I know you usually post articles about the games that are throughout the week. Do you have anything for tonight's matchup?
Thanks,
MoeshY-13-
Thanks,
MoeshY-13-
IE
- Thread starter MoeshY-13-
- Start date
expecting a close game myself, took akron and the points..
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Sykes expected back for Akron game
OXFORD ? Miami University senior running back Austin Sykes should be back in the lineup, close to full throttle Wednesday night when the RedHawks face the Akron Zips at Yager Stadium.
Sykes suffered an ankle injury at Vanderbilt on Oct. 27, and although he started against Buffalo a week later, he carried only three times for 11 yards.
"Austin tried to go in the first quarter," Miami head coach Shane Montgomery said. "I just feel like he wasn't close to 100 percent, so we held him out (for the rest of the game). He should be back."
Sykes has made seven straight starts since Brandon Murphy and Andre Bratton suffered season-ending injuries. He leads the team in rushing with 438 yards, averaging 4.5 yards per carry.
Montgomery added that true freshman linebacker Ryan Kennedy is "close" to returning after injuring a knee against Temple, and that red-shirt freshman strong safety Peris Edwards will be back after missing the Buffalo game with a shoulder injury.
All-MAC expansion
More RedHawks will have a chance to earn All-Mid-American Conference honors this season thanks to a change which adds an all-league third team to the post-season honors.
"With 13 teams, it would be hard to get all-league (with just first and second teams and honorable mention), especially when you're voting on teams you haven't played against," Montgomery said. "There are a lot of guys who don't get recognized."
Home sweet home
After not winning at Yager Stadium all of last season, Miami is seeking its fourth consecutive victory at home.
The RedHawks have not won four straight at home since stringing together five straight wins in 2004.
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Miami facing another must-win MAC game
Eleven days ago the Miami RedHawks wrapped up perhaps their most important victory of the past three years, the triumph over the Buffalo Bulls with first place at stake, with a possible bowl berth on the line.
Now they get to do it again.
"This is much like the Buffalo game, except it's a week later, and we're a week closer," Miami head coach Shane Montgomery said, referring to his the RedHawks' contest tonight against the Akron Zips.
Miami stands tied with Buffalo for first place in the Mid-American Conference East Division, and since the RedHawks hold all the tiebreaker advantages, they can wrap up their first spot in the MAC Championship Game since 2004 by winning their final two regular-season games.
Montgomery said the RedHawks have come a long way since the dark days of September, when they were blown apart in back-to-back games against Cincinnati and Colorado and stood 1-3 overall.
"It would have been difficult for a lot of teams to come back from the Colorado game, after three straight losses, and beat a good Syracuse team," he said. "They've pretty much stayed the course. Each win has been in a challenging game."
The Miami coach said he expects tonight's game to be no different.
"We have to play with the intensity and enthusiasm we played with against Buffalo," Montgomery said.
"Akron is a very talented football team," he said. "They played Indiana extremely well at Indiana. They lost a couple close MAC games, pulled out a miraculous win at Western Michigan and had a really good win against Ohio Wednesday night."
The Zips snapped a three-game losing streak by outscoring Ohio 48-37 a week ago in a nationally televised contest to eliminate the Bobcats from the East Division title chase.
Sophomore tailback Alex Allen led Akron with three touchdown runs, and he teamed with junior Bryan Williams for 176 rushing yards. Williams also returned a kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown and ranks fifth in the NCAA in that category.
Allen and Williams, along with the presence of senior wide receiver Jabari Arthur, give Montgomery reason for concern.
"They've got some really talented running backs," he said. "They're younger guys, but there were really effective against Ohio University. And they've got one of the top receivers in the league in Jabari Arthur. He's a big, physical receiver, sort of a combination receiver/tight end. We'll need to know where he's at."
"At the same time, we'll have to be ready for two quarterbacks," Montgomery noted. "(Chris) Jaquemain is more of a passing quarterback and (Carlton) Jackson is more of a running quarterback. We need to be ready for both of them because they present different problems."
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Sykes expected back for Akron game
OXFORD ? Miami University senior running back Austin Sykes should be back in the lineup, close to full throttle Wednesday night when the RedHawks face the Akron Zips at Yager Stadium.
