The University of Akron Athletics
Zips Football Preseason Practice Report: Mon., Aug. 9
August 09 | Football
AKRON, Ohio - The University of Akron football
team completed its fifth practice of preseason camp on Monday at
InfoCision Stadium-Summa Field, but the first with players wearing
full pads. The session was one of 30 leading up to the season
opener at home against Big East opponent Syracuse on Sept. 4 at 6
p.m. ET on ESPN3.
Multiple highlights came from both sides of the ball today.
In an 11-on-11 situation, quarterback Matt
Rodgers completed a 30-yard pass to tight end Mike
Polinski down the near sideline, while quarterback Patrick
Nicely and tight end Anthony Ritossa connected
on a 40-yard pass play during an 11-on-11 session. Also during
11-on-11, running back Jawon Chisholm tallied a
30-plus yard scamper, the biggest run play of the afternoon.
The defense pushed back plenty, with linebacker Troy Gilmer picking off a pass during 7-on-7, and corner back Manley Waller did the same during 11-on-11 drills. Safety L.T. Smith earned the defense its third INT of the day. Smith was listed at the wide receiver position entering camp, but has been moved to the other side of the ball.
"Today was our best practice by far," first-year head coach Rob Ianello said. "The defense won some, the offense won some, and I really liked the tempo."
Practice ended with T.J. Marchese converting a 45-yard field goal. Ianello set up the scenario and as Marchese lined up for his attempt called a timeout. Despite being "iced," Marchese split the uprights at the south end of the venue.
On Tuesday, the Zips will have their first two-a-day, with both a morning and evening practice on the schedule.
Fans are encouraged to follow Ianello and the UA football program
via Twitter,
and to check back with GoZips.com for daily post-practice
updates.
Including the Sept. 4 matchup with the Orange, the Zips will play host to six home games in 2010. This year, Akron welcomes Gardner-Webb (Sept. 11), Northern Illinois (Oct. 2), Western Michigan (Oct. 23), Miami (Ohio) (Nov. 17) and Buffalo (Nov. 26) to one-year-old InfoCision Stadium-Summa Field, located on the UA campus.
Season ticket packages, starting as low as $90, may be purchased online via the ticketing page on GoZips.com, by phone at 1-888-99-AKRON (25766) or in person at the Akron Athletics Ticket Office at InfoCision Stadium (located at 375 E. Exchange Street near Gate 1 at the southwest corner of the venue, at the intersection of E. Exchange and S. Union streets), Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. ET
