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Who are those three pitchers?

Kicker: M. Schramm had a solid first season with the Zips, splitting time with former kicker O. Wiley. Schramm went 16-of-17 on extra points and 12-of-13 on field goals, with his only miss coming from beyond 40 yards. Based on last season’s production, he should enter 2026 as the clear favorite to handle field goal and extra point duties. J. Westrich has been added for what I assume is primarily kickoff duties, as that was his main responsibility at the Division II level last season. While he possesses a strong leg, he went 0-for-5 on field goal attempts, which suggests his path to playing time is likely through kickoffs rather than challenging Schramm as the primary placekicker. Punter: J. Castle had his best season to date averaging nearly 43 yards per punt. He also split some snaps with former punter B. Johnson. I believe A. Satire is being brought in primarily as a punter to compete with Castle. He did not play as a freshman at West Virginia this past season. Long Snapper: F. Miner was the backup at long snapper in 2025 and will compete with portal addition S. Dean for the starting role this coming season. Returner: B. Hills is set to reprise his role as the main kickoff returner. His competition will likely come from S. Patrick, T. Thomas, and JUCO addition G. Hilburn. On punt return, it’ll likely be the same competition of players as kickoff return, except Patrick should be the lead man. Looking forward: I believe most specialists are non-scholarship players for Akron, with the exception of whoever earns the starting jobs. So typically only three scholarships are allocated to special teams. With that in mind, I wouldn’t be surprised if one more kicker is brought in before fall camp. Returning: P - Castle (Sr.) LS - Miner (R. Sr.) K - Schramm (R. So.) New: LS - Dean (Jr.) = DII K - Westrich (R. So.) = DII P - Stire (R. Fr.) = West Virginia Out: LS - Dennis (Gr.) P - Johnson (Gr.) K - Samaha = Eastern Michigan K - Wiley = Portal

Do not take this as gospel, but I believe the reasons for losing our top three pictures was one had a skiing accident, another had testicular cancer that has been successfully treated and the last spiked himself causing a horrific gash that necessitated sutures and rest for the remainder of the season.

Somebody might want to have a long talk with the equipment manager when he returns from his trip to Ibiza.

These numbers don't factor in the $4.5-$5 million annually that Akron spends financing Infocision. To put it in basic terms the program is essentially house poor. We're spending pretty much the same as other MAC programs, but a huge chunk of that is tied up in facility costs. Other MAC programs are instead able to spend that money on coaches, players, training tables, etc. They're able to get more value out of their dollars because they spent them more efficiently.

Eh basketball can take a step back and still win the MAC

The Starter: Unless something drastically changes, R. Poffenbarger will be the starter in 2026. Poffenbarger was named an FCS All-American during his time at Albany where he threw for 6,613 yards and 60 touchdowns across two seasons. From there, he went on to become a backup at Miami and North Texas, sitting behind Cam Ward and Drew Mestemaker respectively. Poffenbarger throws a catchable ball and, at least during his Albany days, didn’t turn the ball over much. He’s not necessarily a “dual threat” quarterback, but he has enough mobility to pick up yards on the ground when needed. If Poffenbarger can produce anything close to the numbers he put up at the FCS level, Akron’s offense will have a chance to be the best it’s been in the Moorhead era, especially considering all the weapons surrounding him on the offensive side of the ball. Next in Line: B. Roggow moves into the backup role by default. The redshirt sophomore has been in the system for a few years now and, ideally, will be ready if called upon. Of course, there’s always the chance Broughton or Beals leapfrog him depending on development and overall performance. C. Broughton is an impressive athlete at quarterback. My question is whether he remains at quarterback if, for whatever reason, he’s unable to move up the depth chart. I’m not ruling him out as potentially being an all-conference player, but I am suggesting there’s a possibility it could happen at a different position. It’s still early for those types of decisions to be made, though. S. Beals is a talented freshman with a load of potential. This is the second year in a row Akron has landed a quarterback that had power program offers in high school. Beals isn’t the scrambler Broughton is, but he has enough wiggle and speed to make things happen on the ground when he needs to. He has plenty of arm strength and could make some noise sooner than most would expect. Outlook: This is easily the most talented quarterback room of the Moorhead era. Of course, physical ability is only part of the equation at quarterback. Plenty of players have the arm talent and athleticism but never put it all together because of the mental demands that come with the position. That said, I believe Akron has its starter in Poffenbarger, and I expect him to have a strong season in 2026. Beyond that, there is enough young talent in the room to make me believe at least one of the underclassmen will emerge as a highly successful quarterback over the next few years. New: Poffenbarger (Gr.) = North Texas S. Beals (Fr.) Returning: Roggow (R. So.) Broughton (R. Fr.) Out: Finley (Gr.) Johnson (Gr.)

