Team Information for 1998
Letter Winners (Returning/Lost): 48/9
Offense: 26/4 (including PK)
Defense: 22/5 (including P)
Starters (Returning/Lost): 18/4
Offense: 10/1
Defense: 8/3
Stadium: Rubber Bowl (1940)
Capacity: 35,202 (Artificial Turf)
Schedule (* indicates Mid-American Conference game):
Sept. 5 MARSHALL*
Sept. 12 at Temple
Sept. 19 at Pittsburgh
Sept. 26 BALL STATE*
Oct. 3 idle
Oct. 10 at Kent*
Oct. 17 at Ohio*
Oct. 24 TOLEDO*
Oct. 31 at Central Michigan*
Nov. 7 at Bowling Green*
Nov. 14 EASTERN MICHIGAN
Nov. 21 MIAMI*
First the good news for the 1997 football Zips.
Akron defeated arch-rival Kent, 45-35, on Nov. 8, reclaimed the Wagon Wheel and gained a 20-18-2 edge in its all-time series against the Golden Flashes.
Coach Lee Owens’ team sought to establish its identity as a physical, running football team. That goal was achieved. The Zips ranked 11th nationally among NCAA Division I-A schools in rushing offense at 221.0 yards per game.
One year earlier, Akron had ranked last in the Mid-American Conference in turnover margin (-10), with 31 giveaways and 21 takeaways. The Zips did a better job of protecting the ball, committing just 20 turnovers against 16 takeaways (-4 margin).
UA enjoyed two of its four biggest offensive explosions in 11 years of Division I-A football, piling up 573 total yards in a 53-14 victory over Central Michigan (Oct. 4) and 554 yards in the Kent win. Both games were at the Rubber Bowl.
With just four home games, Akron led each game at halftime.
The Zip offensive line yielded just 10 quarterbacks sacks in 11 games.
Offensive lineman Kevin Kuntz (Steubenville) was selected first-team All-MAC by Football News.
Eight Zips were nominated for the Academic All-MAC team. Four of those eight were on the ballot for GTE Academic All-District, including sophomore quarterback Greg Gromek (Chesterland), who completed 16 of 24 passes for 263 yards against Central Michigan and earned MAC Scholar-Athlete of the Week notice.
Junior tailback Greg Lomax (Monongahela, Pa.), ripped off a 92-yard scoring run against Ohio and won the AT&T Long Distance Award for the nation’s longest run from scrimmage that week. Lomax finished with 835 yards and nine touchdowns on the ground — the highest rush total since the Zips joined the Division I-A ranks in 1987.
Middle linebacker Nate Boyd (East Liverpool), tabbed preseason MAC Defensive Player of the Year by Street & Smith’s, topped 100 tackles for the second straight season and was named honorable-mention All-MAC by the league’s coaches.
A nucleus of 48 letter winners returns for 1998.
Now for the bad news.
The Zips finished 2-9 overall, 2-6 in the MAC East Division.
Akron faced the most difficult schedule in school history, with road dates at preseason Top 10 teams in Nebraska and LSU. Zip road opponents have an aggregate record of 56-24.
Playing seven road games, Akron trailed in each contest at halftime, and wound up dropping all seven.
Although the Zips led at half in each of four home games, they managed a split, winning two and losing two. Bowling Green rallied from a 21-0 deficit to squeeze out a 31-28 win on Acme-Zip night. Five weeks later, the Zips rushed for 306 yards against the vaunted Ohio Bobcats, but lost, 21-17, largely because of a blocked punt taken back for a score.
A defensive unit, renowned a year ago for its blue-collar style, lost Jason Taylor to the National Football League, and three other starters, and could not regain its form. The Zips yielded on average 177.5 more yards per game in 1997 compared to 1996 and went from being ranked third in the MAC to 12th in total defense.
The Zips registered just seven quarterback sacks in 11 games.
Gromek sustained a season-ending knee injury on Oct. 11 at Marshall and later underwent surgery.
