OFFENSE

An alarmingly unproductive offense was the main culprit in Akron’s disastrous 1–11 record in 2010. The Zips ranked 119th in the nation in total offense (268.5 ypg) and 118th in scoring (15.6 ppg).

The offense welcomes back five starters and hopes to receive contributions from the last two recruiting classes. It also will help that the Zips will be in the second season of running the pro-style offense implemented by coach Rob Ianello and offensive coordinator John Latina.

Quarterback Patrick Nicely is back after starting seven games as a freshman and all 12 as a sophomore. After running the spread in high school and as a freshman at Akron, he struggled adapting to the new system in 2010. Nicely threw 10 touchdowns and had 13 interceptions. He will be pushed by sophomore Clayton Moore, a former Ole Miss signee who transferred from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.

The Zips may have the youngest crop of tailbacks in the nation, with one sophomore and four freshmen vying for playing time. Departed seniors Alex Allen (877 yards) and Nate Burney (467) were the top two rushers last season. Sophomore Broderick Alexander is the heir apparent. He rushed for 198 yards in 2009 but missed last season with an Achilles tendon injury.

The Zips also lost their top two receivers. Sophomores Antoine Russell and Keith Sconiers got some experience in 2010. Marquelo Suel and A.J. Price have the coaches excited and are expected to push for playing time.

Depth was a major problem on the offensive line in 2010 with only eight healthy bodies available for much of the year. The outlook is better this season, with three starters back — tackles Jake Anderson and Mitch Straight and guard Zac Kasparek.
 

DEFENSE

Junior middle linebacker Brian Wagner and senior cornerback Manley Waller headline a defense that returns seven starters. Wagner led the Zips in tackles last fall for the second consecutive season. He has exceptional instincts, runs well from sideline to sideline and is a sure tackler.

Waller, a junior, is one of the best cover corners in the MAC. The son of former Olympian Gwen Torrence, Waller was third on the team in tackles with 52 and had two interceptions. The return of Anthony Holmes and Josh Richmond should help the Zips improve in the secondary.

The defensive line is a possible area of strength in 2011. Akron rotated eight players last fall, and most of them are back. Tackle Dan Marcoux and end Hasan Hazime are returning starters. Valuable reserves James Harvey and Nico Caponi also are back. Much is expected of senior tackle Oren Wilson, a transfer from Michigan State who sat out most of the spring with a shoulder injury.
 

SPECIALISTS

The top two placekickers are gone, leaving inexperienced junior T.J. Marchese and true freshman A. J. Fox vying for the job. Punter Zack Campbell is back, but he averaged only 37.8 yards.  

FINAL ANALYSIS

The Zips have nowhere to go except up after winning only one game in Ianello’s first season. The offense must take a major step forward, and that begins with better play from the quarterback position. On defense, improvement in the secondary is the biggest priority.

Akron should be better in 2011, but don’t expect this team to be a factor in the MAC East race. Another last-place finish is a possibility.