After back-to-back winning season in 1999 and 2000, the Zips suffered through a season of inexperience and injury in 2001. Coach Lee Owens is hoping the injury bug has moved on to a new location, but the teams overall experience level will not significantly improve this season. The Zips return their smallest number of returning starters (10) in Owens tenure this season and the bulk of the inexperience is on the offensive line and in the defensive back seven. Akron does have some All-Conference players, especially on offense where they return their leading passer, receiver, and the top two running backs from 2000 and 2001. The two big questions; can a inexperienced offensive line open holes for several quality backs and protect quarterback sensation Charlie Frye and can the Akron defense stop anybody?

OFFENSE

With the loss of 4 starters from the offensive line Coach Lee Owens stated one of his key goals in the off season is “to build a new offensive line.” Getting his shot at the starting left tackle spot this season is Bryan Shaw (Jr., 6-3, 311). Shaw has spent the last two season on the two deep for offensive line coach Keith Uecker and saw playing time in seven games last season. One of the more experienced linemen for the Zips is left guard Aaron Conley (So. 6-3, 295). Conley, who has suffered through an injury plagued career sat out his freshman season with injuries but returned last fall to start all 11 games. Conley is the only Zips’ player returning to the line in 2002 that started more than one contest last fall. With a name like Jumbo, destined for offensive line play apparently since birth is Jumbo Bridger (Jr., 6-2, 300). The Second team All California junior college transfer arrived for spring camp and will likely get the starting nod at center. Bridger is competing with Jim Borrieci (So. 6-3, 280) for the position. At right guard we project Mike Piccirillo (Jr., 6-2, 310) who served as a backup last year to get the start this season for Akron. Piccirillo has bulked up from a 295 spring weight to 310 coming into fall camp appeared in 10 games for the Zips in 2001. Completing the left side of the line is Jud Cummins (Jr., 6-4, 309). Cummins also added 15 pounds since spring and has some experiencing after seeing action in five games last year. We’re almost certain we’ll be as good, if not better, inside guard-center-guard. We can’t pick up where we left off at tackle. You just don’t lose two all-league tackles and then say, “OK. We’re going to be as good next year.”

As a redshirt freshman quarterback Charlie Frye (So. 6-4, 200) established himself as one of the top quarterbacks in the Mid-American Conference. Frye ranked fifth in the MAC in pass efficiency (124.6 rating) and passing yards (186.6 per game) and was sixth in total offense (188.6 pg). Frye’s interception percentage (0.21) was the lowest on record at the university. Quarterback Coach Tom Stacey said of Frye, “ I’ve never been around a quarterback that worked harder and watched more film.” Frye became just the fourth quarterback in Akron history to throw for over 2000 yards (2053 in 2001) and the redshirt freshman set single season Akron marks for completions (170) and completion percentage (58.8%). Frye has already exhibited exceptional leadership skills and is one of the better quarterbacks in the MAC. “Charlie is the complete package,” said Owens. “He’s a big, physical guy who has all the intangibles. He has incredible confidence and shows tremendous leadership on the field.”

What should help Frye most in the passing game is the return of wideout Matt Cherry (So. 6-1 184). He evolved as Frye’s favorite target, catching 48 balls for 630 yards and three touchdowns last year. “We have been really good at receiver over the past few years, but we have a chance to be better with the skill and speed we have at that position,” said Owens. Cherry will be the go-to receiver, but Jake Schifino, who was a fifth-round NFL draft pick of the Tennessee Titans, and his 131 career catches must be replaced. Competing to fill in the void left by Schifino will be junior Bates Szakos, transfer Miquel Irvin and sophomore Morris Ellington (5-11, 183). Szakos (Jr., 6-3, 187) has 3 receptions for his career while Ellignton saw action in eight contests last fall while earning his first career start in Akron’s win over Kent State. After two starts and three receptions in two years at Toledo, transfer Miquel Irvin (Jr., 6-2, 185) is hoping to find some playing time with another MAC team. A two-year letter winner for the Rockets, Irvin appeared in 10 games as a true freshman for UT in 1999.

Fighting it out for the tight end spot is Mike Brake (Jr., 6-4, 252) who logged 7 receptions last fall in eleven games and Nick Fortener (Sr., 6-1, 243) who has accumulated 4 starts over his career and who also had 7 receptions last season.

The Akron backfield is loaded with All-MAC Candidates in Brandon Payne (Sr. 5-10, 200) and Bob Hendry (Jr. 5-10, 200). Payne, a Doak Walker Award candidate in 2000 and 2001, and Hendry, who was limited by a concussion last year have the resume. However, Minnesota transfer Marcus Sanders (So. 5-10 180), who impressed the coaching staff in the spring, is expected to see significant action. Hendry, a slashing runner, missed two games and one half of the Western Michigan game with injuries last fall but still managed to lead the Zips in rushing last year with his 819 yard performance (a solid 5.1 ypc average) and 10 touchdowns. In 1999, Payne was the MAC freshman of the year rushing for 845 yards. In 2000, Payne was 2nd Team All-MAC gaining over 1,000 yards rushing and nearly 200 yards receiving. Two of the three are likely to be paired in the backfield at the same time. When the Zips go with a more traditional fullback-running back combo, look for Dan Basch (Jr., 6-0, 233) to get the call. Basch, who is recovered from last year’s knee injury, is a powerful inside runner. Junior Ashanti Barbee, who was tabbed one of the Zips’ unsung heroes a year ago, will also see time in the backfield. Marcus Sanders (So. 5-10 180) is the starting fullback.

