forced one fumble.
FIRST DOWNS RUSHES-YARDS (NET) PASSING YDS (NET) Passes Comp-Att-Int TOTAL OFFENSE PLAYS-YARDS Fumble Returns-Yards-TD Punt Returns-Yards-TD Kickoff Returns-Yards-TD Interception Returns-Yards-TD Punts (Number-Avg) Fumbles-Lost Penalties-Yards Possession Time Third-Down Conversions Fourth-Down Conversions Red-Zone Scores-Chances Sacks By: Number-Yards
RAGIN’ CAJUNS
} Sept. 26, 2015 } Cajun Field } Lafayette, La.
AKRON, Ohio– Senior nose tackle Cody Grice scored three of the Zips’ seven touchdowns in Akron’s first win of the season, defeating Savannah State, 52-9, Saturday at InfoCision Stadium – Summa Field.
SCORING SUMMARY: 1st 12:47 UA Cody Grice 1 yd. run (Robert Stein kick) Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards in 2:13 4:01 SSU John Barron 30 yd. field goal Drive: 9 plays, 18 yards in 3:30 2nd 9:32 SSU Juwuan Tolbert 81 yd. blocked FG return (Steven Hagan rush failed) 6:22 UA Grice 2 yd. run (Stein kick) Drive: 8 plays, 66 yards in 3:05 1:11 UA Grice 4 yd. run (Stein kick) Drive: 8 plays, 46 yards in 3:47 0:05 UA Imani Davis 33 yd. pass from Thomas Woodson (Stein kick) Drive: 4 plays, 61 yards in 0:32 3rd 8:32 UA Stein 21 yd. field goal Drive: 7 plays, 19 yards in 2:47 2:47 UA Conor Hundley 18 yd. run (Robert Stein kick) Drive: 5 plays, 80 yards in 2:27 4th 13:59 UA Woodson 1 yd. run (Stein kick) Drive: 6 plays, 49 yards in 1:40 2:40 UA Jerome Lane 50 yd. pass from Tra’Von Chapman (Stein kick) Drive: 4 plays, 73 yards in 1:50
LOUISIANA
Akron (2-2) Louisiana (1-2)
7 0
7 7
14 0
7 7
- -
35 14
LAFAYETTE, La.–Sophomore QB Thomas Woodson threw for 238 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 93 more yards on the ground and a rushing touchdown to propel the Zips to a 35-14 victory at Louisiana. The triumph marked the 500th in program history. Akron out-gained the Ragin’ Cajuns in total yards, 458-285, including registering a 220-112 advantage on the ground. The Zips had 21 second-half points to secure the victory. Nine different Akron receivers caught passes for 238 yards from Woodson. Woodson led the Zips’ ground attack with a game-high 93 yards, while senior RB Conor Hundley punished Louisiana for 77 yards on 20 carries, including scoring a pair of touchdowns. Defensively, Akron forced four turnovers, including a pair of fumble recoveries to hold the Ragin’ Cajun offense to 112 yards on the ground and 173 through the air. SCORING SUMMARY: UA-UL 1st 7:10 UA Andrew Pratt 9 yd. pass from Thomas Woodson (Robert Stein kick) Drive: 9 plays, 81 yards in 3:37 7-0 2nd 14:54 UA Woodson 14 yd. run (Stein kick) Drive: 13 plays, 85 yards in 6:12 14 - 0 10:50 UL Elijah McGuire 17 yd. run (Stevie Artigue kick) Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards in 4:04 14 - 7 3rd 11:24 UA Conor Hundley 1 yd. run (Stein kick) Drive: 6 plays, 82 yards in 2:40 21 - 7 7:53 UA Jerome Lane 72 yd. pass from Woodson (Stein kick( Drive 1 play, 72 yards in 0:10 28 - 7 4th 10:08 UA Hundley 11 yd. run (Stein kick) Drive: 4 plays, 33 yards in 2:19 35 - 7 6:22 UL Gabe Fuselier 8 yd. pass from Jalen Nixon (Artigue kick) Drive: 15 plays, 73 yards in 3:46 35 - 14
SSU-UA 0-7 3-7 9-7 9 - 14 9 - 21 9 - 28 9 - 31 9 - 38
9 - 45 9 - 52
SAVANNAH ST. AKRON 14 31 34-74 47-291 128 335 13-34-1 18-33-2 68-202 80-626 0-0-1 0-0-0 1-0-0 5-36-0 6-93-0 1-8-0 2-24-0 1-13-0 9-35.8 3-34.0 4-1 0-0 11-93 4-51 26:56 33:04 35% (6 of 17) 54% (7 of 13) 0% (0 of 1) 0% (0 of 1) 1-1 6-9 0-0 2-12
FIRST DOWNS RUSHES-YARDS (NET) PASSING YDS (NET) Passes Comp-Att-Int TOTAL OFFENSE PLAYS-YARDS Fumble Returns-Yards-TD Punt Returns-Yards-TD Kickoff Returns-Yards-TD Interception Returns-Yards-TD Punts (Number-Avg) Fumbles-Lost Penalties-Yards Possession Time Third-Down Conversions Fourth-Down Conversions Red-Zone Scores-Chances Sacks By: Number-Yards
AKRON LOUISIANA 22 18 42-220 28-112 238 173 13-29-1 19-37-2 71-458 65-285 1-12-0 0-0-0 1-1-0 1-0-0 1-23-0 5-90-0 2-17-0 1-12-0 3-32.3 5-46.4 1-0 2-2 11-92 11-126 33:30 26:30 53% (9 of 17) 42% (5 of 12) 0% (0 of 1) 50% (1 of 2) 4-7 2-3 2-16 0-0
RUSHING: Akron - Woodson 8-93, Hundley 20-77, Alexander 12-65, Team 2-(-15). UL - McGuire 16-83, Pierce 4-19, Haack 3-18, Nixon 5-(-8).
RUSHING: SSU- Spaulding 14-60, Williams 6-11, Dillard 3-10, Oliver 2-4, Berry 1-2, Handler 1-1, Wilson 2-(-1), Bentley 3-(-3), Team 2-(-10). Akron - Hundley 12-127, Alexander 11-78, Woodson 1163, Chapman 7-12, Grice 5-7, Davis 1-4. PASSING: SSU - Handler 9-25-1-69-0; Spaulding 4-9-0-59-0. Akron - Woodson 12-20-1-207-1; Chapman 6-13-1-128-1. RECEIVING: SSU -Berry 4-30, Wilson 4-21, Frazier 2-25, Carerra 1-26, Harris 1-16, Debeatham 1-10. Akron - Lane 3-99, Davis 3-50, Hundley 3-30, Young 2-81, N. Williams 2-32, Goodman 2-8, Means 1-18, Cooper 1-9, Wolf 1-8.
32
PASSING: Akron - Woodson 13-29-1-238-2. UL - Nixon 11-20-1-96-1, Haack 8-17-1-77-0. RECEIVING: Akron - Wolf 2-70, Davis 2-24, Goodman 2-18, Pratt 2-14, Lane 1-72, Hundley 1-33, Means 1-8, McNeil 1-1 Alexander 1-(-2). UL - Fuselier 5-50, Byrne 4-38, Riles 3-38, McGuire 3-18, Robinson 2-22, Scott 2-7.
2 015 F A M O U S ID A H O P O TATO B O W L
AKRON FOOTBALL #5
OHIO
#6
BOBCATS
} Oct. 3, 2015 } InfoCision Stadium– Summa Field } Akron, Ohio Ohio (4-1, 1-0 MAC) Akron (2-3, 0-1 MAC)
7 3
7 3
0 3
0 3
- -
14 12
Stein scored all 12 of the Zips’ points. Sophomore QB Thomas Woodson threw for 231 yards, completing 18 of his 38 pass attempts and had 11 yards rushing. Senior RB Conor Hundley ran for a team-high 66 yards on 18 carries to lead the ground game. Defensively, Zips seniors LB Darryl Monroe and CB Kris Givens made eight tackles apiece with six solo stops. Redshirt junior DE Jamal Marcus also made six tackles during the contest with four for loss. Junior CB DeAndre Scott picked off Ohio QB Greg Windham in his only drive of the game. Akron out-gained Ohio, 319-227. The Zips picked up 20 first downs but converted just 5-of-17 third down attempts. Ohio was more efficient in that category, converting on 47 percent of third downs (7-for-15). SCORING SUMMARY: 1st 7:57 UA Robert Stein 40 yd. field goal Drive: 11 plays, 48 yards in 6:06 4:27 OU K. Heitzman 24 yd. pass from Derrius Vick (J. Yazdani kick) Drive: 8 plays, 70 yards in 3:22 2nd 12:41 OU D. Patterson 4 yd. run (Yazdani kick) Drive: 11 plays, 57 yards in 5:30 00:03 UA Stein 33 yd. field goal Drive: 10 plays, 30 yards in 2:10 3rd 00:16 UA Stein 41 yd. field goal Drive: 13 plays, 67 yards in 6:41 4th 3:55 UA Stein 30 yd. field goal Drive: 9 plays, 37 yards in 3:16 FIRST DOWNS RUSHES-YARDS (NET) PASSING YDS (NET) Passes Comp-Att-Int TOTAL OFFENSE PLAYS-YARDS Fumble Returns-Yards-TD Punt Returns-Yards-TD Kickoff Returns-Yards-TD Interception Returns-Yards-TD Punts (Number-Avg) Fumbles-Lost Penalties-Yards Possession Time Third-Down Conversions Fourth-Down Conversions Red-Zone Scores-Chances Sacks By: Number-Yards
EAGLES
} Oct. 10, 2015 } Rynearson Stadium } Ypsilanti, Mich.
AKRON, Ohio– Senior placekicker Robert Stein made a career-high four field goals, but it is not enough to overcome Ohio’s two early touchdowns as Akron fell to Ohio, 14-12, in the Mid-American Conference opener and Homecoming game on Saturday afternoon at InfoCision Stadium – Summa Field.
EASTERN MICHIGAN
OU-UA 0-3 7-3 14 - 3 14 - 6 14 - 9 14 - 12
OHIO AKRON 17 20 32-48 35-88 179 231 18-29-1 18-38-1 61-227 73-319 0-0-0 0-0-0 1-2-0 0-0-0 4-105-0 2-36-0 1-16-0 1-0-0 7-35.0 5-28.4 1-0 1-0 8-99 10-79 27:56 32:04 47% (7 of 15) 29% (5 of 17) 0% (0 of 0) 67% (2 of 3) 1-3 4-4 2-15 3-20
Akron (3-3, 1-1 MAC) Eastern Michigan (1-5, 0-2 MAC)
RECEIVING: Ohio - White 4-56, Reid 4-32, Cope 3-34, Smith 2-10, Patterson 2-8, Heitzman 1-24, Brunis 1-9, Sawyer 1-6. Akron - Davis 5-94, Pratt 3-40, Goodman 3-29, Coney 3-20, Means 2-22, Lane 1-14, Lawrence 1-12.
26 7
7 7
0 0
- -
47 21
YPSILANTI, Mich.– The Akron Zips racked up 500 yards of total offense behind sophomore QB Thomas Woodson en route to a 47-21 win over Eastern Michigan at Rynearson Stadium. The Akron Zips fired on all cylinders with huge performances in the running and passing games. In his third start of the season, Woodson went 14-of-22 for 222 yards and a career-high four touchdowns. He also rushed for 72 yards. Sophomore WR Jerome Lane finished with a career-best two touchdowns and 104 yards (all in the first half), marking the first 100-yard performance of his collegiate career. Senior RB Conor Hundley led all rushers with 119 yards and a career-high two touchdowns on 17 carries. Defensively, senior LB Dylan Evans racked up a team-high 10 tackles, including five solo stops. SCORING SUMMARY: UA-EMU 1st 6:07 UA Imani Davis 9 yd. pass from Thomas Woodson (Robert Stein kick) Drive: 8 plays, 60 yards in 3:21 7-0 5:12 UA Jerome Lane 22 yd. pass from Woodson (Stein kick) Drive: 3 plays, 22 yards in 0:55 14 - 0 2:20 EMU Austin Stone 7 yd. pass from Brogan Roback (Dylan Mulder kick) Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards in 2:52 14 - 7 2nd 12:44 UA Lane 39 yd. pass from Woodson (Stein kick) Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards in 4:36 21 - 7 10:36 EMU Sam Browning 2 yd. pass from Roback (Mulder kick) Drive: 8 plays, 78 yards in 2:02 21 - 14 7:55 UA Conor Hundley 29 yd. run (Stein kick) Drive: 8 plays, 70 yards in 2:33 28 - 14 7:24 UA Team safety 30 - 14 2:29 UA Stein 39 yd. field goal Drive: 11 plays, 48 yards in 4:49 33 - 14 0:18 UA Josh McNeil 1 yd. pass from Woodson (Stein kick) Drive: 5 plays, 66 yards in 1:24 40 - 14 3rd 5:05 UA Hundley 5 yd. run (Stein kick) Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards in 5:35 47 - 14 3:49 EMU Eddie Daugherty 41 yd. pass from Roback (Mulder kick) Drive: 4 plays, 58 yards in 1:07 47 - 21
RUSHING: Ohio - White 5-29, Ouellette 6-26, Windham 4-13, Patterson 9-6, Team 2-(-4), Vick 6-(-22). Akron - Hundley 18-66, Woodson 13-11, Davis 2-7, Grice 1-6, Alexander 1-1, Goodman 0-(-3). PASSING: Ohio - Vick 18-26-0-179-1; Windham 0-3-1-0-0. Akron - Woodson 18-38-1-231-0.
14 7
AKRON EMU FIRST DOWNS 28 20 RUSHES-YARDS (NET) 53-278 31-161 PASSING YDS (NET) 222 252 Passes Comp-Att-Int 14-22-0 24-35-1 TOTAL OFFENSE PLAYS-YARDS 75-500 66-413 Fumble Returns-Yards-TD 0-0-0 0-0-0 Punt Returns-Yards-TD 1-25-0 1-13-0 Kickoff Returns-Yards-TD 3-84-0 3-68-0 Interception Returns-Yards-TD 1-(-2)-0 0-0-0 Punts (Number-Avg) 4-38.0 3-15.7 Fumbles-Lost 0-0 2-2 Penalties-Yards 8-54 9-90 Possession Time 36:32 23:28 Third-Down Conversions 69% (11 of 16) 36% (4 of 11) Fourth-Down Conversions 0% (0 of 0) 50% (2 of 4) Red-Zone Scores-Chances 4-4 2-2 Sacks By: Number-Yards 1-6 1-6
RUSHING: Akron - Hundley 17-119, Alexander 21-78, Woodson 11-69, Edwards 2-10, Grice 1-3, Pohl 1-(-1). EMU - Jackson 24-112, Vann 6-55, Roback 1-(-6). PASSING: Akron - Woodson 14-22-0-222-4. EMU - Roback 23-34-1-204-3, Tuttle 1-1-0-48-0. RECEIVING: Akron - Davis 5-92, Lane 4-104, McNeil 3-18, Wolf 1-9, Hundley 1-(-1). EMU - Daugherty 7-107, Vann 5-40, Browning 4-66, Jackson 3-13, Strange 2-10, Tuttle 1-9, Stone 1-7, Banham 1-0.
A K RON VS . U T AH STA TE
33
AKRON FOOTBALL #7
BOWLING GREEN
#8
FALCONS
} Oct. 17, 2015 } Perry Stadium } Bowling Green, Ohio Akron (3-4, 1-2 MAC) Bowling Green (5-2, 3-0 MAC)
CENTRAL MICHIGAN
CHIPPEWAS
} Oct. 31, 2015 } InfoCision Stadium– Summa Field } Akron, Ohio 7 7
3 21
0 21
0 10
- -
10 59
Central Michigan (5-4, 4-1 MAC) Akron (3-5, 1-3 MAC)
0 0
7 6
7 0
0 0
- -
14 6
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio– The Akron Zips fell to Bowling Green, 59-10, in Mid-American Conference football action on Saturday afternoon at Doyt L. Perry Stadium.
AKRON, Ohio– In a game where defense dominated, the Akron Zips fell to Central Michigan, 14-6, in Mid-American Conference play at InfoCision Stadium-Summa Field on Saturday afternoon.
The Zips out-rushed the Falcons, 167-120. However, the difference in the game came in the air as BGSU out-gained the Zips, 412-104. The Falcons racked up 532 total yards of offense.
The Zips led in passing yards and total offense. Sophomore QB Thomas Woodson went 22-of-36for 252 yards and 57-yard touchdown pass to sophomore WR Jerome Lane.
In his fourth start of the season, Akron sophomore QB Thomas Woodson completed 13-of-28 passes for 91 yards and a touchdown.
Senior RB Conor Hundley was the top Zip rusher with 34 yards on 12 carries, while senior WR Imani Davis was the top receiver with 86 yards on eight receptions.
Senior RB Conor Hundley was the top rusher with 15 carries for 69 yards. Sophomore WR Jerome Lane led all Zip receivers with four catches for 45 yards.
Defensively, senior LB Jatavis Brown and Darryl Monroe led the Zips with six tackles each. Brown added a sack for a loss of nine yards.
Defensively, senior LB Dylan Evans was the team leader with 11 tackles, while senior LB Jatavis Brown had nine tackles and two sacks. Senior LB Darryl Monroe also had nine tackles. SCORING SUMMARY: UA-BGSU 1st 10:40 BG Wilson Donovan 2 yd. run (Tyler Tate kick) Drive: 6 plays, 48 yards in 1:39 0-7 1:52 UA Tyrell Goodman 14 yd. pass from Thomas Woodson (Robert Stein kick) Drive: 10 plays, 52 yards in 3:46 7-7 2nd 13:55 BG Wilson 1 yd. run (Tate kick) Drive: 8 plays, 95 yards in 2:59 7 - 14 13:46 BG Roger Lewis 12 yd. pass from Matt Johnson (Tate kick) Drive: 1 play, 12 yards in 0:04 7 - 21 10:19 UA Stein 46 yd. field goal Drive: 9 plays, 45 yards in 3:24 10 - 21 4:20 BG Gehrig Dieter 12 yd. pass from Johnson (Tate kick) Drive: 7 plays, 89 yards in 1:57 10 - 28 3rd 11:31 BG Ryan Burbank 34 yd. pass from Johnson (Tate kick) Drive: 8 plays, 65 yards in 3:23 10 - 35 5:04 BG Fred Coppet 6 yd. run (Tate kick) Drive: 12 plays, 55 yards in 4:29 10 - 42 1:08 BG Travis Greene 8 yd. pass from Johnson (Tate kick) Drive: 5 plays, 80 yards in 1:22 10 - 49 4th 14:56 BG Roger Lewis 1 yd. pass from Johnson (Tate kick) Drive: 3 plays, 49 yards in 0:15 10 - 56 4:41 BG Tate 28 yd. field goal Drive: 10 plays, 45 yards in 5:11 10 - 59
FIRST DOWNS RUSHES-YARDS (NET) PASSING YDS (NET) Passes Comp-Att-Int TOTAL OFFENSE PLAYS-YARDS Fumble Returns-Yards-TD Punt Returns-Yards-TD Kickoff Returns-Yards-TD Interception Returns-Yards-TD Punts (Number-Avg) Fumbles-Lost Penalties-Yards Possession Time Third-Down Conversions Fourth-Down Conversions Red-Zone Scores-Chances Sacks By: Number-Yards
SCORING SUMMARY: 2nd 13:46 CMU Joe Bacci 2 yd. pass fro Cooper Rush (Brian Eavey kick) Drive: 9 plays, 69 yards in 4:57 11:49 UA Jerome Lane 57 yd. pass from Thomas Woodson (Robert Stein kick failed) Drive: 4 plays, 76 yards in 1:52 3rd 11:59 CMU Anthony Rice 14 yd. pass from Rush (Eavey kick) Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards in 3:01
AKRON BGSU 16 27 42-167 42-120 104 412 15-30-2 27-33-0 72-271 75-532 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 2-14-0 7-76-0 3-93-0 0-0-0 2-0-0 5-32.4 2-40.5 2-2 1-0 9-85 7-64 32:02 27:58 33% (6 of 18) 46% (6 of 13) 33% (1 of 3) 100% (2 of 2) 1-1 8-9 3-28 1-9
CMU-UA 7-0 7-6 14 - 6
CENTRAL MICHIGAN AKRON FIRST DOWNS 16 15 RUSHES-YARDS (NET) 24-39 25-25 PASSING YDS (NET) 226 252 Passes Comp-Att-Int 23-37-1 22-36-1 TOTAL OFFENSE PLAYS-YARDS 61-265 61-277 Fumble Returns-Yards-TD 0-0-0 0-0-0 Punt Returns-Yards-TD 1-7-0 2-6-0 Kickoff Returns-Yards-TD 1-21-0 2-46-0 Interception Returns-Yards-TD 1-0-0 1-0-0 Punts (Number-Avg) 8-40.9 9-36.8 Fumbles-Lost 1-0 2-0 Penalties-Yards 5-44 5-34 Possession Time 31:27 28:33 Third-Down Conversions 33% (4 of 12) 31% (5 of 16) Fourth-Down Conversions 0% (0 of 0) 0% (0 of 0) Red-Zone Scores-Chances 2-2 0-1 Sacks By: Number-Yards 4-25 3-25
RUSHING: CMU - Cooper 9-21, Hayes 8-10, Willis 1-7, Ross 1-3, Walker 5-(-2). Akron - Hundley 12-34, Edwards 2-9, Woodson 11-(-18). PASSING: CMU -Rush 23-37-1-226-2. Akron - Woodson 22-36-1-252-1. RECEIVING: CMU - Rice 9-105, Chapman 4-62, McCord 3-40, Ross 3-0, Kroll 2-16, Bacci 1-2, Walker 1-1. Akron Davis 8-96, Pratt 4-25, Cooper 3-30, Lane 2-65, Coney 2-13, Young 1-13, Williams 1-5, McNeil 1-5.
RUSHING: Akron - Hundley 16-69, Woodson 13-54, Edwards 6-30, Alexander 7-14. BGSU - Greene 1364, Coppet 10-52, Wilson 9-14, Domer 3-4, Moore 1-3, Johnson 6-(-17). PASSING: Akron - Woodson 13-28-2-91-1. BGSU - Johnson 25-30-0-357-5; Knapke 1-2-0-39-0; Burbrink 1-1-0-16-0. RECEIVING: Akron - Lane 4-45, Davis 3-1, Pratt 2-17, McNeil 2-13, Hundley 2-8, Goodman 1-14, Wolf 1-6. BGSU - Lewis 6-118, Dieter 6-77, Burbrink 4-54, Moore 4-38, Redding 2-52, Lee 2-10, Coby 1-39, Johnson 1-16, Greene 1-8.
34
2 015 F A M O U S ID A H O P O TATO B O W L
AKRON FOOTBALL #9
MASSACHUSETTS
# 10
MINUTEMEN
} Nov. 7, 2015 } Gillette Stadium } Foxboro, Mass. Akron (4-5, 2-3 MAC) Massachusetts (1-8, 0-5 MAC)
7 7
0 6
7 0
3 0
- -
17 13
Sophomore QB Thomas Woodson was 15-of-27 for 174 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 58 yards. Senior RB Conor Hundley led all rushers with 92 yards on 23 carries, while sophomore WR Jerome Lane was the top receiver with 56 yards on four receptions. Defensively, senior LB Dylan Evans and Jatavis Brown led the Zips with 11 tackles each. Brown also had an eight-yard sack and 1.5 TFL. UMass QB Blake Frohnapfel went 19-of-43 for 173 yards. UMass held a 13-7 edge at halftime. Momentum shifted to start the second half. On the Minutemen’s opening drive, Brown had an eight-yard sack, forcing the UMass to punt on a 4th-and-17 from their own 23. On the next drive, Akron took 10 plays to drive 73 yards over 4:52 as Woodson ran into the endzone for a 15-yard touchdown, giving the Zips their first lead on the day, 14-13. In the fourth quarter, Zips’ DB Kris Givens had an interception. UA took advantage, recording three straight first downs en route to a 36-yard field goal by Stein to give the Zips a 17-13 cushion. With 1:52 to go, UMass started its final drive. After converting a fourth-and-one, Frohnapfel threw a long bomb which was intercepted by DB DeAndre Scott, sealing the Zips’ win. UA took a knee on its next possession ending the game. SCORING SUMMARY: UA-UMASS 1st 7:30 UM Jamal WIlson 9 yd. run (Logan Laurent kick) Drive: 5 plays, 40 yards in 1:38 0-7 3:15 UA Austin Wolf 27 yd. pass from Thomas Woodson (Robert Stein kick) Drive: 8 plays, 73 yards in 4:35 7-7 2nd 4:50 UM Laurent 36 yd. field goal Drive: 6 plays, 14 yards in 2:02 7 - 10 020 UM Laurent 40 yd. field goal Drive: 7 plays, 18 yards in 3:05 7 - 13 3rd 8:54 UA Woodson 15 yd. run (Stein kick) Drive: 10 plays, 73 yards in 4:52 14 - 13 4th 5:43 UA Stein 36 yd. field goal Drive: 7 plays, 47 yards in 3:32 17 - 13 FIRST DOWNS RUSHES-YARDS (NET) PASSING YDS (NET) Passes Comp-Att-Int TOTAL OFFENSE PLAYS-YARDS Fumble Returns-Yards-TD Punt Returns-Yards-TD Kickoff Returns-Yards-TD Interception Returns-Yards-TD Punts (Number-Avg) Fumbles-Lost Penalties-Yards Possession Time Third-Down Conversions Fourth-Down Conversions Red-Zone Scores-Chances Sacks By: Number-Yards
AKRON UMASS 18 19 41-155 32-88 174 173 15-27-2 19-44-2 68-329 76-261 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 2-18-0 3-51-0 3-54-0 2-0-0 2-0-0 6-39.5 6-37.5 2-1 1-0 6-65 2-27 33:54 26:06 41% (7 of 17) 20% (3 of 15) 100% (1 of 1) 50% (2 of 4) 2-3 2-2 2-16 0-0
Akron (5-5, 3-3 MAC) Miami (2-9, 1-6 MAC)
14 7
13 0
7 7
3 14
- -
37 28
OXFORD, Ohio– Senior placekicker Robert Stein nailed a 50-yard field goal with less than three minutes to play to seal the Zips’ 37-28 Mid-American Conference victory at Miami (Ohio) at Yager Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Despite a 27-7 halftime lead, the Zips allowed 21 MU second-half points, including two touchdowns less than a minute apart in the fourth quarter. Akron racked up 432 yards of total offense, including 211 yards on the ground. Senior RB Conor Hundley, playing before a huge hometown crowd, rushed for 110 yards and a career-high three touchdowns. Sophomore QB Thomas Woodson went 13-of-28 for 221 yards. Senior WR Imani Davis led the receiving corps with seven catches for 64 yards, while sophomore WR Jerome Lane had four receptions for 83 yards and a touchdown. Defensively, senior LB Jatavis Brown had a game-high 11 tackles, including seven solo stops, 4.5 TFL for a loss of 25 yards, two sacks, an interceptions, and a forced fumble. SCORING SUMMARY: UA-MU 1st 8:33 UA Jerome Lane 32 yd. pass from Thomas Woodson (Stein kick) Drive: 8 plays, 76 yards in 4:06 7-0 2:36 MU Chris Hudson 16 yd. pass from Gus Ragland (Kaleb Patterson kick) Drive: 10 plays, 68 yards in 3:14 7-7 0:32 UA Conor Hundley 9 yd. run (Stein kick) Drive: 5 plays, 84 yards in 2:03 14 - 7 2nd 5:05 UA Cody Grice 2 yd. run (Stein kick) Drive: 5 plays, 65 yards in 2:34 21 - 7 2:21 UA Hundley 4 yd. run (Stein kick failed) Drive: 2 plays, 16 yards in 0:37 27 - 7 3rd 14:05 UA Hundley 9 yd. run (Stein kick) Drive: 2 plays, 11 yards in 0:33 34 - 7 13:47 MU Rokeem Williams 78 yd. pas from Billy Bahl (Patterson kick) Drive: 1 plays, 78 yards in 0:18 34 - 14 4th 9:23 MU Ryan Smith 6 yd. pass from Bahl (Patterson kick) Drive: 3 plays, 1 yards in 1:41 34 - 21 8:37 MU Marshall Taylor 31 yd. interception return (Patterson kick) 34 - 28 2:45 UA Stein 50 yd. field goal Drive: 9 plays, 30 yards in 0:00 34 - 28
RUSHING: Akron - Hundley 23-92, Woodson 13-58, Alexander 1-3, Grice 3-3, Team 1-(-1). UMass - Young 15-52, Wilson 9-42, Colton 1-7, Frohnapfel 5-(-1), Team 1-(-2), Long 1-(-10). PASSING: Akron - Woodson15-27-2-174-1. UMass - Frohnapfel 19-43-2-173-0; Team 0-1-0-0-0. RECEIVING: Akron - Lane 4-56, Coney 3-38, Wolf 2-33, Davis 2-21, Pratt 2-12, Goodman 1-8, Allen 1-6. UMass Sharpe 7-53, Mills 6-62, Long 3-32, Young 1-11, Nesmith 1-11, Wilson 1-4.
A K RON VS . U T AH STA TE
REDHAWKS
} Nov. 14, 2015 } Yager Stadium } Oxford, Ohio
FOXBORO, Mass.– The Akron Zips scored 10 second-half points and played tenacious defense en route to a 17-13 win over Massachusetts in Mid-American Conference play at Gillette on Saturday afternoon.