Ten seniors, including Boyd and defensive end Corey Christian (Pittsburgh, Pa.), and fullbacks Jamie Reader (Monessen, Pa.) and Chris Rooney (Sioux City, Iowa), completed their eligibility.
Lee Owens’ thoughts on 1997:
“We were very disappointed to win just two football games,” said Owens. “It was a tale of two teams. We were crazy and competitive at home, but unpredictable and uncertain on the road.
“Offensively, our line blossomed, as we expected it to, and we ran the ball pretty consistently. Our receiving corps developed into a nice unit. We were young at quarterback to begin with, then lost Greg (Gromek) halfway through the season. That consequently resulted in our share of ups and downs at the position.
“Defensively, we still are not able to pinpoint any one thing which went wrong. We tried to get more speed on the field after the loss at LSU (Sept. 27), and true freshman Rich Reliford (Bolingbrook, Ill.) stepped in and did a nice job. But we were not able to get enough pressure on the quarterback, and our secondary, which lost essentially three starters, struggled to provide consistent coverage. We had trouble getting people stopped, and it was quite frustrating. In fairness, we were up against some great offensive units...seven of our 11 opponents ranked among the nation’s Top 20 offenses.
“Our special teams play was inconsistent. Although, we didn’t give up any kick or punt returns for touchdowns, our field goal percentage and net punt figures were below par. Mike Lagasse was a special teams standout as he jump-started us more than once with a great kickoff return.
“I do believe we have an excellent nucleus of young players,” Owens continued. “We took a step backward this season, no doubt about it. But I am confident in the character and work ethic of this team. We’ll bounce back. We’re closer to being a solid, competitive MAC program than a lot of people might think. I am excited and can’t wait for next season!”
The Zips open their 1998 campaign Sept. 5, hosting defending MAC champion Marshall in the 45th annual Acme-Zip Game at the Rubber Bowl. Kuntz, Lagasse, and secondary performers Andre McCray and George Germany are captains returning next fall.
ALOHA: Zips senior fullback Jamie Reader (Monessen, Pa.) has been invited to the Hula Bowl, Jan. 18, 1998. It marks the second year in a row that a Zip gridder has participated in a college all-star game. Miami Dolphins rookie Jason Taylor played in the 1996 Blue-Gray Classic and then earned North Defensive MVP honors in the 1997 Senior Bowl.
IRON MAN: Junior quick tackle Kevin Kuntz (Steubenville/ Edison) made his 33rd consecutive start against Toledo. Originally a 210-pound, walk-on tight end, Kuntz (now 275) was a first-team All-MAC selection by the Football News.
SMASH MOUTH: The Akron Zips’ rushing attack finished 11th in the nation and second in the Mid-American Conference (221.0 yards/game). Akron rushed for a school mark (against Div. I-A opponents) of 470 yards against Kent on 60 plays. Greg Lomax (Monongahela, Pa.) cranked up a career-high 173-yard game on 18 tries. Tailback Mike Lagasse (Niskayuna, N.Y.) and fullback Jamie Reader added 97 yards each. Earlier, the Zips had rushed for a season-high 306 yards against an Ohio defense ranked first in the MAC vs. the run, yielding an average of 80.7 per game coming in.
NCAA LEADERS: Two Zips completed the season ranked among NCAA statistical leaders. Junior punter Mike Hayes (Elyria/Midview) is 16th on the punting average list at 43.75 yards per boot. Sophomore kickoff return man Mike Lagasse is 35th on the kick return chart at 23.9 yards per try.
