The University of Akron Athletics
Zips Down Northern Illinois 48-42 In Overtime
September 24 | Football
Recap | Final Stats | Notes | Photo Gallery
Akron 48, Northern Illinois 42
Sept. 24, 2005
The Rubber Bowl
Akron, Ohio
Akron Head Coach J.D. Brookhart
Opening Statement:
"It was a great game tonight. (Joe) Novak had his boys working hard
and we got the win today. They put it to us."
On UA's defense:
"We kept stepping up on the run. We held them to 50 yards rushing.
Our kids were disciplined and it showed on the sheets."
On the outlook for the season:
"We have a lot of games left and it's too early to think that far
down the season. We had a great game today and we have to think
about that."
On stopping NIU's run:
"We had schematic ways to keep them off guard. Luckily for us, it
worked out and they weren't able to run the ball as well as they
normally do."
On UA's running game:
"We had ideas and we used them. We had our opportunities and we
stayed with it."
On playing defense first in overtime:
"It was smart. When you win the toss in OT, you want to have your
defense on the field first. We had that interception and all we
needed was three points after that."
On the UA defense:
"Our guys felt bad about the comeback, but they knew they couldn't
let it get to them. They still had a game left to play and if they
let their emotions get to them, the game could have had a different
outcome."
Akron QB Luke Getsy
On staying calm in the second half:
"With spring practice, we learned to keep together through the hard
times. Tonight, neither team quit whether it was on the offense or
the defense. We walked a fine line tonight but we came away with
the win."
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Akron WR Domenik Hixon
On his return game:
"I just react. I had some lucky breaks and I just kept my legs
moving. When you break a tackle, you don't try to avoid them, you
just move."
On being one of the top players in the MAC:
"I just want to win. If I don't catch a single ball all game, it
wouldn't bother me as long as we get the win.
On the momentum shift after the blocked kick:
"It definitely gave us motivation to keep going. If we didn't get
that, we would have needed to get more points. All I know is that
we watched the ball get snapped, get blocked, and than it went into
the air with us getting the extra points. It was a weird play but
it worked in our favor."
Northern Illinois Head Coach Joe Novak
Opening Statement:
"We were lucky to get back in the game. Some of our guys played
really great. Horvath played especially well. We shouldn't have
really even been in that game, we were lucky. Akron just deserved
it more, they outplayed us."
On the NIU running game:
"Akron's defensive line moved around and stunted a lot. We just
didn't block them. they played with more energy than us tonight.
Garret Wolfe is a great back, we just didn't get any blocking."
On Akron's play:
"We knew they'd come out here playing inspired. It was their home
opener. J.D. put a good, inspired squad out there tonight. They've
got an awesome quarterback, we knew that coming in, and he just
kept making plays with all of his running. Hixon is probably one of
the best receivers around, he played great.
On pressuring the quarterback:
"The pressure wasn't bad, we forced Getsy out of the pocket. He had
to throw some bad balls, but he was very athletic out there."
On the blocked extra point:
"As I look back it was a pretty big play. Those are the things that
can turn a ball game around."
On Phil Horvath's play:
"We always seem to have good quarterbacks. I have no complaints
with Phil. He played great football. Basically, it's a good example
of what happens when you throw for a lot of yards, but can't run
the ball at all. It wasn't Phil's fault we just couldn't run."
On keeping Garret Wolfe in the game:
"Garret is a great back he just didn't get any blocking. A.J.
Harris is good too, but Garret is my man."
