“The University of Akron football team will look to become eligible for a postseason bowl for the first time since its 2005 Mid-American Championship winning season when it travels to Ohio University on Saturday. A Zips’ win against the Bobcats would mark UA’s fifth road win of the season, giving the team the most wins away from home in program history.”
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The University of Akron football team will look to become eligible for a postseason bowl for the first time since its 2005 Mid-American Championship winning season when it travels to Ohio University on Saturday.

A Zips’ win against the Bobcats would mark UA’s fifth road win of the season, giving the team the most wins away from home in program history.

UA head coach J.D. Brookhart said his team is focused on this week’s game and not what other teams have to do to put UA back in contention for the MAC East title.

Going 1-0 this week is all we will be concerned about, the fifth-year head coach said during his weekly news conference. There is still a chance to become bowl eligible and that is the first thing we want to do. We have the opportunity to do that this week.

Ohio enters the game at the bottom of the MAC East standings at 2-8 and 1-5 in conference play. After opening the season with two close losses at Wyoming and Ohio State, the Bobcats have suffered key injuries and struggled most of the season.

The Bobcats have lost their last three contests, but Brookhart warned that OU’s record is deceiving.

They have been in every game this year, except Bowling Green this past week, and are much better than their 2-8 record indicates, he said. They gave Ohio State all they wanted (before losing 26-14) and only lost to Central Michigan by three (31-28).

Junior quarterback Boo Jackson has led the Bobcat offense for the past 10 games after starting quarterback Theo Scott was injured in the Ohio State game. Jackson has completed 150-of-258 passes for 1,943 yards, 11 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Jackson’s also the team’s third-leading rusher with 214 yards and two scores on 80 carries.

Despite Jackson’s adequate play in a backup role, Brookhart said Ohio’s defense is the strength of the team.

Defense is where they win their games, he said. They are hard nosed and play downhill. They use their hands well and do not mind playing man-to-man.

The Zips will be led offensively by redshirt junior quarterback Chris Jacquemain and senior tailback Dennis Kennedy.

Kennedy will look to record his fifth-straight, 100-yard plus game against a Bobcats defense that has allowed an average of 166 yards rushing per game.

Jacquemain has completed 190-of-324 passes for 2,347 yards, 19 touchdowns and 11 interceptions this season. Jacquemain’s primary targets have been junior wide receivers Deryn Bowser and Andre Jones.

Bowser has caught 52 passes for 619 yards and three touchdowns in 10 games. Jones has caught 42 passes for 642 yards and seven touchdowns in nine contests.

Ohio head coach Frank Solich UA’s multiple offensive threats make the Zips difficult to stop.

It’s going to be a big challenge for us, Solich said. Bowser and Jones are great players. They’ve got a big (running) back. That’s a tough combination to stop.

Kick off at Peden Stadium is set for 3:30 p.m.

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” #1.1360687:925275455.JPG:6D9O0376.JPG:Deryn Bowser (88) in the Zips 43-30 quadruple overtime loss last week at the Rubber Bowl. :GARY KRUEGER / THE BUCHTELITE”