Akron Zips fans could get to learn who Jeff Undercuffler is against Tennessee

No coach wants to play quarterback derby, but for the the University of Akron it may be in effect for Saturday night’s game against Tennessee.

UA starter DJ Irons went down with a lower body injury against Michigan State, forcing coach Joe Moorhead to turn to transfer Jeff Undercuffler Jr. to finish the game. Irons was listed as day-to-day earlier in the week, but reports from the sideline last Saturday had him in a walking boot and unable to put weight on the injury.

Will he play Saturday? There will be no hasty predictions here. The key question might be: Who is Jeff Undercuffler Jr.?”

Some of his teammates may be asking the same question at this point. A 6-foot-5, 230-pound quarterback, Undercuffler is still learning names, he said. After deciding to leave the University of Albany, where he threw for 6,406 yards and 59 touchdowns in four seasons and spending more than five months in the transfer portal, he’ll figure it out.

More:Quarterback DJ Irons sharp in University of Akron Zips Blue & Gold Spring Football Game

A surprising quarterback for a Joe Moorhead offense

Here’s what was most striking about Undercuffler when he entered the game against the Spartans – he’s not exactly the type of quarterback people would expect to run Moorhead’s run-pass option offense. Undercuffler laughs about it, because he understands he’s not the dual-threat guy normally found under center in the system.

“You are not wrong,” he said when asked about it. “But you know, him being such an effective play-caller, such a great leader and head coach, he can switch up his offense in any shape, in any way, form, to present the defense with a challenge. Just being a quarterback, pocket passer or dual threat, it doesn't matter. Your job is to distribute the football to your playmakers in space on time efficiently … and that's just what I'm focusing on right now.”

Akron Zips wide receivers need to adjust on the fly

Undercuffler entered the game against the Spartans with 6:12 left in the second quarter, he struggled, but settled down in the fourth quarter. His stat line – 11-of-22 passing for 80 yards – doesn’t impress, but if he plays against the Volunteers, getting that work in at that moment can serve him well at Neyland Stadium.

It provided an opportunity to acclimate to his teammates in a game situation. Developing chemistry – especially with wide receivers – is no easy feat. Developing it with those you’re likely to get fewer reps with during the week is likely to be more difficult.

Daniel George, a wide receiver and transfer from Penn State, has emerged as the second-leading receiver on the team with eight catches for 117 yards. He’s already developed a short-hand with Irons. He doesn’t dispute that working with a new quarterback presents a challenge.

“But it's not something at all that can't be overcome or can't be that we can't do,” he said. It's just belief between Jeff and I, Jeff and all the receivers. He trusts us to make the plays and we trust him to get the ball there.

“And then just the same thing, working the reps and getting those repetitions in making sure the timing is there, hand placement, ball placement, all the same kind of aspects. And then just picking up wherever we left off, there really isn't any drop off at all.”

More:Akron Zips defense looks to build on promising opening-game performance

George recognizes the difference between his two teammates.

“The difference I would say, I would just say the runner aspect of the game,” he said. “I just think teams, they know that DJ has legs and they got to respect that, but they don't know exactly how big of an arm Jeff has yet, but they going to see that.”

Dual threat or drop-back passer, George said it ultimately doesn’t matter for receivers.

“It really doesn't affect me much. I mean, I just, I always want to be open,” he said. “It just makes me want to get open even quicker just to make sure that he sees the picture clearly. And it's there for him to, to put the ball there.”

Communication will be key for Akron Zips offense

Ultimately, it comes down to the ability to communicate, which George said he, Undercuffler and Irons, do well.

Undercuffler agreed. He said that and chemistry with his receivers already exists.

“It can, and it will get a little bit better obviously as time goes on day by day. Those receivers are my guys … I'll do anything for them and I know that they'll do anything for me.

“So, I feel like our camaraderie as a team, especially on offense and our team chemistry is like Coach Moorhead says each and every practice day by day that it's growing, it's growing and it's going to pay off one day.”

If it’s to pay off in anyway against the Volunteers, the Zips are going to have to not let the moment overwhelm them as they did last week against the Spartans and given the type of quarterback Undercuffler is, a running game sure would help, so UA can at least keep the Volunteers defense on its toes some.

Reach George M. Thomas at gthomas@thebeaconjournal.com or on Twitter @ByGeorgeThomas.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Jeff Undercuffler Jr. comfortable in starting role for Akron Zips