The Legacy of Tyler Kozlov

[K0ZZ]

Jawon Chisholm shows poise; leadership as Zips knock off Ball State

Who said this team had no motivation to finish out the season.

"It's my last year ****it, I'm going to go out there and leave it all out on the field. They couldn't stop me, I ran through them, around them, whatever I had to do to make sure we got the win." Spoke Jawon Chisholm, who was clearly excited in his teams victory which largely came on his shoulders. He carried this offense.

For the first time this season, there wasn't a passing touchdown, as Kyle Pohl tossed two early interceptions that forced Tyler Kozlov to adopt the run game as the premier part of his offense, and the defense did just enough to keep the game close, while Kyle Pohl managed to make a few good throws to set up the running game in this one.

Jawon Chisholm finished with 166 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns for the Zips, scoring most of his teams points, the only exception being on an option, Kyle Pohl kept it and ducked into the end zone for a score in the fourth quarter to make it a one touchdown game. Chisholm was unstoppable however and that opened up so many options for this offense, especially in the running game as the read option became a deadly part of the offensive repertoire.

"We had to adjust. They took away the passing game and instead of forcing the issue, we just needed to shift our game. It was hard to do, given the deficit but this team came out and made the case for why we can be successful. It's a testament to this team to come out and deliver, after hearing the media proclaim the season was essentially over for the past week. This is a big time for our seniors to show the younger players how Zips play, and you can expect to see some younger players getting worked in to get a few reps as well."

Could that spell the end for Kyle Pohl? The embattled quarterback is the NCAA leader in turnovers with 18 interceptions and 4 fumbles lost. He leads the NCAA in the first category and it can be a major part of why this team has struggled in it's close contests. Pohl, a fourth year junior could have played his way to the bench for his senior year.

For the Cardinals, this defeat essentially guarantees they won't have a ticket to Detroit come the end of conference play, the loss knocks them to third in their division and two games behind the leading Huskies. A suffering blow for a team that appeared to have control of this one through most of the first half. They would crack however, and the Zips emerged victorious.

Ozzie Mann was the leader for the Cardinals offense, with Jahwan Edwards accounting for 55 yards on fifteen carries, the quarterback found himself atop the rushing and passing boards with a strong presence in the read option and making a few strong armed passes throughout this contest. The Cardinals dip to (4-5) and suddenly they find themselves potentially on the outside of the bowl bubble, while the Akron Zips are simply playing for pride at this point, with a 2-7 record on the season.

The Zips will take on the Kent State Golden Flash (3-6) next week, and the Zips would love to spoil a teams season for the second consecutive week. A Zip victory eliminates the Flash from post season consideration and moves the Zips further up the division standings.

[K0ZZ]

Another week and another top ten team falters against an unranked foe, this time the SEC isn't the culprit. Traveling out west, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish took on the Air Force Falcons of the Mountain West and were absolutely stunned by the military program. The Falcons piled up 387 rushing yards while shutting down Everett Golson who had three turnovers as the Falcons got their marquee victory over their independent foe.

The highlight game of the week ended up being the bore of the week. In Eugene, the Oregon Ducks smashed the UCLA Bruins and solidified their spot atop the standings with a big victory that saw their first place votes nearly double from the previous week. Marcus Mariota accentuated his heisman campaign with a masterful performance in this matchup, tossing at a brilliant 66% clip, with a pair of touchdowns and two hundred yards. He would also add a touchdown on the ground as he earned player of the game honors in the 45-20 thrashing of the UCLA Bruins.

In the ACC, Florida State knocked off the undefeated North Carolina State Wolfpack in a 30-17 decision, despite the quality victory, they remained entrenched in the rankings at the four slot. The Ohio State Buckeyes would leapfrog over the Seminoles with their 38-24 victory over the unranked Purdue Boilermakers. This has elicited a bit of outcry as fans of the Seminoles clamor for change in the BCS system, as the Seminoles keep winning but continue to fall down the polls.

[K0ZZ]

Defense brings the Wagon Wheel to Akron

Akron retains the series lead with a crucial victory over their divisional foe and main rival in Kent State. The Akron Zips won on virtue of a tremendous defensive showing coupled with a few lucky breaks in favor of their squad to keep the Zips who despite 4 turnovers still managed to eke out the victory.

The Zips defense turned in their best performance of the season, albeit against their weakest offensive foe that was missing three starters across the offensive unit due to injuries. They only managed to pick up 139 yards, including only 86 yards through the air and a season best 53 rushing yards. The Zips did allow a touchdown on the ground, even so, the Flash only kept it a game due to a defensive touchdown and a kick return score.

Akron struck first, a good offensive drive ended up stalling after Kyle Pohl tossed a pair of incompletions to lead to a fourth down in Golden Flash territory. The Flash had allowed Jawon Chisholm to pick up 44 yards on the ground in the opening drive, and Tom O'Leary hit the 38 yard field goal cleanly to put the Zips temporarily up by 3. That would only last one play.

