Also, the team got a glimpse of the state-of-the-art video board, which is being tested, and got a feel for the noise playing in front of 100,000 people, like it will Sept. 5 in the season opener at eighth-ranked Penn State, as the speakers were being tested as well.

The Zips have handled the unusually hot practice sessions to date well but will have to face another challenge Wednesday with the first two-a-day practice session. It will be the first of five scheduled two-a-day sessions during fall camp.

“I continue to be pleased with our team,” said UA head coach J.D. Brookhart. “We have had some rough patches, but every time, our team has come together and finished strong. Today was another great example of that. We are no where near where we need to be, but we are definitely going in the right direction.”

Although the offense returns nine starters, missing All-MAC performers Chris Kemme and Dennis Kennedy, the unit has had to adapt to two new coaches on that side of the ball in offensive coordinator Shane Montgomery and quarterbacks coach Walt Harris.

“I think the first six practices have gone well,” Montgomery said. “Right now, we are looking for high energy and fast tempo. We have thrown a lot at this group, being veterans, to see their retention and the young guys continue to impress. Their time here this summer, being with the older guys, has really allowed them to pick up the offense.

“It is always a challenge when it gets hot and you start the double sessions. However, you know as a coach, people are going to miss some time and this is the time to start building depth at all positions, mixing the backups in with the starters to see who we will feel comfortable with if there were to be an injury.

“Individually, Norman Shuford has been a great surprise so far this camp, moving from defensive back to running back. You look at how Akron lost two of its top three backs last year and it is important to be deep at that position. Norman has really looked good running the ball, catching the ball and getting yards after first contact. Another key spot for depth is offensive line. You want to have 7-8 guys that can rotate in there and be able to play multiple positions. Adam Bice and Paul Simkovich have shown they can do that and we see more good things from others after each practice.

“Also individually, Matt Rodgers has come in and played with a lot of confidence. He looks like a totally different player out there from the spring and we think the game has really slowed down for him, allowing him to make good decisions. After two years in the system, he is someone we would feel very comfortable running the offense.

“I will say the one thing we need to continue to preach and make strides in is consistency. We have installed most of the offense right now but we will trim the playbook a bit as we head into our first scrimmage, making sure we get the ball in the hands of our playmakers. We also have to continue where we left off last year in terms of being able to run the ball, while being able to run the ball with different personnel packages. That ability takes a lot of pressure off the offense. We will lean on the four returning starting offensive linemen to make that happen.”

It was announced earlier Tuesday that Akron’s home game Nov. 13 (Friday) versus Temple has a new start time of 8:30 at InfoCision Stadium-Summa Field.