It started with a viral contest. It ended in anger — and an important lesson: Calling plays in real life isn’t as easy as it looks in video games.
Marty Whims II — a longtime season ticket holder and Akron graduate — experienced the joy and frustration of being the offensive coordinator for the Zips on Saturday as part of the program’s “Offensive Coordinator of the Game” contest.
Unfortunately, the dream opportunity only lasted four shows.
Akron was moving the ball on its first possession against Robert Morris when wide receiver Marcel Williams fumbled at the Colonials’ 37-yard line. David Johnson recovered the ball after Tasheen Howard and Jake Lopinto forced the fumble.
“We moved the ball, got a couple of first downs. I thought we’d have a shot if we didn’t get fumbled,” Whims said shortly after his OC stint ended.
Only season and suite ticket holders were eligible for the contest. Suites were sold out for the first time since InfoCision Stadium opened in 2009.
Akron had more than 23 million views on social media and an influx of new season ticket holders since the contest was announced on Aug. 4. Fans from 38 states and as far away as Germany became Zips season ticket holders, including Jon Gruden, Pat McAfee and Dan “Big Cat” Katz.
Each season and suite ticket counts as an entry (four tickets, four entries). Season ticket holders also received additional entries for each new buyer they referred.
Whims and Akron coach Joe Moorhead met Friday to go over strategy and review game film before coming up with a 20-part script.
Nick Saban — no stranger to the Mid-American Conference after graduating from rival Kent State and coaching one year at Toledo — told Whims Saturday to start the game early and “stand in front of the sticks and drive the ball. All the fans are going to want you to throw it. Run the ball. You’re not going to get criticized as much.”
Whims stayed ahead of the sticks until a false start penalty on right guard Nate Hampton put the Zips on third-and-six.
Williams had the yards needed for a first down on his catch, only to have it turned over.
Because of the turnover, Whims wasn’t able to try Saban’s third idea: “Don’t be cool, but if you’re going to be cool, throw in the damn flea shake. The fans are going to love it.”
Whims stood on the sideline behind the Akron bench before returning to the stands to watch the game with his three sons.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