Ernest Calhoun would field the kickoff on the goal line and find a seam, bursting through it, he would fake out Tom O'Leary in the open field and go untouched the entire way to the end zone, a 100 yard score and the first touchdown the special teams unit gave up this season. It would breath life into the Golden Flash who looked absolutely flat otherwise on defense. The Zips offense couldn't get much going through the first quarter.

Washington State transfer, CJ Mizell jumped the route on a Connor Reardon drop back pass and hauled in the interception. Mizell would bring it 51 yards for the touchdown and the Zips took the lead, the crowd that gathered grew loud in celebration of the teams first defensive touchdown, a big one that would keep the Zips ahead at the end of the first.

In the second quarter, the Golden Flash appeared to find some momentum and dominated the period. The Flash answered back midway through the period with an interception return of their own. Malcolm Pannell caught an errant pass from Kyle Pohl and brought it back for the go ahead touchdown in the second frame. A fumble on the kick off sent possession right back to Kent State inside the thirty and it wouldn't take much before Anthony Meray would score from fifteen yards out on the ground further solidifying the lead. 20-10. The final drive of the quarter would result in three points for the Zips with Tom O'Leary knocking in an easy 25 yard chip shot to make it a 13-20 score heading into the half.

The second half was a defensive struggle, neither side gained much traction. It would break open in the fourth when tight end Jake Allen caught a pass in the seam for a 28 yard gain that would set up the tying score, Jawon Chisholm took a rush off tackle for gains of 13 and 15 before a read option had Kyle Pohl sneak between guard and tackle and eke out a 7 yard touchdown rush. The Zips tied the game. 20-20.

The defense would hold true at midfield and stop the Flash on fourth down and with a little over two minutes left, the Zips got the ball. A big completion to Zach D'Orazio and Keith Sconiers netted gains of 18 and 31 yards to set up the Zips in field goal position. With a minute to go, the Zips churned out yards on the ground until only :03 seconds left. A timeout was blown, than again a time out from the Flashes side. The ice wouldn't work however and as the final whistle blew, the ball cracked the net at the end of the field.

The Zips stormed the field, winning their rivalry game to improve to 3-7 on the season. By winning against their rivals, they eliminated them from post season eligibility as the Flash fall to 3-7 on the season. Akron will have to evaluate if they want to keep Kyle Pohl under center, Pohl leads the NCAA in interceptions and just increased his margin by tossing another pair today.

The Zips will get their first week of rest in the upcoming week, with only two games yet to be played the team could diversify its lineups with two throw away games remaining it may be time to let the younger players get a little experience.

[K0ZZ]

If one were to look out for upsets in the past week they would be sorely disappointed. The top of the rankings look to remain within the status quo as every top ten team remained in the top ten, and following that teams jostled due to bye weeks and victories. No team seemed to tumble much besides the teams that were knocked from the Top 25.

Texas got stunned at home by the Kansas Jayhawks in a score that no one expected. Kansas has had a football program that has been terrible and had next to no expectations this season but Charlie Weis has managed to add one thing to his resume, he beat Texas. Maybe in a down year for the Longhorns but even so, the Jayhawks would eke out the win.

The Gamebirds lost to the Mississippi Bulldogs by a 4 point decision and ultimately would fall out of the rankings thanks to three consecutive defeats. They were at #6 and than fell completely out of the rankings, one of the worst drops in history especially for this point of the season. They fell from grace and hit bottom hard. They may continue to fall, it's yet to be seen if they could turn it around.

Northwestern got destroyed by the Nebraska Cornhuskers who took their spot in the polls following the 42-20 thrashing of the Wildcats in Evanston. A tough pill for them to swallow but many considered the Wildcats to be overrated to be in the polls and this loss just knocks them more in line with perceptions.

In the heisman race, Marcus Mariota continues to shine and his Ducks top the polls but for some reason things just are clicking for the pollsters who have decided to have Cardale Jones replace him in the top five. The Ohio State quarterback hadn't received much fanfare until recent weeks and big victories.

Switching to recruiting news, the focus will shift with many letters of intents funneling in, the national media will focus upon the top position players and their potential landing zones. Starting on the offensive end, we look across at the top quarterback and it's very likely he will be heading to South Bend. J.J. Porter has done everything shy of committing to the Fighting Irish in his recruiting bid and has never considered any team a top choice aside from the Irish.

Cornelius Henry, the top wideout in the nation is still undecided but his choices are narrowed to Alabama and Florida. LSU remains a darkhorse candidate for his signature but it's very unlikely the Bayou will claim another top prospect. Henry is an athletic freak and could contribute big for the Tide in the coming years. He could be another major wideout prospect that this team produces for the NFL.

Johnny Evans, the top tackle is looking to also decide between Alabama and Texas A&M. This would be a huge coup for the Tide to pull the top wideout and tackle in this class, and it's very possible. Texas A&M has surged as of late in his interest, but Evans has been steadfast in supporting the Crimson Tide.

Finally, in committment news, the top offensive guard will be taking his talents to the Seminoles, where Ryan Parks has officially signed his letter of intent to play for the Florida program. "There's just too much on the plate here, there's talent to win, but enough freedom that I can build my own legacy." Spoke Parks, which is quite substantial words for an offensive guard, but he projects as a NFL talent.

