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2010 Akron Zips Football Preview

Akron Overview:

New coach Ron Ianello comes to Akron from Notre Dame to kick start a program that has to be considered a ‘sleeping giant.’ The Zips have a beautiful new stadium that was half-full during its inaugural season at InfoCision Stadium. After winning the MAC in 2005 Akron has won just 17 games during the past four seasons. The talent is there, the hotbed recruiting areas of Ohio and western Pennsylvania are in place, and the facilities are the best in the league ~ so now it’s up to Ianello to catapult this perennial underachiever into a consistent winner.

Akron's Team:

Akron returns their top two QBs, Patrick Nicely and Matt Rodgers. Nicely threw for over 1,300 yards and six TDs as a true freshman after Rodgers was injured early in the season. While Broderick Alexander returns as the team leading rusher (just 198 yards in 2009), Alex Allen was granted a sixth year of eligibility. Adding depth to this unit is two-time Ohio Mr. Football Award winner Erick Howard. True freshman Giorgio Bowers will press for playing time too this fall. Jeremy LaFrance is the leading returning receiver and three offensive linemen return led by LT Corey Woods. Defensively the new coaching staff is implementing a 4-3 alignment and have three solid DLs to build on in Almondo Sewell, James Harvey and Hasan Hazime. Sophomore LB Brian Wagner earned all-conference honors after producing 132 tackles last season.

The Verdict:

Akron entered the 2009 campaign with high hopes and with injuries and bad luck finished 3-9 and Coach JD Brookhart was dismissed. This year’s team should be solid on defense and there are some offensive playmakers to push Akron over the .500 mark. With a new coaching staff and an unproven running game, another sub-.500 mark is more likely.

2010 Schedule & Prediction

• Sept 4 - Syracuse - W

• Sept 11 - Gardner-Webb - W

• Sept 18 - at Kentucky - L

• Sept 25 - at Indiana- L

• Oct 2 - NIU - L

• Oct 9 - at Kent State - L

• Oct 16 - at Ohio - L

• Oct 23 - Western Michigan - W

• Oct 30 - at Temple - L

• Nov 6 - at Ball State- L

• Nov 17 - Miami (O) - W

• Nov 26 - Buffalo - W

5-7 Overall; 3-5 MAC

By: Nick Gerogosian of VanDelaySports.com

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