September 30: Volleyball Back on Road After Short Homestand
Coach Mike Sweitzer's volleyball team takes to the road again this weekend, traveling to Miami (O.) and Ohio University for Mid-American Conference matches. The Zips will look to improve on their current record of 7-8 (2-2 MAC).
After four consecutive road weekends to open the season, Akron opened its home schedule last Friday night and lost 15-8, 15-17, 18-16, 15-11 to Western Michigan. Kim Schaper (Kalamazoo, Mich.) posted 45 assists in the match, while Michele Ebert (Amherst, N.Y.) led the Zips with 18 kills and Brooke Santek (Portage, Mich.) led the team with 26 digs.
On Saturday afternoon, visiting Ball State dispatched the Zips, 15-5, 15-10, 15-11. Schaper led the team once again with 26 assists, while Mandy Futchi (Mentor) was the only Akron player with double-digit kills, posting 10.
Soccer To Play Three Games This Week: Akron (4-4-1, 1-0 MAC) will take to the road tomorrow, traveling north to take on Cleveland State. The Zips' next home game is Friday at 7 p.m. when they meet Detroit Mercy. On Sunday, Akron will be at Wisconsin-Milwaukee for a 1 p.m. match.
The Zips-Vikings rivalry stands at 25-10-3 in favor of Akron. UA won last fall, 2-0 at Jackson Field. The Zips knocked off Detroit 2-1 a year ago and lost to UWM, 2-0.
Coach Ken Lolla and the Zip soccer team opened Mid-American Conference play on Friday night, as they played host to Eastern Michigan University. Akron was able to halt its four-game losing streak, posting a 2-0 win on the strength of goals by junior midfielder Jeff Maddox (Bossier City, La.) and sophomore forward Allen Eller (Mentor). The shutout victory was the third of the year for junior goalkeeper Bill Wahl (Chagrin Falls).
Akron doesn't play another conference game until Oct. 12, when the Kentucky Wildcats are at Lee Jackson Field for a 7:15 p.m. contest.
Harriers Finish Second At Youngstown State: Both Akron cross country teams placed second at Youngstown State last Saturday. Senior Scott Schlauder (New Albany) and freshman Mickey Andrade finished 2-3 in the men's race for the Zips. Sophomore Mary Matuk (Ravenna) and Jennifer Solomon (Bellville) wound up 6-7 in the women's division to lead Akron. The host Penguins won both races. UA placed ahead of California (Pa.) and Robert Morris.
Golfers Finish 13th At Northern Intercollegiate: The Akron golf team finished in 13th place last weekend in the weather-shortened Northern Intercollegiate Tournament, hosted by the Ohio State University. The Zips posted rounds of 316-308--624 in the two-round tournament. Sophomore Peter Eells (Hudson) was the top finisher for Akron, as his 77-77--154 tied him for 31st place individually. Ohio State won team and individual medalist honors, as Chris Wollmann (70-69--139) led the Buckeyes (296-293--589) in the tournament.
Football Notes: Sophomore linebacker Nate Johnson (Steubenville) registered the Zips' first interception of the 1996 season in last Saturday's 27-7 win over Western Michigan at the Rubber Bowl. He also had a tackle for loss. The fullback combination of Jamie Reader (Monessen, Pa.) and Chris Rooney (Sioux City, Iowa) rushed for 111 yards. reader suffered a strained knee after scoring a 15-yard touchdown run. Rooney, a junior college transfer, also caught a 1-yard scoring pass from quarterback Mike Junko (Upper St. Clair, Pa.). Speaking of Junko, this week he'll be matched against his father, Bob, defensive coordinator at Kent. Kickoff at Kent's Dix Stadium is 2 p.m. Saturday.
September 28: Akron Seniors Determined To Gain First "W"
It's not so much that the Akron Zips (0-4, 0-2 MAC) are still searching for their first win. Actually, the incentive this week is to beat Western Michigan for the first time in the 1990s.
"We've never beaten Western during my career, and that provides plenty of motivation," fifth-year senior quarterback Mike Junko said on Saturday following a 38-7 loss at Illinois.