MIAMI (OHIO)
35
FIRST DOWNS RUSHES-YARDS (NET) PASSING YDS (NET) Passes Comp-Att-Int TOTAL OFFENSE PLAYS-YARDS Fumble Returns-Yards-TD Punt Returns-Yards-TD Kickoff Returns-Yards-TD Interception Returns-Yards-TD Punts (Number-Avg) Fumbles-Lost Penalties-Yards Possession Time Third-Down Conversions Fourth-Down Conversions Red-Zone Scores-Chances Sacks By: Number-Yards
AKRON MIAMI 20 18 45-211 31-68 221 316 13-28-2 20-42-2 73-432 73-384 0-0-0 0-0-0 1-0-0 3-19-0 4-58-0 7-93-0 2-1-0 2-30-1 7-31.4 6-36.2 0-0 3-2 9-98 10-70 27:57 28:50 17% (2 of 12) 38% (6 of 16) 50% (1 of 2) 0% (0 of 3) 4-4 2-3 3-28 1-9
AKRON FOOTBALL # 11
BUFFALO
# 12
BULLS 0 14
14 14
0 7
7 7
- -
21 42
AKRON, Ohio– During the 10th anniversary season of their only bowl appearance, the Akron Zips posted their sixth win of the 2015 season, becoming bowl eligible for just the second time in school history (as an FBS program), with a 42-21 Mid-American Conference win at InfoCision Stadium-Summa Field on Saturday afternoon. Sophomore QB Thomas Woodson went 17-of-30 for 258 yards and a career-high four touchdowns. Senior RB Donnell Alexander led all rushers with a career-high 143 yards and a career-best two touchdowns as a Zip. In the air, senior WR Imani Davis had seven receptions for a career-high 118 yards and a touchdown. It marked the first 100-yard receiving game of Davis’ collegiate career. Defensively, senior LB Jatavis Brown led all defenders with 12 tackles and two hurries. SCORING SUMMARY: UB-UA 1st 10:34 UA Jerome Lane 29 yd. pass from Thomas Woodson (Robert Stein kick) Drive: 7 plays, 80 yards in 3:20 0-7 9:04 UA Austin Wolf 36 yd. pass from Woodson (Robert Stein kick) Drive: 1 plays, 36 yards in 0:07 0 - 14 2nd 12:22 UB Marcus McGill 5 yd. pass from Joe Licata (Adam Mitcheson kick) Drive: 13 plays, 80 yards in 3:40 7 - 14 7:51 UA Imani Davis 11 yd. pass from Woodson (Robert Stein kick) Drive: 5 play, 36 yards in 1:15 7 - 21 2:26 UB Jordan Johnson 1 yd. run (Mitcheson kick) Drive: 10 plays, 76 yards in 2:49 14 - 21 0:41 UA Lane 28 yd. pass from Woodson (Stein kick) Drive: 5 plays, 74 yards in 1:40 14 - 28 3rd 5:42 UA Donnell Alexander 7 yd. run (Stein kick) Drive: 6 plays, 58 yards in 3:01 14 - 35 4th 8:38 UA Alexander 35 yd. run (Stein kick) Drive: 7 plays, 85 yards in 3:39 14 - 42 7:24 UB Johnson 2 yd. run (Mitcheson kick)l Drive: 5 plays, 62 yards in 1:13 21 - 42
FIRST DOWNS RUSHES-YARDS (NET) PASSING YDS (NET) Passes Comp-Att-Int TOTAL OFFENSE PLAYS-YARDS Fumble Returns-Yards-TD Punt Returns-Yards-TD Kickoff Returns-Yards-TD Interception Returns-Yards-TD Punts (Number-Avg) Fumbles-Lost Penalties-Yards Possession Time Third-Down Conversions Fourth-Down Conversions Red-Zone Scores-Chances Sacks By: Number-Yards
GOLDEN FLASHES
} Nov. 27, 2015 } InfoCision Stadium– Summa Field } Akron, Ohio
} Nov. 21, 2015 } InfoCision Stadium– Summa Field } Akron, Ohio Buffalo (5-6, 3-4 MAC) Akron (6-5, 4-3 MAC)
KENT STATE
Kent State (3-9, 2-6 MAC) Akron (7-5, 5-3 MAC)
0 7
0 7
0 3
0 3
- -
0 20
AKRON, Ohio– The Akron Zips re-claimed the coveted Wagon Wheel from cross-town rival Kent State with a 20-0 shutout in Mid-American Conference action at InfoCision Stadium-Summa Field on a rainy Friday afternoon. Riding a four-game winning streak, Akron improved to 7-5 overall (5-3 MAC). The seven wins are the most for a Zips’ team since 2005, tying the program’s FBS record of wins in a season. The shutout was the Zips’ first over the Golden flashes since 1985 and first over any team since 1992. Akron held Kent to just 10 yards rushing. In his final home game, senior RB Conor Hundley rushed for 98 yards and touchdown on 22 carries. Sophomore WR Jerome Lane had four catches for 75 yards. Defensively, senior LB Jatavis Brown led the Zips with eight tackles and forced fumble. Akron struck first with 30 seconds remaining in the first quarter, completing a 14-play, 77-yard drive as Hundley rushed for a seven-yard touchdowns. Senior PK Robert Stein added the extra point to give the Zips a 7-0 lead. Akron closed the first half with an 11-yard touchdown pass from Woodson to redshirt freshman TE Newman Williams and entered the locker room with a 14-0 lead. SCORING SUMMARY: KSU-UA 1st 00:25 UA Conor Hundley 7 yd. run (Robert Stein kick) Drive: 14 plays, 77 yards in 6:43 0-7 2md 00:45 UA Newman Williams 11 yd. pass from Thomas Woodson (Stein kick) Drive: 1 plays, 11 yards in 0:07 0 - 14 3rd 3:16 UA Stein 23 yd. field goal Drive: 19 plays, 69 yards in 12:48 0 - 17 4th 12:34 UA Stein 20 yd. field goal Drive: 8 plays, 38 yards in 4:38 0 - 20
AKRON BGSU 16 27 42-167 42-120 104 412 15-30-2 27-33-0 72-271 75-532 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 2-14-0 7-76-0 3-93-0 0-0-0 2-0-0 5-32.4 2-40.5 2-2 1-0 9-85 7-64 32:02 27:58 33% (6 of 18) 46% (6 of 13) 33% (1 of 3) 100% (2 of 2) 1-1 8-9 3-28 1-9
FIRST DOWNS RUSHES-YARDS (NET) PASSING YDS (NET) Passes Comp-Att-Int TOTAL OFFENSE PLAYS-YARDS Fumble Returns-Yards-TD Punt Returns-Yards-TD Kickoff Returns-Yards-TD Interception Returns-Yards-TD Punts (Number-Avg) Fumbles-Lost Penalties-Yards Possession Time Third-Down Conversions Fourth-Down Conversions Red-Zone Scores-Chances Sacks By: Number-Yards
KENT STATE AKRON 7 26 20-10 51-229 125 140 13-24-0 11-19-0 44-135 70-369 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 2-(-2)-0 2-8-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 5-44.6 3-39.0 3-3 1-1 7-65 7-60 19:01 40:59 18% (2 of 11) 46% (6 of 13) 50% (1 of 2) 100% (1 of 1) 0-1 4-6 1-7 3-22
RUSHING: Buffalo - Taylor 18-98, Johnson 9-33, Team 1-(-1). Akron - Alexander 24-143, Woodson 8-39, Hundley 9-24, Edwrds 3-7, Grice 1-4.
RUSHING: KSU - Durham 7-10, Simmons 2-7, Bollas 8-0, Reardon 2-(-3), James 1-(-4). Akron - Hundley 22-98, Woodson 14-84, Alexander 8-40, Grice 6-7, Team 1-0.
PASSING: Buffalo - Licata 35-51-2-262-1. Akron - Woodson 17-30-0-258-4.
PASSING: KSU - Bollas 10-18-0-102-0, Reardon 3-6-0-23-0. Akron - Woodson 11-19-0-140-1.
RECEIVING: Buffalo - Willoughby 11-105, McGill 7-80, Weiser 4-43, Martinez 3-17, Lisa 2-7, Taylor 2-6, Schreck 2-3, Smiley 1-1. Akron - Davis 7-118, Lane 5-80, Wolf 2-46, Pratt 1-7, Coney 1-6, Cooper 1-1.
RECEIVING: KSU - Calhoun 4-46, Woods 2-13, White 2-12, James 1-45, Tyson 1-5, Simmons 1-4, Bahr 1-0, Arlia 1-0. Akron - Lane 4-75, Pratt 4-37, Williams 2-22, Coney 1-6.
36
2 015 F A M O U S ID A H O P O TATO B O W L
AKRON FOOTBALL 2015 HONORS
ANDREW
BOHAN FB Christian Allen Allstate AFCA Good Works Team nominee OL Andrew Bohan John Heisman Award LB Jatavis Brown MAC Defensive Player of the Year First-team All-MAC Team’s Defensive MVP Captain’s Award MAC Defensive Player of the Week, Nov. 16 Zips’ Student-Athlete of the Week, Nov. 9, Nov. 16 Rotary Lombardi Award Watch List Preseason first-team All-MAC by Phil Steele Preseason first-team All-MAC by Athlon Sports
MICHAEL
BUDDENBERG LS Michael Buddenberg Academic Award MAC Specialist of the Week, Sept. 28 DL Rodney Coe Third-team All-MAC Preseason third-team All-MAC by Athlon Sports WR Imani Davis Harry “Doc” Smith Award DE Richard Dorvilus Academic All-MAC
Preseason first-team All-MAC by College Sports Madness
LB Dylan Evans Academic All-MAC Harry “Doc” Smith Award
OL Tommy Brown John Heisman Award
DB Jordan George Harry “Doc” Smith Award
OL Dylan Brumbaugh Academic All-MAC John Heisman Award Preseason second-team All-MAC by Athlon Sports Preseason third-team All-MAC by College Sports Madness
NT Cody Grice Second-team All-MAC Harry “Doc” Smith Award Captain’s Award Zips’ Student-Athlete of the Week, Sept. 21 Rotary Lombardi Award Watch List Preseason first-team All-MAC by Athlon Sports
Preseason fourth-team All-MAC by Phil Steele
Preseason second-team All-MAC by College Sports Madness
Preseason third-team All-MAC by Phil Steele
A K RON VS . U T AH STA TE
37
JORDAN
GEORGE S Zach Guiser Academic All-MAC Harry “Doc” Smith Award Academic Award DB Larry Hope Preseason fourth-team All-MAC by Phil Steele Preseason fourth-team All-MAC by Athlon Sports QB Matthew Hoyer Rise & Shine Award RB Conor Hundley Team’s Offensive MVP Captain’s Award Iron ZIP Award OL Ryan Kortokrax Scout Team Offensive Player of the Year LB John Lako Scout Team Defensive Player of the Year WR Jerome Lane Harry “Doc” Smith Award DL Jamal Marcus Third-team All-MAC Preseason fourth-team All-MAC by Phil Steele Preseason fourth-team All-MAC by Athlon Sports
AKRON FOOTBALL 2015 HONORS OC A.J. Milwee AFCA 30 under 30 Leadership Institute
CB DeAndre Scott Harry “Doc” Smith Award
LB Darryl Monroe Academic All-MAC John Heisman Award Preseason third-team All-MAC by Phil Steele
PK Robert Stein Red Blair Award Lou Groza Collegiate Placekicker Award Watch List MAC Specialist of the Week, Oct. 5 Preseason third-team All-MAC by Athlon Sports Preseason third-team All-MAC by College Sports Madness
OL Quaison Osborne John Heisman Award
TEAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS •
Bowl eligible for the first time since 2005
•
Second bowl appearance in program’s FBS history (since 1987)
•
First winning season since 2005
•
500th victory in school history W, 35-14 at Louisiana, Sept. 26, 2015
•
Ranked No. 2 nationally by Phil Steele as Most Improved Team
DARRYL
MONROE
P Zach Paul 2015 Ray Guy Award nominee Team’s Special Teams Player of the Year MAC Specialist of the Week, Nov. 30 Zips’ Student-Athlete of the Week, Nov. 30 Preseason second-team All-MAC by Athlon Sports DL Se’Von Pittman Preseason third-team All-MAC by Phil Steele QB Kyle Pohl Academic All-MAC Academic Award OL Kyle Ritz Academic All-MAC Harry “Doc” Smith Award Academic Award
LB Josh Ward Scout Team Defensive Player of the Year OL Isaiah Williams Third-team All-MAC John Heisman Award QB Thomas Woodson Harry “Doc” Smith Award MAC Offensive Player of the Week, Nov. 23 MAC Offensive Player of the Week by College Sports Madness, Sept. 27 Zips’ Student-Athlete of the Week, Oct. 12, Sept. 28 ATH Anthony Young Academic All-MAC
CB John Senter Academic All-MAC
SE’VON
PITTMAN 38
KYLE
RITZ 2 015 F A M O U S ID A H O P O TATO B O W L
COACHING STAFF
速
39
AKRON FOOTBALL Terry Bowden, who owns a 158-92-2 record over a 22-year collegiate coaching career, is in his fourth season at the helm of the UA program. He was named the Zips’ 27th all-time head coach on Dec. 22, 2011, but is just the seventh person to hold the position since 1960.
TERRY
BOWDEN
Bowden has been responsible for miraculous turnarounds almost everywhere he has coached and is on the verge of doing it once again at The University of Akron. This fall, Bowden guided the Zips to a7-5 overall record and a second-place finish in the MAC (5-3) East en route to the program’s first winning season and bowl appearance since 2005. Ranked No. 2 nationally by Phil Steele as the Most Improved Team, Akron won the 500th game in program history with a 35-14 victory at Louisiana on Sept. 26, 2015, while closing out the regular season with four consecutive wins. The Zips shut out rival Kent State, 20-0, in the home finale to regain possession of the coveted Wagon Wheel. Senior LB Jatavis Brown was named the MAC Defensive Player of the Year and a three-time first-team All-Mid-American Conference selection. Senior NT Cody Grice was a second-team pick, while senior OL lineman Isaiah Williams, senior DL Rodney Coe, and junior DL Jamal Marcus (Durham, N.C.) were third-team All-MAC selections.
THE TERRY BOWDEN FILE
COLLEGIATE HEAD COACHING RECORD Year School Record | Notable 1983 Salem 3-7 1984 Salem 8-3 • .WVIAC Champions 1983 Salem 8-3 • .WVIAC Champions Salem Totals (three seasons) 19-13-0 1987 Samford 9-1 1988 Samford 5-6 • .Transition to I-AA 1989 Samford 4-7 1990 Samford 6-4-1 1991 Samford 12-2 • .Division I-AA Playoffs-Semifinals 1992 Samford 9-3 • .Division I-AA Playoffs-First Rd. Samford Totals (six seasons) 45-23-1 1993 Auburn 11-0 • .National Champions (NCF) 1994 Auburn 9-1-1 • .No. 9 AP Final Ranking 1995 Auburn 8-4 • .Outback Bowl Appearance 1996 Auburn 8-4 • .Independence Bowl Win 1997 Auburn 10-3 • .Peach Bowl Win 1998 Auburn 1-5 Auburn Totals (six seasons) 47-17-1 2009 North Alabama 11-2 • .Division II Playoffs-Quarterfinals 2010 North Alabama 9-4 • .Division II Playoffs-Second Rd. 2011 North Alabama 9-3 • .Division II Playoffs-Second Rd. UNA Totals (three seasons) 29-9 2012 Akron 1-11 2013 Akron 5-7 • .4-4 in MAC play 2014 Akron 5-7 • .3-5 in MAC play 2015 Akron 7-5 • 5-3 in MAC play Akron Totals (4 seasons) 18-30. (.375) Career Totals (22 seasons) 158-92-2 (.607) COACHING HONORS 1993 Southeastern Conference Coach of the Year Walter Camp Coach of the Year Scripps Howard Coach of the Year Football News Coach of the Year Toyota Coach of the Year Paul “Bear” Bryant Award (Football Writers Association) 2009 Gulf South Conference Co-Coach of the Year COLLEGIATE PLAYING CAREER 1977-78 Football (West Virginia)
} Head Coach } Fourth Season at Akron } 22nd Season Overall } West Virginia ‘78
In 2014, Bowden led UA to its second-straight 5-7 record overall and a 3-5 mark against the MAC. He led the Zips to their first win over a BCS/Power 5 opponent since 2008, downing Pittsburgh, 21-10, at Heinz Field on Sept. 27. The win was the first for Akron over an ACC program since UA’s 20-17 win at NC State on Sept. 9, 2006. The 5-7 record marked the first time since the 2005 and 2006 seasons that the Zips had posted back-to-back campaigns with five or more victories (7-6 in 2005, 5-7 in 2006). Four Zips earned All-MAC honors in 2014, with LB Jatavis Brown and NT Cody Grice named first-team All-MAC. Senior DL Nordly Capi and P Zach Paul earned second-team honors. In addition to the All-MAC honors, nine Zips were named Academic All-MAC, led by three-time honoree Robert Stein. The nine honorees marked the third straight season with nine or more Academic All-MAC selections. In 2013, Bowden led UA to its highest win total since 2008 by going 5-7 overall and 4-4 against the MAC, as well as ending the year by winning three straight and four of its last five games. The Zips went 3-3 at home, including a 31-29 win over Toledo in the season finale and a 16-7 victory over neighborhood rival Kent State to regain possession of the coveted wooden Wagon Wheel. Additionally in 2013, seven players were named All-MAC, highlighted by firstteam selection LB Jatavis Brown – the first Zip named to the first team since Bryan Wagner in 2011. The 2013 squad also landed DL Nico Caponi, QB Kyle Pohl and PK Robert Stein on the Academic All-MAC Team – the most for the program since 2006. Eight other student-athletes were awarded academic honorable mention. In 2012, Bowden, serving as offensive coordinator, ushered in a spread offense that resulted in an aerial attack responsible for a school-record and MAC season-high 30 passing touchdowns. The offense, which was conducted in a hurry-up no-huddle style, was led by fifth-year senior transfer QB Dalton Williams, who set the program’s single-season record for touchdown passes (25) and pass completions (326-for-522), while compiling the third most passing yards (3,387) in a season in school history. The UA offense finished 2012 ranked first in the MAC and 16th nationally in passing (312.8 ypg), and sixth in the league and 45th in the country in total offense (427.2 ypg). Akron’s 5,126 yards of total offense ranked sixth in the MAC and 61st nationally, and was the second most in a season in program history, behind the 2003 squad’s 5,643. Bowden, who served as a studio analyst and color commentator with ABC Sports’ college football for 10 years, was the head coach at Auburn from 1993-
40
2 015 F A M O U S ID A H O P O TATO B O W L
AKRON FOOTBALL TERRY BOWDEN’S POSTSEASON HISTORY (16) Bowl........................................... Date...............................................Result
NAIA 1st Round Playoffs..................1984............. Saginaw Valley St. 30, Salem 7 NAIA 1st Round Playoffs..................1985...........................Hillsdale, 47, Salem 3 DI-AA First Round......................Nov. 30, 1991... Samford 29, New Hampshire 13 DI-AA Quarterfinal.....................Dec. 7, 1991..... Samford 24, James Madison 21 DI-AA Semifinal........................Dec. 14, 1991.....Youngstown St. 10, Samford 10 DI-AA First Round......................Nov. 28, 1992.............. Delaware 56, Samford 21 Outback Bowl............................Jan. 1, 1996...............Penn State 43, Auburn 14 Independence Bowl.................Dec. 31, 1996.......................Auburn 32, Army 29 Peach Bowl................................Jan. 2, 1998..................Auburn 21, Clemson 17 DII 2nd Round Playoffs.............Nov. 21, 2009.....North Alabama 41, Ark. Tech 28 DII Quarterfinal.........................Nov. 28, 2009...... Carson-Newman 24, N. Ala. 21 DII 1st Round............................Nov. 20, 2010.........North Ala. 43, Valdosta St. 20 DII 2nd Round..........................Nov. 27, 2010..........Delta State 47, North Ala. 24 DII 1st Round............................Nov. 19, 2011.............North Ala. 43, West Ala. 27 DII 2nd Round..........................Nov. 26, 2011..........Delta State 42, North Ala. 14 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl... Dec. 22, 2015............... Akron vs. Utah State
98 and spent the three seasons prior to coming to Akron at Division II North Alabama. In his time at North Alabama, Bowden led the Lions to a 29-9 record and three consecutive playoff appearances. In 2011, the squad went 9-3 and advanced to the second round of the playoffs. He was named Gulf South Conference CoCoach of the Year in 2009. Bowden was named head coach at Auburn on Dec. 17, 1992. In 1993, Auburn had a perfect 11-0 record and he swept virtually every national coach of the year award in his rookie season, including Walter Camp, Scripps Howard, Football News, Toyota and the Paul “Bear” Bryant Award, presented by the Football Writers Association. Bowden was again a finalist for coach of the year following his second season at Auburn as the Tigers had reeled off 20-straight wins, an Auburn record, and finished 9-1-1. He posted a 47-17-1 record at Auburn and led the Tigers to three bowl games. As head coach of Auburn, he went 47-17-1 (73.4 winning percentage) and posted the best opening five-year run of any head football coach in school history. Also during his time with the Tigers, Bowden became the first collegiate coach in 50 years to win his 100th career game by his 40th birthday.
and a 72-45 record in 10 seasons as head coach at Clemson, taking the Tigers to eight bowl games. His brother Jeff also has 25 years of collegiate coaching experience, working at Salem, Samford, Southern Mississippi, Florida State, North Alabama, and at Akron with Terry. During the decade of the 1990s, Terry, Tommy, and Bobby all led their teams to undefeated seasons. All three were named National Coach of the Year. Bobby and Terry were the first father-son combo in NCAA history to serve as head coaches at the same time. Bobby and Tommy were the first father-son combo to coach against each other. As a student-athlete at West Virginia, Bowden lettered two years as a running back (1977-78), held a 3.65 grade-point average in accounting, the highest GPA on the football team, and graduated Magna Cum Laude. He did post graduate work at Oxford University in England, and earned a Juris Doctorate from the Florida State School of Law in 1982, while a graduate assistant coach with the Seminoles. Bowden has five daughters (Tera, Jordan, Erin, Cori and Jamie) and one son (Terry, Jr.). He is one of 59 coaches at FBS schools that vote in the Top 25 coaches’ poll.
In his first season at AU, he became the first coach in Division I-A (now FBS) history to have an undefeated and untied season in his inaugural year at that level. Prior to his stint at Auburn, Bowden built two programs from the ground up as head coach at Salem College (W.Va.) and Samford University (Ala.). When he took the job at Salem in 1983, he became the nation’s youngest head coach in college football at age 26. Bowden, 59 (born Feb. 25, 1956), was an assistant coach at Akron in 1986 under then Zips’ head coach Gerry Faust. Bowden is a member of one of the most famous and successful college football coaching families. His father, Bobby Bowden, turned Florida State into a national champion and his 389 collegiate wins rank second in Division I history. His brother Tommy had an 18-4 record in two seasons as head coach at Tulane
A K RON VS . U T AH STA TE
41
AKRON FOOTBALL CHUCK AMATO’S BOWL HISTORY (34) Bowl........................................... Date...............................................Result
CHUCK
Liberty Bowl .............................Dec. 16, 1967...................NC State 14, Georgia 7 Peach Bowl...............................Dec. 29, 1972........NC State 49, West Virginia 13 Liberty Bowl..............................Dec. 17, 1973.................. NC State 31, Kansas 18 Astro-Bluebonnet Bowl.............Dec. 23, 1974............... NC State 31, Houston 31 Peach Bowl...............................Dec. 31, 1975........West Virginia 13, NC State 10 Peach Bowl...............................Dec. 31, 1977.............NC State 24, Iowa State 14 Tangerine Bowl.........................Dec. 23, 1978.............NC State 30, Pittsburgh 17 Gator Bowl................................Dec. 30, 1982..............Florida St. 31, West Va. 12 Peach Bowl...............................Dec. 30, 1983......Florida St. 28, North Carolina 3 Citrus Bowl...............................Dec. 22, 1984.............. Florida St. 17, Georgia 17 Gator Bowl................................Dec. 30, 1985..........Florida St. 34, Okla. State 23 All-American Bowl....................Dec. 31, 1986...............Florida St. 27, Indiana 13 Fiesta Bowl................................Jan. 1, 1988.............Florida St. 31, Nebraska 28 Sugar Bowl................................Jan. 2, 1989.................. Florida St. 13, Auburn 7 Fiesta Bowl................................Jan. 1, 1990.............Florida St. 41, Nebraska 17 Blockbuster Bowl......................Dec. 28, 1990..........Florida St. 24, Penn State 17 Cotton Bowl...............................Jan. 1, 1992............. Florida St. 10, Texas A&M 2 Orange Bowl..............................Jan. 1, 1993.............Florida St. 27, Nebraska 14 Orange Bowl..............................Jan. 1, 1994.............Florida St. 18, Nebraska 16 Sugar Bowl................................Jan. 2, 1995..................Florida St.23, Florida 17 Orange Bowl..............................Jan. 1, 1996.........Florida St. 31, Notre Dame 26 Sugar Bowl................................Jan. 2, 1997.................Florida 52, Florida St. 20 Sugar Bowl................................Jan. 1, 1998........... Florida St. 31, Ohio State 14 Fiesta Bowl................................Jan. 4, 1999............ Tennessee 23, Florida St.16 Sugar Bowl................................Jan. 4, 2000 .......Florida St. 46, Virginia Tech 29 MicronPC.com Bowl.................Dec. 28, 2000............ NC State 38, Minnesota 30 Tangerine Bowl.........................Dec. 20, 2001.............Pittsburgh 34, NC State 19 Gator Bowl.................................Jan. 1, 2003..............NC State28, Notre Dame 6 Citrus Bowl...............................Dec. 22, 2003.................. NC State 56, Kansas 26 Meineke Car Care Bowl............Dec. 31, 2005...........NC State14, South Florida 0 Music City Bowl........................Dec. 31, 2007............. Kentucky 35 Florida St. 28 Champs Sports Bowl................Dec. 27, 2008...........Florida St. 42, Wisconsin 13 Gator Bowl.................................Jan. 1, 2010....... Florida St.33, West Virginia 21 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl... Dec. 22, 2015............... Akron vs. Utah State
AMATO } Associate Head Coach | Defensive Coordinator } Fourth Season at Akron } North Carolina State ‘69 Chuck Amato, in his 43rd year in the collegiate coaching ranks, including serving as head coach at North Carolina State and as a long-time assistant coach at Florida State, is in his fourth season on the UA staff. He serves as the program’s associate head coach and defensive coordinator, and works closely with the linebackers. In 2015, the Zips’ defense dominated MAC play. Akron’s rushing defense (89.8) leads the conference while ranking third nationally. Junior CB DeAndre Scott is No. 5 in total interceptions (6), No. 9 in interceptions per game (0.5) and No. 20 in passes defended (1.3). Senior LB Jatavis Brown is No. 9 in sacks (0.88) and No. 37 in total tackles (9.0). He set the season record for sacks (10.5) after just 10 games. Brown was named the MAC Defensive Player of the Year and a three-time first-team All-Mid-American Conference selection. Senior NT Cody Grice was a second-team pick, while senior DL Rodney Coe and junior DL Jamal Marcus (Durham, N.C.) were third-team All-MAC selections. In 2014, the Akron defense continued to show it is one of the top squads in the MAC, leading the conference in scoring defense (23.1 ppg) and thirddown conversion defense (.368). UA finished the season ranked in the top40 nationally in eight defensive categories, including red zone defense (22nd, .756), scoring defense (28th, 23.1), tackles for a loss (28th, 4.92 tpg), fourth-down conversion defense (29th, .412), third-down conversion defense (34th, .368), turnovers forced (34th, 24), fumbles recovered (38th, 11) and interceptions (38th, 13). Junior Cody Grice ranked 10th nationally with three fumble recoveries. Three of the Zips’ four All-MAC selections came from the defensive side of the gall, including junior linebacker Jatavis Brown and junior nose tackle Cody Grice earning first-team All-MAC. Senior defensive lineman Nordly Capi earned second-team honors. During the 2013 campaign, Amato’s defense finished third in the MAC, allowing 397.0 yards per game. Amato is one of the most respected coaches and recruiters in college football and has produced winning football teams and numerous top draft picks throughout his career. In 2002, he was elected to the American Football Coaches Association Board of Trustees. Amato, 69 (born June 26, 1946), served as head coach at his alma mater NC State from 2000-06 and posted a 49-37 record while guiding the program to five bowl appearances (4-1 record in those bowl games). He led the Wolfpack
to their first 11-win season in school history in 2002 and highest national ranking (No. 12 in the final Associated Press poll; No. 11 in the final Coaches poll) since 1974, after defeating Notre Dame in the Gator Bowl. The 2004 NC State squad led the nation in total defense. Amato spent 21 seasons on the staff at Florida State (1982-1999 and 200709). In his most recent stint (2007-09) he served as executive head coach to then-head coach Bobby Bowden. From 1982-95 he coached the defensive line, 1996-99 the linebackers and from 1986-99 also served as assistant head coach. He was part of 10 ACC championship teams and two national championship squads (1993 and 1999). Six of his Seminole players were selected in the NFL Draft’s first round and 24 defensive players overall that he directly coached were drafted during his FSU tenure. Amato lettered in football (linebacker) and wrestling at NC State, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics in 1969 and master’s degree in education in 1973. The 1965 football team won an ACC co-championship and he was captain of the defense in 1967. He won two ACC titles as a wrestler in 1966 (heavyweight) and 1968 (191-pound weight class). He and his wife, Peggy, have twin daughters, LuGina and Selena.
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2 015 F A M O U S ID A H O P O TATO B O W L
AKRON FOOTBALL MILWEE’S POSTSEASPN EXPERIENCE (5)
A.J.
Bowl........................................... Date...............................................Result
MILWEE
DII 2nd Round Playoffs.............Nov. 21, 2009.....North Alabama 41, Ark. Tech 28 DII Quarterfinal.........................Nov. 28, 2009...... Carson-Newman 24, N. Ala. 21 DII 1st Round............................Nov. 20, 2010.........North Ala. 43, Valdosta St. 20 DII 2nd Round..........................Nov. 27, 2010..........Delta State 47, North Ala. 24 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl... Dec. 22, 2015............... Akron vs. Utah State
} Offensive Coordinator | Quarterbacks } Fourth Season at Akron } North Alabama ‘09 A.J. Milwee was promoted to offensive coordinator in December 2012 and also mentors the UA quarterbacks. At age 29 (born Jan. 19, 1986), he is the second-youngest coordinator in the FBS. In 2015, Milwee has mentored a corps of young quarterbacks. He also guided sophomore WR Jerome Lane as he added receiver duties to his defensive skills. Lane is No. 4 nationally in yards per reception (21.43). Last week, Milwee named to the inaugural American Football Coach’s Association (AFCA) 30 Under 30 Coaches’ Leadership Institute. The prestigious program, sponsored by the American Football Coaches Foundation® and NCAA Leadership Development, is aimed at training premier, future leaders in the football coaching profession. The 2014 season saw senior Jawon Chisholm become just the fourth player in school history to eclipse the 3,000-yard career rushing yards. He finished with 3,403 career yards, second-most in program history.
Milwee came to Akron after one year on staff at East Mississippi Community College, helping the program to an NJCAA national championship. He spent the 2009 and 2010 seasons on Terry Bowden’s staff at UNA as a graduate assistant that worked with the quarterbacks. Having compiled a 33-5 mark as UNA’s QB during the 2006-08 seasons, Milwee set all-time school records for career passing yards (8,436), pass completions (677), passing attempts (1,030), touchdown passes (73) and total offense yards (9,401). He earned honorable mention All-America honors as a senior and is a member of the program’s all-decade team (1999-2008). At UNA, he was a two-time finalist for the Harlon Hill Trophy, awarded annually to the nation’s top player at the NCAA Division-II level. Milwee spent his freshman year of eligibility as a member of the Alabama football team. He holds an undergraduate degree in finance from North Alabama. Milwee married Ashley Elliott in June 2015.
