“Key mistakes led to the downfall of the University of Akron football team Oct. 10 in a 19-7 loss to the Ohio University Bobcats. With the loss, the Zips fell to 1-4 on the season and 0-2 in the MAC Conference. The Bobcats improved their record to 4-2 overall and 2-0 in the MAC.”
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Key mistakes led to the downfall of the University of Akron football team Oct. 10 in a 19-7 loss to the Ohio University Bobcats.

With the loss, the Zips fell to 1-4 on the season and 0-2 in the MAC Conference.

The Bobcats improved their record to 4-2 overall and 2-0 in the MAC.

A Bobcat punt block early in the third quarter of play proved to be a decisive blow in the Zips Homecoming loss.

The block was returned for a touchdown by Melvin Payne giving OU a 10-0 lead – a lead they wouldn’t relinquish the rest of the game.

The turnovers were awful, the punt block was unacceptable, Zips head coach J.D. Brookhart said. I thought the defense played well, they really did.

The Zips defense was able to hold the Bobcats to just six points, but the special teams let the Zips down giving up 13 points.

The Zips suffered more than just a loss on the football field.

Sophomore quarterback Matt Rodgers left the game with a torn ACL and will miss the rest of the season.

It’s a tough one to take, Brookhart said. The injury to Matt Rodgers is obviously very devastating and I feel sick for him.

Before the ACL injury, Rodgers completed 10 of 19 passes for 89 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions.

The Zips turned to freshman Patrick Nicely to take over behind center.

Nicely completed nine of 23 passes for 98 yards and was sacked once.

He does throw a nice football, Brookhart said. He knows where he’s going and he’s impressive throwing the football.

He’ll continue to get more comfortable with the offense. We’re going to have to rally behind him.

The Zips lone bright spot offensively was senior running back Joe Tuzze who rushed for a touchdown to pull the Zips within three points at 10-7.

Tuzze is second on the team with two rushing touchdowns.

The Bobcats offensive attack was led by senior quarterback Theo Scott.

Scott completed 11 of 21 passes for 132 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

We have a real balanced football team, we can play good offense, defense and special teams, Bobcats head coach Frank Solich said.

Scott’s touchdown was thrown to a familiar target – junior wide receiver Terrence McCrae.

The duo has connected for three touchdowns on the season.

The Scott touchdown pass was the only points the Zips defense allowed.

Brookhart said he was impressed with the way his team battled back against OU.

They are a gutty football team, Brookhart said. This team is going to do what it knows how to do and that’s get up and swing.

The Zips will be back in action Oct. 17 when they take on the University of Buffalo Bulls.

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