North Carolina State University Athletics
Gary Hahn's Scouting Report: Akron
9/6/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
NC STATE (1-0, 0-0) vs.
DATE:
TIME: Kickoff:
RADIO: Wolfpack Radio Network:
TELEVISION: ESPNU
OPPONENT---There were some positives for
Akron held Penn State to 76 rushing yards, the first time the Zips held a Big Ten opponent under 100 yards rushing since moving to the I-A ranks in 1987.
The Zips allowed 282 yards of total offense by
Each of
What
The Nittany Lions also scored on their next two possessions with a 39 yard field goal and a 14-yard pass from Morelli to Jordan Norwood. It was 17-0 before a Matt Domonkos field goal from 46-yards put
Trailing 17-3 at halftime, the Zips gained some momentum. PSU freshman A.J Wallace fumbled the second-half kickoff at midfield and
Wallace redeemed himself on the ensuing kickoff with a 54-yard return to the
Getsy, a transfer from Pitt, finished 22-of-42 for 160 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. His only big pass play came with the game out of reach. A perfectly thrown 27-yard TD strike to David Harvey came against a
When he has time to throw Getsy is impressive. The 6-2, 220 pound redshirt senior, who is a candidate for the Davey O’Brien and Unitas Awards, threw for more than 3,400 yards last season and 23 touchdowns.
Getsy has his entire offensive line back from last season. Averaging more than 290 pounds, the starting linemen are all redshirt seniors with the exception of sophomore right tackle Chris Kemme.
However, a majority of Getsy’s receivers are inexperienced. Gone are Domenik Hixon and Jason Montgomery who accounted for nearly 75 percent of the receptions by the receiving corps last season.
Junior Jabari Arthur looks to be the Zips top returning big-play receiver. He caught 8 passes for 180 yards in the Zips’ Motor City Bowl loss to
Kennedy is the Zips featured runningback. A reserve who rushed for only 130 yards last season, the redshirt sophomore was the team’s leading rusher (25 -59.) and receiver (8-50) against
Defensively, head coach J.D. Brookhart uses a 3-3-5 scheme and has 8 starters back from last season’s 7-6 squad that ranked No. 32 nationally in total defense (340 ypg.) and No. 71 against the run (159 ypg.).
The Zips return nine of their top-11 tacklers from a year ago. Junior rover John Mackey (95) is the leading-returning tackler, while junior LB Brion Stokes checked in with 89 stops in 05. Mackey posted a team-best eight stops vs.
Although he's 5-10, 213 pounds, Mackey’s position is vital in UA's 3-3 stack formation, because he can cover as a defensive back, or move up as an outside linebacker.
When Mackey lines up as a linebacker, it gives the Zips a formation that can put eight players either on or close to the line of scrimmage. It's an unconventional defensive scheme, but effective.
Leading the defensive line is redshirt senior tackle Kiki Gonzalez (6-2, 300) a third-year starter. The Lombardi Award candidate is one of the top run-stoppers in the MAC and has started 25 straight games. Senior end Jermaine Reid, led the team with seven sacks a year ago. The Zips had no sacks in last week’s opener.
The secondary is anchored by redshirt senior, Reggie Corner (5-9, 175), one of the top cornerbacks in the MAC and redshirt junior strong safety Chevin Pace (5-10, 185). Both are third-year starters.
Special teams are an area of concern for
Sophomores Andre Jones (5-11, 183) and Brandon Anderson (5-11, 170) look to be the main kick returners. Jones returned three kickoffs for a 22.3 yard average last week.
NOTES:
INJURIES--NC State: C Luke Lathan-Probable, concussion; WR Lamart Barrett-Probable, hamstring; LB Ernest Jones-Probable, knee sprain; CB A.J. Davis-Questionable, hamstring; CB Phillip Holloman-Probable, hamstring; OT John Holt-Probable, knee.
