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Behind Enemy Lines - Akron
By Metzger | August 29, 2006
To begin the 2006 campaign, the Nittany Lions will face the Akron Zips this Saturday at 3:30 in Beaver Stadium. The Zips, the 2005 MAC Champions, are coached by J.D. Brookhart. Brookhart is in his 3rd season as Akron’s top man, compiling a 13-11 record. Before coaching at Akron, Brookhart served as the offensive coordinator at Pitt.
While the Zips went just 7-6 a year ago, they managed to win 4 of their last 6, including the MAC Championship game against Northern Illinois. A big part of their success revolved around the play of quarterback Luke Getsy. During the 2005 season, Getsy threw for 3,455 yards and a school record 23 touchdowns. He comes into this season ranked 5th among returning quarterbacks in yards passing and 6th in completions and touchdown passes. He also holds 22 records at Akron after just 1 season as a starter.
On the other side of the ball, the Zips return 9 of their top 11 tacklers from 2005. One Zip defender getting pre-season attention is defensive lineman Kiki Gonzalez. Earning second team all-MAC honors last season, Gonzalez has already been named to the 2006 pre-season all-MAC team and is one of 101 candidates to take home the Lombardi Award, which is given annually to the nation’s top lineman.
Akron by the numbers…
- Has lost 11 of its last 12 season openers
- Is 1-14 all time against the Big Ten
- Ranked 90th nationally in turnover margin but 32nd in total defense last season
- Ranked 103rd in rushing offense and 21st in passing offense during the 2005 season
- QB Luke Getsy has thrown just 1 interception in his last 149 attempts
Topics: In the Huddle |