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 Win or lose, college teams must quickly turn the page. After last Saturday’s 42-0 loss at Ohio State, Akron Zips head coach Rob Ianelli would like the next page to contain something about standards and growing.
“What I told the team is we have a standard here on performance, and you should have a standard, and it should be high. We did not meet that last Saturday.” Ianello said.
Akron (0-1) gained just 90 yards of total offense, including a mere 35 yards rushing at OSU. The Zips were just 2-for-13 on third downs and registered eight three-and-outs. UA’s deepest penetration was the Buckeyes 24 late in the first half. That drive resulted in a missed field goal.
Defensively, they allowed 517 yards, 8-for-15 on third down, and were 6-of-8 in the red zone.
In his first start at the major college level, Clayton Moore was just 6-for-16 for 54 yards. Thirty-three of those yards came on a completion to wide receiver Marquelo Suel late in the first half, when the Zips had their only sustained drive of the game. In addition, Moore led UA in rushing with 32 yards
When asked about Moore’s play on Saturday, Ianello said “I thought Clayton handled the two minute offense really well, He got some yards with his legs (and that) was a positive. …To have your first start in that kind of environment (the attendance was over 105,000), I think he handled that very well. He will grow off of that game.”
Defensively, linebacker Brian Wagner had another outstanding game. The junior led UA with 15 tackles (10 of them solo), which was one short of a career high. Ianello also noted that sophomore Nico Caponi, senior Manley Waller, and defensive tackle Oren Wilson played well against the Bucks.
The Zips now prepare for the home opener Saturday evening at InfoCision Stadium as the Temple Owls come to town in the MAC opener for both schools.
The visitors from south Philadelphia are fresh off a season-opening victory over FCS rival Villanova, 42-7, Thursday night in the Mayor’s Cup game. The decision gave head coach Steve Addazio his first win as a head coach
Temple has been close to winning the Eastern Division in each of the past two seasons. In 2009 they needed just a win at Ohio, but failed. Last year, they had the division lead, but a home loss to Ohio followed by a loss at Miami in the finale gave the Redhawks the division title.
“We’re playing a very quality opponent.” Ianello said. “When I watch them on video. they are a well-coached team, a physical team, a very talented team in our league.”
Against the Wildcats, junior running back Bernard Pierce carried the ball 20 times for 149 yards, scoring three touchdowns. For his efforts, Pierce was named MAC East Offensive Player of the Week.
After a phenomenal freshman season, Pierce was slowed by injuries last year, but he looks healthy at the start of this season.
Junior quarterback Mike Gerardi was 14-of-20 passing for 235 yards and two scores against Villanova. Defensively, linebacker Blaze Capongero had seven tackles (all solo) against.
“You should make your most improvement from your first game to your second game” Ianello said. UA hopes there is a dramatic improvement as it hosts the Owls Saturday evening
NOTES: Saturday’s game is the 21st lifetime meeting between the two schools (Temple leads the series 13-7)…10th game in Akron (6-3 TU)…second in InfoCision Stadium (Temple won the 2009 meeting 56-17)…Temple has won the last four meetings since the Owls came into the MAC…The Zips had eight true freshman and five redshirt freshman play in the season opener at OSU…Zips are 71-37-3 in home openers (1-1 in InfoCision Stadium)…UA is 8-11 in MAC season openers…Temple is 17-4 in its last 21 regular-season games
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