[the_ad_group id=”632″]
BOCA RATON – Looking to cap its best season since moving to the FBS level, FAU has one more challenge on the year, the Akron Zips.
Akron, (7-6, 6-3 MAC) has not fared well against non-conference tough competition. The only non-conference win came in a blowout of Arkansas- Pine Bluff.
Like Akron, FAU’s lone non-conference win came against an FCS opponent, Bethune-Cookman.
Both teams reached their conference championship games. Unlike the Owls, the Zips could not win their title, falling to the Toledo Rockets.
A big move that happened in the 10th game of the season for the Zips was a quarterback change; they went from three-year starter Thomas Woodson to red shirt freshman Kato Nelson. Nelson who is a much more explosive quarterback has impressed in his four starts.
Defensively, the Zips pursue the ball well.
“Akron can fly to the ball,” FAU running back Devin Singletary said.“They try not to give up a lot of big plays.”
FAU will also be going against a big football family name. Terry Bowden. son of the great FSU coach Bobby Bowden, coaches of the Zips.
THE FILE: Akron Zips (7-6, 6-3)
THE SERIES: First Meeting
AKRON OFFENSE
The Zips run a spread offense. FAU is very familiar with that since most C-USA teams run something similar. They may not be as familiar with the quarterback. Kato Nelson, from South Florida, is very much a dual threat quarterback that can hurt defenses with his arms and legs. “(Nelson) can really move around and make throws,” FAU coach Lane Kiffin said. “Really seems like, for a young guy, that he really is in command of the offense.” Other than Nelson, the Akron offense has had a hard time getting things going as they have only 1,406 yards in the ground total and 2,872 yards in the air.
OFFENSIVE PLAYERS TO WATCH
- 1 Kato Nelson, R-Fr., QB – Nelson is making his fifth start of the season. He’s thrown for 909 yards and eight touchdowns against two interceptions. He also can make plays with his legs, rushing for 177 yards rushing and a score.
- 5 Tra’Von Chapman, R-Sr. WR – His 50 catches lead the Zips and have covered 456 yards. Look for him to get the ball, especially when Nelson is getting pressured.
- 3 Kwadarrius Smith, R-Jr. WR – The biggest scoring threat on the Akron receiving core, Smith leads the team in receiving touchdowns and yards with 726 yard and touchdowns with 7. He will be the deep threat that FAU will need to stop. Smith averages also 21.4 yards per reception.
AKRON DEFENSE
Akron runs a 4-3 defense with a strong pass defense. The Zips’ 19 interceptions ties for second nationally, one pick behind FAU. They are also seventh nationally with four defensive touchdowns. When it comes to rush defense though, the Zips are lacking a bit. They rank No. 99 nationally against the run, allowing 2,564 yards on the ground and giving up 19 touchdowns. FAU running back Devin Singletary is not the back Akron wants to see.
DEFENSIVE PLAYERS TO WATCH
- 5 Ulysees Gilbert, Jr., LB – Leads Akron with 128 tackles. Also recorded five sacks, four pass breakups, and three interceptions. He is a guy who FAU is watching in the Boca Raton Bowl. Gilbert plays the weak side at linebacker which means he will not line up with the tight end most of the time.
- 7, Jordan George, Jr., CB – George plays on the wide side of the field. He leads team in interceptions with five and has the third most tackles with 68.
- 9, Jamal Davis, R-Jr., DE – The defensive end leads the team in tackles for a loss with 13.5. Davis can pressure quarterbacks and stop the run.
Recent Comments