It wasn't like Akron was fantastic in its MAC title winning season, but it was fantastic when it had to be.
After not getting a deserved bowl bid in 2003 or 2004, the Zips took matters into their own hands and got an extra game by winning the MAC championship on a thrilling last minute pass to Domenik Hixon.
It was a strange season with unforgivable losses to Army and Ball State mixed in with a home loss to Central Michigan and a blowout at the hands of Miami University. But when the Zips needed a win, it got one beating Northern Illinois twice and catching East rival Bowling Green without Omar Jacobs.
Now J.D. Brookhart's crew wants to do even more, and it has the talent to do it with 16 returning starters led by what should be one of the MAC's best defenses. To get back to the championship game and earn another bowl bid, the Zips have to be far more consistent and get steadier play out of both sides of the ball.
That won't be a problem for a defense with legitimate contenders for first-team All-MAC honors in guard Kiki Gonzalez, end Jermaine Reid, linebackers Kevin Grant and Brion Stokes not to mention four returning starters to a secondary that helped the Zips finish 16th in the nation in pass defense. Considering where the defense was a few seasons ago, to even be considered among the best in the MAC shows how quickly Brookhart and his staff have turned things around.
The offense could be another story, at least early on, needing to replace the top receivers along with 1,000-yard back Brett Biggs. However, quarterback Luke Getsy should be able to build on a great end to 2005 and be one of the MAC's best passers, while all five starters return to what should be a top offensive line.
If all things come together and the Zips get the play needed from all of their veterans, they're not going to need a miracle last second pass to win their second straight championship.
The Schedule: It's a nightmare early with five road games in the first six and six road games in the first eight needing to survive non-conference games against Penn State and NC State before the MAC opener at Central Michigan. On the plus side, the big East games against Miami and Bowling Green are at home and three of the final four games are in the Rubber Bowl. The games against the West aren't all that bad missing Northern Illinois but playing Toledo on the road.
What you need to know on offense ... There could stand to be a bit more balance after being mainly a passing attack, and there needs to be more overall production after averaging 23.6 points and 384 yards per game. The offense wasn't wasn't consistent last year and will have problems getting the same performance two weeks in a row losing RB Brett Biggs and top receivers Dominek Hixon and Jason Montgomery. The cupboard is hardly bare with eight returning starters including the entire offensive line and likely All-MAC QB Luke Getsy.
Best Offensive Player: Senior QB Luke Getsy. He turned into a better passer as last season went on throwing for 868 yards over the final two games and finishing with 3,455 yards and 23 scores. He'll have to be even better this year with so much turnover in the receiving corps and in the backfield.
What you need to know on defense ... The 3-3-5 defense of Jim Fleming should be even better with eight starters returning including several All-MAC candidates. Kiki Gonzalez will get more respect this season as one of the league's best linemen, while end Jermaine Reid will be a terror of a pass rusher. Linebackers Kevin Grant and Brion Stokes will more than make up for the loss of leading tackler Jay Rohr, while Rover John Mackey will be the tone-setting leader of what should be the MAC's best secondary.
Best Defensive Player: Senior DE Jermaine Reid and NG Kiki Gonzalez. The line wasn't always a rock against the run last season, but these two should be stronger with Gonzalez the MAC's best anchor and the 275-pound Reid a fearsome pass rusher.
Key player to a successful season: Sophomore RB Dennis Kennedy. The Zips not only have to replace Brett Biggs' 1,230 rushing yards and ten touchdowns, they have to replace his 65 catches for 535 yards and four scores. The 209-pound Kennedy and fellow sophomore Alex Allen will bring a bit more speed.
The season will be a success if ... Akron wins the MAC title. How do you shoot for anything less after winning it all last year? Even with seven road games a ten-win season is very possible as long as there's a second championship and a bowl victory.
2005 Fun Stats:
- Second quarter scoring: Opponents 100 - Akron 54
- QB Luke Getsy vs. Northern Illinois (2 games): 50-89, 819 yards, six touchdowns, one interception
- Fourth down conversions: Akron 11 of 27 (41%) - Opponents 2 of 9 (22%)
