CONTENTS n n n - of College Football Games

The Un i v e r s i T y of Ak r o n • 2008 fo o T b A l l Me d i A GU i d e
COACHES AND STAFF
man Andy Alleman and cornerback Reggie Corner.
Coming off a 6-5 season in 2004, which saw the Zips competing for the
MAC East Division title in the final game, the question was would this team
be able to match or go beyond that feat? Gone was team captain Frye (now
a lead signal caller for the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks), holder of 54 school records
and the undeniable heart and soul of the group. The prognosticators
had picked the Zips to finish no better than fourth in the East Division.
Enter transfer quarterback Getsy, who would set or tie 25 UA records in
his two years under center, and Akron surprised many by opening the 2005
campaign at 2-1. After a season-opening loss at Purdue, the Zips snatched
a road win at Middle Tennessee State, and then silenced the critics with a
thrilling 48-42 overtime victory over MAC power Northern Illinois at UA’s
Rubber Bowl. It looked as though the Zips were well on their way.
Thanks to a little help from its friends, Akron found itself in the position of
controlling its own postseason destiny in the ‘05 season finale versus Kent
State. Not only was the Wagon Wheel trophy on the line, but also a MAC
East Division crown and the program’s first-ever appearance in the MAC
Championship game.
When the final seconds ticked off the clock and the MAC East Champion
plaque was presented to the team, it was clear that Brookhart’s vision, and
the precedent that was set with the 2004 squad, had become a reality.
The 2005 season turnaround was oddly reminiscent of what happened in
2004. After an 0-3 start, the players responded to Brookhart in resounding
fashion with a thrilling 24-19 road win over arch rival Kent State on Sept.
23.
That victory brought the Wagon Wheel back to Akron and re-energized
the Zips’ season.
UA reeled off wins in three of its next four games, setting up a showdown
with perennial MAC power Marshall. The game was nationally televised by
ESPN2 and the Zips, led by the heroics of Frye, stunned the Thundering
Herd by coming back from a 21-point, third-quarter deficit to win 31-28 on
a last-second field goal by Jason Swiger.
That triumph, coupled with a win over Ohio the following week, moved
the Zips to 6-4, including a 6-1 mark in the league, and placed UA within
one game of its first-ever MAC East Division title. The Zips fell the next week
to Miami, 37-27, in the season finale, but it was evident that Brookhart had
raised the bar for the program.
Akron posted its then-highest league win total (6) as a member of the
MAC in 2004, and was within an eyelash of the program’s first-ever Division
I-A bowl berth - two feats which were surpassed in 2005.
The 6-5 mark was tops among the five first-year head coaches in the
league, and was tied for second most nationally among 14 new head
coaches, trailing only Mike Price of UTEP (8-3). For his efforts Brookhart
was tabbed as MAC Coach of the Year, the first such honor for a UA coach
in the program’s 13 years in the league.
The Zips were not ranked among the top offensive or defensive teams in
the league in terms of total yards, but they did all the little things necessary
to win. They led the league in both punt and kickoff returns, were second
in fewest penalty yards and third in turnover margin, each an ingredient in a
recipe for football success.
In a nutshell, the Zips did not beat themselves during 2004, a mantra
preached by Brookhart since his arrival at Akron.
Under Brookhart’s leadership, the Zips also had their first-ever Vern Smith
Leadership Award winner, honoring the top player in the league, when Frye
was anointed after the season. Frye, who ended his career among the alltime
leaders in NCAA Division I-A history in passing yards and total offense,
was also tabbed second-team All-MAC, along with running back Brett
Biggs, a first-year junior-college player.
The Zips received a number of individual accolades in 2005. Hixon, running
back Brett Biggs, defensive lineman Kiki Gonzalez, and linebackers
Jay Rohr and Brion Stokes were named to the All-MAC team.
In addition, linebacker Kevin Grant, a member of Brookhart’s first recruiting
class in February 2004, was named a third team freshman All-American.