Junior quarterback Kyle Pohl completed 208-of-383 passes for 2,189 yards, moving into fourth place in the Akron record book for career passing yards (4,993), all under Milwee’s guidance. Pohl earned Academic All-MAC honors, as well as MAC East Offensive Player of the Week (Sept. 1) and was a 2014 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team nominee. In 2013, he guided first-year starter Kyle Pohl to a solid sophomore campaign. Pohl completed 225-of-402 passes for 2,438 yards, 14 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Several of Pohl’s numbers earned him a spot in the alltime single-season program rankings, including lowest percentage of passes intercepted (2nd, .025), completions (6th, 225), completions per game (7th, 18.8), total offense (7th, 2,534) and passing offense (8th, 2,438). Pohl also earned Academic All-MAC honors as well as being named MAC East Division Player of the Week (Sept. 16). A record-setting signal caller at Division-II North Alabama, Milwee oversaw fifth-year senior transfer quarterback Dalton Williams’ prolific season in 2012. Williams achieved the program’s single-season record for touchdown passes (25) and pass completions (326-for-522), while his 3,387 passing yards ranked as the third most in a season in school history. Additionally in 2012, the Zips set a program record and led the Mid-American Conference in passing yards (3,753) and touchdown passes (30). The team’s school-record 312.8 passing yards per game ranked 17th nationally, while its 427.2 yards of total offense per game ranked 45th. UA’s 5,126 yards of total offense was second most in program history, behind the 2003 squad’s 5,643.
A K RON VS . U T AH STA TE
43
AKRON FOOTBALL BOWDEN’S POSTSEASON EXPERIENCE (24) Bowl........................................... Date...............................................Result
JEFF
BOWDEN
NAIA 1st Round Playoffs..................1984............. Saginaw Valley St. 30, Salem 7 NAIA 1st Round Playoffs..................1985...........................Hillsdale, 47, Salem 3 All-American Bowl....................Dec. 31, 1986...............Florida St. 27, Indiana 13 Cotton Bowl...............................Jan. 1, 1992............. Florida St. 10, Texas A&M 2 Orange Bowl..............................Jan. 1, 1993.............Florida St. 27, Nebraska 14 Orange Bowl..............................Jan. 1, 1994.............Florida St. 18, Nebraska 16 Sugar Bowl................................Jan. 2, 1995..................Florida St.23, Florida 17 Orange Bowl..............................Jan. 1, 1996.........Florida St. 31, Notre Dame 26 Sugar Bowl................................Jan. 2, 1997.................Florida 52, Florida St. 20 Sugar Bowl................................Jan. 1, 1998........... Florida St. 31, Ohio State 14 Fiesta Bowl................................Jan. 4, 1999............ Tennessee 23, Florida St.16 Sugar Bowl................................Jan. 4, 2000 .......Florida St. 46, Virginia Tech 29 MicronPC.com Bowl.................Dec. 28, 2000............ NC State 38, Minnesota 30 Tangerine Bowl.........................Dec. 20, 2001.............Pittsburgh 34, NC State 19 Gator Bowl.................................Jan. 1, 2003..............NC State28, Notre Dame 6 Citrus Bowl...............................Dec. 22, 2003.................. NC State 56, Kansas 26 Meineke Car Care Bowl............Dec. 31, 2005...........NC State14, South Florida 0 DII 2nd Round Playoffs.............Nov. 21, 2009.....North Alabama 41, Ark. Tech 28 DII Quarterfinal.........................Nov. 28, 2009...... Carson-Newman 24, N. Ala. 21 DII 1st Round............................Nov. 20, 2010.........North Ala. 43, Valdosta St. 20 DII 2nd Round..........................Nov. 27, 2010..........Delta State 47, North Ala. 24 DII 1st Round............................Nov. 19, 2011.............North Ala. 43, West Ala. 27 DII 2nd Round..........................Nov. 26, 2011..........Delta State 42, North Ala. 14 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl... Dec. 22, 2015............... Akron vs. Utah State
} Special Teams Coordinator | Wide Receivers } Fourth Season at Akron } Florida State ‘83 The younger brother of UA head coach Terry Bowden, Jeff boasts more than 30 years of collegiate coaching experience. In his fourth season on the staff, he serves as the Zips’ special teams coordinator and also works with the wide receivers. In 2015, Bowden mentored senior PK Robert Stein and senior P Zach Paul, a Ray Guy Award nominee, through their final seasons. Stein, UA’s scoring leader for the fourth consecutive season, set the career record for the most extra points (128), while Paul is second in career punts (269). Additionally, Bowden helped in the transition of sophomore Jerome Lane as he added receiver duties to his defensive skills. Lane is No. 4 nationally in yards per reception (21.43). On returns, Bowden groomed two youngsters as freshman Van Edwards took over kick return duties, while sophomore A.J. Coney handled punt returns. The Akron kick return defense emerged as one of the toughest in the nation, with the Zips holding opponents to just 19.26 yards per return. That mark ranked second in the MAC and 30th nationally in 2014. Junior Robert Stein ranked 25th nationally in field goal percentage (.813) and earned Academic All-MAC honors for a third-straight season. Stein also earned two MAC East Special Teams Player of the Week awards, as well as Honorable Mention National Kicker of the Week by CFPA. Junior punter Zach Paul opened the 2014 campaign on the Ray Guy Award Watch List and earned Honorable Mention National Punter of the Week by CFPA last season. He ranked 39th nationally in punting average (42.5 ypp). During the 2013 campaign, Bowden mentored sophomore punter Zach Paul, who earned Third-Team All-MAC honors. Paul finished the season 30th in the nation in punting average (42.9 ypp). In addition to Paul’s performance, the Akron kick return squad finished the year 11th in the nation in kick return defense (18.36 ypr). Additionally, Akron blocked four kicks, the most in the MAC and 10th-most in the nation. In 2012, Bowden worked with All-MAC Team pick senior wideout Marquelo Suel, who posted a team-high 820 receiving yards off 76 catches. Suel’s team-high receptions were the second most in a single season in program history. Additionally, he closed out the regular season ranked fifth in the MAC and tied for 28th nationally in catches per game (6.3). Suel was also named to the Fred Biletnikoff Award Watch List.
Also in 2012, junior receiver Jerrod Dillard, who led UA with nine touchdown catches, earned Academic Honorable Mention from the MAC. He finished the season with 29 catches for 401 yards. In the three seasons prior to his post at Akron, Bowden was associate head coach and receivers coach at North Alabama with his brother Terry, helping the program to a 29-9 record during that time and a Gulf South Conference championship in 2009. Before his tenure at UNA, he spent 13 years (1994-2006) on the staff at Florida State, working under his father, legendary coach Bobby Bowden. Jeff was the Seminoles’ offensive coordinator from 2001-06 and from 1994-2000 worked with the receivers. He began his collegiate coaching career in 1983 as a receivers coach at Salem College, when Terry was hired as the head coach, and in 1985 was promoted to offensive coordinator. In 1986, he served as a graduate assistant coach at Florida State before rejoining Terry on Samford’s staff the following year. Jeff was offensive coordinator for the Bulldogs from 1987-90 and was credited with guiding the career of current Florida State head coach Jimbo Fisher in his time as quarterback. Bowden, 55 (born Dec. 30, 1959), played wide receiver at FSU from 1980-83. He and his wife, Cindy, have five children, Haley, Hunter, T.J., Robert, and Julia Elizabeth.
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2 015 F A M O U S ID A H O P O TATO B O W L
AKRON FOOTBALL TRENT
DARRELL
} Tight Ends | H-Backs } Fourth Season at Akron } Youngstown State ‘95
} Offensive Line | Offensive
FUNK
BOYKIN
Run Game Coordinator } First Season at Akron } Colorado State ‘88
Northeast Ohio native Trent Boykin is in his fourth season at Akron, where he oversees the tight ends and H-backs.
A 28-year veteran of collegiate coaching, Darrell Funk is in his first season as the offensive line coach and offensive run game coordinator at Akron.
In 2015, the blocking tight ends enhanced Akron’s run blocking and pass protection schemes to help the offensive line. The Zips averaged 170.2 yards per game on the ground, 46.5 yards better than last season. Additionally, the Zips rushed for 2,043 total yards, exceeding last year’s season total of 1,484 (after just 10 games).
In 2015, Funk coached the most experienced unit on the field as all five offensive line starters were seniors. And that experience paid off as Akron’s run blocking and pass protection schemes elevated the offensive production this season. The Zips averaged 170.2 yards per game on the ground, 46.5 yards better than last season. Additionally, the Zips rushed for 2,043 total yards, exceeding last year’s season total of 1,484 (after just 10 games). Akron also allowed nine fewer sacks.
A 1995 graduate of Youngstown State with a degree in organizational communication, Boykin, 44, (born Nov. 13, 1970), began his coaching career as an offensive graduate assistant at Akron (1996-97). Boykin was awarded four varsity letters in football and played on three Division I-AA national championship teams (1991, 1993, 1994) at Youngstown State under then head coach Jim Tressel. Boykin and his wife, Denise, have five children between them, Elivia, Brittney, Kiera, Jaz, and Anthony.
BOYKIN’S POSTSEASON EXPERIENCE (23) Bowl........................................... Date...............................................Result
DI-AA First Round......................Nov. 30, 1991....Youngstown St. 17, Villanova 16 DI-AA Quarterfinal.....................Dec. 7, 1991.. Youngstown St. 30, Nevada-Reno 28 DI-AA Semifinal........................Dec. 14, 1991......Youngstown St. 10, Samford, 0 DI-AA National Championship.. Dec. 21, 1991..... Youngstown St.25, Marshall 17 DI-AA First Round......................Nov. 28, 1921....Youngstown St. 23, Villanova 20 DI-AA Quarterfinal.....................Dec. 5, 1992......Youngstown St. 42, The Citadel 17 DI-AA Semifinal........................Dec. 12, 1992.......Youngstown St. 19, No. Iowa 7 DI-AA National Championship.. Dec. 19, 1992..... Marshall 31, Youngstown St.28 DI-AA First Round...................... Nov. 27, 1991.....Youngstown St. 56, Central Fla. 30 DI-AA Quarterfinal.....................Dec. 4, 1993...Youngstown St. 34, Ga. Southern 14 DI-AA Semifinal........................Dec. 11, 1993......... Youngstown St. 35, Idaho 16 DI-AA National Championship.. Dec. 18, 1993....... Youngstown St.17, Marshall 5 DI-AA First Round...................... Nov. 25, 1991........ Youngstown St. 63, Alcorn St. 20 DI-AA Quarterfinal.....................Dec. 3, 1993.......Youngstown St. 18, Eastern Ky. 15 DI-AA Semifinal........................Dec. 10, 1993......Youngstown St. 28, Montana 9 DI-AA National Championship.. Dec. 17, 1993..... Youngstown St.28, Boise St. 14 DI-AA First Round......................Nov. 25, 2000.... Richmond 10, Youngstown St. 3 DII First Round..........................Nov. 19, 2011........Wayne St. 48, St. Cloud St. 38 DII Second Round.....................Nov. 26, 2011..Wayne State 38, Neb.-Kearney 26 DII Quarterfinal..........................Dec. 3, 2011...... Wayne St. 31, Minn.-Duluth 25 DII Semifinal..............................Dec. 10, 2011..Wayne St. 21, Winston-Salem St. 14 DII National Championship......Dec. 17, 2011......Pittsburgh St. 35, Wayne St. 21 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl... Dec. 22, 2015............... Akron vs. Utah State
A K RON VS . U T AH STA TE
Funk joined the Zips after serving as the offensive line coach at the University of Michigan for four seasons. Prior to joining the Wolverines in 2011, Funk served under Brady Hoke at both San Diego State (2009-10) and Ball State (2008), coaching the offensive line. A Fort Collins, Colo., native and Colorado State alumnus, Funk spent five seasons with the Rams under head coach Sonny Lubick (2003-07), including the final four working with the offensive line. He coached CSU’s special teams and tight ends his first season in 2003, after a one-year stint at Northern Illinois as tight ends coach. He also made stops as a fulltime assistant at Rhode Island (1998-2001), Mesa State College (1993-97), and Muskingum College (1990-92). Funk was a three-year starter at Colorado State from 1983-86, playing on both the offensive and defensive line and at tight end. He earned a bachelor’s degree in social sciences from Colorado State in 1988 and a master’s degree in athletic administration from Illinois in 1990. Funk and his wife, Teresa, have two sons, Tyler and Dustin, and one daughter, Courtney. FUNK’S BOWL EXPERIENCE (9) Bowl........................................... Date...............................................Result
San Francisco Bowl....................Dec. 31, 2003....Boston College 35, Colorado St. 21 Poinsettia Bowl.........................Dec. 22, 2005................Navy 51, Colorado St. 30 All-American Bowl....................Dec. 29, 1988.....................Florida 14, Illinois 10 GMAC Bowl................................Jan. 6, 2009.....................Tulsa 45, Ball State 13 Poinsettia Bowl............................Dec. 2010.................San Diego St. 35, Navy 14 Sugar Bowl................................Jan. 1, 2012........ Michigan 23, Virginia Tech 20 Outback Bowl............................Jan. 1, 2013..... South Carolina 33, Michigan 28 Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl..........Dec. 28, 2013........Kansas State 31, Michigan 14 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl... Dec. 22, 2015............... Akron vs. Utah State
45
AKRON FOOTBALL ERIC
OTIS
} Running Backs
} Cornerbacks | Defensive
Coach } First Season at Akron } Kansas State ‘98
Passing Game Coordinator } Second Season at Akron } Auburn ‘03
HICKSON
MOUNDS
A former professional player with collegiate coaching experience, Eric Hickson enters his first season as the running backs coach at the University of Akron.
Otis Mounds, a former professional player and experienced coach at both the collegiate and high school levels, joined Terry Bowden’s UA staff as cornerbacks coach in February 2014 and is in his second season with the Zips.
In 2015, senior RB Conor Hundley led the Zips, rushing for 883 yards and 10 touchdowns on 188 carries. Newcomer Donnell Alexander added depth with 476 yards and two touchdowns. Once again, the Zips utilized senior NT Cody Grice on short-yardage plays where he racked up 33 yards and four touchdowns on just 19 carries. He scored a career-best three touchdowns, all in the first half in the win over Savannah State.
In 2015, the Zips’ defense dominated MAC play. Akron’s rushing defense (89.8) leads the conference while ranking third nationally. Junior CB DeAndre Scott is No. 5 in total interceptions (6), No. 9 in interceptions per game (0.5) and No. 20 in passes defended (1.3).
Hickson joined the Zips after serving as the interim head coach, running backs coach, and outgoing recruiting coordinator at Garden City Community College in Kansas during the 2014 season. Prior to joining the Busters, Hickson coached at Emmerich Manual High School in Indianapolis for two seasons, serving as the head coach his last year. From 2003-06, Hickson served as the assistant head coach at Coral Springs (Fla.) Charter School. The all-time leading rusher in Kansas State football history with 2,537 yards on 507 carries upon graduation, Hickson also set career records with 507 carries and 26 rushing touchdowns. A three-year starter and four-time letterwinner for the Wildcats, he was the season’s leading rusher in 1995, 1997, and 1998. He was named All-Big 8 as a sophomore and was a two-time AllBig 12 Conference selection. The two-time team captain also played in the All-Star Gridiron Classic. A dual-sport athlete, Hickson also ran track at KSU, recording a 6.31 in 55-meter indoors. Hickson signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent in 1999. A native of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Hickson earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Kansas State in 1998. Hickson and his wife Keisha have one son, Eric Jr.
The 2014 season saw the Zips post 13 interceptions, 38th most in Division I football. Junior CB Kris Givens, in his first season as a Zip, finished fourth on the team in total tackles (45) to go with two interceptions and four breakups. Four Zips grabbed multiple interceptions, led by senior CB Martel Durant’s three interceptions. UA corners posted three fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles. Scott, a third-team All-MAC honoree, scored his first collegiate touchdown, returning an interception 37 yards for a touchdown at Buffalo. The INT score was the first by an Akron cornerback in more than two years. Mounds, who played safety for Bowden at Auburn during the 1993 and 1994 seasons, joined the Zips’ staff after serving as defensive backs coach at Holmes Community College in Goodman, Miss. His resume also includes two seasons on the defensive staff at Texas Tech (2010-11) and two years as coach of the secondary at St. Thomas Aquinas High School (2008-09) in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. His professional playing career featured time in the Canadian Football League and Arena Football League. After completing a four-year career at Auburn (1990-94), Mounds played one season in the Canadian Football League for the Birmingham Barracudas before a four-year stint in the Arena Football League. He graduated from Auburn in 2003 with a degree in health promotions/sports and recreation management. Mounds and his wife Myra have two sons, Otis Jr. and Myran, and two daughters, Oteria and Faith.
HICKSON’S BOWL EXPERIENCE (5) Bowl........................................... Date...............................................Result
Holiday Bowl............................Dec. 29, 1995... Kansas State 54, Colorado St. 21 Cotton Bowl...............................Jan. 1, 1997................. BYU 19, Kansas State 15 Fiesta Bowl...............................Dec. 31, 1997.........Kansas State 35, Syracuse 18 Alamo Bowl..............................Dec. 29, 1998........... Purdue 37, Kansas State 34 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl... Dec. 22, 2015............... Akron vs. Utah State
46
MOUND’S BOWL EXPERIENCE (4) Bowl........................................... Date...............................................Result
Peach Bowl...............................Dec. 29, 1990...................Auburn 27, Indiana 23 Alamo Bowl..............................Dec. 29, 2010.......Texas Tech 41, Michigan St. 31 TicketCity Bowl...........................Jan. 1, 2011......Texas Tech 45, Northwestern 38 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl... Dec. 22, 2015............... Akron vs. Utah State
2 015 F A M O U S ID A H O P O TATO B O W L
AKRON FOOTBALL TODD
MIKE
} Defensive Line Coach |
} Safeties } Fourth Season at Akron } Arizona ‘82
STROUD
WOODFORD
Director of Strength & Conditioning | Recruiting } Fourth Season at Akron } Florida State ‘85 Todd Stroud is in his fourth season on the Akron staff as the Zips’ defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator. Throughout his career, he has tutored numerous NFL Draft selections and developed nationwide recruiting ties. Additionally, he has served 20-plus seasons in a role as a strength coach and is the program’s director of strength and conditioning. In 2015, the Zips’ defense dominated MAC play. Akron’s rushing defense (89.8) leads the conference while ranking third nationally. The Zips’ front four, nicknamed the Fantastic Four, have been a force of strength, highlighted by second-team All-MAC honoree and senior NT Cody Grice, a starter in every game of his collegiate career (48 and counting). Grice was a second-team pick, while senior DL Rodney Coe and junior DL Jamal Marcus (Durham, N.C.) were third-team All-MAC selections. The 2014 defensive line was a dominating force in the MAC, helping UA finish the season ranked in the top 40 nationally in eight defensive categories. He has a bachelor’s degree in physical education from Florida State (1985) and a master’s degree in athletics administration from Alabama-Birmingham (1988). He started at nose guard for FSU from 1983-85 and was captain of the 1985 squad. Stroud and his wife, Marianne, have four children, daughters, Jessica, Alexandra and Chelsea, and son, Stone. STROUD’S BOWL EXPERIENCE (18) Bowl........................................... Date...............................................Result
Gator Bowl................................Dec. 30, 1982..............Florida St. 31, West Va. 12 Peach Bowl...............................Dec. 30, 1983......Florida St. 28, North Carolina 3 Citrus Bowl...............................Dec. 22, 1984.............. Florida St. 17, Georgia 17 Gator Bowl................................Dec. 30, 1985..........Florida St. 34, Okla. State 23 All-American Bowl....................Dec. 31, 1986...............Florida St. 27, Indiana 13 DI-AA First Round......................Nov. 30, 1991... Samford 29, New Hampshire 13 DI-AA Quarterfinal.....................Dec. 7, 1991..... Samford 24, James Madison 21 DI-AA Semifinal........................Dec. 14, 1991.....Youngstown St. 10, Samford 10 DI-AA First Round......................Nov. 28, 1992.............. Delaware 56, Samford 21 MicronPC.com Bowl.................Dec. 28, 2000............ NC State 38, Minnesota 30 Tangerine Bowl.........................Dec. 20, 2001.............Pittsburgh 34, NC State 19 Gator Bowl.................................Jan. 1, 2003..............NC State28, Notre Dame 6 Citrus Bowl...............................Dec. 22, 2003.................. NC State 56, Kansas 26 Meineke Car Care Bowl............Dec. 31, 2005...........NC State14, South Florida 0 Music City Bowl........................Dec. 31, 2007............. Kentucky 35 Florida St. 28 Champs Sports Bowl................Dec. 27, 2008...........Florida St. 42, Wisconsin 13 Gator Bowl.................................Jan. 1, 2010....... Florida St.33, West Virginia 21 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl... Dec. 22, 2015............... Akron vs. Utah State
A K RON VS . U T AH STA TE
Veteran coach and Northeast Ohio native Mike Woodford is in his fourth season on Terry Bowden’s staff and second stint as a member of the program. He tutors the UA safeties. In 2015, the Zips’ defense dominated MAC play. Akron’s rushing defense (89.8) leads the conference while ranking third nationally. Woodford mentored sophomore Zach Guiser, who moved into the starting line-up for all 12 games. He is fifth in team tackling with 50 tackles, two interceptions, five break-ups, and a fumble recovery. The trio of Johnny Robinson, Devonte Morgan and Bre’ Ford combined for 115 tackles (71 solo), four interceptions, three pass breakups, two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble for a defense that ranked in the top-40 nationally in eight defensive categories. During the 2013 campaign, Woodford saw a pair of players – Anthony Holmes and Johnny Robinson – anchor the Zips’ secondary. The pair combined for 92 tackles, four interceptions, five pass breakups, one blocked kick and one forced fumble. Woodford joined the Akron staff after spending the 2011 season at New Mexico following a three-year stretch at Illinois (2007-09). Woodford went to the Saints after spending two seasons at Middle Tennessee State as the defensive backs coach. Prior to that, he was the defensive coordinator at nearby Walsh University for the 1994-99 seasons and the defensive backs coach at Akron from 1986-91 with then head coach Gerry Faust (Terry Bowden was on the UA staff in 1986 as well). Woodford, 56 (born Sept. 4, 1959), has a bachelor of liberal arts degree in history from Arizona and played safety for the Wildcats from 1978-81. After joining the program as a walk on, he later became a starter and was a member of the team that played in the 1979 Fiesta Bowl. Woodford and his wife Lori were married in July 2014. He has two daughters, Michaela and Ellie, and two stepdaughters, Megan and McKenzie. WOODFORD’S BOWL EXPERIENCE (5) Bowl........................................... Date...............................................Result
Fiesta Bowl...............................Dec. 25, 1979.............. Pittsburgh 16, Arizona 10 Outback Bowl............................Jan. 1, 2003..................Michigan 38, Florida 30 Outback Bowl............................Jan. 1, 2004......................... Iowa 37, Florida 17
Rose Bowl............................Jan. 1, 2008....................USC 49, Illinois 17 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl... Dec. 22, 2015............... Akron vs. Utah State
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AKRON FOOTBALL SUPPORT STAFF HUNTER
SHERRY
BILL
BOWDEN
BUTLER
DRODDY
} Quality Control |
} Administrative
} Director of Sports
BRETT
MATT
KORY
EKKENS
GILDERSLEEVE
GRIBBIN
} Graduate Assistant |
} Head Coach of
} Graduate Assistant |
JOHN
MARK
ANDY
HUGHES
LEFFLER
MEDVED
} Graduate Assistant |
} Assistant Director of
} Assistant
BEN
JOHN
KEVIN
MURPHY
NEMEC
O’CONNOR
} Director of
} Director of
} Equipment
MARK
JASON
PARKER
OUIMET
SANDERS
SHOWERS
} Assistant Director of
} Coordinator of
} Graduate Assistant |
Offense
Assistant
Offense
Defense
Football Operations
Football Operations
DALTON
WILLIAMS } Quality Control | Offense
Medicine
Defense
Strength & Conditioning
Sports Medicine | Football Athletic Trainer
Player Personnel
Video Services for Football
Staff without photos TIM HARGRETT TYLER MILLER LUKE ROSE A.J. SHORT JAKE THOMPSON NICK VERNA
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Athletic Trainer
Manager
Strength & Conditioning
} } } } } }
Graduate Assistant | Offense Graduate Assistant | Recruiting & Operations Graduate Assistant | Strength & Conditioning Graduate Assistant | Strength & Conditioning Volunteer Defensive Assistant Defensive Assistant
2 015 F A M O U S ID A H O P O TATO B O W L
MEET THE ZIPS
速
49
AKRON FOOTBALL DONNELL
8
ALEXANDER’S CAREER STATS RUSHING G/GS Att Yds TD Lg Avg/C Avg/G 2015 10/0 98 476 2 35 4.9 47.6
ALEXANDER } Running Back } Senior | 5-11 | 219 } Kansas City, Mo. } Blue Springs HS | Colorado State As a Senior (2015): Played in 10 games … third in rushing with 476 yards and two touchdowns on 98 carries … in the shutout of Kent State, rushed eight times for 40 yards … in the win over Buffalo, scored his first collegiate touchdown on a seven-yard run in the third quarter … added a second TD in the fourth quarter, eclipsing the 100-yard rushing mark for the first time as a Zip … finished with 143 yards and two TDs on 24 carries, all career highs at Akron … in the win at Miami (Ohio), gained 33 yards on five carries … against Bowling Green, rushed seven times for 14 yards … in the win at Eastern Michigan, rushed 21 times for 78 yards … in the win at Louisiana, rushed 12 times for 65 yards … in the win over Savannah State, rushed for 78 yards on 11 carries … made his debut as a Zip at No. 19 Oklahoma … had seven carries for 16 yards.
CHRISTIAN
ALLEN
As a Junior (2014): Sat out per NCAA transfer rules. At Colorado State: As a Sophomore (2013): Played in 11 games, starting two … rushed for 428 yards and two touchdowns on 71 carries ... also caught 21 passes for 178 yards and a touchdown ... returned one kickoff for 61 yards vs. Boise State … had a season-high 81 yards on seven carries in a win against Hawaii, including a 70-yard run … in a wain against Wyoming, caught his first touchdown of the season, a one-handed 34-yard reception … returned a kickoff for 61 yards vs. Boise State ... earned College Football Performance Awards Kickoff Returner Performer of the Week honors … in New Mexico Bowl victory vs. Washington State, ran the ball seven times for 31 yards and caught three passes for 17 yards ... in arguably the biggest play of his career, took a hand off from Garrett Grayson off a ‘Statue-of-Liberty’ play, diving for the pylon and converting the two-point conversion. As a Redshirt Freshman (2012): Concluded the 2012 campaign as the Rams’ leading rusher (587), while logging six starts ... also recorded at least one catch in eight of the nine games he played in … finished the year hauling in 17 catches for 155 yards … in his first career start against North Dakota State, rushed for 59 yards, the most by a CSU freshman in his first start since 1993 … in the home victory over UNLV, represented the offense as a weekly team captain ... ushed for 110-plus yards on three separate occasions ... at Wyoming, rushed for 114 yards … the next weekend vs. UNLV, galloped for a career-high 139 yards and two scores … in the season finale against New Mexico, ran for 112 yards and a TD. As a Freshman (2011): Redshirted. Personal: Donnell Joseph Alexander ... born Jan. 24, 1993, in Kansas City, Mo. ... son of Kim Alexander and the late Derrick Thomas ... has one older sister ... father, who still holds the NFL’s single-game record with seven sacks, was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2009 after an 11-year career with the Kansas City Chiefs, who made him the fourth overall selection in the 1989 NFL Draft out of Alabama … organizational supervision major.
CHRISTIAN
49
ALLEN } Full Back } Junior | 6-1 | 252 } Morgantown, W. Va. } Morgantown HS As a Junior (2015): 2015 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team nominee … appeared in all 12 games with one start at fullback … saw action on the punt and field goal units … had a six-yard reception in the win at Massachusetts … had a tackle in the win at Eastern Michigan. As a Sophomore (2014): Appeared in 10 games … also played on special teams, primarily the field goal unit. As a Redshirt Freshman (2013): Appeared in one game for the Zips, making his collegiate debut against Ohio. As a Freshman (2012): Redshirted. Personal: Born March 10, 1994 ... parents are Denver and Kim Allen ... older brother Jeff is an Akron teammate (2013-14) … also has a sister, Brittany … sports management major.
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2 015 F A M O U S ID A H O P O TATO B O W L
AKRON FOOTBALL JAMAL
31
ANDREW
BOHAN
BAGGETT
} Offensive Line } Senior | 6-3 | 290 } Avon Lake, Ohio } Avon Lake HS
} Safety } R-Freshman | 5-11 | 190 } Oak Park, Ill. } River Forest HS As a Redshirt Freshman (2015): Saw action in one game … made collegiate debut in the win over Savannah State … had one tackle. As a Freshman (2014): Redshirted. Personal: Born Dec. 21, 1995 ... cousins, Terry Baggett and Lance Baggett, both played football at Army … sport management major.
BRIAN
As a Senior (2015): Recipient of the John Heisman Award … started 11 games at center … all five starters have started a combined 116 starting nods between them … Akron’s run blocking and pass protection schemes elevated the offensive production this season … the Zips averaged 170.2 yards per game on the ground, 46.5 yards better than last season … the Zips rushed for 2,043 total yards, exceeding year’s season total of 1,484 (after just 10 games) … the O-Line allowed nine fewer sacks … made first collegiate start at No. 19 Oklahoma. As a Junior (2014): CoSIDA Academic All-America nominee … MAC Distinguished Scholar Athlete … Academic All-MAC … saw action in all 12 games … played right guard as well as on the punt and field goal kicking units.
10
BELL
As a Sophomore (2013): Appeared in all 12 games … saw time on the offensive line and on special teams … posted two special teams tackles, including one solo stop … named Akron’s Weight Room Warrior on special teams.
} Linebacker } Freshman | 6-3 | 218 } Valdosta, Ga. } Lowndes HS As a Freshman (2015): Saw action in 11 games … one of six true freshmen to see game action … played on the kickoff and punt return units … had three tackles … had a tackle against Central Michigan, at Eastern Michigan, and in the win over Buffalo.
NATHAN
As a Redshirt Freshman (2012): Played in three games ... saw the field at FIU, versus Morgan State, and at Ohio ... member of a front line that supported an offense ranked first in the Mid-American Conference and 16th nationally in passing (312.8 ypg), and sixth in the league and 45th in the country in total offense (427.2 ypg) ... was given the team’s freshman class Academic Award. As a Freshman (2011): Redshirted.
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Personal: Born Aug. 29, 1992 ... son of John and Connie Bohan ... has one younger sister, Christine ... father was a high jumper at Minnesota from 1973-77 … electrical engineering major.
BISCHOF } Defensive Back } R-Freshman | 6-2 | 210 } Akron, Ohio } St. Vincent-St. Mary HS As a Redshirt Freshman (2014): Played in seven games … saw action on the punt return unit. As a Freshman (2014): Redshirted. Personal: Marketing management major.
