The University of Akron Athletics
Lindy's
July 12 | Football
June 13, 2001
AKRON -
FOUR ZIPS TABBED PRESEASON ALL-MAC BY
LINDY'S
Four Akron Zips - offensive tackle Konrad Dean (Jackson,
N.J./Memorial), offensive tackle Jeff Grzeskowiak (North
Olmsted/Parma Holy Name), running back Brandon Payne (Rankin,
Pa./Woodland Hills) and wide receiver Jake Schifino (Pittsburgh,
Pa./Penn Hills) - have been named to Lindy's college
football annual preseason All-Mid-American Conference team.
The Zips, under the direction of seventh-year head coach Lee Owens, have put together back-to-back winning seasons and are picked by Lindy's to finish fourth in 2001 in the seven-team MAC East Division. The 2000 MAC East co-champion Zips return 45 letter winners, including 13 starters from a year ago. Akron opens its season Thursday, Aug. 30, against Ohio at the Rubber Bowl. Kickoff is TBA, but will be between 7-8 p.m. for ESPN-Plus television.
Dean and Grzeskowiak, both first-team selections, shared the
Zips' Most Valuable Lineman award a year ago and are among four
senior starters returning on Akron's offensive line. Payne, also a
first-team choice, became Akron's first Division I-A 1,000-yard
rusher last season when he accumulated 1,062 yards and scored 16
touchdowns. Schifino, a second-team pick, has 95 career receptions
and is 43 shy of Lavel Bailey's UA mark of 138
established just last fall.
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