Akron Zips football coach Joe Moorhead analyzes win against Colgate
The Akron Zips football team overcame a 17-0 deficit to defeat Colgate in the UA’s first home game. Coach Joe Moorhead spoke about Akron’s Week 3 win.
University of Akron football coach Joe Moorhead is brutally honest in the hopes of motivating his players.
UA (1-2) will be a heavy underdog when it faces South Carolina (2-1) at Williams-Brice Stadium on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
The Zips have already been to the Big Ten city this season, losing 52-6 at Ohio State on August 31 and 49-17 at Rutgers on September 7 in Weeks 1 and 2.
And after Akron defeated Colgate 31-20 in UA’s first home game on Saturday, the Zips are expected to suffer another crushing loss, this time to South Carolina of the Southeastern Conference.
How can Moorhead get the best performance out of his players when there is virtually no realistic reason to believe they can pull off an upset?
As in most cases, the answer is money.
Moorhead has always managed to secure the chance to later graduate to the NFL through outstanding individual performances.
But in the new era of college football, dominated by transfer portals and name, image and likeness deals, Moorhead’s message to players has become increasingly complex and interesting.
For example, a player from Akron could put himself in a position to make money with another college program in the near future by excelling against big teams like Ohio State, Rutgers and South Carolina.
Coaches, scouts and talent scouts are constantly discovering players on game tapes, and of course more eyes are turning to the films of major programs.
It’s a reality that Moorhead speaks out loud.
“When you’re playing on a team that’s playing at the cutting edge, so to speak, whether it’s an FCS versus an FBS or a Group of Five versus a Power Five, any player that has even an ounce of competition in them should play with a chip on their shoulder to prove that they belong at either this level or the next level,” Moorhead told the Beacon Journal in a recent interview on the UA campus. “So motivation is a fun thing, and I think that kind of challenge is something that guys can relate to.
“The other aspect, not just in the NFL, is that in this portal era of football, you’re not just playing for Sundays. You’re potentially playing for a payday on Saturdays at a higher level. So when you say, ‘Yeah, you’re doing this to get good shots for the NFL,’ the reality is that a lot of these guys, if we don’t have a dime or ZERO here, they may be playing for a payday next season as well.
“It’s unfortunate, you have to say, but it’s the reality. So, yes, I think it’s two-fold. They play high and they want to play well to be able to play on Sundays, but they’re also trying to maybe make a little more money on Saturdays.”
How much does the University of Akron get for its football games against Ohio State, Rutgers and South Carolina?
Money, of course, is Akron’s motive for playing Ohio State, Rutgers and South Carolina. For those three games, the total payout to UA is $3.1 million, including $1.5 million for the game against South Carolina, George M. Thomas of the Beacon Journal reported earlier this month.
After two consecutive 2-10 seasons, Akron is not in a good position to shock the world the way Northern Illinois, a Mid-American Conference team, did on Sept. 7 when they defeated then-No. 5-ranked Notre Dame 16-14 in South Bend, Indiana.
“You know what to expect when you play these games,” Moorhead said at a recent press conference when asked about South Carolina. “I’ve been on both sides, so I know what it’s like. You never say these games aren’t important, but you understand how difficult it is to compete. They’re 18- to 21-year-old guys, and as much as you say, ‘OK, we’re just going to go in there and compete and fight our asses off,’ at the end of the day, two losses are two losses, whether it’s against the No. 2 team in the country or whoever.
“I don’t think you can underestimate for a team that hasn’t won yet — and you’re trying to build a culture of belief — the mental and physical toll that comes with guys having to go into a game where the ESPN prediction is 99.9 to .01. It’s not great, but like I said, we’re not going to give in. We’re going to keep going. But yeah, you can’t underestimate the toll that the team is taking as we try to build and turn this program around.”
What is the history between Akron Zips football and South Carolina?
Akron has only played South Carolina once before, losing 28-3 on the road in the final game of the 2018 season. The meeting only took place because both teams had canceled a game earlier that season due to weather.
To Moorhead’s argument: According to ESPN’s College Football Power Index, South Carolina has a 94.3% chance of winning on Saturday night.
Akron Zips football news: Ranking the top three UA players and moments in the home opener against Colgate
How to watch the football game between Akron Zips and South Carolina Gamecocks on TV and via streaming. How to get listed on the radio
The game will be broadcast on ESPNU with Clay Matvick as live commentator and Steve Addazio as analyst.
Local radio coverage is provided by WHLO 640-AM (flagship), WHK 1420-AM and 102.5 FM with David Skoczen as live commentator and Joe Dunn as analyst.
It also airs on SiriusXM channel 374.
More Zips football: Akron wins against Colgate. Here are the highlights from UA’s home opener
Nate Ulrich can be reached at [email protected]. On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich.
