“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.”
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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.

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.

Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. at Yager Stadium and will air nationally on ESPN2.

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” #1.1361517:3615566549.jpg:ksu245.jpg:Junior running back Bryan Williams is ranked fourth nationally in kickoff return yards with 632.:Jeff Harwell / Zips Sports Photography”