Young Akron team aims for more success
AKRON ZIPS
COACH: Tom Arth – Third Season
2020 RESULTS: 1-5
2021 MAC MEDIA POLL PREDICTION: Fifth-Eastern Division
COACH: Tom Arth – Third Season
2020 RESULTS: 1-5
2021 MAC MEDIA POLL PREDICTION: Fifth-Eastern Division
By Evan Meyer
ABOUT THE ZIPS:
Since Tom Arth took over for Terry Bowden after the 2019 season, the Zips have fielded one of the youngest squads, not only in the MAC, but in the entire Football Bowl Subdivision.
With the bulk of the team made up of freshmen and sophomores, some growing pains were to be expected. UA lost all 12 games in Arth’s first season, followed by the first four in 2020. Akron finally reached the win column December 3 against winless Bowling Green.
For a young Zips team, the . . .
ABOUT THE ZIPS:
Since Tom Arth took over for Terry Bowden after the 2019 season, the Zips have fielded one of the youngest squads, not only in the MAC, but in the entire Football Bowl Subdivision.
With the bulk of the team made up of freshmen and sophomores, some growing pains were to be expected. UA lost all 12 games in Arth’s first season, followed by the first four in 2020. Akron finally reached the win column December 3 against winless Bowling Green.
For a young Zips team, the . . .
. . . adage that you must learn to walk before you can run reflects the Zips challenges as they seek more trips to the win column and the respectability that comes with victories.
ABOUT THE ZIPS
OFFENSE:
>> The UA offense struggled for points and yards much of the season and finished the campaign averaging just 17.2 points and 281.2 yards per contest.
ABOUT THE ZIPS
OFFENSE:
>> The UA offense struggled for points and yards much of the season and finished the campaign averaging just 17.2 points and 281.2 yards per contest.
Kato Nelson has a wealth of experience and should be healthy this season. >> The offense should get a boost in 2021 with a healthy Kato Nelson at quarterback. Nelson, who was injured late in the 2019 season and did not play in 2020 due to surgery, is back and healthy. In his three plus seasons as the starter, Nelson has completed 51.9 percent of his passes for 5,138 yards with 34 touchdowns and 16 interceptions. In addition, he has rushed for 622 yards and two scores. Meanwhile, JUCO transfer DJ Irons has the potential to open up UA's passing game while also providing a run option.
>> The running game was a bright spot in 2020, with RB Teon Dollard emerging to rush for 666 yards on 119 carries. He led the Zips with seven touchdowns, eclipsing the 100-yard mark twice with 168 yards against Ohio and 185 yards against the Bowling Green. After catching seven passes out of the backfield, he could also prove a productive receiving option this year.
Anthony Williams Jr. is new to the unit, having transferred in from Michigan State. He played in 14 games, carrying 40 times for 123 yards with seven receptions for 82 yards during his Spartan stint.
>> The receivers are led by George Qualls Jr who paced UA with 12 receptions for 160 yards, including a season high four in the win over the Falcons. Tony Grimes Jr. has had 12 catches for 130 yards. Also in the mix will be Michael Mathieson. In two seasons, he collected 42 receptions for 354 yards and two touchdowns.
The offensive line had its share of ups and downs while starting five red-shirt freshman. Among the downs was allowing 28 sacks, so fixing pass protection will certainly will be a goal. The O-line returns with a year of experience. Look for sophomore Alex Robarge to join LT Ronan Chambers, LG Ryan Beckman, RG Jordan Daniels, and RT Owen Murphy.
>> The running game was a bright spot in 2020, with RB Teon Dollard emerging to rush for 666 yards on 119 carries. He led the Zips with seven touchdowns, eclipsing the 100-yard mark twice with 168 yards against Ohio and 185 yards against the Bowling Green. After catching seven passes out of the backfield, he could also prove a productive receiving option this year.
Anthony Williams Jr. is new to the unit, having transferred in from Michigan State. He played in 14 games, carrying 40 times for 123 yards with seven receptions for 82 yards during his Spartan stint.
>> The receivers are led by George Qualls Jr who paced UA with 12 receptions for 160 yards, including a season high four in the win over the Falcons. Tony Grimes Jr. has had 12 catches for 130 yards. Also in the mix will be Michael Mathieson. In two seasons, he collected 42 receptions for 354 yards and two touchdowns.