A K RON VS . U T AH STA TE
77
51
AKRON FOOTBALL BROCK
50
BOXEN } Defensive Line } Freshman | 6-3 | 272 } New Galilee, Pa. } Beaver Falls HS As a Freshman (2015): Played in 11 games with two starts at tackle … one of six true freshman to see game action … had seven tackles, 2.5 TFL, and a forced fumble … had four tackles and a forced fumble against Pittsburgh … enrolled at Akron in January 2015 … originally signed with Akron in 2014. Personal: Born Dec. 28, 1995 … parents are Ron and Tammy Boxen … sport management major.
JATAVIS
1
BROWN } Linebacker } Senior | 5-11 | 222 } Belle Glade, Fla. } Glades Central HS } TEAM CAPTAIN As a Senior (2015): 2015 MAC Defensive Player of the Year … first-team All-MAC selection … MAC Defensive Player of the Week (Nov. 16) … Zips’ Student-Athlete of the Week (Nov. 9, Nov. 16) … 2015 Rotary Lombardi Award Watch List … preseason first-team All-MAC selection by Phil Steele and Athlon Sports …Team captain … MAC Defensive Player of the Year … first-team All-MAC … started all 12 games at WILL linebacker … one of 12 Zips to start every game … team tackling leader with 108 tackles, including a team-best 17.5 TFL and a season record 10.5 sacks, six hurries, three forced fumbles, and an interception … with his two sacks against Miami, set the school record for sacks in a season … in the shutout of Kent State, led the Zips with eight tackles, a forced fumble, and a hurry … led all defenders with 12 tackles and two hurries in the win over Buffalo … had a very busy day n the win at Miami (Ohio) … led all defenders with 11 tackles, two sacks, a career-high 4.5 TFL, a forced fumble, a break-up, and the first interception of his career en route to MAC Defensive Player of the Week honors ... in the win at UMass, led the Zips with 11 tackles, 1.5 TFL, and an eight-yard sack … against Central Michigan, led the Zips with six tackles and a nine-yard sack … at Bowling Green, had nine tackles and a team-best two sacks for a loss of 13 yards … in the win at Eastern Michigan, had nine tackles, including five solo stops and a TFL … had seven tackles in the MAC opener against Ohio … had five tackles, including 2.0 TFL, and a hurry n the win at Louisiana … in the win over Savannah State, had seven tackles … against Pittsburgh, led all
defenders with a career-high 16 tackles, including eight solo stops, 2.5 sacks for a loss of 18 yards, and a forced fumble … had seven tackles, including a two-yard sack at No. 19 Oklahoma. As a Junior (2014): First-team All-MAC … second-team All-MAC by Phil Steele and College Sports Madness … MAC East Defensive Player of the Week (Sept. 29) … MAC Defensive Player of the Week by College Sports Madness (Sept. 29, Oct. 5) … Midseason first-team All-MAC by Phil Steele … named team’s Defensive MVP … started all 12 games at WILL linebacker … team’s top defender with 99 tackles, including a team-best 64 solo stops, a team-best 14.5 TFL, four sacks, three forced fumbles, and a break-up … led the Zips on defense at Kent State with 10 tackles, including a career-high three stops for a loss of 13 yards ... in the win over UMass, led the Zips with nine tackler, including 1.5 TFL … against Bowling Green, forced two fumbles and led the Zips with a career-high 16 tackles … had seven tackles at Ball State … had five tackles, including 2.0 for a loss of seven yards, at Ohio … in the win over Miami, had six tackles, 1.5 TFL, and a sack for a loss of nine yards … in the win over Eastern Michigan, led the defense with a game-high 14 tackles, including a career-best 12 solo stops, a career-high two sacks, and a career-high two TFL … in the win at Pittsburgh, led the Zips with a career-high 11 tackles, including 10 solo stops and a sack ... against Marshall, led the Zips with eight tackles, a TFL, and a forced fumble … had six tackles, including three solo stops and 1.5 TFL, at Penn State … had five tackles, a TFL, and a break-up in the win over Howard. As a Sophomore (2013): Named first-team All-MAC after leading the team with 107 tackles (57 solo) … named Akron’s Fred S. Sefton Defensive MVP … started all 12 games … became the first sophomore to post 100 or more tackles in a season since Brian Wagner (2010, 130) … his 8.9 tackles per game were tied for 37th in the nation (eighth in the MAC) … named MAC East Division Defensive Player of the Week on Dec. 2 … added 6.5 tackles for a loss, two sacks, two forced fumbles and two pass breakups … posted at least two tackles in 11-of-12 games … recorded 10 or more tackles in five games, including each of the last four … recorded a career-high 16 tackles, including eight solo stops, against Kent State … had 15 tackles at Northern Illinois and against Toledo … added 13 tackles at Massachusetts and 12 stops vs. Ball State. As a Freshman (2012): Played in 11 games with one start ... chosen as a starter at Ohio ... tallied five tackles and one tackle for loss against the Bobcats ... made a season-high seven stops, including five solo stops versus Northern Illinois ... also forced a fumble in the game with the Huskies ... totaled 23 tackles, including 13 solo stops, for the season. Personal: Born Feb. 18, 1994 … organizational supervision major.
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BROWN’S CAREER STATS
DEF G/GS UA A Total TFL Sacks INT PBU 2012 11/1 13 10 23 0.5-1 0.0-0 0 0 2013 12/12 57 50 107 6.5-14 2.0-6 0 2 2014 12/12 64 35 99 14.5-69 4.0-34 0 1 2015 12/12 57 51 108 17.5-98 10.5-80 1 1 TOTAL 47/37 191 146 337 39.0-182 16.5-120 1 4
FF FR Blkd 1 0 0 2 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 9 0 0
2 015 F A M O U S ID A H O P O TATO B O W L
AKRON FOOTBALL TOMMY
55
BROWN } Offensive Line } Senior | 6-4 | 336 } Akron, Ohio } Firestone HS | Ohio State As a Senior (2015): John Heisman Award … started all 12 games on the offensive line … 10 starts were at right guard and two at left guard … one of 12 Zips to start every game … all five starters have started a combined 116 starting nods between them … Akron’s run blocking and pass protection schemes elevated the offensive production this season … the Zips averaged 170.2 yards per game on the ground, 46.5 yards better than last season … the Zips rushed for 2,043 total yards, exceeding year’s season total of 1,484 (after just 10 games) … the O-Line allowed nine fewer sacks. As a Junior (2014): Appeared in 11 games with 10 starts at right guard in first season with the Zips … also saw action on the field goal unit … received a hardship waiver from the NCAA and was able to compete immediately after transferring.
TOMMY
BROWN KYRON
20
BROWN
At Ohio State: As a sophomore (2013): Saw action in all 14 games … on the field for 208 plays, most on special teams … had a career-high 51 plays on offense against Florida A&M … had a Big Ten-game best 34 plays on offense against Purdue … saw 20 plays against Penn State … lettered. As a redshirt freshman (2012): Did not seeing any playing time. As a freshman (2011): redshirted the 2011 season as a true freshman. Personal: Son of Tommy and Theresa Brown … organizational supervision major.
} Cornerback } R-Freshman | 6-1 | 186 } Boynton Beach, Fla. } Boynton Beach HS As a Redshirt Freshman (2015): Played in all 12 games … one of 10 redshirt freshman to see game action … saw action on the punt return unit … had nine tackles and two break-ups on the season. As a Freshman (2014): Recipient of team’s Rise & Shine Award … redshirted. Personal: Born May 26, 1996 … political science major. BROWN’S CAREER STATS
DEF G/GS UA A Total 2015 12/0 4 5 9
TFL Sacks INT PBU FF FR Blkd 0 0 0 2 0 0 0
A K RON VS . U T AH STA TE
53
AKRON FOOTBALL MICHAEL
88
BUDDENBERG } Long Snapper } Sophomore | 5-11 | 195 } Massillon, Ohio } Jackson HS DYLAN
As a Sophomore (2015): Academic Award … played in all 12 games … served as the team’s long snapper, playing on the field goal and punt units … MAC Specialist of the Week (Sept. 28).
BRUMBAUGH DYLAN
75
BRUMBAUGH } Offensive Line } Senior | 6-5 | 288 } Green, Ohio } Green HS
As a Redshirt Freshman (2014): Academic Award recipient for the highest GPA among the freshman class … appeared in all 12 games as the Zips’ long snapper … had one solo tackle at Ohio. As a Freshman (2013): Redshirted. Personal: Born Sept. 11, 1994 … parents are Domenica and John Buddenberg … has an older brother, John, and a younger sister, Toniann … father played football for the Zips (1985-88) and was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in 1989 … played in the NFL for seven years … played against Akron teammates Se’Von Pittman and Andrew Pratt in high school … marketing major.
As a Senior (2015): Academic All-MAC … John Heisman Award … preseason second-team All-MAC by Athlon Sports, third-team by College Sports Madness, and fourth-team All-MAC by Phil Steele … started all 12 games on the offensive line … 10 starts were at left guard and two at right guar … one of 12 Zips to start every game … also played on the field goal unit … all five starters have started a combined 116 starting nods between them … Akron’s run blocking and pass protection schemes elevated the offensive production this season … the Zips averaged 170.2 yards per game on the ground, 46.5 yards better than last season … the Zips rushed for 2,043 total yards, exceeding year’s season total of 1,484 (after just 10 games) … the O-Line allowed nine fewer sacks. As a Junior (2014): Appeared in nine games with seven starts at left guard … in the 41-0 win over Howard, the O-line gave up no sacks. As a Sophomore (2013): Started all 12 games for the Zips at right guard. As a Redshirt Freshman (2012): Played in all 12 games on the offensive line, logging five starts ... member of a front line that supported an offense ranked first in the Mid-American Conference and 16th nationally in passing (312.8 ypg), and sixth in the league and 45th in the country in total offense (427.2 ypg).
UNDREA
50
BULLARD } Defensive Line } R-Freshman | 6-6 | 295 } St. Petersburg, Fla. } Gibbs HS As a Redshirt Freshman (2015): Played in two games … made collegiate debut against Pittsburgh. As a Freshman (2014): Redshirted. Personal: Born May 27, 1995 … sport management major.
As a Freshman (2011): Redshirted. Personal: Born Nov. 20, 1992 ... son of Dean and Debra Brumbaugh ... has one younger brother, Dustin.
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2 015 F A M O U S ID A H O P O TATO B O W L
AKRON FOOTBALL BRYCE
29
CHEEK } Cornerback } Senior | 6-0 | 195 } Lewis Center, Ohio } Olentangy HS TRA’VON
CHAPMAN
5
TRA’VON
CHAPMAN } Quarterback } Sophomore | 6-1 | 216 } Kent, Ohio } Roosevelt HS | Pittsburgh | Ashland As a Redshirt Sophomore (2015): Started the first three games of the season … went 10-of-35 for 157 yards and a touchdown … in the win over Savannah State, went 6-of-13 for 128 yards and a touchdown … went 4-for14 for 29 yards against Pitt … made debut as a Zip at No. 19 Oklahoma … finished as the Zips’ leading rusher with 48 yards on 14 carries. As a Sophomore (2014): Sat out per NCAA transfer rules. Prior to Akron: Enrolled at Pitt in spring 2013 and participated in spring drills … transferred to Ashland University for the fall of 2013 and played football … went 90-of-173 for 1,154 yards and nine touchdowns in nine games ... started the last six games. Personal: Tra’Von De’Aire Chapman … born May 19, 1994 … parents are Vickie Chapman and Thad Jemison, former wide receivers coach at Kent State … sport management major. CHAPMAN’S CAREER STATS PASSING G/GS Att Cmp Int 2015 3/3 10 35 1
As a Senior (2015): Started all 12 games at safety … one of 12 Zips to start every game … top defensive back, standing fourth in team tackling, with 51 tackles, five break-ups, an interception, a TFL, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery … in the shutout of Kent State, had fumble recovery, the second of his career and first of the season … in the win over Buffalo, had four solo tackles, an interception, and two break-ups … in the win at UMass, had five tackles and a break-up … had three solo stops against Central Michigan … at Bowling Green, had five tackles and a break-up … in the win over Eastern Michigan, had six tackles and a forced fumble … had four tackles and a break-up against Ohio … in the win at Louisiana, had four tackles … had four tackles in the win over Savannah State … against Pittsburgh, had seven tackles … had six tackles at No. 19 Oklahoma. As a Junior (2014): Appeared in all 12 games with three starts at cornerback … also saw action on the punt, kick return, and punt return units … finished with 22 tackles, including 16 solo stops … had a TFL and two breakups … had a career-high four tackles at Kent State … made three stops against Massachusetts, Miami, and Eastern Michigan … forced a fumble at Ohio … recovered a fumble in the win at Pittsburgh … had a tackle for a loss of one year in the win over Howard. As a Sophomore (2013): Appeared in 11 games with two starts … finished the season with 18 tackles, including 12 solo stops … made his first collegiate start at Massachusetts … also started the season finale against Toledo … posted season-highs of four tackles against Ohio and at UMass … had three-tackle performances against James Madison and Kent State. As a Redshirt Freshman (2012): Logged time in eight games ... responsible for eight tackles, six solo stops ... had a season-high two stops against UCF and against Morgan State. As a Freshman (2011): Redshirted. Personal: Born Aug. 28, 1993 ... son of Paul and Fanita Cheek ... has a twin sister, Embrye ... father played football and ran track at Ohio University … exercise science major.
Yds TD Lg Pct. Avg/G Effic. 157 1 53 28.6 52.3 69.97
RUSHING G/GS Att Yds TD Lg Avg/C Avg/G 2015 3/3 31 38 0 24 1.2 12.7 TOT OFF G/GS 2015 3/3
Plays 66
Rush 38
A K RON VS . U T AH STA TE
Pass 157
Total 195
Avg./G 65.0
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CHEEK’S CAREER STATS
DEF G/GS 2012 8/0 2013 11/2 2014 12/3 2015 12/12 TOTAL 43/17
UA 6 12 16 30 64
A Total 2 8 6 18 6 22 21 51 35 99
TFL 0.0-0 0.0-0 1.0-1 1.0-4 2.0-5
Sacks INT PBU 0.0-0 0 0 0.0-0 0 0 0.0-0 0 2 0.0-0 1 5 0.0-0 1 7
FF FR Blkd 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 2 2 0
AKRON FOOTBALL helped the Reivers win the 2012 JUCO National Championship (12-0) … as a sophomore, played in 10 games, making 42 tackles … had nine tackles for losses of 38 yards … had 1.5 sacks and forced two fumbles … in national title game (Graphic Edge Bowl), equaled season-high with seven tackles and a tackle for loss … second-team All-Conference choice … played at running back as a freshman … gained 468 yards on 80 carries and nine touchdowns. Personal: Born May 18, 1993 … grandson of Floyd and Lois Ramsey … grandfather Charlie Coe has over 40 years of experience coaching in the NFL and in college … he is currently an assistant coach at Missouri Baptist … uncle Michael played in the NFL and won a Super Bowl ring with the New York Giants … organizational supervision major.
BRYCE
CHEEK
COE’S CAREER STATS
RODNEY
DEF G/GS UA A Total TFL Sacks INT PBU FF FR Blkd 2015 11/10 16 27 43 7.5-34 2.0-16 0 3 1 0 0
9
COE
} Defensive Line } R-Senior | 6-3 | 305 } Fulton, Mo. } Edwardsville HS |
A.J.
11
CONEY } Wide Receiver } R-Sophomore | 5-8 | 180 } Orlando, Fla. } Oviedo HS | Weber State
Iowa State As a Redshirt Senior (2015): Third-team All-MAC selection … preseason third-team All-MAC by Athlon Sports … played in 11 games with 10 starts at defensive tackle … on the season, has 43 tackles, 7.5 TFL, 2.0 sacks, three hurries, and three break-ups … Akron’s Fantastic Four has combined for a 89.8 rushing defense which ranks first in the MAC and No. 3 nationally … in the shutout of Kent State, had four tackles, 1.5 TFL, and two hurries … in the win over Buffalo, had five tackles and forced the first fumble of his collegiate career … the Zips scored a touchdown on the very next play … in the win at Miami (Ohio), had four tackles … in the win at Eastern Michigan, had six tackles, 1.5 TFL, and a hurry … at Bowling Green, had four tackles … against Central Michigan, had a career-high two sacks (for a loss of 16 yards), the first of his Akron career … also had a career-high three TFL for a loss of 18 yards … had four tackles in the win at UMass … against Ohio, had three tackles and two break-ups … in the win at Louisiana, had six solo stops … missed the Savannah State game with an injury … made his debut as a Zip at No. 19 Oklahoma … had two tackles. As a Redshirt Junior (2014): Sat out per NCAA transfer rules. At Iowa State: As a junior (2013): Started the final four games at defensive tackle … recorded 37 tackles, 5.0 TFL, and two pass breakups … notched 4.5 TFL in the final five games of the year … tallied a career-high seven tackles vs. Baylor … had three tackles, 1.5 TFL, a pass breakup and QB hurry vs. TCU … averaged 4.0 tpg in the last five games. Junior College: Three-star recruit according to rivals.com and ESPN … played two seasons for Iowa Western under coach Scott Strohmeier …
As a Redshirt Sophomore (2015): Played in 11 games with one start at receiver … primary punt returner … has 17 punt returns for 73 yards (4.3 average … had a six-yard reception in the wins over Buffalo and Kent State … in the win at Miami (Ohio), had three kickoff returns for 40 yards … in the win at UMass, had a career-high three receptions for a career-high 38 yards … against Ohio, had three receptions for 20 yards … in the win over Savannah State, had a season-high five returns for 36 yards, including an 18-yard return … made his debut as a Zip against Pittsburgh ... had three punt returns for 13 yards. As a Redshirt Freshman (2014): Sat out per NCAA transfer rules. At Weber State: As a freshman (2013): Saw action in 10 games as a true freshman for the Wildcats … earned Big Sky All-Conference honorable mention honors as a return specialist ... was the only Wildcat freshman to earn All-Conference honors ... finished second in the Big Sky in kick return average at 24.8 yards per return ... had 22 returns for 545 yards in 10 games played ... had four kick returns in three games during the season ... season-high came against Montana State where he had four returns for 130 yards ... also had four returns for 115 yards against Southern Utah, including a season-long return of 45 yards ... finished third in the Big Sky in interceptions at 0.30 per game ... totaled three interceptions on the season with one each against Stephen F. Austin, Eastern Washington and Idaho State ... also had one punt return and 12 total tackles on the season. Personal: Born Dec. 30, 1994 ... mother is Deborah Coney.
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2 015 F A M O U S ID A H O P O TATO B O W L
AKRON FOOTBALL DARIUS
95
COPELAND } Defensive Line } Sophomore | 6-1 | 280 } Ft. Myers, Fla. } Ft. Myers HS As a Sophomore (2015): Played in eight games … had two tackles.
DARIUS
COPELAND
As a Redshirt Freshman (2014): Recipient of the Harry “Doc” Smith Award Outstanding Sophomore Award (defense) … appeared in nine games … finished with nine tackles, including six solo stops … had a TFL for a loss of one yard in the win over Howard.
CONEY’S CAREER STATS
As a Freshman (2013): Redshirted.
RECEIVING G/GS Rec Yds TD Lg Rec/G Avg/C Avg/G 2015 11/3 10 83 0 41 0.9 8.3 7.5 PUNT RET. 2015
G/GS 11/3
No. 17
Yds 73
TD 0
Lg Avg/R 18 4.3
KICK RET. 2015
G/GS 11/3
No. 3
Yds 40
TD 0
Lg Avg/R 19 13.3
RICHIE
Personal: Sport management major. COPELAND’S CAREER STATS
DEF G/GS UA 2014 9/0 6 2015 8/0 1 TOTAL 17/0 7
3
COOPER } Wide Receiver } Freshman | 5-8 | 158 } Hollywood, Fla. } Hallandale HS As a Freshman (2015): Played in seven games games with one start at receiver… one of six true freshmen to see game action … had a one-yard reception in the win over Buffalo … against Central Michigan, made three receptions for 30 yards, including a 16-yard catch … made first collegiate start in the win over Savannah State … had a nine-yard reception against Pittsburgh … made his collegiate debut at No. 19 Oklahoma. Personal: Richie Alonzo Cooper, Jr. … parents are Richie Cooper, Sr., and Nikki Frederick … has an older brother Correy and an older sister Ricardia … expected to study sports management. COOPER’S CAREER STATS
IMANI
DAVIS
RECEIVING G/GS Rec Yds TD Lg Rec/G Avg/C Avg/G 2015 7/1 6 49 0 16 0.9 8.2 7.0
A K RON VS . U T AH STA TE
57
A Total 3 9 1 2 4 11
TFL 1.0-1 0.0-0 1.0-1
Sacks INT PBU 0.0-0 0 0 0.0-0 0 0 0.0-0 0 0
FF FR Blkd 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
AKRON FOOTBALL IMANI
12
DAVIS’ CAREER STATS RECEIVING G/GS Rec Yds TD
2012 2013 2014
DAVIS
2015 TOTAL
} Wide Receiver } Senior | 5-9 | 180 } Miami, Fla. } Belen Jesuit Prep
14 8 22
99 56 191
0 1 1
17 13 19
1.2 0.7 1.8
48/15
90
939
5
42
1.9 10.4 19.66
12/12
46
593
3
RUSHING G/GS Att Yds TD
2012 2013 2014 2015 TOTAL
As a Senior (2015): Harry “Doc” Smith Award … started all 12 games at wide receiver … one of 12 Zips to start every game … also served as a kick returner … Zips’ leading receiver with 46 receptions for 593 yards and three touchdowns … in the win over Buffalo, led all receivers with a career-high 118 yards and a touchdown on seven catches … it was the first 100-yard receiving game of his career … led the Zips with seven receptions for 64 yards in the win at Miami (Ohio) … in the win at Eastern Michigan, led the receivers with five catches for 92 yards and a touchdown … against Central Michigan, led the Zips with a career-high eight receptions for a career-high 96 yards … in the win at UMass, had two catches for 21 yards … against Ohio in the MAC opener, led all receivers with 94 yards on five receptions, including a 42-yard catch … also rushed for seven yards … in the win at Louisiana, had two receptions for 24 yards … in the win over Savannah State, had three receptions for 50 yards and a touchdown … against Pittsburgh, Davis had three receptions for 27 yards.
PUNT RET.
2013 2014 2015 TOTAL
KICK RET.
2012 2013 2014 2015 TOTAL
12/0 12/1 12/2
3 0 0
13 0 0
0 0 0
48/15
7
28
0
G/GS
No.
Yds
TD
G/GS
No.
Yds
TD
12/12
12/1 12/2 12/12 48/15 12/0 12/1 12/2 12/12 48/15
4
10 19 1 49 13 2 0 0 15
15
39 75 0 282 251 34 0 0 285
As a Junior (2014): Appeared in all 12 games with two starts at wide receiver … finished with 22 receptions for 191 yards and a touchdown … also returned all of the Zips’ punts … had 19 returns for 75 yards, including a long of 34 yards … had two catches for 28 yards at Kent State … had a career-high six receptions for 53 yards in the win over Miami … had four receptions for 55 yards against Marshall … made three catches for 15 yards at Penn State … had three catches for 14 yards, a nine-yard touchdown catch, and a 34-yard punt return in the win over Howard. As a Sophomore (2013): Appeared in all 12 games with one start … made his first collegiate start at Northern Illinois … caught his first-career touchdown in the season opener at Central Florida … finished with two receptions for 21 yards against Ohio … returned 10 punts for 39 yards, including a season-best 23-yard return against James Madison … also returned two kickoffs for 34 yards … added one special teams tackle against Toledo. As a Freshman (2012): Played in all 12 games ... finished the season with 14 catches for 99 yards ... season-best-tying three catches for a season-high 38 yards versus Miami (Ohio) ... also had three receptions for 19 yards in a win over Morgan State ... season-long grab of 17 yards came at Ohio, his only catch in that contest ... also returned kicks and punts ... returned 19 punts for 168 yards, including a season-long 52 yarder at FIU ... returned 13 kicks for 251 yards, with a long of 31 yards coming at rival Kent State ... also made three tackles.
Lg Rec/G Avg/C Avg/G
12/0 12/1 12/2
0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
42
3.8
7.1 8.2 7.0 4.7 8.7 15.9
12.9
49.4
Lg Avg/C Avg/G
6 0 0
4.3 0.0 0.0
1.1 0.0 0.0
9
4.0å
0.6
9
3.8
1.2
Lg Avg/R
23 34 0 52
3.9 3.9 0.0 5.8
Lg Avg/R
31 19.3 29 17.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 31 19.0
8
RICHARD
DORVILUS } Defensive Line } R-Junior | 6-1 | 227 } Miami, Fla. } Cypress Bay HS | Independence CC As a Redshirt Junior (2015): Academic All-MAC … played in 11 games … has five tackles and a six-yard sack … sack came in the 47-21 win at Eastern Michigan. As a Redshirt Sophomore (2014): Appeared in eight games with one start at defensive end … finished with six tackles … had three stops at Buffalo. As a Redshirt Freshman (2013): Redshirted. Personal: Akron’s only married player ... sport management major. DORVILUS’ CAREER STATS
DEF G/GS UA 2014 8/1 1 2015 11/0 4 TOTAL 19/1 5
Personal: Born June 21, 1994 … sport management major.
58
A Total 5 6 1 5 6 11
TFL 0.5-0 1.0-6 1.5-6
Sacks INT PBU 0.0-0 0 0 1.0-6 0 0 1.0-6 0 0
FF FR Blkd 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2 015 F A M O U S ID A H O P O TATO B O W L
AKRON FOOTBALL STEPHEN
57
ERICKSEN } Offensive Line } Sophomore | 6-3 | 300 } Sherrodsville, Ohio } Carrollton HS As a Sophomore (2015): Played in 10 games with one start at center … also played on the field goal unit … Akron’s run blocking and pass protection schemes elevated the offensive production this season … the Zips averaged 170.2 yards per game on the ground, 46.5 yards better than last season … the Zips rushed for 2,043 total yards, exceeding year’s season total of 1,484 (after just 10 games) … the O-Line allowed nine fewer sacks … made first collegiate start in the win at Massachusetts. As a Redshirt Freshman (2014): Appeared in one game … saw action at center in the win over Eastern Michigan.
STEPHEN
ERICKSEN
As a Freshman (2013): Redshirted.
23
VAN
Personal: Born April 20, 1995 … computer engineering major.
EDWARDS } Running Back } Freshman | 5-9 | 185 } Cape Coral, Fla. } Island Coast HS As a Freshman (2015): Played in 11 games … one of six true freshmen to see game action … served as a kick returner … rushed 14 times for 63 yards on the season … top kick returner with 19 returns for 396 yards … in the win over Buffalo, carried the ball three times for seven yards … at Bowling Green, rushed six times for 30 yards … in the win over Eastern Michigan, had 10 yards on two carries and three kick returns for 84 yards, including a long of 31 yards … had three kick returns for 69 yards against Pittsburgh. Personal: Parents are Diana and Van Edwards, Sr. … plans to study sports medicine. EDWARDS’ CAREER STATS RUSHING G/GS Att Yds TD
2015
KICK RET.
2015
11/0
14
G/GS
No.
11/0
19
60
0
Yds
TD
396
A K RON VS . U T AH STA TE
0
Lg Avg/C Avg/G
12
4.3
5.5
Lg Avg/R
31 20.8
59
AKRON FOOTBALL DYLAN
54
EVANS’ CAREER STATS
DEF G/GS UA 2012 10/1 14 2013 12/3 28 2014 12/2 23 2015 12/12 59 TOTAL 46/18 124
EVANS } Linebacker } Senior | 6-2 | 220 } Nazareth, Pa. } Pen Argyl Area HS As a Senior (2015): Academic All-MAC … Harry “Doc” Smith Award … started all 12 games at SAM linebacker … one of 12 Zips to start every game … second in team tackling with 98 tackles, including a team-best 59 solo stops, 10.0 TFL, six break-ups, 1.5 sacks, and an interception … in the shutout of Kent State, had six tackles, including 1.5 TFL … had eight tackles in the win at Miami (Ohio) … in the win at UMass, led the Zips with 11 tackles, including seven solo stops … against Central Michigan, made five solo stops … led the Zips with 11 tackles, including six solo stops, at Bowling Green … in the win over Eastern Michigan, led the defense with 10 tackles, including five solo stops … in the win at Louisiana, had five solo stops, including 2.0 TFL, and a 17-yard interception return … in the win over Savannah State, team leader with nine tackles and a game-high four break-ups … against Pitt, had 11 tackles and a six-yard sack … at No. 19 Oklahoma, led the Zips with a career-high 13 tackles, including eight solo stops, and a break-up. As a Junior (2014): Appeared in all 12 games with two starts at SAM linebacker … also saw action on the kickoff and punt return units … finished with 35 tackles, including 23 solo stops … also had two sacks for a loss of six yards, a break-up, and a fumble recovery … made three stops at Kent State … had a career-high seven tackles at Buffalo … made six solo stops against Marshall … also had a sack for a loss of four yards … had six tackles, including five solo stops, in the win over Howard … also registered a sack.
A Total TFL Sacks INT PBU 9 23 0.0-0 0.0-0 0 0 30 58 6.0-20 2.0-13 0 1 12 35 3.0-6 2.0-6 0 1 39 98 10.0-20 1.5-7 1 6 90 214 19.0-46 5.5-26 1 8
KYLE
FF FR Blkd 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 2 1 0
41
FOSTER } Punter } R-Freshman | 6-2 | 185 } Parkersburg W. Va. } Parkersburg HS As a Redshirt Freshman (2015): Played in all 12 games … served as the holder … made collegiate debut at No. 19 Oklahoma. As a Freshman (2014): Redshirted. Personal: Sport management major.
As a Sophomore (2013): Appeared in all 12 games with four starts … finished fourth on the team in total tackles with 58 (28 solo) … added 6.0 tackles for a loss, 2.0 sacks, two forced fumbles, two quarterback hurries, and one pass breakup … tallied a career-high 13 tackles against Ball State, including one sack, two tackles for a loss, and a forced fumble … recorded at least three tackles in 11-of-12 games … posted his first-career sack at Central Florida. As a Freshman (2012): Played in 10 games with one start … made first collegiate start versus Miami (Ohio) ... totaled 23 tackles (14 solo) for the season ... posted a season-high four stops in back-to-back games, against Morgan State and at Tennessee. Personal: Born Feb. 24, 1994 ... parents are Darrin and Jeanmarie Evans … has one younger sister, Dana … emergency management and homeland security major.
KYLE
FOSTER 60
2 015 F A M O U S ID A H O P O TATO B O W L
AKRON FOOTBALL LaVONNE
33
GAUTHNEY } Tight End } Sophomore | 6-1 | 290 } Reynoldsburg, Ohio } Reynoldsburg HS | Hargrave (Va.) MA As a Sophomore (2015): Moved to tight end during the 2015 season and changed to jersey #33 … played in all 12 games with two starts at tight end … moved to tight end during third game (against Savannah State) … also played on the field goal and punt units. As a Redshirt Freshman (2014): Did not see game action. Postgraduate: Played defensive tackle during the 2013 season at Hargrave Military Academy for coach Tory Davis. Personal: Born Feb. 2, 1994 … parents are Lawrence and Lynette Gauthney … has three brothers—Lawrence, Lance, Lamar—and three sisters—Candace, Lanasia, and Layanna … sport management major.
