Akron Zips coach Terry Bowden admitted he was more tense last week in the regular-season finale against Kent State than the much-touted win over Ohio.
“There was so much to lose,” Bowden said. “You wouldn’t have beaten your rival, six games doesn’t may not get you into a bowl game and you can feel a little more pressure.”
That strain in the end has paid off for the 61-year-old head ball coach, who after six seasons at Akron, has finally reached Ford Field for Saturday’s Mid-American Conference championship game, prepared to face the Toledo Rockets who nearly swept their league schedule.