It's been a weird series between Akron and Western with the last five games being played in Kalamazoo. The Broncos (0-4, 0-2), also looking for their first "W," will be in Akron on Saturday for the first time since 1990. WMU leads the all-time series 8-2.
"Western is a pressure, stunting, gambling defense, and they've given up some big plays," UA head coach Lee Owens said. "They are throwing the ball all over (No. 2 in the MAC, 223.5 yards per game) and probably have the best group of receivers in our league."
The Broncos will test a stingy Akron secondary, which ranks 45th nationally in pass efficiency defense, but has yet to intercept a pass. Local product Andre McCray (Buchtel H.S.) is quickly gaining a reputation as one of the best safeties in the Mid-American Conference. A ferocious hitter, McCray forced two fumbles against the Illini and is "playing as well as any defensive back in the league," says Owens. The Zip head coach has cited "better tackling by our defensive backs" as one of the reasons for Akron's much-improved defensive effort in 1996. The longest pass completion against the Zips this season has been 27 yards.
MAC Defensive Player of the Year candidate Jason Taylor (Wilkins Twp., Pa.) leads the conference in tackles for loss with 10 and has seven QB sacks to his credit. He also has caught his first college pass for a 1-yard touchdown against Illinois.
A year ago, Western squeezed out a 7-3 win in Kalamazoo. The Zips turned the ball over three times (0 for WMU) and lost the time of possession stat as well, 36:36 to 23:24. The Zips and Broncos are not scheduled to play in 1997.
A Look At Western Michigan: The Broncos are 0-4 (0-2 MAC). Western has lost to Eastern Illinois (28-20), West Virginia (34-9), Eastern Michigan (19-12) and Central Michigan (38-28). WMU was 7-4 (6-2 MAC) in 1995, good for a share of third place in the MAC. Coach Al Molde , in his 10th year at Kalamazoo, is 60-42-2 and 166-99-8 in a 26-year career.
Last Time Out: Illinois 38, Akron 7. Robert Holcombe rushed for 151 yards and three TDs to lead the Fighting Illini to their first win of the 1996 season. The Zips drew even at 7-7 at halftime, after a 33-yard punt return by Matt Thiry and an 8-play, 47-yard drive capped by Jason Taylor's 1-yard TD catch. The turning point came on the first play of the fourth quarter when Asim Pleas intercepted a Zip pass and ran it back 30 yards for a score and a 24-7 Illini margin. Akron LB Nate Boyd racked up 15 tackles and safety Andre McCray forced two fumbles to lead the defensive effort. Sophomore punter Mike Hayes averaged 44.0 yards on eight punts.
Jason Taylor Plays Tight End: Zips' stellar defensive end (and two-way star) Jason Taylor (Wilkins Twp., Pa.) saw his first game action at tight end against Illinois. Taylor caught a 1-yard touchdown pass from Mike Junko. He was the MAC Defensive Player of the Week, following Akron's narrow 21-18 loss to 15th-ranked Virginia Tech. Taylor, already invited to the Senior Bowl on Jan. 18, 1997 and listed by The Sporting News as one of five unheralded NFL prospects to watch.
Armed And Dangerous: Senior quarterback Mike Junko has claimed the starting quarterback position, after redshirt freshman Willie Spencer started the Zips' first three games. His stats from Illinois are misleading (10 for 25, 107 yards, 1 TD, 2 int) in that the Zips flat dropped four passes. He started last year against Western and gave way to Brian Magrell. Junko's dad, Bob, is currently the defensive coordinator at Kent.
Getting Defensive: The Zips are gradually earning a reputation for their stingy defensive play. Ranked fourth in the MAC in total defense, yielding just 307.5 yards per game, Akron is giving up 4.4 yards per play. The Zips are still looking for their first interception of the season, but are No. 1 in the MAC in pass defense at 97.8 yards per game.