JORDAN
24
GEORGE
ULYSEES
GILBERT III
} Defensive Back } R-Freshman | 5-11 | 193 } Kettering, Ohio } Archbishop Alter HS As a Redshirt Freshman (2015): Harry “Doc” Smith Award … played in all 12 games … also played on the kickoff and punt units … has 39 tackles, three break-ups, and an interception on the season … made two stops in the win over Buffalo … had eight tackles in the win at Massachusetts … against Central Michigan, had his first career interception … had eight tackles, including five solo stops and a TFL, at Bowling Green … had six tackles in collegiate debut at Oklahoma. As a Freshman (2014): Redshirted. Personal: Born March 3, 1996 … parents are Donald and Tammy George … has an older sister Ebony … sport marketing major.
} Linebacker } Freshman | 6-1 | 225 } Ocala, Fla. } Trinity Catholic HS As a Freshman (2015): Played in all 12 games … also played on the kickoff, kickoff return, and punt return units … has 11 tackles and a blocked kick on the season … in the win at Miami (Ohio), had a tackle and blocked a punt … had three tackles at Bowling Green … had two solo stops in the win over Savannah State … made collegiate debut at No. 19 Oklahoma and had a solo tackle. Personal: Ulysees Lovett Gilbert III … born August 9, 1997 … parents are Beverly Gilbert and Ulysees Gilbert II … has a younger brother, Uriah … sports management major.
GEORGE’S CAREER STATS
DEF G/GS UA A Total 2015 12/0 24 15 39
5
GILBERT’S CAREER STATS
TFL Sacks INT PBU FF FR Blkd 2.0-6 0 1-0 0 0 0 0
A K RON VS . U T AH STA TE
DEF G/GS UA A Total 2015 12/0 7 4 11
61
TFL Sacks INT PBU FF FR Blkd 0.0-0 0.0-0 0 0 0 0 1
AKRON FOOTBALL KRIS
21
TYRELL
GIVENS
2
GOODMAN
} Cornerback } Senior | 5-11 | 175 } Ridgeland, Miss. } Ridgeland HS | Holmes
} Wide Receiver } R-Junior | 6-2 | 215 } Yonkers, N.Y. } Archbishop Stepinac HS
(Miss.) CC As a Senior (2015): Played in all 12 games … one of 12 Zips to start every game … on the season, has 48 tackles, six break-ups, and an interception … in the shutout of Kent State, had three tackles and a break-up … in the win over Buffalo, had four solo tackles and a break-up … in the win at UMass, had three tackles and an interception … at Bowling Green, had seven tackles … in the MAC opener against Ohio, led the Zips with eight tackles, including six solo stops … in the win over Savannah State, had three tackles and a break-up … had three solo stops against Pitt … at No. 19 Oklahoma, was the top defensive back, finishing second with seven tackles, including six solo stops. As a Junior (2014): CoSIDA Academic All-America nominee … Academic All-MAC … appeared in all 12 games with 10 starts at cornerback … top defensive back … finished fourth in team tackling with 45 stops, including 25 solo stops … also had two interceptions and four break-ups … made four tackles at Buffalo … had an interception against Eastern Michigan … had seven tackles against Bowling Green … made five tackles at Ohio … had six tackles in the win at Pitt … had an interception against Marshall … had seven tackles at Penn State … enrolled at Akron in January 2014 and participated in spring practice. Prior to Akron: Competed at Holmes CC in 2012-13 … second-team AllState both seasons … MACJC All-Star as a sophomore when he had 39 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, one forced fumble, one recovered fumble, four interceptions and three pass breakups … as a freshman, had 35 tackles, three recovered fumbles, six INTs and 13 PBUs. Personal: Born Feb. 16, 1994 … organizational supervision major.
UA 25 38 63
A Total 20 45 10 48 30 93
TFL Sacks INT PBU 0.5-0 0-0 2-0 4 0.5-2 0-0 1-0 6 1.0-2 0-0 3-0 10
As a Junior (2014): Redshirted. As a Sophomore (2013): Appeared in 10 games with five starts at wide receiver (Z) … finished the season with 18 catches for 255 yards and three touchdowns … all three touchdowns came in the fourth quarter … caught at least one pass in each of the 10 games he appeared … posted a career-high 76 yards on three catches and a touchdown against Toledo in the season finale … his 35-yard TD against the Rockets came one play after the Akron defense held UT on fourth down, giving the Zips a 31-17 lead with 6:41 to play … also had touchdown catches at Michigan and at Northern Illinois … he gave Akron a 24-21 lead with 4:10 to go at Michigan with is TD reception while his score at NIU cut the Huskies lead to 27-20 late in the fourth quarter. As a Freshman (2012): Member of the Zips’ 2011 signing class, but did not enroll at UA until January 2012 … participated in spring practice ... played in nine games ... made 14 catches for 113 yards and two touchdowns ... one of seven receivers to have multiple TD receptions ... one scoring catch came in a win over Morgan State and versus Bowling Green ... had a season-best showing of three catches for 32 yards at FIU. Personal: Born July 5, 1991 ... parents are Mark and Anna Phillips … sport management major.
GIVENS’ CAREER STATS
DEF G/GS 2014 12/10 2015 12/12 TOTAL 24/22
As a Redshirt Junior (2015): Played in nine games with three starts at wide receiver … fourth in receiving with 12 receptions for 104 yards and a touchdown … in the win at Louisiana, had two catches for 18 yards … in the MAC opener against Ohio, had three receptions for 29 yards, including a 12yard catch … at Bowling Green, had a 14-yard touchdown reception … had an eight-yard catch in the win at UMass … against Pittsburgh, he had three receptions for 27 yards.
FF FR Blkd 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
62
GOODMAN’S CAREER STATS RECEIVING G/GS Rec Yds TD
2012 9/0 2013 10/5 2014 Redshirted 2015 9/3 TOTAL 28/8
Lg Rec/G Avg/C Avg/G
14 18
113 255
2 3
17 38
1.6 8.1 12.6 1.8 14.2 25.5
12 44
104 472
1 6
34 1.3 8.7 11.6 38 1.76 10.7 16.9
2 015 F A M O U S ID A H O P O TATO B O W L
AKRON FOOTBALL CODY
36
GRICE } Defensive Line } Senior | 5-11 | 275 } Akron, Ohio } Firestone HS } TEAM CAPTAIN Has started every game of his career at nose tackle (48 and counting) … As a Senior (2015): Second-team All-MAC … Zips’ Student-Athlete of the Week (Sept. 21) … 2015 Rotary Lombardi Award Watch List … preseason first-team All-MAC by Athlon Sports, second-team by College Sports Madness, and third-team All-MAC by Phil Steele … team captain … started all 12 games at nose tackle … one of 12 Zips to start every game … Akron’s Fantastic Four has combined for a 89.8 rushing defense which ranks first in the MAC and No. 3 nationally … on the season, has 24 tackles, 4.0 TFL, 1.5 sacks, and 12-yard fumble recovery … also has 33 yards and four touchdowns on 19 carries offensively … had three tackles in the shutout of Kent State … in the win at Miami (Ohio), had a two-yard rushing touchdown, his fourth this season (eighth of his career) … in the win at UMass, had a solo tackle and an eight-yard sack ... had four tackles in the win at Eastern Michigan … in the MAC opener against Ohio, rushed just once for six yards, a career long … in the first three games, rushed six times for eight yards and three touchdowns ... in the win over Savannah State, rushed for five times for seven yards and career-high three touchdowns, all in the first half … also had two tackles, including a TFL … had a 12-yard fumble recovery in the win at Louisiana … against Pittsburgh, had two solo stops and rushed once for one yard in the third quarter … had three tackles at No. 19 Oklahoma. As a Junior (2014): First-team All-MAC … second-team All-MAC by Phil Steele and College Sports Madness … Midseason first-team All-MAC by Phil Steele … recipient of the Harry “Doc” Smith Award Outstanding Junior Award (defense) … started all 12 games at nose tackle … finished with had 31 tackles, 4.0 TFL, 2.5 sacks, and three fumble recoveries … also rushed 20 times for 46 yards, four touchdowns, and 12 first downs on short-yardage plays … had no rushes for negative yardage … rushed four times for 16 yards and four first downs at Kent State … at Buffalo, had four tackles, including three solos, the first forced fumble of his career, and a fumble recovery ... offensively, rushed three times, adding a first down and a touchdown … against Bowling Green, had four tackles, a fumble recovery, and a break-up … at Ball State, had one tackle but saw his most action at fullback, rushing five times for 13 yards … didn’t score a touchdown, but had four first downs … in the win over UMass, had four tackles … in the win over Miami, pulled double duty again … defensively, had five tackles and a sack while recovering the first fumble of his career … at fullback, rushed twice (in the third quarter) for two yards each—one for first down, the second for his third TD on the season … in the win over Eastern Michigan, rushed twice for two first downs … in the win at Pittsburgh, pulled double duty … in addition to starting at nose tackle and guiding the defense, played fullback on short yardage plays … finished with three rushes for three yards and two touchdowns, the first touchdowns of his collegiate career … had five tackles,
A K RON VS . U T AH STA TE
CODY
GRICE and a sack for a loss of four yards at Penn State … had two solo stops and a sack in the win over Howard. As a Sophomore (2013): Started all 12 games a nose guard … finished the season with 32 tackles (11 solo), a team-best 7.5 tackles for a loss, 2.5 sacks, one quarterback hurry, and one blocked kick … named Akron’s Harry “Doc” Smith Award winner for most outstanding sophomore on defense … had a career day at Massachusetts, recording seven tackles (two solo), two tackles for a loss and one sack … blocked his first-career kick on an extra point attempt against Toledo … the blocked kick against the Rockets came in the fourth quarter, keeping the Akron lead at eight points and forcing UT to go for a two-point conversion late in the game … recorded his first-career sack against James Madison … posted at least one tackle in all 12 games. As a Redshirt Freshman (2012): Switched from fullback to nose guard during the offseason ... started all 12 games ... totaled 47 tackles (25 solo) for the season ... responsible for 7.5 tackles for loss (21 yards) ... season-high nine stops (five solo) at Central Michigan ... made eight tackles (four solo) in the season opener against UCF ... given the team’s Harry “Doc” Smith Award as most outstanding defensive player in the freshman class. As a Freshman (2011): Redshirted. Personal: Born June 17, 1992 ... son of Darius and Regina Grice ... has one sibling, Deshawn ... has an infant son, Darius … Eagle Scout … organizational supervision major.
63
AKRON FOOTBALL GRICE’S CAREER STATS
DEF G/GS UA 2011 Redshirt 2012 12/12 25 2013 12/12 11 2014 12/12 18 2015 12/12 11 TOTAL 48/48 65
A Total 22 47 21 32 13 31 13 24 69 134
7.5-21 7.5-25 4.0-13 4.0-18 23.0-77
0.0-0 2.5-12 2.5-9 1.5-11 6.5-32
RUSHING G/GS Att Yds TD
2014 2015 TOTAL
12/12 12/12 24/24
20 19 39
ANDREW
TFL Sacks INT PBU FF FR Blkd
44 33 77
4 4 8
0 0 0 0 0
0 0 2 0 2
0 0 1 0 1
0 0 3 1 4
HAUSER
0 1 0 0 1
} Linebacker } Junior | 6-1 | 219 } Mason, Ohio } William Mason HS
Lg Avg/C Avg/G
6 6 6
2.2 1.7 1.9
ZACH
3.7 2.8 3.2
32
GRUISER
58
As a Junior (2015): Played in all 12 games … also played on the kickoff and punt return units … has 10 tackles and a blocked punt … had two tackles in the win over Buffalo … had four tackles in the win at Miami (Ohio) … blocked a punt in the win at Eastern Michigan … made two stops in the win over Savannah State. As a Sophomore (2014): Appeared in 10 games … also saw action on the kick return unit. Personal: Born October 4, 1994 …parents are Judy and Bruce Hauser … had a younger sister, Abby… sport management major.
} Safety } Sophomore | 6-0 | 195 } Fayette City, Pa. } Greensburg Central
HAUSER’S CAREER STATS
Catholic HS
DEF G/GS UA A Total 2015 12/0 6 4 10
As a Sophomore (2015): Academic All-MAC … Harry “Doc” Smith Award … Academic Award … started all 12 games at free safety … one of 12 Zips to start every game … also played o the punt and punt return units … fifth in team tackling with 50 tackles, two interceptions, five break-ups, and a fumble recovery … in the win over Buffalo, had six tackles and an interception … in the win at Miami (Ohio), had four tackles, a forced fumble, and a breakup … in the win at UMass, had seven tackles and a break-up … against Central Michigan, had four tackles and a break-up … at Bowling Green, had five tackles … in the win at Eastern Michigan, had four tackles and his first career interception … against Ohio, had three solo tackles … in the win at Louisiana, led the Zips with eight tackles and a break-up … against Pittsburgh, had five tackles … had four tackles in his first start as a Zip at No. 19 Oklahoma. As a Redshirt Freshman (2014): MAC Distinguished Scholar Athlete … Academic All-MAC … Academic Award for the highest GPA among the freshman class … appeared in all 12 games … saw action on the kickoff, kick return, and punt return units … recorded three solo tackles.
TFL Sacks INT PBU FF FR Blkd 0.0-0 0.0-0 0 0 0 0 1
MIKEE
22
HAYES } Cornerback } Sophomore | 5-9 | 166 } Ocala, Fla. } West Port HS As a Sophomore (2015): Played in 11 games … also played on the punt return unit … has one solo tackle. As a Redshirt Freshman (2014): Did not see game action.
As a Freshman (2013): Redshirted.
As a Freshman (2013): Redshirted.
Personal: Born Jan. 14, 1995 … exercise science major.
Personal: Born May 11, 1993 … organizational supervision major. GUISER’S CAREER STATS
DEF G/GS UA A Total 2015 12/12 33 17 50
TFL Sacks INT PBU FF FR Blkd 0.5-1 0.0-0 2 5 0 1 0
64
2 015 F A M O U S ID A H O P O TATO B O W L
AKRON FOOTBALL LARRY
2
96
ALFONSO
HOPE
HORNER
} Defensive Back } Junior | 6-0 | 192 } Miami, Fla. } American Senior HS |
} Defensive End } Senior | 6-3 | 230 } Miami, Fla. } Belen Jesuit Prep
Miami (Fla.) As a Junior (2015): Played in nine games … had two break-ups in the win at Eastern Michigan … made debut as a Zip at No. 19 Oklahoma and ha two tackles … preseason fourth-team All-MAC by Phil Steele and Athlon Sports.
As a Senior (2015): Played in 10 games with three starts at end … has eight tackles and two hurries on the season … in the win at Massachusetts, had a tackle for a loss … had two tackles at No. 19 Oklahoma.
As a Sophomore (2014): Sat out per NCAA transfer rules.
As a Junior (2014): Recipient of the John W. Heisman Award (defense) … appeared in 11 games with 10 starts at defensive end … finished with 16 tackles, two hurries, 1.5 TFL, and a fumble recovery … had a tackle for loss at Buffalo … made three stops at Ball State … had three tackles in the win over Eastern Michigan … recovered a fumble at Penn State.
At Miami: As a Redshirt Freshman (2013): Saw action in two games, primarily on special teams and as reserve defensive back ... made collegiate debut in rout over Savannah State, tallying three tackles ... played on special teams in road win at USF. As a Freshman (2012): Redshirted. Personal: Organizational supervision major. HOPE’S CAREER STATS
DEF G/GS UA A Total 2015 9/0 6 0 6
TFL Sacks INT PBU FF FR Blkd 0.0-0 0.0-0 0 2 0 0 0
As a Sophomore (2013): Appeared in 11 games with four starts … finished the season with seven tackles (four solo), 0.5 tackles for a loss, 0.5 sacks, one quarterback hurry, and one fumble recovery … had three tackles (two solo) in the season-opener at Central Florida … his lone assisted sack came against Ohio … started at defensive end against Ohio, at Northern Illinois, at Miami (Ohio), and against Ball State … missed the season finale against Toledo. As a Freshman (2012): Played in all 12 games ... started the last seven games of the season ... recorded 28 tackles (11 solo) ... had a season-high eight stops at Ohio ... involved in 1.5 sacks for a loss of four yards and had two tackles for loss (five yards) ... broke up one pass versus UMass. Personal: Born Nov. 4, 1993 … business major. HORNER’S CAREER STATS
DEF G/GS 2012 12/7 2013 11/4 2014 11/10 2015 10/3 TOTAL 44/24
ALFONSO
HORNER A K RON VS . U T AH STA TE
65
UA 11 4 6 4 25
A Total TFL Sacks INT PBU 17 28 2.0-5 1.5-4 0 1 3 7 0.5-6 0.5-6 0 0 10 16 1.5-2 0.0-0 0 2 4 8 1.0-2 0.0-0 0 0 34 59 5.0-15 2.0-10 0 3
FF FR Blkd 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 2 0
AKRON FOOTBALL CONOR
4
HUNDLEY } Running Back } Senior | 5-10 | 206 } Hamilton, Ohio } St. Xavier HS } TEAM CAPTAIN As a Senior (2015): Named team’s Offensive MVP … Captain’s Award … Iron ZIP Award … team captain … played in all 12 games with 10 starts at running back … Zips’ top rusher with 883 yards and 10 touchdowns on 188 carries … second on the team in scoring with 60 points … in the shutout of Kent State, led all rushers with 98 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries … finished with 21 carries for 110 yards and a career-high three touchdowns, marking the fourth 100-yard performance of his career and third this season, in the win at Miami (Ohio) ... in the win at UMass, top Zip with 92 yards on 23 carries … led the Zips with 34 yards on 12 carries against Central Michigan … the Zips’ leader at Bowling Green with 69 yards on 16 carries … in the win at Eastern Michigan, rushed for 119 yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries, the third 100-yard rushing performance of his career … against Ohio in the MAC opener, led all rushers with 66 yard on 18 carries … in the win at Louisiana, rushed a career-high 20 times for 77 yards and two touchdowns … also had a 33-yard reception … in the win over Savannah State, led all rushers with 127 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries, the second 100-yard rushing performance of his career … against Pittsburgh, scored the Zips’ first touchdown of the year with a 32-yard run … a starter at No. 19 Oklahoma, had eight carries for 36 yards. As a Junior (2014): Recipient of the Iron ZIP Award … appeared in 11 games with six starts at running back … finished second in rushing with 540 yards and four touchdowns on 104 carries … rushed three times for nine yards at Kent State … in the win over UMass, scored two touchdowns, a 12-yard reception ad a 12-yard run … finished with 68 yards on 15 carries … against Bowling Green, rushed 12 times for 48 yards and had an eightyard reception … led the Zips at Ball State with 72 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries, both in the first half … the two TDs tied his career high … rushed 10 times for 64 yards and had three receptions for 15 yards in the win over Miami … led the rushers with 61 yards and a touchdown on eight carries in the win over Eastern Michigan … had a career day in the win at Pittsburgh … rushed for a career-high 148 yards, his first 100-yard rushing performance, on 19 carries … had seven carries for 18 games at Penn State … had 25 yards on five carries in the win over Howard.
CONOR
HUNDLEY three touchdowns off 73 carries ... 23.2 rushing yards per game ranked 24th in the Mid-American Conference ... had a season-high 92 yards off 17 carries at CMU ... scored two TDs in a win over Morgan State ... other scoring rush was against Miami (Ohio) ... totaled five catches for 59 yards for the season ... had two receptions for 30 yards versus UMass ... credited with one tackle at FIU ... given the team’s Harry “Doc” Smith Award as most outstanding offensive player in the freshman class. Personal: Born July 15, 1993 ... parents are Mike and Sharon Hundley ... has three siblings, Steeler, Amelia, and Tucker … business/entrepreneurship major.
As a Sophomore (2013): Appeared in all 12 games … named Akron’s John W. Heisman Award and Weight Room Warrior Award winner for offense … finished second on the team in rushing, gaining 425 yards on 100 carries … added 16 yards receiving on eight catches … had 22 rushes on third or fourth down, with 12 resulting in first downs … recorded only nine rushes of negative yards on 100 carries … posted four games with at least 50 yards rushing … tallied a season-high 57 yards on 11 carries at Massachusetts … carried the ball 12 times for 56 yards at Miami (Ohio) … had 50-yard performances at Central Florida and against Louisiana … did not turn the ball over in 108 touches. As a Freshman (2012): Played in all 12 games with three starts ... in the starting lineup for the contests against Northern Illinois, Central Michigan, and UMass... second-best rusher on the team, compiling 279 yards and
66
HUNDLEY’S CAREER STATS RUSHING G/GS Att Yds TD
2012 2013 2014 2015 TOTAL
12/3 12/0 11/6 12/10 47/19
73 279 3 100 425 0 104 540 4 188 883 10 465 2127 17
RECEIVING G/GS Rec Yds TD
2012 2013 2014 2015 TOTAL
KICK RET.
2012 2013 TOTAL
12/3 12/0 11/6 12/10 47/19
5 8 9 7 29
59 16 55 70 200
0 0 2 0 2
G/GS
No.
Yds
TD
12/3 12/0 24/3
2 0 2
12 0 12
0 0 0
Lg Avg/C Avg/G
21 19 42 32 42
3.8 4.2 5.2 4.7 4.6
23.2 35.4 49.1 73.6 45.2
Lg Rec/G Avg/C Avg/G
16 6 12 33 33
0.4 11.8 0.7 2.0 0.8 6.1 0.6 10.0 0.6 6.9
4.9 1.3 5.0 5.8 4.2
Lg Avg/R
9 0 9
6.0 0.0 6.0
2 015 F A M O U S ID A H O P O TATO B O W L
AKRON FOOTBALL TRAVONTE
53
JUNIUS
LANE
} Defensive End | Linebacker } Freshman | 6-3 | 210 } Akron, Ohio } St. Vincent-St. Mary HS As a Freshman (2015): Played in three games … one of six true freshmen to see game action … made collegiate debut at No. 19 Oklahoma. Personal: Organizational supervision major.
MICHAEL
7
JEROME
83
KISH
} Tight End } Sophomore | 6-4 | 237 } Pittsburgh, Pa. } Brentwood HS As a Sophomore (2015): Played in one game … made collegiate debut in the shutout victory of Kent State.
} Linebacker } Sophomore | 6-3 | 220 } Akron, Ohio } Firestone HS As a Sophomore (2015): Harry “Doc” Smith Award … played in all 12 games with 10 starts at wide receiver … added received duties during training camp … second in team receiving with 35 receptions for a team-best 750 yards and team-best eight touchdowns … in the shutout of Kent State, the top receiver with four receptions for 75 yards … in the win over Buffalo, had five receptions for 80 yards and two touchdowns … in the win at Miami (Ohio), had four catches for a team-high 83 Yards and a 32-yard touchdown reception to put the Zips on the scoreboard first … in the win at UMass, led the Zips with four receptions for 45 yards … against Central Michigan, scored the Zips’ only points on a 57-yard TD reception … at Bowling Green led the Zips with 45 yards on four receptions … in the win at Eastern Michigan, had a TD reception on each of his first two catches on the day … the two TD receptions were the most in a game in his young career … finished with four catches for 104 yards, all in the first half … it marked the first 100-yard performance of his collegiate career … had a 14-yard catch against Ohio … in the win at Louisiana, had one reception, a 72-yard touchdown catch … in the win over Savannah State, led all receivers with three catches for 99 yards and his first career touchdown, a 50-yard catch … led the Zips at No. 19 Oklahoma with three receptions for 57 yards, including a 42-yard catch.
As a Freshman (2013): Redshirted.
As a Redshirt Freshman (2014): Appeared in all 12 games … also played on the kickoff and punt return units … finished with 14 tackles, five sacks for a loss of 25 yards, a hurry, and a safety … assisted on three tackles at Buffalo … had three solo stops against Bowling Green … had three solo tackles and a safety in the win over Miami … had a solo tackle at Penn State … made two solo tackles in the win over Howard.
Personal: Born Jan. 16, 1995 … exercise science major.
As a Freshman (2013): Redshirted.
As a Redshirt Freshman (2014): Did not see game action.
RYAN
69
Personal: Born March 9, 1996 … sport management major.
KORTOKRAX } Offensive Line } Sophomore | 6-3 | 300 } Haviland, Ohio } Wayne Trace HS
RECEIVING G/GS Rec Yds TD
2015
12/10
DEF G/GS 2014 12/0 2015 12/10 TOTAL 24/10
As a Sophomore (2015): Named Scout Team Offensive Player of the Year … played in two games … saw action at Eastern Michigan … made collegiate debut in the win over Louisiana. As a Redshirt Freshman (2014): Did not see game action. As a Freshman (2013): Redshirted. Personal: Born March 29, 1994 … sport management major.
A K RON VS . U T AH STA TE
LANE’S CAREER STATS
67
UA 11 0 11
35
750
8
Lg Rec/G Avg/C Avg/G
72
2.9 21.4 62.5
A Total TFL Sacks INT PBU 3 14 5.0-25 5.0-25 0 0 0 0 0.0-0 0.0-0 0 0 3 14 5.0-25 5.0-25 0 0
FF FR Blkd 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
AKRON FOOTBALL
1
HAKEEM
LAWRENCE } Running Back } R-Junior | 5-7 | 180 } Miami, Fla. } Hialeah-Miami HS As a Redshirt Junior (2015): Played in all 12 games … also played on the kickoff return, punt, and punt return units … has six rushes for 11 yards and one reception for 12 yards on the season … also has two kick returns for 14 yards … in the win over Buffalo, had a 17-yard kick return … had a 12-yard reception against Ohio … rushed six time for 11 yards and had an 11-yard reception at No. 19 Oklahoma. As a Redshirt Sophomore (2014): Appeared in four games with one start at running back … finished fourth in rushing with 61 yards on 12 carries … had two receptions for 19 yards … had a seven-yard rush at Buffalo … rushed four times for 35 yards in the win over Eastern Michigan … had two carries for four yards in the win at Pitt … had five carries for 12 yards and a 12-yard reception against Marshall … had a seven-yard reception at Penn State.
JEROME
LANE ANTHONY
19
LAURO } Wide Receiver } R-Freshman | 5-10 | 195 } Bradenton, Fla. } Manatee HS
As a Sophomore (2013): Redshirted … earned Akron’s Scout Team Player of the Year on defense. As a Freshman (2012): Played in nine games ... 22 carries for 82 yards rushing for the season ... season-high seven rush attempts for season-best 30 yards at FIU ... credited with one catch for 12 yards versus UCF ... also returned kicks, doing so eight times for 132 yards ... posted four kick returns for 68 yards against Bowling Green. Personal: Born July 18, 1994 … sport management major. LAWRENCE’S CAREER STATS RUSHING G/GS Att Yds TD
As a Sophomore (2015): Played in all 12 games … saw action on the kickoff return unit … had a tackle in the win at Massachusetts. As a Freshman (2014): Redshirted … member of Akron’s 2013 signing class ... converted from running back/wide receiver to cornerback. Personal: Born Nov. 6, 1994 … father Tony played fullback at Akron (198486) when UA head coach Terry Bowden was an assistant for the Zips in 1986 … philosophy major.
2012 2013 2014 2015 TOTAL
2012 2013 2014
Lg Avg/C Avg/G
82
0
11
3.7
61 11 154
0 0 0
13 3 13
5.1 15.2 1.8 0.9 3.9 6.2
RECEIVING G/GS Rec Yds TD
9.1
Lg Rec/G Avg/C Avg/G
12
0
12
0.1 12.0
1.3
2015 TOTAL
9/0 1 Redshirt 4/1 2
19
0
12
0.5
9.5
4.8
25/1
4
43
0
12
0.2 10.8
1.7
KICK RET.
G/GS
No.
Yds
TD
0
34 16.5
14 146
0 0
17 7.0 34 14.6
2012 2013 2015 TOTAL
68
9/0 22 Redshirt 4/1 12 12/0 6 25/1 40
12/0
1
9/0 8 Redshirt 12/0 2 21/0 10
12
132
0
12
0.1
12.0
1.0
Lg Avg/R
2 015 F A M O U S ID A H O P O TATO B O W L
AKRON FOOTBALL JAMAL
34
MARCUS } Defensive Line } R-Junior | 6-2 | 240 } Durham, N.C. } Hillside HS | Ohio State As a Senior (2015): Third-team All-MAC … preseason fourth-team AllMAC by Phil Steele and Athlon Sports … played in 10 games with nine starts at defensive end … on the season, has 26 tackles, 11.5 TFL, 5.5 sacks, a team-best 10 hurries, and a fumble recovery … Akron’s Fantastic Four has combined for a 89.8 rushing defense which ranks first in the MAC and No. 3 nationally … in the shutout of Kent State, had two solo tackles, a five-yard sack, and two hurries … in the win at Miami (Ohio), had three tackles, an eight-yard sack, a fumble recovery, and five hurries … at Bowling Green, had two solo tackles and a sack for a loss of 15 yards ... in the MAC opener against Ohio, had a career-high six tackles, including a career-high five solo stops and 4.0 TFL … also had a career-high two sacks for a loss of 14 yards … missed the Savannah State game with an injury … made debut as a Zip at No. 19 Oklahoma … had four tackles, including a TFL for a loss of four yards.
JAMAL
MARCUS
As a Junior (2014): Sat out per NCAA transfer rules. At Ohio State: As a sophomore (2013): Played 13 games with one start … made first career start in the 2014 Orange Bowl against Clemson … had six tackles, including three solo stops, and a break-up. As a freshman (2012): Played in 11 games on special teams ... totaled 76 plays, including a personal-high 10 vs. Indiana ... had eight tackles, including seven solo stops ... played as a linebacker as a freshman moved to defensive end during spring … lettered.
18
JOSH
McNEIL } Tight End } Junior | 6-5 | 265 } Durham, N.C. } Milford Academy |
Personal: Son of Keisha and Reginald Marcus … organizational supervision major.
Copiah-Lincoln CC
MARCUS’ CAREER STATS
DEF G/GS UA A Total TFL Sacks INT PBU FF FR Blkd 2015 10/9 16 10 26 11.5-62 5.5-45 0 0 0 1 0
As a Junior (2015): Played in nine games with three starts at tight end … has seven receptions for 37 yards and a touchdown on the season … at Bowling Green, had two receptions for 13 yards … scored the first touchdown of his collegiate career with a one-yard reception in the win at Eastern Michigan … finished with three catches for 18 yards … made debut as a Zip at No. 19 Oklahoma. McNEIL’S CAREER STATS RECEIVING G/GS Rec Yds TD
2012
A K RON VS . U T AH STA TE
69
9/3
7
37 5.3
Lg Rec/G Avg/C Avg/G
1
0.8
5.3
4.1
AKRON FOOTBALL
21
MICHAEL
DARRYL
MONROE
MEANS, Jr.
