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| | Monday, September 6 | ||||||||
| 1998 Record: 4-7 (2-6) | 1998 statistics | 1999 schedule Head coach: Lee Owens Returning starters: 14 (offense 6, defense 7)
Finding the silver lining in a losing record is often a way of softening the hard reality of a bad season, but with Zips can make a case for it. Last year they dropped four games by a combined 22 points, including a one-point defeat at Central Michigan and a three-point fall against Eastern Michigan. Narrowing the margin of defeat won't be good enough for Lee Owens and his staff, though. The fifth-year coach is convinced that the team was ready to turn the tide after being mired near the bottom of the MAC. But a combination of injury, bad breaks and poor play in pressure situations, proved too much to overcome for the team that calls the Rubber Bowl home. This year the Zips could be headed for a similar struggle. Offense After averaging 375 yards of offense per game a year ago (third in the MAC), the Zips are expecting to move the ball again. One reason is the luxury that comes with a starter returning at quarterback. For the first time in five seasons, Owens begins the year with a familiar name under center. Junior James "Butchie" Washington showed that he is one of the bright, young talents in the conference a year ago. Washington broke 12 school records while throwing for 1,958 yards and racking up 2,072 yards of total offense. The feeling on campus is that he's just begun to show his real ability. The same is true of his favorite target, Lavel Bailey. The pair could become one of the more productive tandems in the league. Bailey finished the season as a blur, making 12 catches against Marshall and eight against Eastern Michigan), He has the speed and hands to be the Zips' consistent go-to guy. The backfield will feature a variety of runners. Senior Bo Hunter and junior Jimmie Gray are capable of starting, but redshirt freshman Brandon Payne is the leader of the pack. The team's leading returning rusher is fullback Raschi Culler, who had 385 yards and four TDs but must recover from ankle surgery this summer. All-MAC guard Dan Wessman, one of three starters back, anchors the line. He has been bothered by an ankle sprain, however. Junior tackle Joe Trudeau has developed into a solid pass protector and senior Steve Hale can play guard or tackle. A pair of sophomores, tackle Jeff Grzeskowiak and center Scott Smith will be counted on to play like veterans. It's a good sign if: A No. 1 tailback steps forward.It's a bad sign if: Washington's favorite target, Bailey, can't stay healthy. Defense If the Zips are to take a step forward, it must begin with a defense that allowed nearly 200 yards a game rushing a year ago. That's compounded by changes in the secondary that may prove to be a weakness early in the year. There is hope, though, in the second season working with coordinator Joe Palmisano's scheme. Creating turnovers is an area of need. The Zips ranked 10th in the league with 17 takeaways last year. They have just 26 interceptions over the last four seasons. They're hoping the move of senior Jon Eaton from wide receiver back to the secondary may help the interception total grow. Eaton is expected to start at free safety, after playing cornerback in 1995 and '96. He could also see some spot duty on offense. Junior Mike Hughes, who had a stellar spring, should step in capably at strong safety for athletic senior Nate Johnson, who will shift back linebacker with Hughes' emergence. The corner spots will be filled by Dwight Smith and Richard Reliford. Akron tripled its sack total last year, but must start again following the departure of several seniors. Much is expected from tandem of tackle Ron Smith and end Ade Edwards to play well. Smith will be watched carefully after sidelined all spring following shoulder surgery. Edwards (6-4, 255) could emerge as a star in his junior year. George Cameron will line up as both a down lineman and linebacker. Expect to see him spending some time in the opponents' backfield. Johnson and senior James Cochran give the Zips experience, speed and attitude at linebacker. Cochran will be called upon as a field leader in '99. It's a good sign if: The Zips improve their turnover ratio.It's a bad sign if: Teams continue to dominate on the ground. Special Teams Sophomore Zac Derr will handle the placekicking in his second season. Eaton could punt when he's not playing defense, but ideally, the job will go to Mike Delaney. -- John Crowley |  | ||||||||