Two weeks into practice Joe Moorhead sees progress in University of Akron football team

Two weeks into spring practice and University of Akron football coach Joe Moorhead said he sees progress in his team.

That’s the good news. The bad news?

It’s still spring practice, which doesn’t mean a whole lot when it comes it comes to wins and losses. It does mean plenty for X's and O's, however.

“I think the past two weeks have been exciting, watching our kids grow,” Moorhead said after Saturday’s practice, “watching our culture get better, learning the scheme, playing with great effort and seeing the execution improve. I thought there was visible and tangible progress, and we’re taking steps in the right direction.”

In Saturday’s practice, Moorhead said he saw nice give and take between the offense and defense. But everything is subjective in this phase, and in building a team and his culture the intangibles play a huge role. As much as he wants to see the successful play, a significant mental game comes with that.

“It’s easy to be a leader when things are going well, but when the s*** hits the fan, for lack of a better term, how are you going to react?” he said.

Saturday, the Zips played through the good and the bad, and that’s good to see.

Quarterbacks enjoy some success

Quarterback DJ Irons looked confident, decisive and showed his savvy for much of the time he was on the field. Moorhead isn’t about to name a starter in practice, but it’s fun watching the quarterbacks work because they genuinely push themselves and one another. Sophomores Joey Marousek and Ryan Jankowski have flashed on occasions.

Running backs go strong

The running back position will likely remain the most competitive. Cam Wiley, Anthony Williams and Jonzell Norrils all continued to do what they have done this spring – show strong flashes. Each had nice runs Saturday morning at Stile Athletic Field House and, with the prospect of more talented players joining the room this fall, that competition will only become stronger.

The offensive line is noticeably larger

One thing that’s obvious is an offensive line that’s visibly larger. Moorhead said that came courtesy of a nine-week offseason program developed and executed by Ben Iannacchione, head coach of strength and conditioning.

“Across the board, for the most part, we look like a team that deserves to step foot – physically – on a Division I football field,” Moorhead said.

If those players develop the mentality to play their respective positions in the trenches, it could be an area of improvement for the Zips.

Defensive backs remain Akron Zips' strength

If Zips fans are honest, they’ll remember the team’s front seven was suspect last year.

Part of that was due to the loss of inside linebacker Bubba Arslanian. They’re not exactly getting pushed around, but they are without Jeslord Boateng, who rushed the quarterback from the edge last season, because he’s rehabbing an undisclosed injury.

Boateng is now listed as an inside linebacker, a huge shift that won’t have an outcome likely until the fall.  All of that being said, the strength of that defense remains the corners and safeties, most of whom were active on a unit that produced a couple of turnovers.

Generally speaking, Moorhead adheres to the philosophy that the game of football is largely as much about desire and effort as it is scheme.

When it comes to all aspects of the team, he likes how hard it is playing, but acknowledges the Zips are light-years from where they need to be.

“Because we can fix some of the X's and O's,” he said. “If you can get the kids believing in the scheme and giving incredible effort and playing hard for quarters and not being on an emotional roller coaster and just keep sawing wood, generally good things will happen.”

Reach George M. Thomas at gthomas@thebeaconjournal.com or on Twitter @ByGeorgeThomas