The Editorially Independent Voice of The University of Akron

The Buchtelite

The Editorially Independent Voice of The University of Akron

The Buchtelite

The Editorially Independent Voice of The University of Akron

The Buchtelite

There is such a thing as a bad win

“This is the worst I’ve ever felt after a Zips’ victory. UA defeated Army 22-3 Saturday at Michie Stadium in front of a national television audience on ESPN Classic, but played poorly. If the Zips missed an extra point and a 32-yard field goal while committing nine penalties against any other team on their schedule, they’d lose.”

This is the worst I’ve ever felt after a Zips’ victory.

UA defeated Army 22-3 Saturday at Michie Stadium in front of a national television audience on ESPN Classic, but played poorly.

If the Zips missed an extra point and a 32-yard field goal while committing nine penalties against any other team on their schedule, they’d lose. Same goes for converting only one third down in nine tries.

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UA’s offense moved the ball at will against the Army defense, outgaining the Black Knights 357-223. Yet, the game’s outcome was still in doubt going into the fourth quarter because of a lack of execution and focus.

While reading the transcript from Akron’s post-game news conference, a comment from starting quarterback Chris Jacquemain stuck out to me.

Army hung around, and I am kind of happy that they did because we learned lot about our team, Jacquemain said.

I’m not sure what the Zips signal-caller learned about the team in the win, but I hope it’s that the team must finish drives and that it can’t let inferior teams stick around when given the chance to finish games early.

Both seem to have become bad trends early in the season. UA was up 28-14 at halftime at Syracuse in week two before the Orange scored 14 unanswered points to tie the game in the fourth quarter. UA converted only four third down attempts in 12 tries in its home loss to Ball State.

The Zips’ next three games – against Cincinnati, at Kent State and against Bowling Green – will go a long way in determining the amount of success UA is likely to have this season.

Missed extra points, dropped touchdown passes and multiple encroachment penalties will spell defeat against all three upcoming opponents and give the team an express ticket to the bottom of the Mid-American Conference’s East Division standings.

Next week’s home game and the following week’s MAC East opener at Kent State are scheduled to be televised regionally. Here’s to hoping the Zips truly learned something about themselves in their less-than-impressive victory Saturday and that they can put on a better show in their upcoming television appearances.

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