[K0ZZ]

Zips conclude week off with big news

There was a lot of news surrounding the 3-7 Akron Zips football program this week, some of it good and some of it not so good. Starting with what at best could be called bad news. Akron Zips starting quarterback, Kyle Pohl has been benched for the remainder of the season. Tyler Kozlov put it simply that, "Pohl needs to take some time to study the game. He's forcing things and we can't have our potential starter doing that to us next year. Closing out this year with trying a few things, we will have Tommy Woodson start the Massachusetts game and for his final game wearing the Akron jersey, we will have Nick Hirschman under center for the matchup against Toledo."

The news doesn't come as much of a surprise. Pohl has posted a high yardage rate, but has the most interceptions in all of NCAA, along with a high amount of fumbles and missed pitches on options that has had many spectators wondering when the string would be pulled. It's too late for their chances at a bowl this year but with no quarterback signed in the upcoming recruiting class and losing Hirschman this upcoming offseason, the Zips want to get a good look at Tommy Woodson under center. Chandler Kincade won't be an option as the team looks to keep his redshirt in tact and gain the extra year of eligibility from the quarterback.

"It's a honor to be given the start. I'm going to do everything I can to prove that next year I should be under center!" Spoke an excited Tommy Woodson to the school paper in an interview following the Monday release that Woodson was practicing with the first team, while Pohl was off studying film the entire practice.

Jawon Chisholm is drawing NFL scouts, with scouts from Baltimore and New England planning to visit the Massachusetts-Akron game to get a glimpse at the back as a potential late round pick. Chisholm has 662 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns on the season and has been a strong factor in this offense. Chisholm missed a good portion of the season due to a muscular tear, but since his return he has played with a chip on his shoulder.

Looking to the future, three more letters of intent have been faxed to the athletic department. The biggest of which was Nick Higgins. Higgins is a four star prospect from Alabama and seemingly caught into the aura of the sudden insurgence of funding and support the Zips program has received. Higgins was seemingly spurned by his home state teams and was minimally recruiting throughout the entire process which made his choice even easier. Many teams question whether his ranking was warranted as he had a lackluster senior season and his team missed the playoffs. Joining him is a giant tight end, Justin Matthews hails from Minnesota and boasts an impressive 6'7 stature with a bench press of 400 lbs. He will be a force for this team if his hands become more reliable, but luckily he is a capable blocker. The other recruit to sign was junior college transfer, Chris McCormick. McCormick stays in his homestate to attend Akron after graduating high school and attending a junior college in Maumee, he remained in Ohio.

[TheOtherPotterGuy]

A 6'7 tight end that can bench press 400 pounds? Did J.J Watt go back to high school? Should be interesting to see how he develops for you. I like this a lot!.

[K0ZZ]

Quote: Originally Posted by TheOtherPotterGuy

A 6'7 tight end that can bench press 400 pounds? Did J.J Watt go back to high school? Should be interesting to see how he develops for you. I like this a lot!.

I didn't even realize that he did that until he committed, I realized I needed a second tight end and saw him interested and he comes in like that! One of the few 2* recruits that actually has me really excited! If his hands were better he would be a monster from year 1!

[K0ZZ]

Week 11

This week saw another upset as the SEC is quickly beating itself out of the national title race with the Mississippi State Bulldogs being the latest casualty of an intense SEC race that has seen numerous teams fall. This time, the Bulldogs underestimated the Texas A&M Aggies who managed to hang around in the rankings and finally made an upwards climb by virtue of their victory versus the Bulldogs. A 27-10 knockout punch that with only three to four games yet to be played, unless a lot of teams get struck with the "L" bug, they have been eliminated from championship contention.

The Baylor Bears picked up a big victory, knocking the Sooners down the Top 25 polls. The Bears managed to climb upwards, but with just a few top contenders, the Big 12 won't have any hopes at a championship bid. With just five teams left undefeated, the race to the championship is on, and the Big 12 joins the SEC on the outside looking in.

Shooting up the rankings once again is Everett Golson, Golson had slipped from the polls for weeks as the Irish struggled on the gridiron, the Irish however have mounted a small winning streak and proceeded to see their quarterback start to rise in the public eye as a result, however Todd Gurley remains the favorite to win the trophy.

The Alabama Crimson Tide can rejoice as they mount one of the best recruiting classes in recent history by pulling in two more recruits that are the top recruit at their position. Last week, we visited the opportunity that the Tide would land them and this week it's official. the top wide out, Cornelius Henry and top tackle Johnny Evans will be traveling to Tuscaloosa where they will spend their next four years.

The Washington Huskies scored the top player in their state with the signing of Lorenzo Chase. The defensive end put up huge numbers in his senior year and will be a dominant force on the Huskies defensive line. On the defensive end, Middle linebacker Chris Massey is seeing a strong push from the home state Gators, but the Bulldogs of Georgia remain the likeliest choice for the linebacker who will stay in the SEC.