Michigan Football: Akron at Michigan — What Happened and What It Means — Part I
Posted at 6:00am — 9/17/2013
Michigan Football: Akron at Michigan — What Happened and What It Means — Part I
Bad Day-Ugly is Ugly
Akron Turned Away From The Gates of Glory
Michigan Embarrassed- But The Season Continues
The author was not planning on going to watch the Akron-Michigan game. But as the result of a kind and good friend offering up an easy and financially beneficial ticket, up to Ann Arbor went the Docmobile. In life there are surprises and the flow and results of the game were not the biggest life surprise, but still, a more than mild surprise never the less.
For a neutral fan in the neighborhood wanting to watch a game, the entertainment value was high. If one were a coach watching for football excellence and execution of fundamentals, then at least on the Michigan side there would be disappointment.
Sep 14, 2013; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Akron Zips head coach Terry Bowden reacts in the first half against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY SportsBefore discussing Michigan on the sunny and perfect temperature day of September 14, 2013, a look at Akron is in order. Coaches Terry Bowden and Chuck Amato had the Akron players very well prepared. The Akron offense frequently took the short middle that Michigan could not defend by deep safety scheme and perhaps even by personnel. Amato’s schemes and blitzes demonstrated Michigan was not prepared. The Akron defensive staff is composed of high-level coaches. Akron has decided to sink money into the program and if the university is patient, and the coaches remain, there should be improvement.
The author maintains that Akron played well and took care of the Zips side of the ball. It is hard to imagine, but possible, that Akron received this level of preparation in three days. This is possible because the spread can simply adjust to a defense without preparation. Defensively, Amato may have spent a little extra time on the Wolverines.
Sep 14, 2013; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Akron Zips quarterback Kyle Pohl (16) runs the ball in the second half against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium. Michigan won 28-24. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY SportsAkron, a much-maligned team, has reason to suspect improvement from the past few years. The defensive staff is equal or superior to many big time programs. And even with some down times, Terry Bowden has seen the top of the mountain in coaching and clearly has accepted his tough challenge with some pride and joy. Akron is importing some good talent through juco or transfer, so things should get better. The bottom line is Akron competed and made some big plays.
Frankly 25 of 49 passing may not sound impressive on the surface, but the view from the stands clearly indicated that Kyle Pohl put many balls right on the money for big plays. His advantage was a generous time allotment to get the balls into the right spot. Pohl’s receivers helped out on two deep sideline catches that could only be stated as nice throw and nice catch. The Akron backs had success up the middle and cutting backside.
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Written by GBMWolverine Staff
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