Sykes suffered an ankle injury at Vanderbilt on Oct. 27, and although he started against Buffalo a week later, he carried only three times for 11 yards.
"Austin tried to go in the first quarter," Miami head coach Shane Montgomery said. "I just feel like he wasn't close to 100 percent, so we held him out (for the rest of the game). He should be back."
Sykes has made seven straight starts since Brandon Murphy and Andre Bratton suffered season-ending injuries. He leads the team in rushing with 438 yards, averaging 4.5 yards per carry.
Montgomery added that true freshman linebacker Ryan Kennedy is "close" to returning after injuring a knee against Temple, and that red-shirt freshman strong safety Peris Edwards will be back after missing the Buffalo game with a shoulder injury.
All-MAC expansion
More RedHawks will have a chance to earn All-Mid-American Conference honors this season thanks to a change which adds an all-league third team to the post-season honors.
"With 13 teams, it would be hard to get all-league (with just first and second teams and honorable mention), especially when you're voting on teams you haven't played against," Montgomery said. "There are a lot of guys who don't get recognized."
Home sweet home
After not winning at Yager Stadium all of last season, Miami is seeking its fourth consecutive victory at home.
The RedHawks have not won four straight at home since stringing together five straight wins in 2004.
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Miami facing another must-win MAC game
Eleven days ago the Miami RedHawks wrapped up perhaps their most important victory of the past three years, the triumph over the Buffalo Bulls with first place at stake, with a possible bowl berth on the line.
Now they get to do it again.
"This is much like the Buffalo game, except it's a week later, and we're a week closer," Miami head coach Shane Montgomery said, referring to his the RedHawks' contest tonight against the Akron Zips.
Miami stands tied with Buffalo for first place in the Mid-American Conference East Division, and since the RedHawks hold all the tiebreaker advantages, they can wrap up their first spot in the MAC Championship Game since 2004 by winning their final two regular-season games.
Montgomery said the RedHawks have come a long way since the dark days of September, when they were blown apart in back-to-back games against Cincinnati and Colorado and stood 1-3 overall.
"It would have been difficult for a lot of teams to come back from the Colorado game, after three straight losses, and beat a good Syracuse team," he said. "They've pretty much stayed the course. Each win has been in a challenging game."
The Miami coach said he expects tonight's game to be no different.
"We have to play with the intensity and enthusiasm we played with against Buffalo," Montgomery said.
"Akron is a very talented football team," he said. "They played Indiana extremely well at Indiana. They lost a couple close MAC games, pulled out a miraculous win at Western Michigan and had a really good win against Ohio Wednesday night."
The Zips snapped a three-game losing streak by outscoring Ohio 48-37 a week ago in a nationally televised contest to eliminate the Bobcats from the East Division title chase.
Sophomore tailback Alex Allen led Akron with three touchdown runs, and he teamed with junior Bryan Williams for 176 rushing yards. Williams also returned a kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown and ranks fifth in the NCAA in that category.
Allen and Williams, along with the presence of senior wide receiver Jabari Arthur, give Montgomery reason for concern.
"They've got some really talented running backs," he said. "They're younger guys, but there were really effective against Ohio University. And they've got one of the top receivers in the league in Jabari Arthur. He's a big, physical receiver, sort of a combination receiver/tight end. We'll need to know where he's at."
"At the same time, we'll have to be ready for two quarterbacks," Montgomery noted. "(Chris) Jaquemain is more of a passing quarterback and (Carlton) Jackson is more of a running quarterback. We need to be ready for both of them because they present different problems."
Miami defensive breakdown
Football
The theme ? Miami has a lot of speed on defense. The unit, which runs the 4-3, is tops in the MAC in points allowed. The linebackers and line do a great job pressuring the quarterback and stopping the run. The pass defense is somewhat vulnerable.
Key players ? Weakside linebacker Clayton Mullins is third in the conference in tackles. Middle linebacker Joey Hudson is the playmaker you want to watch out for. Strongside linebacker Caleb Bostic has nine tackles for loss. Joe Coniglio has come off the left end of the line to make 8.5 sacks.