} Linebacker } Senior | 6-1 | 235 } Orlando, Fla. } Dr. Phillips HS |
} Wide Receiver } R-Junior | 6-2 | 200 } Cincinnati, Ohio } Archbishop Moeller HS |
Washington State
Scottsdale CC As a Redshirt Junior (2015): Played in seven games … has receptions for 61 yards on the season … had two catches for 11 yards against Ohio … made an eight-year catch in the win at Louisiana … had an 18-yard catch in the win over Savannah State … made debut as a Zip at No. 19 Oklahoma with a 13-yard reception. College: In 2014, caught 23 passes for 353 yards and three touchdowns for Scottsdale Community College … graduated in Dec. 2014. Personal: Parents are Nikki (stepmother) and Michael Means, Sr. … organizational supervision major.
MEANS’ CAREER STATS RECEIVING G/GS Rec Yds TD
2015
7/0
MICHAEL
MEANS
5
61
0
Lg Rec/G Avg/C Avg/G
19
0.7 12.2
3
8.7
As a Senior (2015): Academic All-MAC … John Heisman Award … preseason third-team All-MAC by Phil Steele … started all 12 games at MIKE linebacker … one of 12 Zips to start every game … third in tackling with 78 tackles, 4.0 TFL, two hurries, a forced fumble, and a sack … in the shutout of Kent State, had five tackles, a 12-yard sack, and a forced fumble … in the win over Buffalo, had nine tackles … in the win at Miami (Ohio), had six tackles and a hurry … had four tackles in the win at UMass … against Central Michigan, had six tackles, including five solo stops … had nine tackles at Bowling Green … in the win at Eastern Michigan, had seven tackles, including a TFL … in the MAC opener against Ohio, led the Zips with eight tackles, including six solo stops … in the win over Savanna State, had three tackles. In the win at Louisiana, Monroe had five solo stops … against Pittsburgh, racked up 10 tackles, including five solos … made debut as a Zip at No. 19 Oklahoma. College: As a Junior (2014): Played in all 12 games with seven starts … finished third in tackles with 70, including 39 solo stops … also had 4.0 TFL, 1.5 sacks, one break-up, and one hurry. As a sophomore (2013): Started all 13 games … voted a team captain for 10 games … third on team with 94 tackles … recorded eight TFL and two sacks … forced two fumbles and broke up three passes … made six tackles, including one for loss, at Auburn … made six tackles and broke up a pass in win at No. 25 USC … recorded seven tackles in win over Southern Utah … made career-high 12 tackles including 2.5 for loss and one sack in win over Idaho … had five solo tackles against No. 5 Stanford in Seattle … tallied seven tackles against Oregon State … made four tackles including one sack that caused a fumble and resulting in fumble return for touchdown at No. 2 Oregon … recorded five solo tackles against No. 25 Arizona State … tallied 11 tackles, eight solo, in win at Arizona … made eight tackles in win over Utah … had eight tackles, seven solo, including a tackle for loss, at Washington … made career-high 13 tackles, 1.5 for loss, against Colorado State in the New Mexico Bowl … lettered. As a Redshirt Freshman (2012): All-Pac-12 honorable mention … selected a team captain three times (Colorado, Oregon, Washington) … started all 12 games at MIKE linebacker ... second on team with 80 tackles, tied for 16th-most in the Pac-12 Conference ... made 8.5 tackles-for-loss, tied for third on team ... made three sacks and recovered one fumble ... tallied seven-plus tackles six times ... made six tackles, four solo, at BYU ... made five tackles in win against Eastern Washington, including first career sack, and forced fumble ... had a season-high 10 tackles, one for loss, and forced a fumble in win at UNLV ... had five tackles and a sack and recovered one fumble against Colorado ... made six tackles, 1.5 for loss, and one sack against No. 2 Oregon in Seattle ... made seven tackles at No. 14 Oregon State ... tallied seven tackles, four solo, against California ... made eight tackles, one for loss, at No. 19 Stanford ... recorded six tackles at Utah ... tallied five tackles, four solo and two for loss, against No. 17 UCLA ... posted eight tackles at Arizona State ... made seven tackles and one hurry in Apple Cup victory over Washington … lettered. As a Freshman (2011): Enrolled in Jan. 2011 for spring semester and participated in
70
2 015 F A M O U S ID A H O P O TATO B O W L
AKRON FOOTBALL
15
CORY
MORROW } Safety } Junior | 6-0 | 204 } Geneva, Ohio } Geneva HS As a Junior (2015): Played in all 12 games … also played on four special teams’ units … has eight tackles and a forced fumble on the season … had two tackles in the win at Massachusetts … had a solos tackle and a forced fumble at No. 19 Oklahoma.
DARRYL
MONROE spring drills ... received a medical redshirt after suffering season-ending Achilles injury against Idaho State. Personal: Parents Darryl Monroe and Najia Hasan ... has three sisters ... interested in a degree in communications or business management. MONROE’S CAREER STATS
As a Redshirt Freshman (2013): Named Akron’s Harry “Doc” Smith Outstanding Freshman on defense award winner … appeared in nine games … finished the season with four tackles, two solo … made his collegiate debut at Michigan … recorded his first-career tackle against Ohio … posted a season-best two stops (one solo) against Kent State. As a Freshman (2012): Redshirted.
DEF G/GS UA A Total TFL Sacks INT PBU FF FR Blkd 2015 12/12 41 37 78 4.0-19 1.0-12 0 0 1 0 0
MANNY
As a Sophomore (2014): Appeared in all 12 games … also saw action on the kickoff, kick return, and punt return units … had five tackles … had one tackle at Ohio … assisted on two stops in the win over Miami … had a solo tackle against Eastern Michigan … had a solo stop in the win over Howard.
Personal: Sport management major.
MORROW’S CAREER STATS
28
DEF 2012 2013 2014 2015 TOTAL
MORGAN } Running Back } Sophomore | 5-8 | 185 } Naples, Fla. } Naples HS As a Sophomore (2015): Played in seven games … saw action on the kickoff return unit. As a Redshirt Freshman (2014): Appeared in three games … had nine carries for 38 yards and a touchdown … rushed eight times for 36 yards and a touchdown against Marshall … his 11-yard TD run against the Thundering Herd was the first score of his collegiate career … had a two-yard run in the win over Howard. As a Freshman (2013): Redshirted. Personal: Born Feb. 11, 1994 … organizational supervision major.
A K RON VS . U T AH STA TE
71
G/GS UA Redshirt 9/0 2 12/0 2 12/0 6 33/0 10
A Total 2 3 2 7
4 5 8 17
TFL Sacks INT PBU FF FR Blkd 0.0-0 0.0-0 0.0-0 0.0-0
0.0-0 0.0-0 0.0-0 0.0-0
0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0
0 0 1 1
0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0
AKRON FOOTBALL QUAISON
71
ZACH
PAUL
OSBORNE
} Punter | Placekicker } Senior | 6-3 | 221 } Broadview Heights, Ohio } Padua HS
} Offensive Line } Senior | 6-3 | 305 } Hudson, Ohio } Hudson HS As a Senior (2015): Recipient of the John Heisman Award … played in all 12 games with 10 starts … five starts were at right tackle and five at left tackle … also played on the field goal unit … all five starters have started a combined 116 starting nods between them … Akron’s run blocking and pass protection schemes elevated the offensive production this season … the Zips averaged 170.2 yards per game on the ground, 46.5 yards better than last season … the Zips rushed for 2,043 total yards, exceeding year’s season total of 1,484 (after just 10 games) … the O-Line allowed nine fewer sacks. As a Junior (2014): Appeared in all 12 games with seven starts, four at left tackle and three at right tackle … also saw action on the field goal unit … gave up no sacks in the win over Howard. As a Sophomore (2013): Saw action in two games … made his season debut against James Madison … also saw time against Ohio. As a Freshman (2012): Played in five games ... started at left tackle in the last three contests of the campaign ... member of a front line that supported an offense ranked first in the Mid-American Conference and 16th nationally in passing (312.8 ypg), and sixth in the league and 45th in the country in total offense (427.2 ypg). Personal: Born Oct. 15, 1993 ... parents are Wayne and Marqueta Osborne ... has two siblings, Wayne and Briana ... fluent in American Sign Language … sport management major.
ZACH
PAUL
38
As a Senior (2015): Ray Guy Award nominee … team’s Special Teams Player of the Yea … MAC Specialist of the Week (Nov. 30) … Zips’ Student-Athlete of the Week (Nov. 30) … preseason second-team All-MAC by Athlon Sports … saw action in all 12 games … on the season, has punted 71 times for 2,922 yards (41.2 average), including 12 longer than 50 yards, 23 inside the 20, and 16 fair catches … in the shutout of Kent State, punted just three times for 117 yards (averaging 39.0), including a long of 45 yards … two of those punts landed inside the 20 … his final punt in the fourth quarter was downed at the one-yard line to start Kent’s final drive of the game … in the win over Buffalo, punted seven times for 311 yards (44.4 avg.) … in the win at Miami (Ohio), punted five times for 205 yards (41.0 avg.) … in the win at UMass, punted six times for 275 yards (45.8 avg.) … his long punt of 59 yards came in the fourth quarter before UMass’ final drive … against Central Michigan, punted nine times for 378 yards (42.0 average), with a long of 53 … four punts landed inside the 20 and two were touchbacks … at Bowling Green, punted five times for 196 yards, including a long of 64 yards … in the win at Eastern Michigan, punted four times for 165 yards (41.2 avg.) with three landing inside the 20 … against Ohio, punted five times for 164 yards (32.8 avg.) … in the win at Louisiana, punted three times for 97 yards … in the win over Savannah State, punted just three times for 102 yards … against Pittsburgh, punted nine times for 355 yards (39.4 avg.), including a long of 62 yards … punted 12 times at No. 19 Oklahoma for 557 yards (46.4 avg.) with four landing inside the 20, all career bests … his long was 73 yards. As a Junior (2014): Second-team All-MAC … third-team All-MAC by College Sports Madness … named to the 2014 Ray Guy Award Watch List … named the Honorable Mention National Punter of the Week by CFPA (Sept. 28) … appeared in all 12 games … punted 66 times for 2,806 yards (42.5 avg.) … his long was 65 yards; 21 of his punts were longer than 50 yards; 24 were inside the 20; 16 were called as fair catches, and 14 were touchbacks … at Kent State, punted six times for 253 yards (42.2 avg.) with a long punt of 56 yards … in the win over UMass on a frigid night, punted four times for 125 yards, including a long of 52 … at Buffalo, punted five times for 185 yards (37.0 avg.), including a long of 55 yards … punted seven times for 269 yards (38.4 avg.) against Bowling Green … three punts landed inside the 20 … at Ball State, punted four times for 194 yards (48.5) with one inside the 20 and one touchback … punted seven times for 274 yards (39.1 avg.) with two dropping inside the 20 at Ohio … in the win over Miami, punted four times for 178 yards (44.5 avg.), including a long of 57 yards … in the win at Pittsburgh, punted seven times for 356 yards, averaging 50.9 yards per punt … gave the Zips vital field position at crucial times during the game, including the Panthers’ final drive of the game which started on the four-yard line … long punt on the day was a season-long 65 yards with three punts inside the 20 and two touchbacks … punted six times for 235
72
2 015 F A M O U S ID A H O P O TATO B O W L
AKRON FOOTBALL yards (40.8 avg.) with a long of 61 yards against Marshall … at Penn State, punted seven times for 331 yards, averaging 47.3 yards per punt … gave the Zips vital field position at crucial times during the game … his long punt on the day was 62 yards … two punts were inside the 20, and two were touchbacks … in the win over Howard, he punted four times for 180 yards (45.0 average) with a long of 59 yard … two landed inside the 20 and two were touchbacks … also had a 65-yard kickoff. As a Sophomore (2013): Appeared in all 12 games … named third-team All-MAC … named to the Ray Guy Watch List (nation’s top punter) ... closed the season averaging 42.9 yards per punt (65 punts), including 15 punts of 50-plus yards … finished sixth in the MAC and 30th nationally in punting average (42.9 ypp) … helped the Zips finish second in the MAC and 31st nationally in net punting as a team (38.18 ypp) … had 17 punts inside the opponent’s 20-yard line … named MAC East Division Special Teams Player of the Week on Oct. 14 after averaging 45.7 yards per punt (nine punts) at Northern Illinois (Oct. 12), including one 60-yard punt, two touchbacks and two punts inside the opponent 20-yard line … posted an average over 40.0 yards per punt in 10-of-12 games … finished with three punts over 60 yards, including two of 65 yards [at Central Florida; vs. James Madison] … posted nine kickoffs for a 59.3 average, including two touchbacks. As a Redshirt Freshman (2012): Handled kickoffs and punts in all 12 games ... kicked off 35 times for an average of 59.3 yards per kick and tallied 15 touchbacks ... had 65 punts for an average of 40.9 yards per attempt ... 18 of those punts landed inside the 20, and 13 were of 50-plus yards ... had one punt blocked versus UMass ... responsible for three tackles. As a Freshman (2011): Redshirted. Personal: Born April 18, 1993 ... son of Jeffrey and Linda Paul ... has one younger brother, Jacob … mechanical engineering major.
KICKOFFS G/GS No. 2011 Redshirt 2012 12/0 35 2013 12/0 9 2014 12/0 1 TOTAL 36/0 45
90
PITTMAN } Defensive Line } Junior | 6-3 | 269 } Canton, Ohio } Canton McKinley HS | Ohio State As a Junior (2015): Preseason third-team All-MAC by Phil Steele … played in all 12 games with 11 starts at defensive end … on the season, has 34 tackles, 7.0 TFL, 3.o sacks, three hurries, two forced fumbles, and two break-ups … Akron’s Fantastic Four has combined for a 89.8 rushing defense which ranks first in the MAC and No. 3 nationally … in the shutout of Kent State, had a five-yard sack and a fumble recovery, the first of his career … had four tackles and a break-up in the win over Buffalo … in the win at UMass, had six tackles, including 2.0 TFL, and a forced fumble … against Central Michigan, had three tackles, a break-up, and a hurry … had four tackles in the win at Eastern Michigan … had four tackles against Ohio … in the win at Louisiana, had a TFL and a forced fumble … in the win over Savannah State, had two tackles and a hurry … against Pitt, had four tackles, including two TFL for a loss of 11 yards … had two solo tackles at No. 19 Oklahoma. As a Sophomore (2014): Started all 12 games at tackle … finished with 36 tackles, including 6.5 TFL for a loss of 20 yards, a sack, and a hurry … had four tackles at Kent State … had seven tackles against Bowling Green … had four tackle at Ohio and Ball State … made a solo stop in the win over Miami … had four tackles in the win at Pittsburgh … had 2.5 TFL for a loss of 12 yards and a six-yard sack … had two tackles against Marshall … hade six tackles in the win over Howard, two were for a loss of four yards. As a Redshirt Freshman (2013): Sat out per NCAA transfer rules.
PAUL’S CAREER STATS
PUNTING G/GS No. 2011 Redshirt 2012 12/0 65 2013 12/0 65 2014 12/0 66 2015 12/0 71 TOTAL 48/0 267
SE’VON
Yards
Lg
Avg
At Ohio State: As a Freshman (2012): Redshirted.
2,659 2,788 2,806 2,922 11,175
67 65 65 73 73
40.9 42.9 42.5 41.2 41.8
Personal: Son of Velvet Hutchinson. PITTMAN’S CAREER STATS
DEF G/GS 2014 12/12 2015 12/11 TOTAL 24/23
Yards Avg TB 2,074 534 65 2,673
A K RON VS . U T AH STA TE
59.3 59.3 65.0 59.4
15 2 0 17
73
UA 17 17 34
A Total TFL Sacks INT PBU 19 36 6.5-20 1.0-6 0 0 17 34 7.0-35 3.0-17 0 2 36 70 11/5-55 4.0-23 0 2
FF FR Blkd 0 0 0 2 1 0 2 1 0
AKRON FOOTBALL KYLE
16
POHL } Quarterback } Senior | 6-3 | 210 } Farmersville, Ohio } Valley View HS As a Senior (2015): Academic All-MAC … Academic Award … ranks No. 4 on the Zips’ career passing chart with 5,128 yards … played in three games … went 2-for-2 for 13 yards against Bowling Green … returned to action in the win at Louisiana, playing in the fourth quarter … missed the Savannah State game with an injury … went 3-of-8 for 34 yards against Pitt … came off the bench at No. 19 Oklahoma and led the Zips under center, going 6-of-17 for 88 yards. As a Junior (2014): Allstate AFCA Good Works Team nominee … CoSIDA Academic All-America nominee … MAC Distinguished Scholar Athlete … Academic All-MAC … MAC East Offensive Player of the Week (Sept. 1) … MAC Male Scholar-Athlete of the Week (Sept. 3) … Zips’ Student-Athlete of the Week (Sept. 1) … started 10 games … the first quarterback to start in backto-back seasons in the Bowden era … went 208-of-383 with 2,189 yards and nine touchdowns … went 17-of-42 for 191 yards at Kent State … in the win over UMass, went 26-for-40 for 277 yards and two touchdowns … went 15-of-29 for 128 yards while rushing for 17 yards at Buffalo … returned to the starting line-up on Nov. 4 against Bowling Green … went 31-of-62, both career highs, for 304 yards … the 62 attempts were a new school record … did not play at Ohio or at Ball State … went 13-of-22 for 103 yards in the win over Miami, the Zips’ third consecutive victory … left the game following the final play of the first half with an injury and did not return … in the win over Eastern Michigan in the MAC opener, went 27-of-40 for a career-high 326 yards and two touchdowns on the day … also rushed five yards to score UA’s first touchdown to put the Zips ahead 7-6 … went 15-of-29 for 193 yards and a touchdown in the win at Pittsburgh … against Marshall, 17-of-37 for 151 yards while throwing his first interception of the season … went 24-of46 for 208 yards at Penn State … in the opener against Howard, led the Zips with a career-high four touchdown passes on 23-of-36 passing for 308 yards … threw three touchdown passes in the first six minutes of action, as each scoring drive was under 38 seconds … led all rushers with a career-high 48 yards on seven carries.
KYLE
POHL gan … went 25-of-49 for 311 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions against the Wolverines, with 229 yards and two TDs coming in the second half … followed up his performance at UM with a 321-yard performance (27-of-43) against Louisiana, throwing for three touchdowns … closed the season by completing 18-of-29 passes for 259 yards, three TDs and no inter ceptions against Toledo … had a season-high 43 yards rushing (five carries) against Louisiana … scored rushing touchdowns at Bowling Green, vs. Ball State, and at Massachusetts. As a Redshirt Freshman (2012): Saw action as backup quarterback in six games ... closed out the season 38-of-58 passing for 366 yards, five touchdowns, and two interceptions ... was under center for the majority of the season finale at Toledo, and completed 28-of-42 passes for 213 yards, and two TDs ... 7-of-10 passing for 119 yards and three touchdowns in a 66-6 win over Morgan State ... earned Academic All-MAC Honorable Mention recognition. As a Freshman (2011): Redshirted. Personal: Born June, 9, 1991 ... son of Dennis and Sheri Pohl ... has an older brother, Aaron, a younger brother Jon and a younger sister Anna.
As a Sophomore (2013): Started all 12 games … named Academic AllMAC … finished the season 225-of-402 for 2,438 yards, eight touchdowns, and 10 interceptions … added 96 yards in 72 carries and three touchdowns on the ground … his 225 completions were sixth-most in a single season in school history … recorded 18.8 completions per game, the seventh-best average in the Akron record book … threw an interception on just 2.5 percent of his passes, the second-best single-season mark in program history (Charlie Frye, 2.1 percent, 2001) … his 2,438 yards through the air is the eighth-most in a single season by an Akron QB … closed the season second in the MAC and 39th nationally in completions per game (18.75) … posted two 300-yard performances … named MAC East Division Offensive Player of the Week on Sept. 16 after nearly leading the Zips to an upset win at Michi-
74
POHL’S CAREER STATS PASSING G/GS Att Cmp Int Yds TD Lg Pct. 2011 Redshirt 2012 6/0 38 58 2 366 5 37 65.5 2013 12/12 225 402 10 2,438 14 77 56.0 2014 10/10 383 208 8 2,189 9 57 54.3 5/0 11 27 0 135 0 42 40.7 27.0 TOTAL 33/22 482 870 20 5,128 28 77 55.4 TOT OFF 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 TOTAL
G/GS Plays Redshirt 6/0 69 12/12 474 10/10 429 5/0 32 33/22 1004
Avg/G Effic. 61.0 203.2 218.9 82.74 155.4
140.1 113.4 105.9 110.5
Rush
Pass
Total
Avg./G
26 96 18 1 141
366 2,438 2,189 135 5,128
392 2,534 2,207 136 5,269
65.2 211.2 220.7 27.2 159.7
2 015 F A M O U S ID A H O P O TATO B O W L
AKRON FOOTBALL ANDREW
80
PRATT
RACHAL
} Wide Receiver } Senior | 6-5 | 210 } North Canton, Ohio } Green HS
} Linebacker } Junior | 6-2 | 225 } Fort Lauderdale, Fla. } Dillard HS
As a Senior (2015): Started all 12 games at wide receiver … one of 12 Zips to start every game …third in receiving with 19 catches for 186 yards and a touchdown … in the shutout of Kent State, had four receptions for 37 yards … in the win at Miami (Ohio), had a 34-yard reception … in the win at UMass, had two receptions for 12 yards … against Central Michigan, had four catches for 25 yards … at Bowling Green, had two receptions for 17 yards … against Ohio, had three receptions for 40 yards … had two receptions in the win at Louisiana, including a nine-yard touchdown catch to put the Zips on the scoreboard. As a Junior (2014): Appeared in 11 games with five starts at wide receiver … also saw action on the kick return unit … finished with 27 receptions for 324 yards … made two catches for 44 yards at Kent State … had five receptions for 50 yards in the win over Massachusetts … had three catches for 32 yards at Buffalo … had a season-best six receptions for 85 yards against Bowling Green … made two catches for 14 yards at Ball State … had two catches for 27 yards in the win over Eastern Michigan … had three receptions for 18 yards against Marshall … made first collegiate start against Howard. As a Sophomore (2013): Appeared in 10 games … finished the season with 188 yards on 10 receptions and a touchdown … posted a season-high 118 yards on three catches against James Madison, including a 68-yard TD catch in the third quarter … returned one punt for 12 yards … set up Akron’s first touchdown of the game at Miami (Ohio) with his first-career blocked kick … the play helped him earn MAC East Division Special Teams Player of the Week.
As a Junior (2015): Played in all 12 games … also played on the punt unit … has 11 tackle on the season … had two tackles in the win over Buffalo … had four tackles at Bowling Green … had two solo stops in the win over Savannah State. As a Sophomore (2014): Appeared in nine games … also saw action on the kickoff unit … finished with 11 tackles and a forced fumble … assisted on a TFL at Kent State … forced a fumble in the win over Eastern Michigan … had two solo tackles against Marshall … had five tackles, including four solo stops, in the win over Howard. As a Redshirt Freshman (2013): Saw limited action in the first three games of the season … recorded one assisted tackle in his collegiate debut at Central Florida … also saw limited action against James Madison and at Michigan. As a Freshman (2012): Redshirted ... named the program’s defensive scout team player of the year. Personal: Born Feb. 11, 1994 ... son of Raymond Rachal and Yvette Hay-Rachal ... has two siblings, Ramond Rachal, Jr., and Miles Weatherspoon … sport management major.
As a Freshman (2012): Saw action in 11 games ... did not compete at FIU ... finished the year with 10 receptions for 156 yards and two touchdowns ... both TD catches came in a 66-6 win over Morgan State, when he grabbed three passes for 90 yards ... season-long reception of 42 yards came against MSU ... credited with one tackle versus UMass. Personal: Born Sept. 30, 1993 ... parents are David and Pamela Pratt ... father played Division II basketball at Virginia State ... has two sisters, Samantha and Sara ... Sara played Division II basketball at Clarion (Pa.) … intervention / special education major. PRATT’S CAREER STATS RECEIVING G/GS Rec Yds TD 2012 11/0 10 156 2 2013 10/0 10 188 1 2014 11/5 27 324 0 2015 12/12 19 186 1 TOTAL 44/17 66 854 4
A K RON VS . U T AH STA TE
59
JOHN
Lg Rec/G Avg/C Avg/G 42 0.9 15.6 14.2 68 1.0 18.8 18.8 38 2.5 12.0 29.5 34 1.6 9.8 15.5 68 1.5 12.9 19.4
75
RACHAL’S CAREER STATS DEF G/GS UA 2012 Redshirt 2013 3/0 0 2014 9/0 8 2015 12/0 6 TOTAL 23/0 14
A Total 1 3 5 9
1 11 11 33
TFL Sacks INT PBU FF FR Blkd 0.0-0 0.5-1 0.5-2 1.0-3
0.0-0 0.0-0 0.0-0 0.0-0
0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0
0 1 0 1
0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0
AKRON FOOTBALL KYLE
66
6
DeANDRE
RITZ
SCOTT
} Offensive Line } R-Freshman | 6-5 | 305 } Willoughby, Ohio } Willoughby South HS
} Cornerback } Junior | 5-11 | 185 } Frederick, Md. } Thomas Jefferson HS | Hargrave (Va.) MA
As a Redshirt Freshman (2015): Academic All-MAC … recipient of the Harry “Doc” Smith Award and Academic Award … played in all 12 games with five starts at right tackle … saw action on the punt and field goal units … Akron’s run blocking and pass protection schemes elevated the offensive production this season … the Zips averaged 170.2 yards per game on the ground, 46.5 yards better than last season … the Zips rushed for 2,043 total yards, exceeding year’s season total of 1,484 (after just 10 games) … the O-Line allowed nine fewer sacks. As a Freshman (2014): Redshirted. Personal: Born Oct. 12, 1995 … biomedical engineering major.
As a Junior (2015): Recipient of the Harry “Doc” Smith Award … started all 12 games at corner back … one of 12 Zips to start every game … on the season, has 27 tackles, a team-best 10 break-ups, a team-best six interceptions, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery … in the shutout of Kent State, had two solo stops and a break-up … in the win over Buffalo, had six tackles and fumble recovery, the first of his career … the Zips scored on the very next play … in the win at Miami (Ohio), had two solo tackles, a forced fumble, an interception, and two break-ups … in the win at UMass, had two tackles and an interception in the final minute of play to seal Akron’s win … against Central Michigan, had three tackles and a break-up … against Ohio, he had two tackles and an interception … in the win at Louisiana, he had three solo stops, an interception, and a break-up … in the win over Savannah State, had three solo tackles, two break-ups, and a 13-yard interception return. As a Sophomore (2014): Third-team All-MAC by College Sports Madness … recipient of the Harry “Doc” Smith Award Outstanding Sophomore Award (defense) … appeared in 11 games with 10 starts at cornerback … finished with 29 tackles, a team-best 10 break-ups, two interception returns for 45 yards, and a forced fumble … had a solo stop at Kent State … at Buffalo, had a 37-yard interception return for a touchdown on the second play of the game … had three solo tackles against Bowling Green … had a season-high five solo stops and five break-ups in the win over Miami … had five tackles, including four solo stops, and an interception for a return of eight yards in the win at Pittsburgh … had three tackles against Marshall … had four tackles at Penn State. As a Redshirt Freshman (2013): Appeared in the first five games of the season, missing the final seven games due to a shoulder injury … posted 12 tackles, seven solo stops, and one interception … recorded a season-best seven tackles (two solo) vs. James Madison … had one of three Akron interceptions at Michigan, returning the pick for 19 yards … recorded at least one tackle in each of the five games that he appeared. As a Freshman (2012): Enrolled at UA in January and participated in spring practice ... redshirted. SCOTT’S CAREER STATS DEF G/GS UA 2012 Redshirt 2013 5/0 7 2014 11/10 21 2015 12/12 22 TOTAL 28/20 50
DeANDRE
SCOTT 76
A Total 5 8 5 18
12 29 27 68
TFL Sacks INT PBU FF FR Blkd 0.0-0 0.0-0 1.5-2 1.5-0
0.0-0 0.0-0 0.0-0 0.0-0
1 1 2 10 6 10 9 21
0 1 1 1
0 0 1 1
0 0 0 0
2 015 F A M O U S ID A H O P O TATO B O W L
AKRON FOOTBALL DANNY
37
SEAFLER } Wide Receiver } Senior | 5-9 | 175 } Brecksville, Ohio } Brecksville-Broadview HS As a Senior (2015): Played in one game … made collegiate debut in the win over Buffalo. As a Junior (2014): Did not see game action. Personal: Born August 32, 1992 … parents are Tina and Dan Seafler … engineering major.
JOHN
27
SENTER
JOHN
} Cornerback } Senior | 5-7 | 165 } Huber Heights, Ohio } Wayne HS
SENTER As a Freshman (2011): Redshirted.
As a Senior (2015): Academic All-MAC ... played in all 12 games with one start at corner … also played on the kickoff unit … has 17 tackles, four break-ups, and a fumble recovery … had three break-ups in the win at Massachusetts … recovered a fumble in the win at Eastern Michigan … had four solo tackles against Pittsburgh.
Personal: Born Sept. 22, 1993 ... son of Lachandra Brooks.
As a Junior (2014): Appeared in all 12 games with five starts at cornerback … also saw action on the kickoff unit … finished with 21 tackles, an interception, and a break-up … had a solo stop at Kent State … assisted on two tackles against Bowling Green and Buffalo … had three tackles and made his first career interception at Ohio in the third quarter … on the next drive, the Zips scored a TD on a 13-yard pass to WR Zach D’Orazio … had a solo stop in the win over Miami … had five tackles in the win over Eastern Michigan … had five tackles, including four solo stops, against Marshall … had a tackle in the win over Howard in the first collegiate start of his career. As a Sophomore (2013): Appeared in all 12 games … finished the season with nine tackles, including six solo … had three multi-tackle games and six contests with at least one stop … finished with two stops against James Madison, Louisiana, and Miami (Ohio). As a Redshirt Freshman (2012): Played in seven games ... finished the year with four tackles, three solo ... three of his stops came at FIU ... also had one tackle in the season opener versus UCF.
A K RON VS . U T AH STA TE
77
SENTER’S CAREER STATS DEF 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 TOTAL
G/GS UA Redshirt 7/0 3 12/0 6 12/5 10 12/1 13 43/6 32
A Total 1 3 11 4 19
4 9 21 17 51
TFL Sacks INT PBU FF FR Blkd 0.0-0 0.0-0 0.0-0 0.0-0 0.0-0
0.0-0 0.0-0 0.0-0 0.0-0 0.0-0
0 0 1 0 1
0 0 1 4 5
0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 1 0
0 0 0 0 0
AKRON FOOTBALL CHRISTOPHER
98
SPRUILL } Defensive Line } Sophomore | 6-2 | 270 } Maple Heights, Ohio } John Adams HS As a Sophomore (2015): Played in five games … recovered a fumble in the win over Savannah State … made collegiate debut at No. 19 Oklahoma. As a Redshirt Freshman (2014): Did not see game action. As a Freshman (2013): Redshirted. Personal: Sport management major.
