Eric E. Schoch (1991) - Hall of Fame - University of Akron Athletics

Eric E. Schoch

Induction:
1991
Class:
1974

1971-73
Football
Quarterback
‘74

About every 10 years, a quarterback with Eric Schoch’s talents appears on the scene. Fellow Hall of Famers Tom Boggs was the quarterback of the 1950s, and Don Zwisler was the number one man of the 1960’s. Now Schoch, who lettered from 1971-73, is getting his due as the quarterback of the 70’s. As the keystone that anchored the Zip attack, the 6-1 180-pound Schoch began guiding UA’s option-oriented offense during his sophomore season. While sharing the starting spot with Mic Hutton, Schoch accumulated 1,070 yards to pace the Zips in total offense on the way to an 8-2 record. In the 43-21 win over a Southern Illinois, Schoch connected on 10-of-14 passes for 227 yards and a school record-tying four touchdowns. The following season was a disappointment as far as wins and losses, however, Schoch continued to perform well. He again led UA in total offense (1,317 yards.) and passing yards (956) and tacked on scoring with 42 points. That campaign ended Gordon Larson’s career as the UA head coach and 1973 saw Jim Dennison at the helm and Schoch at quarterback. Schoch made it the best of his career by passing for 1,316 yards, running for 448 yards and scoring seven TD’s. As a result, he became the first UA player ever to go over 4,000 yards total offense with 4,171 yards. Schoch also established and still holds the following records: passing percentage-season, 557 (97 of 174) and career .530 (215 of 406), most passing yards in a quarter—186 vs. Temple, in a half—214 vs. Temple, all-time rushing and scoring leader among quarterbacks—1,234 yards and 18 TD’s. For his effort, Schoch was voted the team’s Most Outstanding Back and he was voted UA’s Athlete of the Year in 1973-74. “He was the individual who made our offense go, inspired our defense to do well and the player that our opponents feared the most,” praised Jim Dennison. Schoch went on to earn his master’s degree in education in 1975. For 12 of the past 14 years, he has held several managerial positions with health clubs and currently is Director of Sales at Sportslife in Stone Mountain, Georgia, where he resides.