How Akron can score ? Throw deep. The Zips are toast if they try to move the ball on intermediate routes. The RedHawk linebackers are too good. Akron?s o-line will have a nice test tomorrow. If they can open holes for Bryan Williams, it will make it easier for Jabari Arthur to get open.
Football
The theme ? Miami has a lot of speed on defense. The unit, which runs the 4-3, is tops in the MAC in points allowed. The linebackers and line do a great job pressuring the quarterback and stopping the run. The pass defense is somewhat vulnerable.
Key players ? Weakside linebacker Clayton Mullins is third in the conference in tackles. Middle linebacker Joey Hudson is the playmaker you want to watch out for. Strongside linebacker Caleb Bostic has nine tackles for loss. Joe Coniglio has come off the left end of the line to make 8.5 sacks.
How Akron can score ? Throw deep. The Zips are toast if they try to move the ball on intermediate routes. The RedHawk linebackers are too good. Akron?s o-line will have a nice test tomorrow. If they can open holes for Bryan Williams, it will make it easier for Jabari Arthur to get open.
Miami offensive breakdown
Football
The theme ? Miami?s offense isn?t outstanding in any facet, but coach Shane Montgomery must be pleased at how the team has performed, considering its youth. The offense is pretty balanced between the run and pass. When the RedHawks run well, they win. The biggest fault is the offensive line?s 26 sacks allowed ? 10th in the MAC.
Key players ? Coming into the season, Montgomery thought he was going with Brandon Murphy and Mike Kokal at running back and quarterback, respectively. Younger players have outperformed them. Murphy still plays a little, but Austin Sykes and Cory Jones get more carries. Kokal hasn?t played in four weeks, which is when Daniel Raudabaugh took over. The sophomore quarterback has been much more effective.
How Akron can stop them ? Bring the house. Make the sophomore QB beat you with quick reads. The turnovers were aplenty early in the year. If the Zips make the opposing quarterback uncomfortable, they will eventually come back.
Football
The theme ? Miami?s offense isn?t outstanding in any facet, but coach Shane Montgomery must be pleased at how the team has performed, considering its youth. The offense is pretty balanced between the run and pass. When the RedHawks run well, they win. The biggest fault is the offensive line?s 26 sacks allowed ? 10th in the MAC.
Key players ? Coming into the season, Montgomery thought he was going with Brandon Murphy and Mike Kokal at running back and quarterback, respectively. Younger players have outperformed them. Murphy still plays a little, but Austin Sykes and Cory Jones get more carries. Kokal hasn?t played in four weeks, which is when Daniel Raudabaugh took over. The sophomore quarterback has been much more effective.
How Akron can stop them ? Bring the house. Make the sophomore QB beat you with quick reads. The turnovers were aplenty early in the year. If the Zips make the opposing quarterback uncomfortable, they will eventually come back.
Momentum shifting for Zips
After a 48-37 win over Ohio, UA will take on the division-leading Miami RedHawks Wednesday
The University of Akron football team will look to build off its 48-37 defeat of Ohio University Nov. 7 when it travels to Oxford, Ohio, to face the Miami University RedHawks Wednesday night. The game will mark the final Mid-American Conference East Division contest for the Zips this season.
Wednesday's game is the 19th meeting between the two schools since 1915. Miami leads the series 12-5-1 and has won eight of the last 10 games, but the Zips (4-6, 3-3 MAC) defeated the RedHawks (5-5, 4-1 MAC) 24-13 at the Rubber Bowl last season.
While Akron will look to win back-to-back MAC East games for the first time this season, MAC East-leading Miami will look to come within one win of clinching at least a share of the MAC East title and 2007 postseason bowl eligibility.
Superb special teams
The Zips' execution on special teams played a pivotal role in the team's home win against Ohio. With Akron down three points off of an early turnover, junior running back Bryan Williams returned the ensuing kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown. Redshirt place-kicker Igor Ivelijic also figured prominently in the Zips' scoring, converting field goals from 48 and 39 yards.
While many phases of UA's team have been inconsistent throughout the 2007 season, the special teams' output has been a consistent weapon.
After his performance last week, Bryan Williams ranks fourth nationally in kickoff returns. In 10 games, he has returned 19 kickoffs for 632 yards and a touchdown. Opposing teams have been altering their kickoffs in an attempt to keep the ball away from him for several weeks now.