ROBERT
48
STEIN } Placekicker } Senior | 5-8 | 171 } Cincinnati, Ohio } Sycamore HS As a Senior (2015): Academic All-MAC ... 2015 Lou Groza Award Watch List … recipient of the Red Blair Award … MAC Specialist of the Week (Oct. 5) … preseason third-team All-MAC Athlon Sports and College Sports Madness … played in all 12 games … handled all kickoff and field goal duties … Zips’ scoring leader with 70 points (12-of-19 field goals and 34-of-36 PAT) … also kicked off 60 times for 3,460 yards (57.7 avg.) with 16 touchbacks … in the shutout of Kent State, had two field goals (23 and 20 yards) and two extra points … in the win over Buffalo, made six extra points and kicked off seven times for 422 yards (60.3 avg.) … in the win at Miami (Ohio), nailed 50-yard field goal with less than three minutes left to seal the Zips’ victory … in the win at UMass, made a 36-yard field goal and two PAT … at Bowling Green, nailed a 46-yard field goal in the second quarter, his longest this season and the second longest of his career .. missed a PAT, snapping his consecutive streak (49) … in the win at Eastern Michigan, was a perfect 6-for-6 in extra points on the day, extending his consecutive made streak to 46 … also converted a 39-yard field goal in the second quarter … in the MAC opener against Ohio, scored all 12 of Akron’s points with a career-high four field goals, including a 41-yarder, en route to MAC Special Teams Player of the Week honors … in the win at Louisiana, made five extra points and kicked off six times for 371 yards (61.8 average) … in the win over Savannah State, had a 21-yard field goal while kicking a perfect 7-for-7 in extra points, extending his consecutive streak to 35 … also kicked off a career-high nine times for a career-high 542 yards (60.2 average) … against Pittsburgh, con-
nected on a PAT and kicked off twice for 77 yards … at No. 19 Oklahoma, scored the Zips’ only points with a 26-yard field goal .. also kicked off twice for 107 yards. As a Junior (2014): CoSIDA Academic All-America nominee … named to the 2014 College Football All-America Team by the Jewish Sports Review … MAC Distinguished Scholar Athlete … MAC East Special Teams Player of the Week (Oct. 13, Nov. 24) … Honorable Mention National Kicker of the Week CFPA (Nov. 24) … recipient of the Howard “Red” Blair Award for scoring the most points during the season … Academic Award for highest GPA among the junior class … appeared in all 12 games … was a perfect 24-of-24 in PATs and 13-of-16 in field goals … the Zips’ leading scorer with 66 points … kicked off 56 times for 3,213 yards (57.04 avg.) with 10 touchbacks and four out of bounds … made a 41-yard field goal and three extra points at Kent State … in the win over UMass, was perfect on the night, nailing three field goals and three extra points … … his six kickoffs were a career high … nailed a 33-yard field goal and made three PAT at Buffalo … against Bowling Green, missed two field goals (51 and 40 yards), the first this season, in windy and rainy weather … did convert a 40-yard field goal in the second quarter to tie the game at 3-3 … kicked off four times for 250 yards (62.5) with two touchbacks at Ball State …also had three PAT … continued his kicking streak at Ohio with two field goals and two PAT … converted a 40-yard score in the second quarter and a 38-yarder in the fourth quarter … both field goals tied the score for the Zips and kept them in the game until the final play … also kicked off five times for a 259 yards (51.8 avg.) … in the win over Miami, made two field goals with a 28-yard score in the first quarter and a 46-yarder in the second quarter to improve his consecutive streak to nine field goals made ... was also a perfect 3-for-3 in PAT and kicked off six times for a career-best 364 yards (60.7 avg.) en route to MAC Specialist of the Weeks honors … nailed a season-long 32-yard field goal and went a perfect 4-for-4 in PATs in the win over Eastern Michigan … also kicked off six times for 350 yards (58.3 avg.) … in the win at Pittsburgh, kicked off four times for 233 yards (58.2 avg) and made three PAT … against Marshall, kicked off four times for 223 yards (55.8 avg,) … put UA on the scoreboard with a 24-yard field … reclaimed his kicker status at Penn State after O’Leary missed a 31-yard field goal ... made a 28-yard field goal, the Zips’ only points in the game … also kicked off twice for 130 yards (65.0 avg.) … in the win over Howard, racked up 356 yards on six kickoffs (59.3 average) with two touchbacks and one out-of-bounds. As a Sophomore (2013): Named Academic All-MAC for a second-consecutive season … named Akron’s Howard “Red” Blair recipient at the team’s leading scorer, as well as the Academic Award for the sophomore class … finished the season 9-of-16 in field goal attempts, including a season-best 51-yard make against Ball State … was 29-of-30 on extra points, setting the career consecutive extra points made mark (51) … his lone miss came at Northern Illinois in which his third attempt of the day was blocked … three of his nine made field goals were from 45 yards or longer … four of his misses were from longer than 45 yards … made five of his last six field goal attempts of the season. As a Redshirt Freshman (2012): Academic All-MAC selection ... handled place-kicking duties in all 12 games ... converted 9-of-12 field goals and 38-of-39 point-after attempts ... closed out the season with a streak of eightstraight field goals made and 35-consecutive PATs converted ... nailed a then-career-long 46-yard field goal against Bowling Green and was also true on a 45-yard attempt at Tennessee ... named MAC East Division Player of the
78
2 015 F A M O U S ID A H O P O TATO B O W L
AKRON FOOTBALL
14
JAMES
TURNER } Safety } R-Junior | 5-11 | 201 } Fairfield, Ohio } Fairfield HS As a Redshirt Junior (2015): Played in 10 games … also played on the kickoff return and punt return unit … has three tackles. As a Junior (2014): Named the Scout Team Player of the Year (defense) … redshirted. As a Sophomore (2013): Appeared in the first eight games of the season before missing the final four games due to a knee injury … finished the game with two assisted tackles.
ROBERT
As a Freshman (2012): Saw limited playing time in 10 games.
STEIN Week on Sept. 24 following his performance against the Vols ... five of his nine made field goals were from at least 37 yards away ... also kicked off 24 times for an average of 49.7 yards per kick ... earned the program’s Howard “Red” Blair Award, given annually to the team’s top scorer, after leading the squad in scoring with 65 points.
Personal: Born March 16, 1994 ... parents are the late Russell Turner and Tina Turner ... has a brother, Russell, Jr. … sport management major.
As a Freshman (2011): Redshirted. Personal: Born Dec. 14, 1992 ... son of Daniel and Debbie Stein ... has two brothers, Stephen and Jonathan ... Stephen was a kicker for Bowling Green … mechanical engineering major.
STEIN’S CAREER STATS KICKOFFS G/GS 2011 Redshirt 2012 12/0 2013 12/0 2014 12/0 2015 12/0 TOTAL 48/0 KICKING G/GS FG 2011 Redshirt 2012 12/0 9-12 2013 12/0 9-16 2014 12/0 13-16 2015 12/0 12-19 TOTAL 48/0 43-64
No. Yards
Avg
TB
24 44 56 60 184
49.7 55.8 42.5 57.7 53.9
6 12 14 16 48
1,192 2,455 2,806 3,460 9,913
Pct. 75.0 56.2 81.2 63.2 68.3
A K RON VS . U T AH STA TE
Lg
XP Pct. Pts.
46 38-39 97.4 51 29-30 96.7 46 27-27 100.0 50 34-36 94.4 51 128-132 97.0
65 56 66 70 257
79
TURNER’S CAREER STATS DEF 2012 2013 2014 2015 TOTAL
G/GS UA 10/0 0 8/0 0 Redshirt 10/0 3 28/0 3
A Total 1 1 2 2
TFL Sacks INT PBU FF FR Blkd 0.0-0 0.0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0-0 0.0-0 0 0 0 0 0
0 3
0.0-0 0.0-0 0.0-0 0.0-0
3 6
0 0
0 0
0 0 0 0
0 0
AKRON FOOTBALL DAUMANTAS
93
BRENNAN WILLIAMS’ CAREER STATS DEF G/GS UA A Total 2015 4/0 1 3 4
VENCKUS } Defensive End } R-Junior | 6-5 | 230 } Weston, Fla. } Cypress Bay HS | Iowa
ISAIAH
56
WILLIAMS
As a Redshirt Junior (2015): Played in all 12 games … also played on the field goal unit … has 12 tackles and 1.5 sacks on the season … had two tackles in the win at Eastern Michigan … had four tackles and a 12-yard sack in the win at Louisiana … had four tackles and a half sack in the win over Savannah State … made debut as a Zip at No. 19 Oklahoma and had two tackles. At Iowa: As a Sophomore (2014): Did not see any game action. As a Redshirt Freshman (2013): Did not see any game action. As a Freshman (2012): Redshirted. Personal: Full name is Daumantas Venckus-Cucchiara … born March 23, 1994, in Klaipeda, Lithuania … parents are Violeta and Matt Cucchiara. VENCKUS’ CAREER STATS DEF G/GS UA A Total TFL Sacks INT PBU FF FR Blkd 2015 12/0 6 6 12 2.0-13 1.5-13 0 0 0 0 0
BRENNAN
TFL Sacks INT PBU FF FR Blkd 1.0-1 0.00 0 0 0 0 0
97
WILLIAMS } Defensive Line } R-Freshman | 6-1 | 264 } Akron, Ohio } Firestone HS
} Offensive Line } R-Senior | 6-3 | 296 } Cleveland, Ohio } John Adams HS As a Redshirt Senior (2015): Third-team All-MAC … recipient of the John Heisman Award … played in 10 games with nine starts … seven starts were at left tackle and two at right tackle … all five starters have started a combined 116 starting nods between them … Akron’s run blocking and pass protection schemes elevated the offensive production this season … the Zips averaged 170.2 yards per game on the ground, 46.5 yards better than last season … the Zips rushed for 2,043 total yards, exceeding year’s season total of 1,484 (after just 10 games) … the O-Line allowed nine fewer sacks. As a Redshirt Junior (2014): Returned to the offensive line… appeared in all 12 games with 11 starts, three at right tackle and eight at left tackle … made first collegiate start in the season opener … gave up no sacks in the win over Howard. As a Junior (2013): Redshirted. As a Sophomore (2012): Switched from offensive to defensive line ... played in 11 games ... started three games at defensive tackle ... starter at Ohio, versus Northern Illinois, and at Central Michigan ... posted 13 tackles (four solo) over the season ... made three stops at Ohio and had two solo tackles against Bowling Green. As a Freshman (2011): Played in 11 games on the defensive line ... was not in the lineup versus FIU ... credited with 13 tackles ... posted a season-high four stops twice, at Cincinnati and versus Kent State ... helped out on a tackle-for-loss at Cincinnati and at Eastern Michigan.
As a Redshirt Freshman (2015): Played in four games … has four tackles on the season … had two tackles, including a TFL, in the win at Eastern Michigan … made collegiate debut in the win over Savannah State and had two tackles.
Personal: Born May 5, 1993 ... son of Michael Williams and Peppi Johnson ... has two siblings, Aiesha and Rajah … sport management major.
As a Freshman (2014): Redshirted. Personal: Born October 2, 1995 … parents are Gail Williams and Bernard Williams …has two brothers, Brian and Benjamin, and a sister, Brianna … criminal justice major.
80
2 015 F A M O U S ID A H O P O TATO B O W L
AKRON FOOTBALL NEWMAN
35
AUSTIN
WILLIAMS
WOLF
} Tight End | Linebacker } R-Freshman | 6-2 | 250 } Akron, Ohio } St. Vincent-St. Mary HS
} Wide Receiver } Sophomore | 6-3 | 210 } Lebanon, Ohio } Lebanon HS
As a Redshirt Freshman (2015): Played in five games with two starts on offense … has six receptions for 71 yards and a touchdown on the season … had two receptions in the win over Kent State, including his first career TD on an 11-yard reception in the second quarter … in the win over Savannah State, had two catches for 23 yards … … made collegiate debut at No 19 Oklahoma and had a 12-yard reception … added tight end duties during spring 2015 drills. As a Freshman (2014): Redshirted. Personal: Born Nov. 9, 1995 … organizational supervision major. NEWMAN WILLIAMS’ CAREER STATS RECEIVING G/GS Rec Yds TD 2015 5/2 6 71 1
Lg Rec/G Avg/C Avg/G 16 1.1 11.8 14.24
82
As a Sophomore (2015): Played in all 12 games … has 10 receptions for 212 yards and two touchdowns on the season … also played on the kickoff unit … in the win over Buffalo, had a for the 36-yard TD reception to give UA a 14-0 lead … finished with two receptions for 46 yards … in the win at UMass, put the Zips on the scoreboard with a 27-yard TD reception … the touchdown was the second of his collegiate career and his first this season … in the win at Louisiana, had two receptions for 70 yards, including a 41yard catch. As a Redshirt Freshman (2014): Appeared in six games … finished with four receptions for 84 yards and a touchdown … had a 14-yard reception in the win over Eastern Michigan … had a 40-yard touchdown reception in collegiate debut, the win over Howard … finished with three catches for 70 yards. As a Freshman (2013): Redshirted. Personal: Born Oct. 12, 1994 … marketing management major. WOLF’S CAREER STATS RECEIVING G/GS Rec Yds TD 2014 6/0 4 84 1 2015 12/0 10 212 2 TOTAL 18/0 14 296 3
AUSTIN
WOLF A K RON VS . U T AH STA TE
81
Lg Rec/G Avg/C Avg/G 40 0.7 21.0 14.0 41 0.8 21.2 17.7 41 0.7 21.1 16.4
AKRON FOOTBALL THOMAS
Personal: Born July 31, 1994 … construction engineering major.
13
WOODSON’S CAREER STATS
WOODSON
PASSING G/GS Att Cmp Int Yds TD 2013 Redshirt 2014 8/2 143 76 6 806 5 2015 12/9 148 278 10 2,034 16 TOTAL 20/11 224 421 16 2,840 21
} Quarterback } Sophomore | 6-1 | 240 } Monroeville, Pa. } Gateway Senior HS As a Sophomore (2015): Recipient of the Harry “Doc” Smith Award … AC Offensive Player of the Week (Nov. 23) … MAC Offensive Player of the Week by College Sports Madness (Sept. 27) … Zips’ Student-Athlete of the Week (Oct. 12, Sept. 28) … played in all 12 games with nine consecutive starts at quarterback … Zips’ top quarterback, going 148-of-278 for 2,034 yards and 16 touchdowns in eight starts … stands second in rushing with 553 yards and three touchdowns on 120 carries … stands No. 13 on both the season (2,034 yards) and career (2,840 yards) passing yards lists … in the shutout of Kent State, threw for 11-of-19 and 140 yards and a touchdown … in the win over Buffalo, threw for 17-of-30 and 258 yards and a career-high four touchdowns … in the win at Miami (Ohio), went 13-of-28 for 221 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 70 yards … in the win at UMass, went 15-for-27 for 174 yards and a touchdown … also rushed for 58 yards and a 15-yard TD run ... against Central Michigan, was 22-of-26 for 252 yards and a touchdown ... against Bowling Green, went 13-for-28 for 91 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 54 yards ... in the MAC win at Eastern Michigan, had a career-high four touchdown passes, all in the first half … finished 14-of-22 for 222 yards … in the MAC opener against Ohio, went 18-of-38 231 yards … moved into the starting role at Louisiana and he maintained the role for the rest of the season … In the win at Louisiana, finished the game at 13-of-29 for 238 yards and two touchdowns … his 72-yard TD pass to Jerome Lane was a career-long … was also the Zips’ leading rusher, finishing with a career-high 93 yards and 14-yard touchdown on eight carries … came off the bench in the win over Savannah State and guided the Zips to the endzone … finished the game 12of-20 for 207 yards and a touchdown … also rushed 11 times for 63 yards and a touchdown … played on a short-yardage play against Pitt but recorded no stats …rushed three times for 30 yards at No. 19 Oklahoma. As a Redshirt Freshman (2014): Recipient of the Harry “Doc” Smith Award Outstanding Freshman Award (offense) … appeared in eight games with two starts at quarterback … was 76-of-143 for 806 yards and five touchdowns … also rushed 32 times for 131 yards … received the starting nod against Ohio … became the first freshman/redshirt freshman QB to start a game for the Zips since 2009 … also became the first freshman/redshirt freshman to make a road start since 2009 … playing the fourth quarter at Buffalo, went 4-of-6 for 33 yards … received his second start at Ball State … went 21-of-39 for 200 yards and a touchdown while throwing four interceptions … in his first complete game, finished 23-of-45 for 268 yards and two touchdowns, all career highs, at Ohio … was the leading rusher with 44 yards on 12 carries … in the win over Miami, played the entire second half … went 7-of-14 for 64 yards while rushing for eight yards … went 6-of-10 for 29 yards while rushing six times for 6- yards n the win over Eastern Michigan … in the win at Pittsburgh, played two series, going 2-of-6 for 20 yards … played the entire fourth quarter against Marshall … went 8-of-15 for 100 yards and a touchdown … saw his first game action off the bench in the win over Howard … went 5-of-8 for 92 yards and a 40-yard touchdown pass to Austin Wolf.
RUSHING G/GS Att Yds 2013 Redshirt 2014 8/2 32 131 2015 12/9 120 553 TOTAL 20/11 152 684 TOT OFF 2013 2014 2015 TOTAL
G/GS Plays Redshirt 8/2 175 12/9 398 20/11 573
TD 0 3 3
Lg Pct. Avg/G Effic. 40 53.1 100.8 103.6 72 53.2 169.5 126.5 72 53.1 142.0 115.1
Lg Avg/C Avg/G 40 38 40
4.1 16.4 4.6 46.1 4.3 34.2
Rush
Pass
Total
Avg./G
131 553 684
806 2,034 2,840
937 2,587 3,524
117.1 215.6 176.2
ANTHONY
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YOUNG } Athlete } Sophomore | 6-0 | 176 } Medina, Ohio } Lakewood St. Edward HS | Indiana Dual-sport athlete … also competes for Akron’s track and field team as a sprinter. As a Sophomore (2015): Academic All-MAC … played in nine games with one start at wide receiver … had three receptions for 94 yards on the season … had a solo tackle in the win at Miami (Ohio) … had a 13-yard reception against Central Michigan … made two receptions for 81 yards, including a 53-yard catch, in the win over Savannah State. TRACK: Honorable Mention All-American as a member of Akron’s 4x100 relay squad … helped team to a all-time best 12th-place finished at the 2015 NCAA Outdoor Championships … Zips won the 2015 MAC Indoor Championship. As a Redshirt Freshman (2014): Sat out per NCAA transfer rules. Personal: Born July 19, 1994 … parents are Michael and Jackie Young … has a younger sister, Autumn … mother was a long jumper at the University of Maryland … intervention/special education major.
As a Freshman (2013): Redshirted.
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YOUNG’S CAREER STATS RECEIVING G/GS Rec Yds TD 2015 9/1 3 94 0
Lg Rec/G Avg/C Avg/G 53 0.3 31.3 10.
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POSTSEASON HISTORY
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AKRON FOOTBALL POSTSEASON HISTORY GRANTLAND RICE BOWL
1968
} Louisiana Tech 33, Akron 13 } Murfreesboro, Tenn. } December 14, 1968 Louisiana Tech Akron
21 0 0 12 - 33 0 7 6 0 - 13
Scoring Summary LT - Bradshaw 16 run (Golmon kick) LT - Spinks 36 pass from Bradshaw (Golmon kick) LT - Herren 2 run (Golmon kick) UA - Vargo 1 run (Harrison kick) UA - Beidleman 13 run (kick blocked) The 1968 Zips went 7-3-1 and made their first postseason appearance at the Grantland Rice Bowl in MurfreesLT - Brewer 6 pass from Bradshaw boro, Tenn. (kick failed) LT - Bradshaw 8 run (pass failed) AKRON’S FIRST BOWL LT UA 14 First Downs................................. 21 Gordon Larson’s Zips and Louisiana Tech met up Famer Terry Bradshaw. The Zips managed to get Rushing Yards............................. 86 118 for the College Division Mideast Region Champi- on the board with 1:50 left in the half on a 1-yard Passing....................................... 33/19/2 21/6/3 onship in the 1968 Grantland Rice Bowl in Mur- run from junior John Vargo. At 28, Vargo was the Passing Yards.............................. 261 78 freesboro, Tenn. It was the first bowl appearance oldest running back in the country. Total Offense............................... 347 196 UA Individual Stat Leaders: Ron Lemon, 18 rushes, 75 yards Jack Beidleman, 18 rushes, 48 yards, 1 TD; 2 recs, 22 yards Dan Ruff, 4 receptions, 56 yards
for both teams. Tech jumped out to a quick 21-0 lead behind a 16yard TD run and 36-yard TD pass from NFL Hall of
The Zips cut the lead to 21-13, but two more Bradshaw scores sealed the Bulldog win.
DIVISION II PLAYOFFS
1976
} Akron 27, UNLV 6 } Rubber Bowl • Akron, Ohio } November 27, 1976 UNLV Akron
6 0 0 0 - 6 10 10 0 7 - 27
Scoring Summary UA - Embick 24-yard field goal UNLV - Bowls 100-yard kickoff return (kick failed) UA - Bezbatchenko 43-yard run (Embick kick) UA - Hovanec 1-yard run (Embick kick) UA - Embick 24-yard field goal UA - Evans 14-yard pass from The 1976 Zips finished 10-3 after a 24-13 decision to Montana State in the Pioneer Bowl (NCAA Division II Bezbatchenko (Embick kick) National Championship). UA UNLV First Downs................................. 25 14 AKRON HAS NCAA FIRST Rushes/Yards.............................. 77/419 16/8 Passes......................................... 10/5/1 42/19/3 IN ‘76 BOWL Passing Yards.............................. 31 241 Northern Michigan scored first in overtime UA Individual Stat Leaders: Mark Hovanec, 21 rushes, 111 yards Marty Bezbatchenko, 14 rushes, 88 yards Glenn Evans, 4 receptions, 31 yards, 1 TD
The first overtime game in the history of the NCAA playoffs occurred at Akron’s Rubber Bowl when the Zips met Northern Michigan in the second round of the Division II playoffs, a game called the Knute Rockne Bowl.
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on a 39-yard field goal, but Akron answered with a oneyard touchdown b y quarterback Marty Bezbatchenko to win, 29-26.
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AKRON FOOTBALL KNUTE ROCKNE BOWL
1976
PIONEER BOWL
1976 Montana State 24, Akron 13
DIVISION I-AA PLAYOFFS
1985
} Akron 29, Northern Mich. 26 (OT) } Rubber Bowl • Akron, Ohio } December 4, 1976
} } Memorial Stadium • Wichita Falls,Texas } December 11, 1976
} Rhode Island 35, Akron 27 } Meade Stadium • Kingston, R.I. } November 30, 1985
Northern Michigan 10 0 6 7 3 - 26 Akron 7 7 0 9 6 - 29
Akron Montana State
Akron Rhode Island
Scoring Summary NMU - Awrey 1-yard run (Harves kick) NMU - Harves 31-yard field goal UA - Axner 56-yard run (Embick kick) UA - Axner 6 yard run (Embick kick) NMU - Awrey 4-yard run (pass failed) UA - Axner 3-yard run (run failed) NMU - Brown 1-yard fumble recovery (Harves kick) UA - Embick 35-yard field goal NMU - Harves 39-yard field goal UA - Bezbatchenko 1-yard run
Scoring Summary MSU - McCullough 5-yard pass from Dennehy (Muri kick) MSU - Damberger 3-yard pass from Ueland (Muri kick) MSU - Muri 21-yard field goal UA - Axner 3-yard run (Embick kick) UA - Evans 22-yard pass from Bezbatchenko (kick failed) MSU - Kosterba 7-yard run (Muri kick)
UA NMU 21 First Downs................................. 16 Rushes/Yards.............................. 60/271 51/97 Passes......................................... 6/2/2 27/16/2 Passing Yards.............................. 60 251 UA Individual Stat Leaders: Dave Axner, 15 rushes, 122 yards, 3 TD’s Greg Thurman, 10 rushes, 54 yards Mark Hovanec, 15 rushes, 48 yards
0 0 7 6 - 13 0 14 3 7 - 24
0 7 14 6 - 27 0 14 14 7 - 35
Scoring Summary RIU - DiMaggio 3-yd pass from Ehrhardt (Griffin kick) UA - Tyler 77-yd return of blocked FG (Klaus kick) RIU - Donfield 21-yd pass from Ehrhardt (Griffin kick) RIU - DiMaggio 4-yd pass from Ehrhardt (Griffin kick) UA - Rafac 16-yd interception return UA MSU (Klaus kick) First Downs.............................. 14 19 UA - Clark 1-yd run (Klaus kick) Rushes/Yards........................... 44/179 67/266 RIU - DiMaggio 3-yd pass from Ehrhardt Passes...................................... 19/7/2 10/7/2 (Griffin kick) Passing Yards........................... 91 50 UA - Green 1-yd run (kick blocked) RIU - DiMaggio 7-yd pass from Ehrhardt UA Individual Stat Leaders: (Griffin kick) Greg Thurman, 10 rushes, 44 yards Dave Axner, 11 rushes, 42 yards, 1 TD Glenn Evans, 4 receptions, 60 yards, 1 TD
UA RIU First Downs............................ 20 31 Rushes/Yards......................... 55/228 12/53 Passes.................................... 22/10/3 70/43/2 Passing Yards......................... 115 472 UA Individual Stat Leaders: Mike Clark, 13 rushes, 172 yards, 1 TD Willie Davis, 6 receptions, 79 yards Brian Moran, 13 tackles
2005
MAC CHAMPIONS A K RON VS . U T AH STA TE
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AKRON FOOTBALL DIVISION I FBS BOWL HISTORY MOTOR CITY BOWL
2005 } Memphis 38, Akron 31 } Ford Field • Detroit, Mich. } December 26, 2005 Memphis 0 13 7 18 Akron 3 0 7 21
- -
38 31
Scoring Summary UA - Swiger 43-yard field goal UM - Gostkowski 32-yard field goal UM - Williams 1-yard run (Gostkowski kick) UM - Gostkowski 25-yard field goal UM - Williams 2-yard run (Gostkowski kick) UA - Arthur 46-yard pass from Getsy (Swiger kick) UM - Gostkowski 50-yard field goal UA - Biggs 72-yard pass from Getsy (Swiger kick) UM - Williams 2-yard run (Avery rush) UM - Williams, E. 5-yard run (Gostkowski kick) UA - Hixon 14-yard pass from Getsy (Swiger kick) UA - Arthur 19-yard pass from Getsy (Swiger kick) UM UA First Downs.........................21 24 Rushes/Yards.............. 58-346 23-47 Passes.......................... 14/7/0 59/34/4 Passing Yards....................170 455 UA Individual Stat Leaders: Brett Biggs, 14 rushes, 44 yards; 4 rec., 79 yards, 1 TD Jabari Arthur, 8 receptions, 180 yards, 2 TD Kris Kasparek, 6 receptions, 70 yards Domenik Hixon, 7 receptions, 63 yards, 1 TD Luke Getsy, 34-of-59 passing for 455 yards, 0 INT, 3 TDs
DETROIT (AP) - DeAngelo Williams lived up to the hype. Williams set an NCAA record with his 34th 100-yard rushing game and scored three touchdowns, leading Memphis to a 38-31 victory over Akron in the Motor City Bowl. Williams ran for 233 yards on 30 carries and finished his career with 6,021 yards rushing – trailing only Ron Dayne, Ricky Williams and Tony Dorsett in Division I-A history – and an NCAA-record 7,568 all-purpose yards. The Tigers (7-5) took a 21-point lead with 3:09 left, but needed to recover an onside kick with 55 seconds left to seal the win after Luke Getsy threw his fourth touchdown pass to cut the lead to seven points. Akron (7-6) made a good showing in its first Division I-A bowl game after scoring 21 fourth-quarter points to beat Northern Illinois in the Mid-American Conference championship game. Getsy was 34-for-59 for a Motor City Bowl-record 455 yards, and tied Chad Pennington’s mark for passing touchdowns in the bowl’s nine-year history. Jabari Arthur broke Randy Moss’s bowl record with 180 yards receiving, scoring twice on eight receptions. The Tigers led by 10 at halftime after scoring on three straight drives, then pulled away in the second half with three TDs and a field goal in four drives before nearly collapsing in the final minutes. It was a wild finish – with 46 points scored in the final 15:46 – after Akron led 3-0 midway through the first quarter. The teams combined for 1,018 yards of offense. Williams broke the 100-yard games mark in the third quarter when he ran up the middle and bounced to the outside on an 18-yard carry. After Getsy threw a 72-yard TD pass to Brett Biggs early in the fourth quarter to cut Akron’s deficit to 23-17, Williams showed his speed and power. He burst through a small hole in the middle of the line and sprinted for a 67-yard gain to set up his 2-yard, linemen-dragging TD for his third score, tying the bowl record. Williams, who finished seventh in voting for the Heisman, was taken out of the game midway through the fourth quarter while Memphis was driving for its 38-17 lead. He finished four yards rushing short of the Motor City Bowl record set by Northwestern’s Jason Wright against Bowling Green in 2003. KRIS A crowd of 50,616 attended the game in Ford Field, where the Super Bowl was played in 2006.
KASPAREK 86
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FEATURE STORIES
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AKRON FOOTBALL
Todd Stroud Coach Works Through Rare Blood Disorder, Stem Cell Transplant June 28, 2015 by Marla Ridenour Todd Stroud has never taken a sick day in 30 years as a football assistant. He never missed a game in the four years he spent as an undersized nose tackle at Florida State, where he won the Seminoles’ courage award, a precursor of what was to come. So it made perfect sense to the University of Akron defensive line coach that he returned to practice last summer two days after he was released from the Cleveland Clinic following a stem cell transplant. After all, he worked out with hand weights he’d brought with him and jogged on the treadmill while hospitalized. Now 52, Stroud knew some people need a year to recover from the transplant. He knew his immune system had been totally wiped out by the six-month dose of chemotherapy he’d been given in one day before the extracted stem cells were returned to his body. But after being discharged 2½ weeks later, he dismissed his doctor’s protocols. He never wore a mask to protect himself from possible infection. He never told his boss and close friend, UA coach Terry Bowden, what he was or wasn’t supposed to be doing. He just went back to work. In May 2014, Stroud was diagnosed with amyloidosis, a rare blood disorder that is not cancer because it produces no tumors. He Googled it once, read where most patients are given 12 to 36 months to live, and never looked it up again. The father of four, who will celebrate his 27th wedding anniversary with wife Marianne in August, simply forged ahead with faith, optimism and almost immeasurable strength.
