As Akron's winless football program continues to simmer languidly amid three consecutive defeats, sophomore quarterback Charlie Frye is quickly rising to renewed successes on the field.
Through three games this season, Frye has remained a steadfast force in an otherwise humble offensive program. While the defense was left befuddled in losses to Iowa, Maryland and Central Michigan, Frye racked up 692 yards and four touchdowns.
"We started off playing a couple of good teams," Frye said of the Zips' troubles this season. "Now we're having a chance to gel on offense and defense. We have a lot of new linemen and basically a new defensive scheme. Hopefully we can put four quarters together against Virginia."
If the young gun is able to maintain his current completion percentage of 67.4 against the Cavaliers and other opponents this season, Frye will be in a prime position to surpass his own remarkable achievements from last year.
Considering his youth and inexperience on the playing field, Frye's numbers as a freshman were extremely impressive. In the 2001 season, Frye ranked fifth in the Mid-American Conference in pass efficiency with a rating of 124.6, fifth in passing yards with 186.6 per game, and sixth in total offense at 188.6 yards per game.
Frye's most spectacular freshman achievements were Akron single-season records for completions (170) and completion percentage (58.8). His 2,053 passing yards were an Akron freshman record, and place him third on the Zips' all-time list. Frye also produced a 0.21 interception percentage, which is unequaled in Akron football history.
Frye's place in Zips history was further cemented by his passing efforts against East Michigan (313 yards) and Miami of Ohio (309 yards), which are fifth and seventh all-time at Akron.
He also tallied three of the top 12 total offensive outputs in Akron school history. The Cavaliers can expect nothing less of a performance from Frye and the Zips, whose desperate desire for a win grows with each game.
"I set my personal goals behind the team goals," Frye said. "My personal goal is to win. We need a win real bad for our team now."
"I see our football team getting better each week," Akron Coach Lee Owens said. "We need to find an opportunity to put 60 minutes of good football together. We've seen signs of being a good football team."
Frye's ascent to his current status began as far back as first grade, when he charted plays and worked as a waterboy for his coach who lived across the street. At Willard High School in Ohio, Frye was a local legend. In four years at Willard, he stacked up 17 school records and was named first-team All-Ohio.
In his first year at Akron, Frye decided to redshirt in order to become a stronger and faster player. The 20 extra pounds of muscle he acquired in the weight-room physically prepared him for the strains and struggles of the "battlefield."
"They had a three-year starter, and it was my first year coming in," Frye said. "His name is Butchie Washington, and he's playing in the Canadian Football League now. I learned most of what I know from him."
Since then, Frye's career has taken off. When starter Nick Sparks was injured in Akron's season opener against Ohio last year, Frye stepped up to fill the position. The following performance displayed resolve and tenacity far beyond the young freshman's experience. Frye completed 13 of 16 pass attempts for 145 yards in the ensuing 31-29 Akron victory, which earned him MAC East Offensive Player of the Week honors.
Now considered one of the top quarterbacks in the Mid-American Conference, Frye and his big-play potential will provide a formidable challenge against the Cavalier defense.
"I just take it one game at a time for myself," Frye said. "I try to play every play like it's my last. I try to help the team to get a victory. We set our team goals high at the beginning of the season. We're going to play every game hard."
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