Week 6: Akron at Kent State

Kent State comes into its annual brawl with neighborhood rival Akron with a virtual split on-field personality. The Golden Flashes have demonstrated a balance on offense and an ability to advance the football, but they just can’t shut the door often enough to keep the opposition from doing the same.

The 353 yards Kent State rolled up against MAC leader Ball State last week should have been enough to keep the Flashes in a close battle, but their defensive shortcomings were parlayed into 41 points by Ball State, and another loss resulted for Kent State. With Akron up next, Kent State has to figure out a means to shore up the defense, which had allowed more than 40 points in three of the last four games.

If the Golden Flashes get into another shoot out with Akron, and come to the realization that victory will only come if they simply outscore the Zips, then the wear and tear on senior quarterback Julian Edelman will begin to show. He was the team’s leading rusher against Ball State with 70 yards on 18 carries, and that amounts to a lot of exposure to potential injury.

The Zips are in need of some healing as well, stung by a 17-15 loss at Cincinnati where a late field goal by the Bearcats wiped out what was potentially a landmark victory.

Like Kent State, Akron has a seasoned quarterback in Chris Jacquemain who has been tuned in to the MAC wars and the important skirmish with the rival Golden Flashes. Jacquemain made good on 26 of 40 passes for 254 yards in Akron’s most recent game, and the running of Dennis Kennedy provides a good second option. Andre Jones has emerged as a go-to receiver for the Zips after making the conversion from defensive back.

On defense, the Zips have had good stuff. They did not allow a touchdown while facing Army’s bewildering triple option a couple of weeks ago, and again played well enough to win against Cincinnati. Repeat those efforts, and they could likely get the better of their rivals.

Notes:

Akron’s Deryn Bowser was on the receiving end of 10 of Chris Jacquemain’s 40 passes last week, and converted one of them into his first touchdown in an Akron uniform.

Kent State is hoping some home cooking does the trick – the Golden Flashes have played four of the first five on the road, including long trips to Iowa and Louisiana.

The Zips have been especially adept at forcing turnovers. Akron forced three turnovers at Wisconsin, two at Syracuse, two against Ball State, and five in a win at Army.

Kent coach Doug Martin is yearning for more pass rush, and he essentially called out defensive linemen Monte Simmons and Kevin Hogan this week, naming them as the guys who have to provide pressure off the edge.

Key Player (Zips) – Bryan Williams, DB

The senior from Akron has demonstrated a true nose for the football for his hometown team. Williams had an interception in the end zone at Wisconsin, forced a fumble at Syracuse, and had a forced fumble and a fumble recovery against Army.

Key Player (Golden Flashes) – Jon Simpson, TE

The 6-5 product of Hargrave Military Academy has been pressed into service since senior starter Jameson Konz was injured, and Simpson has responded with sound blocking and by displaying the good hands that led the Kent coaches to recruit him initially. Simpson is a critical safety valve when QB Julian Edelman needs to dump the ball off.

Akron by 6