The University of Akron Athletics
MAC Media Picks Zips Football To Win East Division
July 31 | Football
DETROIT - For the first time in program
history, the University of Akron football squad was picked to win
the Mid-American Conference East Division, as announced today at
the league's annual football media day in Detroit. The preseason
poll was conducted among members of the MAC News Media
Association.
Akron, the defending conference champion, received 35
first-place votes and 282 total points. Miami was picked second in
the division with 11 first-place nods and 235 points. Bowling Green
and Ohio each garnered two first-place votes, with the Falcons
ranking third (196 points) and the Bobcats fourth (176). Rounding
out the division were Kent State (97 points) and Buffalo (64
points).
"While it is nice to be honored for the hard work that the
players and coaches have put into the program, what truly matters
is where we are in the standings come December," said head coach
J.D. Brookhart, the 2004 MAC Coach of the Year.
"We are excited to get back on the field and work toward another
championship season."
Northern Illinois, Akron's opponent in last year's MAC
Championship game, was the favorite to win the West Division with
39 first-place votes (286 points). Toledo, a team UA will visit on
Oct. 28, received 10 first-place votes and 244 total points. The
only other team to receive a first-place vote was third-place
Western Michigan with one (172). The Broncos were followed by
Central Michigan (155 points), Ball State (120 points) and Eastern
Michigan (73). The Zips will travel to CMU for their MAC opener on
Sept. 16 and plays host to Western Michigan in the regular-season
finale on Nov. 24.
NIU was picked to win the MAC Championship game with 37 votes,
followed by Toledo (8), Akron (3), Miami (1) and Western Michigan
(1). The title game will be played Nov. 30 at Ford Field in Detroit
and will be broadcast live on ESPN.
Akron returns 16 starters from last year's team which won its
first-ever league title with a thrilling 31-30 victory over NIU in
the MAC Championship game in Detroit. That win secured a berth in
the Zips' first-ever Division I-A bowl game, the Motor City
Bowl.
Leading the group is senior quarterback Luke
Getsy (Munhall, Pa./Steel Valley/Pittsburgh). Last season,
Getsy passed for 3,455 yards and 23 TDs, setting 17 school records
along the way. Defensively the Zips are anchored by second-team
All-MAC defensive lineman Kiki Gonzalez
(Elizabeth, N.J./Elizabeth) and preseason All-MAC lineman
Jermaine Reid (Pickering, Ontario/St. Mary's
Catholic)
The Zips open the 2006 season on Saturday, Sept. 2 at Penn
State. Kickoff in Happy Valley is set for 3:30 p.m. (EST) and the
game will be televised on ESPN2. Akron opens its five-game home
slate on Sept. 23 against North Texas at the Rubber Bowl.
2006 MAC News Media
Association Preseason Poll
East Division (first place votes/total points)
1. Akron (35/282)
2. Miami (11/235)
3. Bowling Green (2/196)
4. Ohio (2/176)
5. Kent State (-/97)
6. Buffalo (-/64)
West Division (first place votes/total points)
1. Northern Illinois (39/286)
2. Toledo (10/244)
3. Western Michigan (1/172)
4. Central Michigan (-/155)
5. Ball State (-/120)
6. Eastern Michigan (-/73)
MAC Championship Game winner: Northern Illinois
(37), Toledo (8), Akron (3), Miami (1), Western
Michigan (1)
