“The University of Akron football team hasn’t had much to cheer about this season, but going to a familiar place might be just what the Zips need to spark a late season run. Last September, UA made their first ever trip to the Carrier Dome in Syracuse, N.Y.”
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The University of Akron football team hasn’t had much to cheer about this season, but going to a familiar place might be just what the Zips need to spark a late season run.

Last September, UA made their first ever trip to the Carrier Dome in Syracuse, N.Y. to take on the Syracuse University Orangemen and came away cheering.

The Zips put up 42 points and upset the favored Orangemen 42-28.

The Zips will head to the Carrier Dome for the second time on Oct. 24 in last place in the MAC East with a 1-5 record overall and a 0-3 record in the conference.

The Orange enter 2-4 overall and 0-2 in the Big East Conference.

They are a very, very improved football team, Zips head coach J.D. Brookhart said. I think that these guys play really hard defensively and it’s a very confusing package defensively.

They bring a four-man line, three-man line, four defensive backs, five defensive backs or six defensive backs. It’s going to be a difficult game mentally.

Offensively, the Orange are lead by former Duke University point guard Greg Paulus

Paulus, a graduate student, has converted from the hard court to the Carrier Dome turf by completing 108 of 169 passes for 1187 yards, eight touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

Syracuse also features a dynamic running back and wide receiver on the offensive side of the ball.

Senior running back Delone Carter has rushed for 360 yards for 5 touchodwns and senior wider receiver Mike Williams has 712 receieving and 6 touchdowns.

Offensively, their running back is playing really well and they’ve got a stud-type NFL receiver that they get it to, so it’s a good, tough combination to deal with, Brookhart said.

They’ve got their run game, the play action and then the big play with the receiver Mike Williams who was All-Big East two years ago as a sophomore.

Offensively, the Zips will be without senior wide receiver Deryn Bowser, who is out for the season with a broken fibula.

It would be a rare case to see Bowser back for the last game of the season, Brookhart said.

The Zips have Andre Jones back to the receiver position to help with the loss of Bowser.

He’s helping out where he can help out, Brookhart said. He’s fantastic, a smart kid and he came in and did a heck of a job.

Position-wise, he’s a reserve at corner and nickel, he’s moved to receiver fulltime, he’s returning, he’s on coverage units, so he’s doing a little bit of everything. He’s also our wildcat package, should we need to go to it.

Patrick Nicely will make his second start career start against Syracuse.

In his first start, Nicely completed 17-34 for 200 yards and two interceptions. Nicely was also sacked twice.

Patrick Nicely, for a freshman played well, for a veteran played okay, Brookhart said.

The Zips also come in injured on the defensive side of the football.

Sophomore linebacker Aaron Williams is out for the season with a broken arm.

Williams was injured in the second quarter against Buffalo, but managed to play through the injury.

Williams, is an amazing story, Brookhart said. He came out in the second quarter, hurt his arm and played 50-some snaps after that.

We found out he had multiple breaks. He’s tough, we didn’t know until Sunday.

The Zips enter Syracuse battered and bruised.

Kickoff is scheduled for Oct. 24 at 3:30 p.m.

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