Williams was named MAC East special teams Player of the Week Monday.
Ivelijic has quietly had an impressive first collegiate season, after redshirting in 2006 due to a back injury. He has converted 15-18 field goals this season, including 8-8 from inside the 30-yard line and 3-4 from 40-49 yards. Ivelijic's longest field goal so far was from 51 yards.
Zips head coach J.D. Brookhart said that Ivelijic's consistency has solidified an element of UA's scoring that was lacking at times in 2006.
"Last year was obviously frustrating," Brookhart said. "Just (kicking) extra points were frustrating, let alone field goals."He's done a nice job. He's only going to get better, too. He's very raw with his talent, but once he gets to lifting and working on his technique, he's going to be outstanding."
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Miami rested, ready for the Zips
Miami had a bye last week. The RedHawks defeated the Buffalo Bulls 31-28 in their last game Nov. 3.
Miami's third-year head coach Shane Montgomery said during his weekly news conference that the bye helped his players recover from their constant injuries.
Montgomery also mentioned that the RedHawks are going to have to pay close attention to senior wide receiver Jabari Arthur because of what he means to the Zips' offense.
"They have one of the top receivers in the league in Jabari Arthur," Montgomery said. "He's a big, physical receiver, so he'll give us some real match-up problems on the outside. They seem to throw 60 to 70 percent of their passes to him, so we'll have to put special emphasis on him this week."
The RedHawks are also preparing to face the contrasting quarterbacking styles of redshirt sophomores Chris Jacquemain and Carlton Jackson.
Zips redshirt sophomore running back Alex Allen, who rushed for 96 yards and three touchdowns against Ohio, said after Wednesday's game that the team wants to take the momentum garnered in the last game to Miami and finish the season strong.
"We need to take this momentum that we have now and just go out there and execute against Miami like we did with OU, and finish strong for the seniors," Allen said.
Allen was named MAC East offensive Player of the Week.
After a 48-37 win over Ohio, UA will take on the division-leading Miami RedHawks Wednesday
The University of Akron football team will look to build off its 48-37 defeat of Ohio University Nov. 7 when it travels to Oxford, Ohio, to face the Miami University RedHawks Wednesday night. The game will mark the final Mid-American Conference East Division contest for the Zips this season.
Wednesday's game is the 19th meeting between the two schools since 1915. Miami leads the series 12-5-1 and has won eight of the last 10 games, but the Zips (4-6, 3-3 MAC) defeated the RedHawks (5-5, 4-1 MAC) 24-13 at the Rubber Bowl last season.
While Akron will look to win back-to-back MAC East games for the first time this season, MAC East-leading Miami will look to come within one win of clinching at least a share of the MAC East title and 2007 postseason bowl eligibility.
Superb special teams
The Zips' execution on special teams played a pivotal role in the team's home win against Ohio. With Akron down three points off of an early turnover, junior running back Bryan Williams returned the ensuing kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown. Redshirt place-kicker Igor Ivelijic also figured prominently in the Zips' scoring, converting field goals from 48 and 39 yards.
While many phases of UA's team have been inconsistent throughout the 2007 season, the special teams' output has been a consistent weapon.
After his performance last week, Bryan Williams ranks fourth nationally in kickoff returns. In 10 games, he has returned 19 kickoffs for 632 yards and a touchdown. Opposing teams have been altering their kickoffs in an attempt to keep the ball away from him for several weeks now.
Williams was named MAC East special teams Player of the Week Monday.
Ivelijic has quietly had an impressive first collegiate season, after redshirting in 2006 due to a back injury. He has converted 15-18 field goals this season, including 8-8 from inside the 30-yard line and 3-4 from 40-49 yards. Ivelijic's longest field goal so far was from 51 yards.
Zips head coach J.D. Brookhart said that Ivelijic's consistency has solidified an element of UA's scoring that was lacking at times in 2006.
"Last year was obviously frustrating," Brookhart said. "Just (kicking) extra points were frustrating, let alone field goals."He's done a nice job. He's only going to get better, too. He's very raw with his talent, but once he gets to lifting and working on his technique, he's going to be outstanding."
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Miami rested, ready for the Zips
Miami had a bye last week. The RedHawks defeated the Buffalo Bulls 31-28 in their last game Nov. 3.
