Akron Zips football team continues to seek balance in struggling running game
It wasn’t a seismic shift, but the University of Akron was able to get its running game going to a certain degree in Saturday's loss to Kent State, netting 109 yards on the ground.
The Zips showed different looks with several of what coach Joe Moorhead called shovel-draws where quarterback DJ Irons got the ball to a back in the middle of an offensive swarm in the hopes of gaining positive yardage.
“Certainly, I thought we took a little step forward with our run game and when you include the quarterback runs in there. I thought that was a positive,” Moorhead said.
More:Akron Zips put up fight in loss to archrival Kent State
Those runs by Irons were one of the reasons running backs Clyde Price III and Cam Wiley were able to get positive yardage. The coaching staff also took note of a defensive front Moorhead called unique that Kent State plays in which the safety sits behind two linebackers and he planned accordingly.
“I think we did a fairly decent job from a scheme standpoint doing our best to soften it up and find ways to get a blocker on that safety,” Moorhead said.
Ultimately, he gave some credit to the offensive line, which has been banged up in recent weeks.
“I think it was probably our line doing a little bit better job getting some push and then also finding a way to account for that unblocked safety,” Moorhead said.
There was a re-emergence of Wiley on the field along with Price. Wiley didn’t get any touches in the prior week but had nine carries to Price's 12, along with a pass reception.
More:Akron Zips football player Darrian Lewis honors legacy of uncle Romeo Travis
Moorhead said coach Terry Richardson received input as to how things would work Saturday based on a number of factors, including who has momentum and which plays work best for a particular back. They’d like to continue to be equitable in distributing carries.
“We'd like to get those guys as many reps as possible, split down the middle,” he said, “but the hot hand and the specific play will dictate who's in there on a given play.”
DJ Irons' competitive nature spills over
Something rarely seen during the course of a football game at any level is an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on the quarterback. Irons earned one after scoring on a 5-yard touchdown run to give the Zips a 17-14 lead with 1:48 left in the first half.
It came in the wake of his offensive linemen trying to help him up after the play and defend him. He and a KSU player drew offsetting flags. Moorhead liked the chippiness, but not the penalty.
“This is a guy that's in the building on his own watching film and winning's important to him,” Moorhead said. “I’d like obviously for him to avoid the penalties. We can't have that and it won’t be acceptable, but you want a quarterback that can play with emotion, show his emotions without being emotional and I think DJ for the most part is able to do that.”
After the incident, Moorhead informed Irons on the sideline that if he received another, he’d be standing on the sideline with a clipboard.
Wide receiver Alex Adams delivers a standout performance
In a group of wide receivers in which a different one tends to lead each week, the quietest one delivered his best performance of the season against Kent State. Alex Adams caught nine passes for 199 yards, including an 80-yard touchdown pass on the Zips’ first offensive play.
Adams’ addition to the UA roster was a byproduct of Moorhead’s recruitment of him when he was at Mississippi State. He eventually chose LSU, didn’t find the offense to his liking and entered the transfer portal.
“Alex has got a ton of talent. He's got multiple years of eligibility and just like everyone else in the program, in all three phases, we're continuing to find ways to get better and better every week,” Moorhead said. "And continue building for the rest of the season. And, you know, most certainly for the future.”
Akron Zips kickers learn about meritocracy
Moorhead went back to Cory Smigel as the kicker against Kent State after Noah Perez missed two field-goal attempts against Central Michigan the prior week.
“Cory had a stronger pregame and kicked the ball better, so we gave him another opportunity,” Moorhead said.
It sounds as if it’s a situation what will remain in flux until someone definitively lays claim to the job.
“Once again, meritocracy, the best players are going to play,” Moorhead said. “There's no senior, junior, freshman ... none of that. None of that matters. People who play the best are going to have the opportunities in the games.”
Reach George M. Thomas at gthomas@thebeaconjournal.com or on Twitter @ByGeorgeThomas.
Miami at Akron
Time: Noon, Saturday
TV/Radio: ESPN+/WHLO (640-AM)
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron Zips football coach Joe Moorhead seeks help for DJ Irons