DEFENSE

There is solid experience and talent on the defensive front for the Zips. 2000 Outstanding freshman award winning Dwayne LeFall (So. 6-3, 252) started 3 games in 2000 garnering 4.5 sacks and seven tackles for loss. Coach Owens has called Lefall “special”. Dwayne redshirted last season to improve his academic standing. Joining LeFall at end is Marques Hayes (Jr., 6-1, 262) who tallied six quarterback sacks last fall, second among underclassmen in the MAC, and blossomed, after being moved from LB to DE where he played his first two seasons. Hayes accounted for 51 tackles last season, good enough for 5th on the team. Defensive tackle Ryan Schulz (Sr. 6-4, 286) possesses 4.93 speed and started nine games in 2000 and all 11 games in 2001. For his career, Schulz has 33 tackles including 6 tackles for loss. Tackle Ryan Gargasz (Sr. 6-6, 260) who runs a sub 5.0 40 – has started 22 games over the last 2 years and is the teams fifth leading returning tackler from a year ago and the Zips 2nd leading returnee in the tackles for loss category (7 in 2001). Gargasz posted 35 tackles last season, moved from end to tackle to take better advantage of his quickness.

The Zips also have some talent and experience returning in the linebacker corps as well. After competing at defensive end a year ago, Chase Blackburn (So. 6-3, 223) will move to linebacker this season. The athletic Blackburn played well as a true freshman defensive end last season contributing 16 tackles, including 5 for loss. Another player anxious for the start of the 2002 season is redshirt freshman linebacker Dointre Earl (RS-Fr., 5-11, 221). On the rebound from ankle surgery, Earl is an exceptional talent who brings a hard hitting, aggressive attitude to the position. After 3 starts and 32 tackles in 2000, Ryan Myers (Sr., 6-1, 230) started all 11 games at outside linebacker last season leading the team in tackles (77) and solo stops (58). Myers added five pass breakups and forced a team best three fumbles, which was tied for third in the MAC. He earned the team’s Outstanding Junior award last fall.

Everyone in the secondary will bring some game experience to the turf this season. Starting strong safety Marcus Suber (Sr., 5-11, 201) played in all 11 games last fall starting the Bowling Green and Marshall games at outside linebacker. Suber is the leading returning tackler in the secondary from last season with 45 hits. The other safety position will be manned by Kris Williams (Sr., 5-11, 178). Williams appeared in all 11 games in 2001 including starts at free safety in the last two games of the year, adding 30 tackles and 6 pass breakups. Cornerback Rickey McKenzie (Jr., 6-0, 184) who led the Zips in interceptions (3) and pass breakups (8) returns at one cornerback position (31 tackles) while Jesse Smith (Jr., 6-1, 180) is the likely starter at the other slot. Smith participated in all eleven games last season earning two starts and delivering 23 stops and 4 pass breakups.

Special Teams

The Zips return punter Andy Jerdon (Jr., 5-11, 199) for 2002. As a sophomore Jerdon started all 11 games as the punter and completed the season with 2,065 yards on 54 punts for a 38.2 average. For the first time in four years, the Zips have an opening at placekicker. Gone is 2001 Lou Groza semifinalist Zac Derr, Akron’s all-time leading scorer (266 points). It is likely that a freshman will be handling the kicking chores for the Zips this fall with either Andy Heinl (RS-Fr., 6-0, 175) or Billy Sullivan, one of the top kicking prospects in the nation in the 2002 recruiting class to win the job. The Zips are coming off a solid campaign in which they returned a punt and kickoff for touchdowns. Cherry, who averaged 16.3 yards per punt return, scored on a 74-yarder at Buffalo. Matt Carter should again man kickoff returns. Carter finished sixth in the MAC last season with a 21.7 yard average and scored on a 92-yard return at Marshall. McCray and Hendry add solid depth on kick off returns. McCray averaged 17.6 yards on eight returns last season, while Hendry posted 31.9 yards per return, including a 62 yarder vs. Western Michigan.

Final Thoughts

The bottom line in this one is that while both teams have a lot of questions early on, the Cavs simply have too much talent for Akron. An undersized defensive front should provide an opportunity for the Wahoo line to open some truck-size holes for Pearman, Weeks, Johnson and Lundy as well as give Matt Schaub plenty of time to connect to his targets. As well, an undersized secondary against the likes of Billy McMullen and Michael McGrew should provide a lot off prime targets for Schaub. While this game has blowout written all over it, expect the staff to get a lot of young players in this one keeping the score closer than you might expect. A note of caution, Richmond had the same writing on the wall. Akron keeps it respectable.

UVA – 27 Akron - 10

Greg Waters is the producer and co-host of the University of Virginia Sports radio call-in show CavTalk. The program airs from 7:00 – 9:00 PM on Wednesday evenings and originates from the studios of AM 950 WXGI and can be heard on the World Wide Web @ www.thesabre.com.