Brookhart was also tabbed MAC Coach of the Year by CollegeFootball-
News.com.
The 2006 season did not live up to preseason expectations, as the Zips
went 5-7. However, there were a number of highlights from the season. After
making a solid showing at Penn State in the season opener, Akron went
to North Carolina State the following week and pulled out a victory on the
They SaiD iT.....
“Coach Brookhart was great to play for. He was a big reason why I
stayed one more season (at Akron). I’m disappointed we only had one
year together because I learned a lot from him. He taught me so much
about the technical aspects of the game. Off the field, he’s also great
to be around every day.”
- Charlie Frye
former Zips and current Seattle Seahwaks quarterback
“The University of Akron scored big with the hiring of coach Brookhart.
He is a player’s coach. He makes football fun, while bringing topnotch
preparation, intensity and a winning attitude to the players and
team. He has been a great coach and mentor to me and always made
me feel part of his family.”
- Larry Fitzgerald
former Pittsburgh and current Arizona Cardinals wide receiver
“J.D. is an outstanding coaching who grew tremendously during
his time on my staff at Pittsburgh. He developed a pair of Biletnikoff
Award winners and a runner-up for the Heisman Trophy. His intelligence,
expertise and championship drive will lead UA to the top of
the Mid-American Conference.”
- Walt Harris, former head coach at Stanford and Pittsburgh
“Over the course of my career, at both the collegiate and professional
levels, I have coached with a lot of different coaches and there
are only a handful I would recommend without reservation and J.D.
Brookhart is one of them. He is a class guy who does everything in
a professional manner and will experience great success at The University
of Akron.”
- Mike Shanahan, head coach of the Denver Broncos
“J.D. Brookhart is one of the outstanding young minds in college football.
He did an excellent job at Pittsburgh and I see him having great
success at Akron.”
- Pete Carroll, head football coach at USC
“J.D. Brookhart is one of the best young recruiters in the country. He
helped Pittsburgh move up the recruiting ranks and will do the same
at Akron. Players, alums and fans will like his positive, hardworking
and exciting style of play.”
- Tom Lemming, ESPN.com
game’s last play to record the program’s first victory over a BCS team. The
list of honors for Brookhart players, in particular at wide receiver, continued
as David Harvey was named first team Freshman All-American. Also, quarterback
Luke Getsy and Andy Alleman were both selected to participate
in the NFL Combine with Alleman being snatched in the third round of the
draft by the New Orleans Saints.
In 2007, the Zips opened the year by beating Army in the first Patriot
Bowl at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Akron would then produce five turnovers
and only trailed eventual national champion runner-up Ohio State 3-2
at halftime before losing 20-2. The first of the Zips’ dramatic finishes came
in week four as UA senior Davanzo Tate picked off a pass in the endzone
as time expired allowing Akron to win back the Wagon Wheel with a 27-20
victory — the last time the Wagon Wheel would be fought for in the Rubber
Bowl. That was a prelude to one of the top plays in college football in 2007
as Akron, down 38-24 at Western Michigan in the fourth quarter, scored 15
unanswered points, including a miraculous return of a free kick following a
safety as time expired for the 39-38 decision.
Arthur would earn fourth team All-American honors, catching a UA record
86 passes for 1,171 yards. Corner led the MAC and ranked fourth nationally
with seven interceptions. Defensive end Almondo Sewell was tabbed
honorable mention Freshman All-American.
Also, with Brookhart taking over as special teams coordinator full time,
Bryan Williams finished second in the NCAA in kick returns while Andre
Jones was 11th in the NCAA in punt returns as Akron was the only team in
the nation with two players among the top 15 in both categories.
Arthur and Corner would both be named first team All-MAC in 2007,
becoming just the sixth and seventh Zips to earn such a distinction. In all, a
school-record eight players were named All-MAC with second team picks
Stokes, Chris Kemme and Sewell as well as third team selections John
Mackey, Grant and Williams (both as a running back and return specialist).
Akron’s 66th and Final Season at the Rubber Bowl
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