ZIP NOTES: Greg Lomax’s season rushing total of 835 yards represents the highest by an Akron Zip in 11 years of Division I-A football...All 10 of the MAC’s leading rushers will return next season, including No. 9 Lomax at 75.9 yards per game...Lomax had all three of UA's 100-yard rushing performances in 1997: 173 (on 18 attempts) vs. Kent, 150 (on 15 attempts) vs. Ohio and 117 (on 15 attempts) at Marshall...Willie Spencer’s (Massillon/Washington) tally of 43 receptions is Akron’s third highest Div. I-A total...Spencer had both of UA's 100-yard receiving performances in 1997: 106 (on 8 receptions) at Marshall and 102 (on 5 receptions) vs. Central Michigan...Senior placekicker Jamie Stidham (Independence, Kan.) finished his career with 78 points in two seasons. Stidham converted 13 of 25 field-goal attempts and tacked on 39 of 41 extra-point tries...Senior linebacker Nate Boyd (East Liverpool) closed his career with 379 tackles (211 solo), including 18 tackles for loss and five interceptions...Senior defensive tackle Tarik West (Miami, Fla.), sidelined by a knee injury for the finale at Toledo, ended with 14 career tackles for loss...Senior fullback Jamie Reader posted career numbers of 761 rushing yards (207 attempts, 3.7 per) and 45 receptions for 316 yards. He tallied 8 career touchdowns...Junior free safety Andre McCray (Akron/Buchtel) represented UA at the annual Vern Smith Award Banquet held Dec. 4 in Huntington, W. Va. Marshall's Randy Moss claimed the league MVP award.
TEAM BANQUET AWARD WINNERS: At the team's annual award banquet on Nov. 16, the following players were honored: (all juniors) tailback Greg Lomax (Monongahela, Pa./Ringgold) -- Most Valuable Back, Fred Sefton Top Offensive Performer and Red Blair High Scorer Award; free safety Andre McCray (Akron/Buchtel) -- shared Top Defensive Performer and Outstanding Junior awards and was designated as a captain; offensive lineman Kevin Kuntz (Steubenville/Edison) claimed the Most Valuable Lineman Award and captain; safety George Germany (Pittsburgh, Pa./Schenley) shared Top Defensive Performer with McCray and was tabbed captain; wide receiver Carl Whitt (Warren/Champion) shared Outstanding Junior with McCray as well.
Fullback Jamie Reader (Monessen, Pa.) and defensive end Corey Christian (Pittsburgh, Pa./Penn Hills) shared the Outstanding Senior Award. Cornerback and punt returner Rich Reliford (Bolingbrook, Ill.), sophomore offensive guard Dan Wessman (Mayfield Village/Heights) and special teams performer Ellery Bradford (Mansfield/Senior) captured the Outstanding Freshman, Lifter of the Year and John Heisman Unsung Hero awards, respectively. Bradford is a repeat winner of the Heisman Award. Reliford, who started the final seven games, ranked sixth on the team with 40 tackles and had two interceptions. A starter in all 11 games, Wessman also earned Academic All-MAC honorable mention.
Senior linebacker Matt Chase (New Washington/Colonel Crawford) earned the team Academic Award with a 3.65 GPA as an international business major. Senior linebacker Nate Boyd (East Liverpool) and sophomore tailback Mike Lagasse (Hudson/Niskayuna (N. Y.) High School) were also captains.
OTHER AWARDS: McCray represented Akron at the MAC Vern Smith MVP banquet Dec. 4 in Huntington, W. Va., gained notice as a USA Today Online Positive Performer of the Week, and earned notice on Leonard's Losers All-America Team (a team comprised of players from teams with sub-.500 records). Lomax won the AT&T Long Distance Award for the week of Oct. 25 with his 92-yard scoring run against the Ohio Bobcats. Sophomore quarterback Greg Gromek (Chesterland/West Geauga) was tabbed MAC Scholar-Athlete of the Week for his 16-of-24 passing effort for 263 yards and three TDs against Central Michigan (Oct. 4). Four Zips were named to the Academic All-MAC team: junior punter Mike Hayes (Elyria/Midview) was a first-team pick, while linebacker Bill Burke (Lancaster), offensive lineman Brock Knisely (New Philadelphia) and Wessman (all sophomores) were honorable mention selections. Hayes, the MAC's leading punter with a 43.8-yard average, carries a 3.44 GPA in sports medicine. Burke, a Dean's List student both semesters last year, has a 3.10 GPA in education. Knisely touts a 3.70 GPA in UA's acclaimed engineering curriculum. Wessman is a 3.16 student in education.