The offensive line had its share of ups and downs while starting five red-shirt freshman. Among the downs was allowing 28 sacks, so fixing pass protection will certainly will be a goal. The O-line returns with a year of experience. Look for sophomore Alex Robarge to join LT Ronan Chambers, LG Ryan Beckman, RG Jordan Daniels, and RT Owen Murphy.
Bubba Arslanian was a Second Team All-MAC selection. DEFENSE:
>> Akron's defense allowed 41.3 points and 440 yards per game in 2020. Stopping, or at least limiting opposition running, will be a key goal. The Zips allowed 248.2 ypg (8th MAC). As many as 10 starters from last year could start again.
>> Senior John Mitchell, along with sophomores Bryce Wilson and Eric Bentley return up front.
>> One bright spot was LB Bubba Arslanian. The fifth-year senior, who earned Second Team All-MAC honors, finished 2020 leading UA in tackles. Along with Arslanian at linebacker are senior Brandon Bischof (29 tackles-21 solo), with Ryan McChain, Quevan Lawson and Julian Richardson among those in the rotation.
>> The secondary is led by junior free safety A.J. Watts, who finished second on the team in tackles and registered two interceptions -- Akron's only two picks on the year. Joining him in the secondary are senior CB Chu Obgonna (six total tackles) and senior CB Jordyn Riley (14 tackles and two pass breakups).
Former Michigan Wolverine Jaylen Kelly-Powell could be a boost and Adetutu Daranijo contributed 22 tackles in 2020.
SPECIAL TEAMS:
>> UA brings back both kickers in 2021. PK Cory Smigel connected on 4-of-6 field goals and fellow sophomore P Kyle Romanick averaged 40.3 yards on 28 boots a season ago. The Zips also have one of the best kick returners in the MAC in Jeremiah Knight, who averaged 20.5 yards per return in 2020.
SCHEDULE:
>> UA will open their 2021 campaign on September 3 deep in the heart of Southeastern Conference country at Auburn. Akron then returns home for two games against Temple and FCS member Bryant before ending their non-conference schedule at Ohio State.
The MAC schedule commences with a home game against Ohio on October 2nd before hitting the road for a pair at Bowling Green and Miami.
The rival Kent State game is Nov. 20 at InfoCision Stadium.
>> Akron's defense allowed 41.3 points and 440 yards per game in 2020. Stopping, or at least limiting opposition running, will be a key goal. The Zips allowed 248.2 ypg (8th MAC). As many as 10 starters from last year could start again.
>> Senior John Mitchell, along with sophomores Bryce Wilson and Eric Bentley return up front.
>> One bright spot was LB Bubba Arslanian. The fifth-year senior, who earned Second Team All-MAC honors, finished 2020 leading UA in tackles. Along with Arslanian at linebacker are senior Brandon Bischof (29 tackles-21 solo), with Ryan McChain, Quevan Lawson and Julian Richardson among those in the rotation.
>> The secondary is led by junior free safety A.J. Watts, who finished second on the team in tackles and registered two interceptions -- Akron's only two picks on the year. Joining him in the secondary are senior CB Chu Obgonna (six total tackles) and senior CB Jordyn Riley (14 tackles and two pass breakups).
Former Michigan Wolverine Jaylen Kelly-Powell could be a boost and Adetutu Daranijo contributed 22 tackles in 2020.
SPECIAL TEAMS:
>> UA brings back both kickers in 2021. PK Cory Smigel connected on 4-of-6 field goals and fellow sophomore P Kyle Romanick averaged 40.3 yards on 28 boots a season ago. The Zips also have one of the best kick returners in the MAC in Jeremiah Knight, who averaged 20.5 yards per return in 2020.
SCHEDULE:
>> UA will open their 2021 campaign on September 3 deep in the heart of Southeastern Conference country at Auburn. Akron then returns home for two games against Temple and FCS member Bryant before ending their non-conference schedule at Ohio State.
The MAC schedule commences with a home game against Ohio on October 2nd before hitting the road for a pair at Bowling Green and Miami.
The rival Kent State game is Nov. 20 at InfoCision Stadium.
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