MAC'S Best Kicking Tandem?: Junior placekicker Jamie Stidham , a junior college All-American, booted a 48-yard field goal in the first quarter against Toledo and is 2 for 2 on FGs this season. He and nationally ranked punter Mike Hayes might be the best kicking tandem in the Mid-American Conference. Ball State (with the nation's leading punter, Brad Maynard, who is averaging 47.96 yards per punt) might take exception with that thought!
September 23: Volleyball Plays First Home Match Friday
After four consecutive weekends on the road to open the 1996 season, the Zip volleyball team (7-6, 2-0 MAC) will play its first home match of the year on Friday night at James A. Rhodes Arena at 7:30. Western Michigan will be the Zips' first home opponent, with four-time defending MAC Tournament champ Ball State in town on Saturday for a 2 p.m. match.
Coach Mike Sweitzer's squad opened its MAC schedule last weekend with wins at Bowling Green (3-0) and Toledo (3-1).
Outside hitter Michele Ebert (Amherst, N.Y.) had another outstanding weekend with a .365 attack percentage. Freshman setter Kim Schaper (Kalamazoo, Mich.) posted 57 assists in Saturday's 15-3, 15-9, 7-15, 15-4 victory over Toledo, and totaled 105 assists on the weekend.
Taylor's TD Catch Highlights Illinois Trip: Fifth-year senior Jason Taylor's (Pittsburgh, Pa.) first college pass reception -- a 1-yard touchdown catch -- was a highlight in Akron's 38-7 loss on Saturday at Illinois.
Other Zip performances of note:
Junior linebacker Nate Boyd (E. Liverpool) racked up 15 tackles, sophomore Mike Hayes (Elyria) punted eight times for a 44-yard average, sophomore safety Andre McCray (Akron) forced two Illini fumbles and senior wide receiver Matt Thiry (W. Farmington) ripped off a 33-yard punt return.
Zip Volleyball Schedule Change: The Akron-Toledo home volleyball match, originally scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 26 at JAR Arena, has been moved to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 24 due to a scheduling conflict.
Soccer Opens MAC Play Friday: The Zip soccer team (3-4-1) will open its conference season on Friday night at Lee Jackson Field, hosting Eastern Michigan at 7:15 p.m. Akron then heads north to meet rival Cleveland State on Tuesday for a 7 p.m. matchup.
After a 3-0-1 start, the Zips have dropped four straight matches, albeit against quality opponents. Last Friday, 11th-ranked Indiana blanked Akron, 5-0 in Bloomington. Then on Sunday, Cincinnati shocked Coach Ken Lolla's club, 3-2, in Akron. The Zips rallied from a 2-0 deficit to pull even at 2-all midway through the second half, but couldn't gain the victory. Sophomore Wally Senk (Richfield) scored both Akron goals, bringing his season total to seven.
Akron Wins Two Titles At Zips Tennis Invite: The Akron women's tennis team is scheduled to compete at the Ohio Intercollegiate Championships, Friday through Sunday, in Columbus, Ohio.
The UA men played host to the Zips Collegiate Tennis Invitational at Perkins Park in Akron. The Zips came away with tournament champions in both singles and doubles play.
The field included teams from Dayton, Duquesne, Mercyhurst, Xavier and Akron. In Flight 'A' singles play, Zip junior Brent Green (St. Catherines, Ont.) took first place by defeating Greg McDaniel of Xavier 6-3, 6-7, 7-5 in the championship match.
Two Akron doubles teams made it to the championship match. The Zips' Flight 'C' team of juniors Brian Kunkler (Stow) and Gregg Cooper (Lexington) defeated Skip Redd and Brent Cullen of Xavier, while junior Mike Bacon (Niagara Falls, Ont.) and sophomore Evan Sitarski (Cincinnati) were defeated in the Flight 'A' doubles championship by Greg McDaniel and Eric Gaughan of Xavier.
Zip Golfers Show Well At East Carolina: Coach Rick Jones' UA golf team registered an impressive second-place showing last Tuesday (Sept. 17) at the East Carolina Pirate Intercollegiate. Furman won the event, 578 to 582.
