Robert Morris’ Fumble Recovery Stymies Akron’s 1st Drive Offensive Coordinator Promotion

Akron athletic director Andre Goodrich devised a plan in hopes of bringing some buzz and attention to the Zips’ football program. His idea was to allow a “fan” chosen via a raffle system the chance to script the Zips’ opening drive of the game in the team’s home opener against Robert Morris.

That lucky fan ended up being Akron alum and longtime season-ticket holder, Marty Whims II.

Akron appeared to be moving the ball with ease under Whims’ lead as running back Jordan Gant crossed midfield on the Zips’ first play of the drive. After a short pass and a seven-yard run by Gant, the Zips faced a third-and-short before a false start backed them up.

On the third-down play, quarterback Cibastian Broughton found wide receiver Marcel Williams for what looked like a first down but a Robert Morris defender met him after the catch and jarred the ball loose resulting in a turnover.

Robert Morris failed to capitalize on the turnover and Akron went onto score a touchdown on its second drive of the game.

After Akron announced the promotion, it generated 25 million views and placed Akron football at the center of the college football universe. While some programs in Robert Morris’ shoes would take it as a sign of disrespect, newly-hired athletic director Dr. Ron Moses II acknowledged the plan as a good idea.

“It’s the home opener, right, and we’re an FCS program, right?” Robert Morris athletic director Dr. Ron Moses said to David Ubben of The Athletic. “So I understand this is the one where they probably feel like, ah, we’ll probably win this one. But we’ll kind of go and see. It puts the pressure back on them, not us,”

In the end, regardless of what the final score of the game is, the plan backfired on Akron as it was the Robert Morris defense that made the big play when all of the eyes were focused on the game.