Akron defense struggled last season, ranking in the bottom half of Division IA
programs in nearly all statistical categories.
The
Zips, however, greatly improved throughout the 2002 campaign and also improved
on the previous season.
Despite
yielding over 500 yards of total offense three times this season, the Zips'
defense has been more aggressive through the first seven games of this season
than last year where they finished
8th in the MAC in total defense. Akron
has already collected five interceptions, 15 sacks (tied for fourth in the MAC),
55 tackles for loss and 10 forced fumbles.
Key
Stats
|
Category |
National
Rank |
Actual |
Conf
Rank |
Mid-American
Leader |
Actual |
|
Rushing Offense |
48 |
160.00 |
6 |
Ohio
|
208.83 |
|
Passing Offense |
8 |
323.29 |
4 |
Western Mich.
|
344.33 |
|
Total Offense |
6 |
483.29 |
2 |
Bowling Green
|
518.33 |
|
Scoring Offense |
13 |
37.29 |
3 |
Miami (Ohio)
|
39.00 |
|
Rushing Defense |
69 |
156.57 |
6 |
Miami (Ohio)
|
111.50 |
|
Pass Efficiency Defense |
55 |
119.26 |
6 |
Northern Ill.
|
107.12 |
|
Total Defense |
80 |
386.00 |
9 |
Bowling Green
|
317.00 |
|
Scoring Defense |
75 |
27.57 |
7 |
Bowling Green
|
15.0 |
Defensive Line Analysis:
Akron front four is much better this year. Last season, they struggle immensely
but they were still able to hold Marshall (win) and UCF (lost) below their
scoring averages. The D-line doesn’t hold well against run-heavy offenses and
their opponents tend to put up gaudy numbers against the undersized Zips. It
was evidence by Alex Haynes last year success running the ball against the
Zips. The Zips have two of four starters returning on the line which had just
five sacks in 2002. But don’t be fool. The best player on the D-line is
262-pound #86 senior
defensive
tackle
Marques Hayes. Through seven games, Hayes had 20 tackles and 16 were solo.
Also, Haynes had four tackles for loss along with 2.5 sacks so far this season.
Junior end Dwayne LeFall has two seasons as a starter under his belt, while
sophomore Brian White will start at the other end. # 6 LeFall
has 19 tackles including 11 solo through seven games. Nevertheless, he has 5.5
tackles for lost and 2.5 sacks on opponents. LeFall’s partner in crime, #48
White, had 17 tackles with 10 been solo through seven games. White also had two
sacks and five tackles for lost.
Linebackers Analysis:
The Zips best defensive player is #44 Chase Blackburn. He will be making his
second position change in as many years. Last season Blackburn moved from
defensive end to middle linebacker and recorded 96 tackles, 12 TFL and two
sacks. The 243-pound junior will switch to
weak-side linebacker so they could use him more as a pass rusher.
Chase Blackburn is the leader of the defense. At 6-3, Chase can cause a lot of
problems for opposing quarterbacks. He also has the speed to run them down from
behind.
Statistically, Blackburn leads the team with 60 tackles and 38 were solo.
Blackburn will be in the thick and thin of things on the field on Saturday. The
team’s leading tackler also had 11
tackles for lost. Helping Blackburn tackling is
LB Diontre
Earl . Earl is fourth with 49 stops and is tied for second on the squad.
Senior Matt Robinson and junior college transfer Jared Smith will compete for
the strongside spot. The top reserves are junior Joe Radich at middle linebacker
and sophomore Jay Rohr on the weakside.
Secondary Analysis:
Akron secondary is particularly tall, with all four starters standing six-foot
or taller. If there is a star among this group, it is 6-2 sophomore free safety
Domenik Hixon. Hixon started last year as a freshman in the fifth game. He
registered for 65 tackles which was good enough for fourth on the team. He’s
bigger and better this year. Hixon currently has 58 tackles
including a
team-best 45 solo stops.
Cornerback Rickie McKenzie (37 tackles, two interceptions) is a returning
starter. He’s very dangerous and a threat for UCF QB. McKenzie leads the Zips
with three interceptions and five breakups. Fellow senior Jesse Smith will
start opposite McKenzie.
SS John
Fuller posted a career-high 14 tackles at Buffalo (Sept. 27) and followed that
performance up with 12 stops at Miami (Oct. 4). He is now third on the team in
tackles with 56.
The top reserves are cornerbacks junior Montae Russell and redshirt freshman
Mike Bradshaw; strong safety Jason Nedd a sophomore and junior free safety Greg
Williams, who started five games at corner last season.
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