Akron finished ahead of several Southern opponents, including North Carolina-Wilmington, Charleston Southern, East Carolina, George Mason, Western Carolina and Stetson.
September 14: Birkbeck Announces Retirement from Baseball
Mike Birkbeck, a third-team All-American pitcher for the Akron Zips in 1982, today announced his retirement from professional baseball at the James A. Rhodes Arena on campus.
An Orrville, Ohio, native, Birkbeck pitched in the major leagues for the Milwaukee Brewers and New York Mets. He played this past season in Japan with the Yokohama Baystars.
His best year in the majors was 1988 when he posted a 10-8 record with Milwaukee. He also played for the Cleveland and Atlanta organizations.
A right-handed pitcher, Birkbeck registered a 24-9 mark at Akron from 1980-83. He also played first base and batted .367 with 25 home runs and 117 RBI during his career. Birkbeck was selected by Milwaukee in the fourth round of the 1983 draft.
September 7: Underdog Zips Face Stern Challenge in Virginia Tech
The 43rd annual Acme-Zip game set for Saturday brings 14th-ranked (USA Today/CNN) Virginia Tech to the Rubber Bowl to face the underdog Akron Zips.
In what has become the Akron area's greatest family entertainment bargain, the carnival-like atmosphere surrounding the Acme-Zip game has ignited some of the greatest upsets in the University of Akron's storied football history. Coach Lee Owens' squad is hoping to rekindle some Acme-Zip magic following a disappointing 44-14 loss August 29 at Ohio.
Saturday's game is the season's first for the defending Sugar Bowl champion Hokies. Tech won its final 10 games a year ago, including a 77-27 victory over the Zips at Lane Stadium in Blacksburg, Va. Coach Frank Beamer's club won the Big East championship, earned a trip to New Orleans and rallied for a 28-10 win over Texas on New Year's Day. That victory brought Tech a final Top 10 ranking in both major polls.
Senior Cornell Brown, a consensus All-American, returns to the defense, acclaimed as Tech's best defender since Bruce Smith won the Outland Trophy in 1984. Returning quarterback Jim Druckenmiller, listed at 6-4, 223 pounds, threw for 2,103 yards and 14 touchdowns last fall.
The Zips are trying to shake off a startling loss last Thursday in Athens. Hampered by three fumbles, two interceptions and two blocked punts, Akron wilted under the bright portable lights at Peden Stadium.
"I would never have imagined it," said Owens, referring to the Zips' collapse. "If it could go wrong, it went wrong."
A year ago, Akron staged a Mid-American Conference upset, knocking off Central Michigan, 16-13, on Acme-Zip night and handed Owens his first collegiate head coaching victory. The Zips are 29-12-1 in this annual game and have won five of the last seven. Virginia Tech is ranked 14th by USA Today/CNN, 15th by the Associated Press.
The Acme-Zip Game: Renowned for its family entertainment value, the 43rd installment of Acme-Zip figures to be one of Akron's best. A live local band, face painting, the Zippy Parade of costumed children, a boomerang demonstration, Sea World's exotic bird show and post-game fireworks are just some of the activities enhancing this year's game. Started in 1954, the Acme-Zip promotion is one of the oldest and most successful programs of its kind in college athletics.
Last Time Out: The Ohio University Bobcats capitalized on five Akron turnovers and blocked two punts en route to a 44-14 Mid-American Conference win over the Zips on August 29 at Peden Stadium in Athens. Akron led briefly, 7-6, after Yasin Reeder's 48-yard scoring run early in the second quarter. Behind quarterback Kareem Wilson, Ohio answered and never looked back. Wilson rushed for 107 yards and three touchdowns on 20 carries. Reeder added a 34-yard TD run with 5:19 to play to close out the scoring.
"We had 20 missed tackles," said Zips' head coach Lee Owens, "compared to our backs creating only five missed tackles."
