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Nice win. The fact that they held the NCAA stat leaders in shots per contest to just 4 (and 2 SOG) is very impressive. All 3 goals were superb.

We are going to need some sort of scoring inside when the 3s aren't falling. Poke can't make a layup or foul shot, Sayles and K-lack need to see more time. Good win !! .

observation...not justification...my eyes tell me nelson is the better qb IN MY OPINION

You may have just inspired the addition of a new excuse category. The "Akron people have to get up too early on Sunday for Church" excuse. Coming Soon to a Zips Nation thread near you.

My dad and I had a conversation about this last night. We said there should have been a minute-or-two-long highlight video of the soccer team, starting with the 2010 Championship, and a slogan like "The road to the 2nd Star starts tomorrow." Also were shocked Embick and the soccer team weren't there in attendance to give a speech like Bowden and the football team.

Yeah, I've got to think the job is now Kato's. Woodson blew it for himself. Only put Woodson in if Kato really struggles. We had our most dynamic offensive performance of the year with Kato at QB (and against one of the better D's in the conference). Go Kato. Winning the MAC East, playing in Detroit & then in the bowl game will give Kato an extra month of practice to hit the ground running next year.

Maybe it's wise not to have individual stats posted... thinking of Jimmond. He's still pressing & had another sub-par game. Once he settles into his role, alongside Utomi & Duvivier, this is going to be a good team. Love Parrish & Sayles as FRESHMEN! Sayles is a full-grown man & I keep reminding myself that Parrish is a RS-Freshman, but none-the-less, he plays with the poise of an upperclassman. Wow. I also see a lot of potential in Patton's game. He's not as athletic as the others, but he's fundamentally sound, has the proverbial high basketball IQ, and has good size and length. I really appreciate his rebounding. Once the game slows down just a bit for him & he starts hitting his outside shot his confidence is going to double-up. I don't appreciate Poke's game. Not last year; not this year. He blocks shots but does nothing else... okay... he wins the jump ball. Lol. Maybe in time we'll develop the team chemistry where, like last year, we can work to get him alley-oops once in a while? If he ever creates a shot on his own before he graduates I'll be pleasantly surprised. At least he's not fouling like he did last year. Surprised Kostelac didn't get a single minute last night. He doesn't look like a stiff, and we need help inside. Maybe we're planning on redshirting him to help alleviate the "9-sophomores problem" being discussed in the Scholarship Chart thread? I wasn't feeling well so just watched ESPN3 from the couch last night. As was mentioned earlier, Reghi kept saying UT-M was 3-0. His color analyst (I'm drawing a blank on her name right now, but I like her) even tried to correct him (twice, I think) but he kept going back to 3-0. Still can't believe we've got FIVE freshman on this team. Gotta prepare myself for a bumpy ride this year, but man, is this group gonna be good!

Some basic observations: * Utomi will be one of the MAC leaders in scoring, in part out of necessity and in part because he is just so talented on the offensive end; * I love the free throw shooting; * Some of the guys are still finding their way, but that's to be expected from a young team; * The team will go just as far as Utomi, Duvivier and Ivey can take it; * In time, I would not be surprised to see Sayles and Parish in the starting lineup; * I love Poke's energy, but he's a bench player with high energy in spurts; * Much better defense against dribble penetration; * Too many points given up by back door cuts and running off of picks; * I like the interaction of the coaching staff with the players. All in all, I was very happy with what I saw. I wasn't able to get to the CSU game, so this was my first exposure. Strange with all of the new faces, but I think this will be a team that will grow on us. I expect a little pain, but these kids will be easy to root for.

That was a very fun game and an impressive performance. Observations... - Utomi. Wow. - Patton and Parrish are just plain smooth. They are incredibly solid, especially for freshmen. - Sayles' presence continues to be felt. The guy commands the paint. - Free Throws were key AGAIN. It's fun when the fundamentals are covered. - Solid D complimented with a refreshingly low number of fouls. - Up until the middle of the second half, Akron destroyed their press, which was surprising. They struggled when UT Martin made some adjustments, but then figured it out again. This is fun basketball to watch.

And #11 makes it 3! That's Zajac. Can I buy a vowel?

Is it possible they are going to red shirt K-Lac? Maybe that is why no playing time. I can't believe he can not help us at all this year. As has been pointed out, Poke is freaky athletic but no way is he a starter at this time. Still can only dunk, block and foul.

Weekly depth charts are a part of game bites and you can learn some interesting things: http://www.gozips.com/documents/2017/11/16//Game12_KSU_112117.pdf?id=12555

I think the real story is that the receivers finally started catching the ball more consistently.

I honestly think there are legitimate reasons for starting either. I just think it's premature to get too hyped up about Kato, yet. Against Buffalo, Woodson had 41 and 36 yard completions.

Good stuff B&G. Like I said in my post, I would not be surprised to see Sayles and Parrish in the starting line at some point. I think Poke has a role on this team, I just see his game as more suited to 10 to 12 minutes a game of high energy play. I also like Patton, but right now he looks to be finding his way while Parrish looks at home. I'm encouraged that we're splitting hairs with some talented kids as opposed to cringing when some come on the court.

Utomi has 1st team All MAC and potentially MAC POY written all over him.

Without wanting to rehash the old "culture" debate/discussion. I still think this is the #1 problem, above all the weather...opponent, record etc. Those other factors are what affect the loyal fans like you and me. If it's raining and 41 degrees, we loyal fans are less likely to show up. The other "maybe" fans (like current students, football fans in the local area) still won't show even before those excuses. I have all juniors this year so I'll tell you what, I'll pick their brains a bit and see what their opinion is on what would get them to a college football game for their colleges and anything they tell me I'll relay to you guys. Not saying it'll be groundbreaking...but they are pretty thoughtful young folk. I still think it's the culture. From top-to-bottom. From the moment new kids step on campus to the moment of graduating.

Unfortunately, I'd guess that only about 5 percent of us are old enough to have watched that show. But nowadays, the rest might have caught it on some cable rerun network.

A sophomore with a 20+ and 30+ game to start the season. When has that ever happened for the Zips!?

Utomi and Duvivier are just balling.

Seemed like a fiery speech at the basketball game. I'd have liked to hear that.

Thanks to the great JAR sound system, I have no idea what the hell Terry Bowden just yelled for the last 3 minutes, but I think I am supposed to have been whipped into a frenzy.

Hopefully Bowden will not over think this QB thing. Right now with Nelson he might go out as a MAC Champ. There is no next season now! Not so with Woodson. Go Kato!

Or more famously......the location of THE TOWNHOUSE about 30+ years ago. The most popular Exchange St. club at the time.