Miami's third-year head coach Shane Montgomery said during his weekly news conference that the bye helped his players recover from their constant injuries.
Montgomery also mentioned that the RedHawks are going to have to pay close attention to senior wide receiver Jabari Arthur because of what he means to the Zips' offense.
"They have one of the top receivers in the league in Jabari Arthur," Montgomery said. "He's a big, physical receiver, so he'll give us some real match-up problems on the outside. They seem to throw 60 to 70 percent of their passes to him, so we'll have to put special emphasis on him this week."
The RedHawks are also preparing to face the contrasting quarterbacking styles of redshirt sophomores Chris Jacquemain and Carlton Jackson.
Zips redshirt sophomore running back Alex Allen, who rushed for 96 yards and three touchdowns against Ohio, said after Wednesday's game that the team wants to take the momentum garnered in the last game to Miami and finish the season strong.
"We need to take this momentum that we have now and just go out there and execute against Miami like we did with OU, and finish strong for the seniors," Allen said.
Allen was named MAC East offensive Player of the Week.
Preview: Miami vs. Akron
Miami: Sophomore quarterback Daniel Raudabaugh has thrown touchdown passes in each of his last three games since taking over for the injured Mike Kokal, and although he ranks only 10th in the MAC in passing efficiency, his numbers have been improving. Junior linebacker Joey Hudson has played as though his knee injury at Minnesota on Sept. 8 were nothing more than a mosquito bite. He has been named MAC East Defensive Player of the Week twice, and that doesn't include his most recent performance, when he racked up 10 tackles including a QB sack against Buffalo.
Akron: Sophomore running back Alex Allen rushed for three touchdowns and a career-long 31-yard run in the Zips' victory over Ohio last Wednesday. Senior LB Brion Stokes, one of the main reasons the Zips rank third in the MAC in total defense, leads the team in tackles (81), tackles for loss (16) and quarterback sacks (5.5).
Scouting report: Two years ago, Miami found itself in a similar position in the next-to-last game of the regular season, facing Bowling Green at home in a nationally televised game and needing a win to stay on track for a berth in the MAC championship game. The RedHawks are hoping for a better outcome this time against Akron. In 2005, the game was delayed for two hours by the threat of severe storms (which never materialized in the Oxford area). Once the game did start (by then, the national broadcast had been switched to another game), nothing went right for Miami. The Falcons scored on three safeties in the first half on punt snaps that landed in the end zone and went on to obliterate the RedHawks 42-14. Although Miami did earn a share of the title by winning at Ohio, they were left out of the MAC title game.
Miami: Sophomore quarterback Daniel Raudabaugh has thrown touchdown passes in each of his last three games since taking over for the injured Mike Kokal, and although he ranks only 10th in the MAC in passing efficiency, his numbers have been improving. Junior linebacker Joey Hudson has played as though his knee injury at Minnesota on Sept. 8 were nothing more than a mosquito bite. He has been named MAC East Defensive Player of the Week twice, and that doesn't include his most recent performance, when he racked up 10 tackles including a QB sack against Buffalo.
Akron: Sophomore running back Alex Allen rushed for three touchdowns and a career-long 31-yard run in the Zips' victory over Ohio last Wednesday. Senior LB Brion Stokes, one of the main reasons the Zips rank third in the MAC in total defense, leads the team in tackles (81), tackles for loss (16) and quarterback sacks (5.5).
Scouting report: Two years ago, Miami found itself in a similar position in the next-to-last game of the regular season, facing Bowling Green at home in a nationally televised game and needing a win to stay on track for a berth in the MAC championship game. The RedHawks are hoping for a better outcome this time against Akron. In 2005, the game was delayed for two hours by the threat of severe storms (which never materialized in the Oxford area). Once the game did start (by then, the national broadcast had been switched to another game), nothing went right for Miami. The Falcons scored on three safeties in the first half on punt snaps that landed in the end zone and went on to obliterate the RedHawks 42-14. Although Miami did earn a share of the title by winning at Ohio, they were left out of the MAC title game.
Thanks IE, much appreciated! Leaning towards Akron and the points, plus the Over to close an open par.
Gl tonight!
Gl tonight!