Last Year's Game At Virginia Tech (October 14, Lane Stadium, Blacksburg, Va.): In the highest scoring game in the history of both schools, Sugar Bowl destined Virginia Tech romped to a 77-27 win over visiting Akron. The Hokies broke 15 school, conference and stadium records in scoring the most points by a Tech team since 1919. Tech rolled up 11 TDs and 638 total yards, including 453 on the ground.
The Zips, meanwhile, tallied the second highest total of the season against Tech (Virginia later scored 29) and gained 13 first downs through the air. Wide receiver Lew Lawhorn scored Akron's first touchdown on a 25-yard run. UA quarterback Mike Junko then connected on scoring passes to Lawhorn (61 yards) and fullback Jamie Reader (13 yards), after Tech had led 47-0 at intermission.
Head Coach Lee Owens: Lee Owens (Bluffton, '77) is in his second season in charge of the Akron Zips' football program. Owens, a renowned Ohio high school coach (89-33-2 mark in 11 seasons), served three seasons on John Cooper's staff at Ohio State before accepting the Akron post on Dec. 11, 1994. He is 40 years old.
Ex-Pacific Speedster: Senior running back Yasin Reeder (Detroit, Mich./St. Florian) showcased his "wheels" in the Ohio loss. Reeder, who carried 17 times for 87 yards and two TDs, transferred to Akron after the University of the Pacific dropped football following last season.
Taylor Tabbed For Senior Bowl: Before the Zips' first game, defensive end Jason Taylor (Wilkins Township, Pa./Woodland Hills) already had his ticket punched for the Senior Bowl, January 18, 1997, in Mobile, Ala. The Sporting News college football preview issue listed Taylor as one of five unheralded NFL prospects to watch. He logged a team-high 99 tackles in 1995 and has moved from outside linebacker to better utilize his speed for pressuring quarterbacks.
Injury Report: Sophomore tailback/kick returner Mike Lagasse dislocated his left elbow against Ohio, and will be out 6 to 8 weeks. Redshirt freshman fullback Dan Wilson sustained a concussion in preseason camp, and is out indefinitely.
1976 Reunion: The Zips' 1976 NCAA Division II national runnerup squad will be honored at halftime of the Sept. 14 Toledo game at the Rubber Bowl. Coach Jim Dennison's squad finished 10-3 that season, posting NCAA playoff wins over Nevada-Las Vegas (27-6) and Northern Michigan (29-26), before falling to Montana State (24-13) in the Pioneer Bowl in Wichita Falls, Tex.
Radio Info: WHLO-AM 640 serves as the flagship station for the Akron Zips, broadcasting UA football throughout northeastern and central Ohio, western Pennsylvania and northern West Virginia. Massillon station WTIG-AM 990 carries the Zips as well. Veteran sportscaster Steve French is in his eighth year as play-by-play voice. Former Zips quarterback Marty Bezbatchenko is in his first season as color commentator. Clint Scroggs is the sideline reporter.
Ticket Info: Season tickets (5 home games) are priced at $45 for the general public and $22.50 for senior citizens and UA faculty and staff. For details call (330) 972-6920 or toll-free 1-888-99-AKRON.
Lunch With The Coach: The popular "Lunch with Coach Owens" program is held every Wednesday during the football season at the Martin University Center, 105 Fir Hill Street. The luncheon starts at noon and is open to the public. The cost is $7.50 per person.
TV Schedule: Three of the Zips' remaining five road games will be televised live in northeastern Ohio. UA's two in-house productions, the Oct. 12 Central Michigan game (1 p.m.) and the Nov. 9 Eastern Michigan game (3:30 p.m.), will be carried live locally by WAKC-TV 23. Both games will be shown same day tape delayed at 7 p.m. by SportsChannel throughout Ohio, northern Kentucky, eastern Indiana and western Pennsylvania. The Zips' Oct. 26 date at Northern Illinois (4 p.m.) will be carried live by SportsChannel Ohio.
Lee Owens' TV Show: The "Lee Owens Show" is aired every Tuesday during the football season at 8 p.m. in the greater Canton-Akron area on WOAC-TV 67. The half-hour program is hosted by Joe Dunn.