The University of Akron Athletics
Hendry Runs Wild in Zips' First Grid Scrimmage
April 07 | Football
AKRON (April 7) — Junior All-MAC performer Brandon Payne is the Akron Zips’ No. 1 tailback, but on Saturday morning North Canton Hoover sophomore Bob Hendry staked his claim as the No. 2 guy.
Hendry rushed for 117 yards and three scores to highlight the Zips’ first spring scrimmage at the Rubber Bowl. The former Stark County Player of the Year demonstrated excellent speed and power in carrying 12 times and scoring on runs of 42, 3 and 15 yards.
The quarterback derby officially began with West Virginia transfer Nick Sparks (Flint, Mich./Northern) appearing to hold the early edge. The 6-3 sophomore ran with the first unit and looked stronger with each series. Sparks hooked up with senior Jake Schifino (Pittsburgh, Pa./Penn Hills) on a 15-yard completion and later converted back-to-back passes to sophomore Matt Cherry (Chicago, Ill./Loyola Academy) good for 26 yards and 20 yards, respectively. His elusiveness was limited somewhat by the one-hand-touch rule on quarterbacks. Senior Ryan Uhlenhake (St. Henry), sophomore Micah Faler (Columbus/Worthington Kilbourne) and redshirt freshman Charlie Frye (Willard) saw plenty of action as well.
The defense got the better of the first three quarters. Senior defensive tackle Chris Smith (Massillon/Washington) and junior defensive end Josh Hill (Massillon/Washington) each had one quarterback sack and one TFL.
Sophomore defensive back Maurice Taylor (Warren/Warren G. Harding) took an INT back 45 yards for a touchdown. Senior linebacker Terrell Colbert (Rahway, N.J./Merced J.C.) recovered a fumble.
On Friday, senior offensive guard Paul Ondrusek (Darlington, Pa./Blackhawk) suffered a left knee sprain and will sit out the rest of spring practice.
The Zips will scrimmage again this Friday (April 13) and wrap up
spring ball with the annual Blue-Gold game Saturday, April 21, at 1
o’clock at the Rubber Bowl.
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