“It was against the doctors’ orders, it was terrible, I shouldn’t have done it,” Stroud said of his quick return to the Zips. “But I had obligations to my kids, my wife, my family and 100 kids over here that I coach every day. After doing it for 30 years, it’s what you do.” Starting in November, Stroud also needed seven months of low-dose chemotherapy that he took weekly, going to the Cooper Cancer Center in Akron every Monday night after football meetings were over and recruiting calls were made. Under the care there of Dr. Sameer Mahesh, who worked with his Cleveland Clinic specialist, Dr. Jason Valent, Stroud completed the regimen a little over three weeks ago. The nausea was minimal, and he continued to work out, sticking to his weightlifting and 5:45 a.m. runs. He recently added bicycling, riding 35 miles on the weekend as he trains for the VeloSano Bike to Cure July 18 in downtown Cleveland. One hundred percent of the event’s proceeds benefits cancer research at the Cleveland Clinic. “I couldn’t have dreamed of doing that a year ago, going on a 25-mile bike ride,” Stroud said during an interview at his office at the Stile Athletics Field House last week. “I think it’s a great cause. “I’m a freak; I can run forever. When I came home from the hospital, the next day I woke up and jogged two miles and lifted weights. I never quit, but it was brutal. I’ve been training and running and lifting just like I did when I was 25. I feel good.” Stroud took to the white board in his office to explain the number that is important to him now, the number that measures the abnormal protein, called an amyloid, that built up in his organs and could have killed him. He said a normal person has a level of zero to 0.4 grams of protein in his
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urine. At its peak, his level was 17.9. “That’s death,” he said. At his last test, Stroud’s level was 1.9, and he said Valent expects it to hit zero. Stroud may need more low-dose chemotherapy down the road, but Marianne said her husband had such a good result from the cocktail Valent devised that Stroud could reach a normal life expectancy. “He can live 20 or 30 years now,” she said. “There are a few who are lucky like him who respond. Of course, with these diseases, you can’t lose respect for their power.” Bowden, who saw Stroud start for his father, Bobby, at FSU from 1983-85, marvels at Stroud’s recovery and how he worked through the crisis. “He’s a walking testimony to what you can overcome and not let it get you down,” Bowden said. “It’s been an incredible story.” It might not have been if not for the persistence of Marianne, Dr. Vivek Bhalla, the Strouds’ general practitioner in Akron, and a nurse in Bhalla’s office who refused to let Stroud skip a urine test because he needed to get back to work. “He doesn’t take even a Tylenol, doesn’t get headaches. His family is very strong, healthy, vibrant people,” Marianne said. Stroud’s mother still swims and rides her bike at age 87. “All of a sudden, symptom by symptom would come up. He was swollen in the eyes, like he’d eaten a pound of potato chips. He had a cut on his lip that didn’t heal for over a year. “The biggest thing was a persistent cough that progressively worsened. That was a great reminder because every day he would cough.”
2 015 F A M O U S ID A H O P O TATO B O W L
AKRON FOOTBALL Stroud hated going to the doctor. He wrote the symptoms off to the woes of turning 50. He thought as long as he could jog and lift weights, he was fine.
A native of St. Petersburg, Fla., Stroud worked for Terry Bowden at Samford and Auburn. UA defensive coordinator Chuck Amato was Stroud’s position coach in college, a fellow assistant at FSU, and his boss at N.C. State. Stroud was a college teammate of Jeff Bowden, the UA special teams coordinator and receivers coach, and they worked together for a year at FSU.
Then Marianne, who was teaching aerobics to athletes at Samford University when she met Stroud, began to outrun her husband, which she had never done before. She noticed his hair was falling out, so she put together photos from a four-year span so he could see the change. But last season, work brought immense challenges. Stroud was fatigued every day. “He was in kind of denial that there was With his immune system battered — he anything wrong with him,” Marianne said. recently went to start childhood immunizations all over again — he was constantly But one day in April after giving multiple disinfecting his hands. The players did so vials of blood at Bhalla’s office, the nurse as well, trying to help. Air conditioning insisted on the urine test. in Stroud’s office chilled him, so he used a portable heater at his desk. Stroud “That was the test,” Marianne said. “If coached his first week from a golf cart, but the doctor hadn’t been persistent, if she said he was “a mess.” But he managed hadn’t been persistent, it could have been to run the football camps during the missed.” summer, too. The protein buildup in Stroud’s kidneys required a biopsy that led to the diagnosis. Now, Stroud says Marianne and Bhalla saved his life. Stroud can still see the swelling in his ankle, even as the Tylenol-averse patient tries to wean himself off diuretics. Marianne said the protein damaged his tongue and his ears, greatly reducing his hearing. But that seems like nothing to Stroud, who knows that if amyloidosis goes untreated, it reaches the heart and is fatal. “The biggest thing is to keep a positive mental attitude and a belief you’re going to get healthy and being around a bunch of people who care,” Stroud said. He found that at UA. Stroud’s connections to the Zips’ program weave through his life. He not only played for Bobby Bowden, but also worked for him in two stints at Florida State. “He was one of my dad’s favorites. Last guy signed, captain, 30-something game starter and undersized for his position,” Terry Bowden said.
A K RON VS . U T AH STA TE
“Todd’s a remarkable person because his work ethic is extraordinary,” Terry Bowden said. “He insisted on going right back to acting well. Acting well is part of being well. “In order to deal with these things, he makes light of his situation nonstop so he makes it easy on everybody. It’s almost like, ‘Terry, if something happens, do you want my scooter?’ Not that he would think of something morbid, but he puts everybody at ease.” Stroud remembers his reaction when he first Googled his disease. He was nearly as panicked as his family — his wife, his mother in Florida, his brothers and sisters, his and Marianne’s three daughters, Jessica (26), Alexandra (24) and Chelsea (22), and son, Stone (9). “I read it and I said, ‘Oh, [crap]. This is a bad scene,’ ” Stroud said. “You get your life in order. You get yourself ready to die. That’s a tough thing to swallow when you feel pretty good. Then you meet with the doctors and you realize there’s a lot of hope and a lot to live for and you can extend your life a pretty good bit.
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“You find out being in athletics, the biggest part of this whole situation is mental. You picture yourself where you want to be six months from now and how you want to do it and make it become reality, just like a player uses visualization. It goes back to what’s between your ears and your belief in God.” Marianne found out her husband was stronger than she thought. “I guess you are as strong as you are when you have to be, when the obstacle, the adversity is so huge,” she said. “He got to find it inside himself, too. It’s like falling in love again with your husband, finding things in him you’ve never seen before, the strength, the determination. “After the stem cell chemo, he’d get up in the morning and he’d be puking. He’d continue on his [workout], get in the shower, go back and puke some more. When you’re going through it you think, ‘Can you make it another day?’ It took him to his knees, but he would stand straight back up every time.” Even the prospect of more chemotherapy doesn’t worry Stroud. He believes researchers are on the verge of a cure. He shows no hint of fear, only confidence that he will win a battle that some would find terrifying. Walking out the door of the UA football office with Stone, he laughed off his situation like Terry Bowden has seen him do so often. “If I have to take seven months of chemo every now and then, it’s a lot better than playing for the angels,” he said. http://www.ohio.com/sports/zips/ university-of-akron-football-intelligencehelping-zips-dylan-evans-pass-test-onfield-1.619581
AKRON FOOTBALL
Donnell Alexander Son of Hall of Famer Ready to Run for Akron Zips August 19 2015 By Elton Alexander There is just one season of college football remaining for Akron Zips tailback Donnell Alexander. He hopes to make the most of it. “I love it here,’’ Alexander said recently. “Since I got here I love the environment. Everybody has the same goal in mind, and the same competitive nature. This has definitely been enjoyable to me. Now I’m ready to play.” Alexander arrived in Akron last spring after his sudden transfer from Colorado State. There were a lot of rumblings about why the projected starter was leaving after he had already served a redshirt season. After a recent scrimmage, the son of late Kansas City Chief Hall of Fame linebacker Derrick Thomas, said one big reason was for his mother, who is about to end a year of cancer treatment. “She’s been with me, here, taking chemo treatments,’’ Alexander said. “She’s almost done with them. It has been a tough little journey for us with colon cancer. But she’s closer to the end of it now. And that puts a fire inside of me. I have seen my coach (Todd Stroud) come through it before, so that helps too.’’ Stroud, Akron’s defensive line coach, coached at Colorado State in 2010-11 and is the common denominator with several Colorado State transfers who have played for the Zips. Another positive, both in time and distance, is that Alexander does not have the shadow of his Hall of Fame father over him in Akron, or with the Zips, even with the Pro Football Hall of Fame just minutes away.
“Growing up, people knew, so there was always that question,’’ Alexander said. “Once I got to (Colorado State), it started coming up, the Chiefs and Broncos rivalry and all. I had a lot of Bronco fans tell me, ‘I loved your father.’ “But I never tried to use my father’s name. He did his own thing, a gifted linebacker. Me, I’m just blessed to be in college, hoping to one day get a chance at the same opportunity he had. Beyond that, there’s not a lot of comparisons. He did it his way, I’m a tailback, trying to do it my way. “The Browns and the Chiefs, they hardly every played. I don’t get hit with it often around here.” Now, with a clear mind and a clear focus, the 5-11, 210-pound tailback is gearing up for a good year with the Zips. Before leaving Colorado State, he was projected to be the Rams No. 1 tailback after two seasons of backup duty, gaining 1,015 yards and six TDs with a 5.4 yards per carry average. He also proved adept in the passing game with 38 receptions.
Hundley is a known product, having practically single-handedly defeated Pitt last season with a 19-carry, 148-yard rushing performance. The Zips, however, never dedicated themselves to running the football like that the rest of the season. Hundley never carried the ball that many times again, and never had another 100-yard rushing game. Yet, since the end of last season, and through the first scrimmage of preseason camp, Bowden has made running the football a priority. That means lots of work for Hundley and Alexander. “I just want to compete,’’ Alexander said. “I just want to run hard, and play for the team. Not playing football (last season) was the toughest part of it all. Just watching football was toughest for me. I’m ready to play.” http://www.cleveland.com/sports/college/ index.ssf/2015/08/transfer_tailback_donnell_alex.html
As of now, Alexander is slotted as backup to Conor Hundley, but it is clear he will get his share of touches as the Zips seem more determined to run the football than in the past. “Donnell is doing good,’’ Bowden said. “Conor and Donnell, we think we’ve got two guys that can run. Donnell sat out last year but he has played a lot of Division I football against good competition. He and Conor are two guys we are counting on.”
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AKRON FOOTBALL
Dylan Evans Intelligence Helping Zips’ Evans Pass Test on Field August 27, 2015 by George Thomas No one will ever be able to accuse Dylan Evans of lacking patience. Finally in his senior season, the linebacker from Easton, Pa., earned a starting job on the outside for the University of Akron. “He’s always been kind of that rotation guy,” coach Terry Bowden said after pre-season camp’s final full practice Thursday. “He’s played so much, but he’s always had someone a little bit older who got the starting nod.” That “someone older” a year ago was Justin March-Lillard, a talented player who may have found a possible NFL home with the Kansas City Chiefs, depending upon how quickly he recovers from knee injury.
“He’s a guy that studies the game,” Amato said. “When we go into meetings, he takes the two young freshmen and he sits between them and teaches them. He’s a very quiet leader.”
The Zips will settle into their game week routine after Friday night when they go through a walkthrough for the Sooners. Bowden sounded satisfied with the effort his team has made to prepare.
Although Evans and Amato agreed his pass coverage skills — courtesy of playing safety in high school — are his strength physically, his high intelligence is a huge asset.
“You always wish you had more time,” he said. “We had some injuries to certain guys that we wished could have practiced more, but they had injuries. I think I’m very comfortable that we got as much done as we could — I think our players are as far along as I could expect them to be.”
“He knows exactly where everyone is at,” Amato said, “and he knows where he can be and he knows if he can help someone else.” Ultimately, Amato said, March-Lillard playing ahead of Evans and teaching him served the younger player well. The competition was friendly, but intense. It occasionally proved frustrating because Evans couldn’t get on the field the way he wanted.
Evans, however, made himself an asset on special teams and in the linebacker rotation, recording 35 tackles (23 solo) last season. With March-Lillard’s departure, he saw an opportunity and he’s taking it.
“I’d get out there and I’d play fine and I knew I could do it and I knew I could play at this level and do what Justin was doing,” he said. “But sometimes he just did it a little bit better. I got in there and I tried to do everything he did.”
Evans said he learned a lot from March-Lillard.
Obviously, Evans learned well while putting his spin on things.
“Starting this year I’m going to be able to put it all to the test — what he taught me, what coach [Chuck] Amato taught me. It’s very relieving now, I guess.”
He understands that when the Zips take the field against Oklahoma on Sept. 5, it will fall on him to perform. Oddly, he said he’s not feeling any pressure.
For the coaching staff, Evans’ ascension to the starting lineup is not unexpected. Bowden and Amato, assistant head coach and defensive coordinator, pointed to why he earned the job.
“I think that after watching Justin for three years, I can just go out there and fly around and feel comfortable in what I’m doing,” he said. “Knowing the other players trust me and knowing we’re going to be able to fly around and make plays together [relieves the pressure].” Breaking camp
“His football IQ is just off the chart,” Bowden said. A K RON VS . U T AH STA TE
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Don’t hold your breath Zips fans waiting for Bowden to select his starting quarterback should plan to save up some money so they can watch the opener on pay-per-view (if available in this area) and learn Bowden’s choice at about 6:59 p.m. on game day. That’s approximately when he’s going to announce whether senior Kyle Pohl or sophomore Tra’Von Chapman will lead the Zips against the Sooners. “I don’t think we’re going to announce a quarterback,” he said Thursday. “We have a plan; we’re just not going to announce it. We have two choices there.” http://www.ohio.com/sports/zips/universityof-akron-football-intelligence-helping-zipsdylan-evans-pass-test-on-field-1.619581
AKRON FOOTBALL
Jerome Lane Lane Finds His Niche at Wide Receiver November 4, 2015 by Marla Ridenour His jersey number represents something now, selected because the parent of a teammate told Jerome Lane Jr. that 7 means new beginning. Lane doesn’t know where freshman linebacker Brian Bell’s mother came up with that, whether it was from the Bible or numerology or mere superstition. But it changed the way the University of Akron redshirt sophomore wide receiver feels when he dons his practice or game uniform, which until this fall bore No. 14. “It means something. I think about it every time,” Lane said. Starting with Pee-Wee football and through his career at Firestone High School and UA, Lane played every position except offensive line and wide receiver. For the Falcons, he was a running back, linebacker and defensive back, while also kicking and punting. The son of former Cavaliers player Jerome Lane also excelled in basketball, but his father said he wasn’t sure his son had the aerobic capacity to run up and down the court and convinced him his college future was in football. Where was another matter. Standing 6-foot-3 and weighing 220 pounds, Lane arrived at UA in 2013 as a linebacker. That position had depth, so he was moved to safety. During his redshirt freshman season in 2014, defensive coordinator Chuck Amato let Lane rush
the passer when the Zips’ defensive line was shorthanded because of injuries. Lane relished the latter because he loves hitting people; he said he still misses defense. But he’d been taught to put his team first. So he accepted any new challenge the coaching staff threw at him because, as he said, “My whole life I never really played one position.” What now seems like his aha moment came in July, and it wasn’t Lane who had the awakening. It happened during what receivers coach Jeff Bowden, brother of UA coach Terry Bowden, calls “Hideaway.” About two weeks before players report, the coaching staff goes to the press box level at InfoCision Stadium and holes up for a week, leaving only to sleep, and that usually very little. No cellphones are allowed; meals are delivered. The group goes over every detail of what they’re doing with the program. “We shut the doors, circle the wagons and just talk football,” Jeff Bowden said. Bowden said when Lane’s name came up and what position he was playing on defense was discussed, no one from the offensive side said anything. The next day, Bowden brought up Lane again and broached the idea of moving him to wide receiver. “ ‘Let’s continue this conversation because I’ll take him.’ It went from there,” Bowden recalled after practice Wednesday at the Stile Athletic Field House.
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“Terry kind of wanted him on offense. We needed some special talent and he is a special talent. He’s got ability we just haven’t had.” It wasn’t ideal that Lane make the switch in August. In a perfect world, the change would have come during the spring. It also didn’t help that the Zips’ quarterback position was unsettled, with Terry Bowden using senior Kyle Pohl and transfer Tra’Von Chapman before turning to sophomore Thomas Woodson, who came off the bench Sept. 19 against Savannah State and earned the starting job the next week at Louisiana. But with the Zips 3-5 going into Saturday afternoon’s game against the University of Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium, Lane said he believes he’s found his niche. He’s pulled in 18 passes for 356 yards and five touchdowns, including a 57yard score Saturday against Central Michigan. His 25.3 yards per catch ranks third in the nation, according to ESPN.com. He recorded his first 100-yard game Oct. 10 at Eastern Michigan, with four receptions for 104 yards and two touchdowns, a huge boost to his confidence. “I just feel like I finally found my spot on the football field,” he said. Lane realizes that his route-running and footwork need work. Jeff Bowden said while Lane has good hands, sometimes he has “lazy hands.”
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AKRON FOOTBALL “He doesn’t mind putting one hand out for a ball,” Bowden said. “I think today I made a deal with him, ‘I’ll let you do it if you catch it.’ If not, he’s going to do about 50 up-downs.” That fits right in with the criticism Lane has received from his dad. Both learned during the son’s days at Firestone that he thrives off criticism rather than praise. “He knows if he says I can’t do it, I’ll try my best to prove him wrong or do it to the best of my ability,” Lane said. “If he says he knows I’m going to do it, I won’t give it 110 percent.” Even Lane Sr. is surprised at his son’s transition to receiver. “After being in this situation for only two months and the way he’s playing, I’m almost impressed. I think this is his position,” he said by telephone Thursday. Lane Sr. won’t push his son toward a pro career despite his 12-year professional basketball career. After leaving the University of Pittsburgh after his junior year and never getting his degree, Lane Sr. is more intent on seeing Lane graduate.
used to run with a little hitch; now he runs fluidly.” Since that procedure, Lane Sr. said his son has gotten faster. Lane said he clocked in the 4.4s during high school combines. Firestone basketball coach Dave Milo said he saw Lane race receiver Trevor Kennedy, a fellow Falcon, when the Mercyhurst University graduate was headed for training camp with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Lane beat him twice. But Lane must learn to run more than out routes and fly patterns. Jeff Bowden expects more days from Lane like the one at Eastern Michigan. “Once a season is not something special, it’s just one good game out of 11 or 12,” Bowden said. Lane said since what he called his “breakout game,” he’s made 100 yards his weekly goal and feels disappointed when he doesn’t reach it. Nearly eight minutes into a 10-minute conversation, the question of whether Lane feels reborn was broached and his eyes lit up.
“That degree is going to last longer than those two legs,” said Lane Sr., an assistant basketball coach at Firestone who also works in customer service for the city.
“That’s the perfect word I was looking for, reborn, that’s exactly how I feel,” Lane said. His father also finds deeper meaning in his son’s transition.
His father said a factor in his son’s success is offseason surgery to repair what Lane Sr. called “a torn groin on his hip.”
“If he’d had an awesome high school career he might have gone to Ohio State and played linebacker and never gotten to play receiver,” Lane Sr. said. “He goes to Akron U., they couldn’t find a position for him, so they tried him at receiver. Life is about the grace of God and luck.”
“He complained about that when he was a junior in high school. We just thought he was lazy,” his father said. “They found out at Akron U. he’s been playing with a torn groin for the last three years. He A K RON VS . U T AH STA TE
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http://www.ohio.com/sports/zips/university-of-akron-football-after-years-lookingfor-his-best-position-jerome-lane-jr-findshis-niche-at-wide-receiver-1.637931
AKRON FOOTBALL
Cody Grice The “Great Codini” Keeps Zips Charged November 13, 2015 by Tom Layberger Whether in costume inviting fans to attend a game or shaving half his head, Cody Grice knows how to keep the atmosphere around Akron’s football program rather loose. In advance of the Zips’ Halloween game against visiting Central Michigan, Grice and Cathy Bongiovi, Akron’s assistant athletic communications director, went shopping for a costume that could be used in a spot plugging the game. The result was the “Great Codini” appeared in a video on the school’s athletics web site, on billboards throughout town and in print ads inviting fans to wear costumes to the game. “I am an outgoing guy and I like to do silly stuff,” said Grice, a 5-11, 287-pound nose tackle. “When Ms. Bongiovi came to me about doing a little skit for Halloween I was like, ‘Why not do it?’ We went to the costume center and had a good old time.” Grice then had a good old time in front of the camera and enjoyed the finished product. “I definitely liked it,” he said. “I am from Akron and everybody told me they saw it and they liked the laugh. The laugh was hilarious.” Grice provided many laughs in preseason camp last year when he showed up with half his head shaved. Former Akron running back Jawon Chisholm referred to Grice as ‘half man, half amazing.’ Like the Halloween spot it was about having a good time, but also keeping things loose.
“I picked the half-shaved head because I knew we had freshmen coming in that were going to be nervous,” said the fifth-year senior. “They needed something to laugh at and I don’t mind being the guy that you laugh at. I don’t mind loosening up the tension on the team because that is what is needed sometimes.” Grice’s play is anything but a laughing matter. He heads into Saturday’s game at Miami (Ohio) having started all 45 career games. He earned first-team All-MAC honors last year and has been a disruptive force again this season. Not bad for somebody who started his college career on the other side of scrimmage. A star running back and defensive tackle in high school, Grice was a 260-pound fullback on the scout team while redshirting his first year at Akron. When Terry Bowden took over the program following the 2011 season he installed a spread offense, which was not a fit for Grice, who was asked to move to defense. “I was hurt because I loved running back,” he said. “That was my favorite position. There is nothing like scoring a touchdown.” Defensive line coach Todd Stroud, who joined the staff after Bowden was hired, told Grice changing positions could mean more playing time and that he could be a difference-maker at nose. Those words helped ease Grice’s disappointment even though he felt he may not have the desired size. “If I could get some playing time, cool,” said Grice, recalling the conversation. “That’s how I looked at it. I was always going to work hard, but I thought maybe I was too small to play nose. Coach Stroud kept reassuring me like, ‘You can do it. You have the size for it. Don’t worry about your height, you just
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have to have heart.’ The biggest thing I have is heart.” Touchdowns proved not to be a thing of the past for Grice. Starting last year Bowden used him in short-yardage and goal-line situations. In 31 carries the past two seasons Grice has scored seven touchdowns, including three on 11 totes this year. Pounding the opposing defense is something he gets a charge out of. “Oh, man, bless us,” he exclaimed. “(Carrying the football) is something that I am very grateful for. Every defensive lineman wants to score a touchdown.” Grice, who is scheduled to graduate in the spring, would like to score a career in the NFL, or at least CFL. Regardless of how things turn out on the gridiron after leaving Akron he would like to have an impact on youth as a teacher. “I have friends that tend to get into the wrong things,” said the father of a 4-monthold boy. “A lot of them feel like they do not have a lot to live for and turn to the streets. I want to be the one to talk to them, let them know there is another way to go and that you have a chance in this world. A lot of kids just don’t know because they don’t have the guidance.” Grice could provide that guidance — and a laugh when the timing is right http://americansportsnet.com/whether-running-the-ball-or-hamming-it-up-great-codinikeeps-zips-charged/
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AKRON FOOTBALL
Jatavis Brown Linebacker Making A Name for Himself as Possible NFL Player November 17, 2015 by George Thomas
exactly what you hope a guy like Jatavis would do and that’s make big plays.”
University of Akron football fans should take note of a little stat that popped up over the weekend in the team’s victory over Miami University.
A Belle Glade, Fla., native, Brown is putting himself on the map nationally. NFL scouts come through UA regularly and he is the first person they mention, said those close to the program. The coaches on the defensive side of the ball agree that he is their most draftable player.
The single-season sack record by future Pro Football Hall of Fame member Jason Taylor and Ken Williams is toast. It’s gone. Someone in the future will be chasing senior linebacker Jatavis Brown for that record for the foreseeable future. Brown produced a Herculean effort against the RedHawks with 11 tackles and two sacks, putting his sack mark for the 2015 season at 10.5. With a bowl game in the team’s sights, it’s as if Brown has taken it upon himself to drag the team to an exotic locale to play just one more game when the regular season ends. In the past three games, he had 28 tackles, four sacks and seven tackles for loss. He has 16 tackles for a loss this season. He’s also among the leaders in the country in sacks, sitting at No. 4, averaging 1.05 per game. “He is raising his game at the point in time in our season when we need him to raise his game — when we need him to be exactly what he is,” coach Terry Bowden said. “It’s almost as if he alone feels like he’s got to do the things that win the game. He has got to put the pressure on the quarterback. He has got to make the tackle for loss. He is doing A K RON VS . U T AH STA TE
“Some people have drive. Some people don’t,” Bowden said. “Some people are highly motivated, highly driven. He is one of them. He came here with that type of personality and that type of mentality. You wish you had them all like that. Some are just more talented than others. He’s more talented than most. Some are more driven than others. He’s just more driven than most. And he’s got all the intangibles.” And those who analyze players for the draft agree that he without a doubt has draft potential. Dane Brugler an analyst for NFLDraftScout.com said that his size might be a hindrance for Brown, but he could be an impact player on special teams and possibly working himself into a linebacker rotation. He also said there’s a possibility that he could switch to safety. Pro Football Focus has him ranked highly in some areas, also. His pass rushing productivity rating, a score based on hits, sacks, and hurries relative to number of rushes, is third in the nation at his position. His rush grade is second in
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the nation among linebackers. He was ranked 22nd overall by grade at linebacker heading into last week. He has led a defense that’s played well enough for the team to win its past two games. His leadership, along with that of defensive lineman Cody Grice and linebacker Dylan Evans, could go a long way toward putting UA in a bowl game — a place they’ve not been in quite some time. http://www.ohio.com/sports/zips/ua-football-linebacker-jatavis-brown-making-aname-for-himself-as-a-possible-nfl-playerwhile-leading-zips-defense-1.641311
AKRON FOOTBALL
Coaching Staff Akron’s Seminole Coaching Connection December 9 2015 by Jim Henry
in rushing defense (89.8 yards per game) behind Alabama and Boston College.
Winning is a process. It’s fun. It’s contagious. It lightens the mood.
“We are doing the same thing we’d be doing in Tallahassee or Raleigh or wherever. We have a lot of fun here – I know we do on the defensive side.”
The Akron Zips’ feel-good football success might even be tied into the unseasonably mild weather that blankets Ohio’s Rubber City, which calls for temps in the mid-60s this weekend. Terry Bowden’s ability to reverse a cycle of losing at the Mid-American Conference school this season is helping change the program’s culture and outlook. The Zips (7-5) are headed to only their second bowl game ever this postseason, and another victory would be the most in a season since the program moved to Division I-A (FBS) in 1987 “It’s hard to appreciate how good it is if you have been around winning football to understand where Akron has been,” said Bowden, who went 11-0 in his first season as the head coach at Auburn in 1993. “It’s a big deal up here.” It has been big fun, too. A Seminole Reunion mixed into an Indian Winter. Bowden, who turns 60 in February, is the son of former Florida State coach Bobby Bowden. His staff also includes younger brother and former FSU assistant coach Jeff Bowden; former FSU associate head coach Chuck Amato; and former FSU player and strength and conditioning coach Todd Stroud. Grumpy Old Men. Not. “I am having the time of my life really,” said Amato, the Zips’ 69-year-old defensive coordinator whose unit is ranked third nationally
Fun is everywhere. A video recently surfaced that showed Terry Bowden busting a dance move at a rally for the football team following the team’s season-ending victory over rival Kent State. Also, five minutes before Bowden proposed to his girlfriend two Sundays ago, he fired a text message to Stroud to alert him. The text didn’t travel far. Stroud was across the living room from Bowden as coaches and their wives watched NFL football. “Sure enough, he waited until halftime and got it done right there in front of us,” said Stroud, the team’s defensive line coach, strength coach and recruiting coordinator. “Went to a knee and proposed. This is probably the most fun I’ve had coaching. You still feel like you are young, but you blink and you have been doing it over 30 years.”
Jeff Bowden, a former offensive coordinator under at FSU under his father Bobby Bowden, is coaching with older brother Terry at Akron. “It has been a really good feeling to finally get this thing turned a little bit,” said Jeff Bowden, the Zips’ receivers and special teams coach. “It is a huge accomplishment for this program, but in our mind it’s just the start. It’s a process. You are trying to change an attitude and a process. We feel like we’ve just got it started.” Familiarity abounds. Additionally, former FSU graduate assistant coach Ben Murphy is the Zips’ director of football operations and Jeff Bowden’s son, Hunter, is a graduate assistant coach. Terry Bowden’s son, Terry Jr., is expected to join the team next year as a student assistant coach. There’s nothing like winning. Playing in a bowl game. And enjoying temps 20-plus degrees above the norm in December.
Congratulatory high-fives have been the norm this season. The Zips won their last four games to become bowl eligible and will face Utah State on Dec. 22 in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl in Boise.
“This is my fifth (head) coaching job,” said Terry Bowden, in his fourth season with the Zips. “Each one has been very rewarding and this has probably been as much as any of them.
Just four years ago, Akron finished 1-11, with the only win coming against Morgan State. The program’s fifth-year seniors endured a 3-33 mark at one point. The team has won more than seven games only six times since it started playing football in 1891.
“It’s exciting times right now in Akron.” http://www.tallahassee.com/story/sports/ college/fsu/football/2015/12/09/henry-blog-akrons-seminole-coaching-connection/77070294/
Benjamin Harrison was the 23rd President of the United States that 1-3 season.
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CHUCK AMATO
Associate Head Coach/ Defensive Coordinator
A.J. MILWEE
Offensive Coordinator/ Quarterbacks
JEFF BOWDEN
Special Teams Coordinator/ Outside Receivers
TERRY BOWDEN TRENT BOYKIN
DARRELL FUNK
ERIC HICKSON
OTIS MOUNDS
TODD STROUD
MIKE WOODFORD
Tight Ends/H-Backs
Cornerbacks/Defensive Passing Game Coordinator
Offensive Line/Offensive Run Game Coordinator
Defensive Line/Recruiting Coordinator
Running Backs
Safeties
Head Coach
DATE OPPONENT
W/L SCORE
DATE OPPONENT
W/L SCORE
Sept. 5
at Oklahoma
L
41-3
Oct. 17
at Bowling Green*
L
59-10
Sept. 12
PITTSBURGH
L
24-7
Oct. 31
CENTRAL MICHIGAN*
L
14-6
Sept. 19
SAVANNAH STATE
W
52-9
Nov. 7
at Massachusetts*
W
17-13
Sept. 26
at Louisiana
W
35-14
Nov. 14
at Miami (Ohio)*
W
37-28
Oct. 3
OHIO^*
L
14-12
Nov. 21
BUFFALO*
W
42-21
Oct. 10
at Eastern Michigan *
W
47-21
Nov. 27
KENT STATE*
W
20-0
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* - Mid-American Conference Games | ^ - Homecoming
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