” The University of Akron football team’s second trip to Syracuse didn’t go as swimmingly as its first. The Zips fell to the Syracuse University Orangemen 28-14 on Oct. 24. The loss marked the Zips’ fifth in a row and sixth overall. They are now 1-6 on the season.”
“

The University of Akron football team’s second trip to Syracuse didn’t go as swimmingly as its first.

The Zips fell to the Syracuse University Orangemen 28-14 on Oct. 24.

The loss marked the Zips’ fifth in a row and sixth overall. They are now 1-6 on the season.

The Orange improved to 3-4 on the season.

Obviously, this was disappointing, Zips head coach J.D. Brookhart said.

There were tough mistakes and tough lessons on a young quarterback.

Zips freshman quarterback Patrick Nicely made his second start completing 16 of 25 passes for 191 yards, one touchdown and five sacks.

Everyday he gets better and matures, Zips senior wide receiver and defensive back Andre Jones said. He is making his reads and making the shifts.

Jones was the recipient of Nicely’s only touchdown pass and led the team with 90 yards receiving.

Jones touchdown reception was his first on the season and the team’s first since week two of the season.

The Zips were plagued by missed opportunities in the kicking game.

UA junior kicker Branko Rogovic missed a 51 yard and a 29 yard field goal to halt two Zips drives.

There were missed opportunities, whether it was turnovers or missed field goals, Jones said. Those are plays you have to capitalize on, and it is hard to win a game when you don’t. When we get turnovers, we need to capitalize.

The Orange were led on the offensive side of the ball by senior running back Delone Carter who rushed for 170 yards and three touchdowns.

Their kids are playing hard, and they do a great job at run defense, Brookhart said. We were not very effective in that area today, and a lot of their opponents haven’t been.

Former Duke University point guard Greg Paulus also completed a touchdown pass to Marcus Sales to add to the Orange offensive attack.

Paulus completed 12 of 17 passes for 105 yards on the day.

Brookhart said that he believes there is still a lot of the season left to be played.

From here, we need to continue to rally the troops, Brookharts said. We had guys who have been playing receiver who had to go jump in at corner.

We had guys that hadn’t been taking reps with special that had to play there today. It was difficult, but this is a resilient group. We’re going to get back to MAC play, and we have five more opportunities there.

“