10/11/2014 Akron Zips football: Five keys to beat the Miami RedHawks - Zips -

Akron Beacon Journal • Saturday, October 11, 2014

Akron Zips football: Five keys to beat the Miami RedHawks

By GEORGE THOMAS Published: October 10, 2014 The Akron Zips (3-2, 1-1) take on the Miami RedHawks (1-5, 1-1) and they shouldn’t, despite the team’s record, take the RedHawks lightly. They’re coming off a huge comeback win over the UMass Minutemen, so they are coming in with at least some momentum and they have a quarterback who can inflict some damage. Here are five keys to the game: Stop the pass first: It goes against conventional wisdom with respect to how to play defense in football, but given the RedHawks situation, this is the logical first step. The reasoning is simple: quarterback Andrew Hendrix, a transfer from Notre Dame, has elevated the Miami passing game. Last year the RedHawks averaged just 124.3 passing yards per game. This year it’s more than doubled to 296.5 yards per game. He’s already bested several marks from last year’s passing offense. To stop him… Get a rush on him: The Zips may have to dial up the rush just a little bit to rattle Mr. Hendrix. With him the RedHawks average 23.3 points per game and are coming off a game with the UMass Minutemen in which they overcame a 41-14 deficit to win the game, breaking a 21-game losing streak Last season they averaged 9.8 points per game. If the Zips can keep someone in his face - and stats Miami has given up 20 sacks so far this season - getting a combination of hurries and sacks, it makes the defensive backs jobs that much easier because they will have to… Stop receiver David Frazier: Frazier is having a huge year so far with 31 receptions for 575 yards and he averages 18.5 yards per catch. He’s the only Miami receiver among the leaders in receptions and receiving yards in those categories suggesting that he is Hendrix’s go-to guy. He has a dozen plays of 20 yards or more. He is dangerous. He is, however, by no means the only target three other Miami receivers have receptions ranging from 17-19 on the season, but when Hendrix looks to find someone in the end zone, and Sam Martin has four TD catches on the season. The Zips DBs could have their hands full. Get off to a fast start on offense: This is becoming cliché, but quarterback Kyle Pohl has got to get his team in gear early. The running game has been stepping up and the effect has been evident. The Zips gain 197 yards on the ground against Eastern Michigan and Pohl has his best game from a yardage standpoint in his career. Miami gives up 177 yards on the ground per game. Hello Mr. Chisholm and Mr. Hundley. Clean up last week’s sloppiness: For anyone who saw the box score those 15 penalties for 124 yards have got to go. Discipline will be necessary. It’s too far into the season to still be committing those types of errors. Click here to read or leave a comment on this story.

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