LETTER WINNERS: Coach Lee Owens announced 57 letter winners for the 1997 season.
Akron (4): Sophomore PK Nick Jamison (St. Vincent-St. Mary), junior FS
Andre McCray (Buchtel), junior LB Eric Small (Buchtel) and freshman
DB Kevin Vaughn (Ellet).
Additional Summit County: Redshirt freshman RB Ben Ruhlin (Stow).
Cleveland (2): Freshman WR Lavel Bailey (John F. Kennedy) and junior DB
Jerome Cargile (Chanel).
Detroit (3): Redshirt freshman WR Shaun Black (Henry Ford), freshman
DB-KOR Dwight Smith (Central) and redshirt freshman WR Nevara Smith
(Cass Tech).
Ohio Natives (15): Senior LB Nate Boyd (East Liverpool), junior LB Ellery
Bradford (Mansfield), sophomore LB Bill Burke (Lancaster), senior LB
Matt Chase (New Washington), sophomore QB Greg Gromek (Chesterland/
West Geauga), sophomore OL-KS Brock Knisely (New Philadelphia), junior
OL Kevin Kuntz (Steubenville/Edison), redshirt freshman OL Thomas
McBride (Warrensville Heights), sophomore WR Gregg Peugeot (Sandusky),
sophomore OT Rex Pyles (Wheelersburg), sophomore DT Anthony Slimon
(Alliance/West Branch), redshirt freshman OT Joe Trudeau (Toledo/
Central Catholic), sophomore OG Dan Wessman (Mayfield Village), junior
WR Carl Whitt (Warren/Champion) and senior TE Chad Zgonc (Mentor).
Western Pennsylvania (11): Junior DT Jamey Bennett (Ft. Cherry), senior DE
Corey Christian (Penn Hills), junior SS George Germany (Schenley),
sophomore OL Steve Hale (Perry Traditional), redshirt freshman
DE Shawn Klik (Union Area), junior TB Greg Lomax (Ringgold), junior DL
Jeremy Maxa (Thomas Jefferson), freshman OT Paul Ondrusek (Blackhawk),
senior FB Jamie Reader (Monessen), sophomore FB Tyrone Ryan (North
Catholic) and junior TE Chuck Webb (Elizabeth-Forward).
Stark County (5): Junior OC Bill Hildebrand (Louisville), sophomore LB
George Cameron (Alliance), sophomore DB Julius Lancaster (Canton
McKinley), redshirt freshman DB Shauntel Lodge (Canton McKinley)
and sophomore WR Willie Spencer (Massillon Washington).
Columbus (4): Sophomore DB Richard Jones (Beechcroft), sophomore LB Brad
King (Dublin-Scioto), sophomore DE Ron Smith (Reynoldsburg) and
redshirt freshman QB James "Butchie" Washington (Beechcroft).
Elyria (2): Junior WR Terrel Dixon (Catholic) and junior P Mike Hayes
(Midview).
Delaware (1): Sophomore TB Bo Hunter (Wilmington/Milford (Conn.) Academy).
Florida (1): Senior DT Tarik West (Miami/Pace).
Illinois (2): Redshirt freshman TE Jeremy Connor (Hillsboro) and freshman
CB Rich Reliford (Bolingbrook).
Indiana (1): Senior DL Eric Anderson (Woodburn/Woodlan).
Iowa (1): Senior FB Chris Rooney (Sioux City/Bishop Heelan).
Kansas (1): Senior PK Jamie Stidham (Independence).
Maryland (1): Redshirt freshman LB Derek Wilborn (Waldorf/Thomas Stone).
Massachusetts (1): Redshirt freshman DT Jamie O'Neill (Norton/
Milford (Conn.) Academy).
New York (1): Sophomore TB Mike Lagasse (Niskayuna).