Isn't it amazing how much weight football carries? I used to work near Alliance. There's a school district called Marlington out there who was good in every sport - boys & girls soccer, volleyball, boys & girls basketball, wrestling, baseball, softball... but they're almost always bad in football... and the incredible gravity of football makes all the kids from Marlington think they go to a loser school. Football is certainly king.

@72 Roo, you posted this 👇 in another thread. I did not know this was the case. Can you elaborate a bit? You are not in the extreme minority. This team is slowly rebuilding with the biggest jump at QB. 6-6 is definitely within their grasp and 7-5 is possible, but not probable. Regards the football budget, I am not worried. Goodrich and Pottorff know it is low and they are working to add to it while suffering the cuts the university has mandated to right its financial situation. Both will be resolved over time. As mentioned in another post today we are a program that competes well in most every sport. Baseball would have been a top competitor had they not lost their top three pitchers this season, all of whom will be back.

Now I like your post 😅

Yeah, no interest in scheduling YSU or CSU. Both are generally on par with the cupcakes this board often complains about scheduling. IMO the only Horizon League teams consistently good enough to schedule H&H with are NKU and Wright State. In the past we have bought home games against Detroit Mercy and Oakland. I feel YSU and CSU are historically similar caliber programs.

Wasn't that long ago Akron-YSU-CSU-Kent played a rotational DH via Coaches For Cancer. It died when - as I understand it - game film was not shared as agreed upon between at least two of the programs. Considering Kent has continued to play CSU, the possibility exists some combination of Akron-YSU-CSU may have sent popcorn but not video. Just guessing.

You are not in the extreme minority. This team is slowly rebuilding with the biggest jump at QB. 6-6 is definitely within their grasp and 7-5 is possible, but not probable. Regards the football budget, I am not worried. Goodrich and Pottorff know it is low and they are working to add to it while suffering the cuts the university has mandated to right its financial situation. Both will be resolved over time. As mentioned in another post today we are a program that competes well in most every sport. Baseball would have been a top competitor had they not lost their top three pitchers this season, all of whom will be back.

It’s a shame, because they deserve better. I also think they’re going to surprise a lot of people this year. I’m probably in the extreme minority here — maybe even alone — but I think football takes a sizable step forward this season while hoops takes a step back. QB1 and the entire offense really is going to make some noise this year.

Pretty much confirming what we already knew, but embarrassing to be below several FCS schools as well. We have the same budget as Stony Brook?!

Any rumors on a holiday tournament?

Is it me or if our football team could win, we'd kinda dominate the MAC in just about everything? Baseball too but we can't be perfect

🎉🎉🎉

Some MAC players have or will be working out with NBA teams: Shammah Scott - Suns Nate Johnson - Pistons, Lakers, Thunder, Wizards Peter Suder - Hawks, Bulls, Mavericks, Pacers, Spurs, Wizards Eian Elmer - Hornets Jackson Paveletzke - Bucks and Knicks

Zips have 12 athletes who qualified for the preliminary round of the NCAA tournament which takes place next week. Good luck to all! https://gozips.com/news/2026/5/21/track-field-12-zips-qualify-for-ncaa-track-and-field-east-preliminary-round

Not saying they won't be good, but they did not maintain the mismatch advantages that allowed them to be so successful last season. Keep in mind, this is a team that I believe led the country in single possession victories. They did not dominate their competition like Akron did (for the most part), and they achieved those victories over one of the weakest schedules in the country.

Interesting that all of our games that have been announced by other teams are all home games for us.

They lost a ton, but retaining Skaljac, Atlason, Ipsaro, and Kirby will help them a ton. Stevie Elam is going to be good for them, too. They'll take a step back like us, but I think they'll be a contender again.

Butler will play at Akron on September 18th. https://butlersports.com/sports/mens-soccer/schedule

A lot less flexibility in this roster.