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IMO- offensive linemen need to play on a string. And mixing 5 predominately unfamiliar faces on the line isn’t going to start off well. Removing Gray was a big help, but playing together is the biggest key to the improvement.

We can win this game tomorrow. With Liberty's injuries, the Zips can win the game if they don't shoot themselves in the foot like they have done every game so far this season. I'm keeping positive. Unlike last week, I'm amped for this game!

It's a steal. Packs the long, cold winter with entertainment.

Congratulations to the Columbus Crew 2 for finishing the inaugural (2022) season in first place overall (https://www.mlsnextpro.com/standings/2022/overall#season=2022&live=false) as well as the Eastern Conference (https://www.mlsnextpro.com/standings/2022/conference#season=2022&live=true) in part due to the outstanding play of Zips alum, Crew2 Captain midfielder Marco Micaletto and defenders Abdi Mohamed and Daniel Strachan as well as Zips 2023 recruit Caleb Borneo. The first round of the MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs, the Conference Semifinals, will take place Saturday, September 24, and Sunday, September 25, at the home of the two higher-seeded teams in each conference. https://www.mlsnextpro.com/news/first-round-schedule-set-for-2022-mls-next-pro-playoffs Saturday, September 24 Columbus Crew 2 (1) vs. Rochester New York FC (4) – Historic Crew Stadium (3:00 p.m. ET)

I hope I’m dead wrong, but I said Liberty by 2-3 scores. If it was a home game I think it would be closer. I suspect we’ll see our best offensive showing to date, but my concern is with our defense. And that’s not taking a shot at our defense, but more out of respect for Liberty’s offense. I’m not sure if we’ll be able to slow them down enough to give ourselves a chance. I know someone said they will be using a backup QB, but their starting RB has 215 yards out of their total of 604 rushing yards. Even if Liberty’s passing game is subdued, will we be able to stop the run? As for the passing game, will we consistently tackle in space? If Liberty is using a backup QB, I bet we see an abundance of screens and other short throws. This is another game where I want to see a step in the right direction. We’ve yet to see either side of the ball put together a full game. I know that’s coming, but I doubt it’s Saturday. A game I’d be satisfied with is a competitive showing where we build more depth and can feel good about heading into conference play.

Open playbook + Liberty injuries + Liberty overlooking us = Zips win. LET'S GO ZIPS! BEAT LAST CHANCE U EAST CAMPUS!

Take this for what it’s worth regarding the improvement and who is now playing on our OL. Here are the snaps and ratings from 2021. Chambers = 8 games - 347 snaps - 29.6 Gray = 7 games - 344 snaps - 42.1 Murphy = 11 games - 692 snaps - 50.1 Williams = 6 games - 326 snaps - 59.9 Daniels = 9 games - 327 snaps - 49.7 Beckman = 12 games - 780 snaps - 48.4 Robarge = 10 games - 613 snaps - 56.1 Georges = 10 games - 608 snaps - 44.3

This is quite the opportunity to make our mark. Those injuries for Liberty are a massive equalizer.

IMHO SFU stunted up front and brought blitzes from somewhere every play & we was bad in all phases of handling that. 1. Communication between lineman on stunts is huge 2. Back picking up missed blitzes 3. Play calls to hit blitzes where they hurt, quick slants etc. 4. QB knowing who the hot read is but replacing gray was huge cause he gets edged rushed to death & once he gets out there & they cut in & slap an arm he damn near falls down with no balance & good footwork

I think there were a number of different issues going on against SFU. Despite some of the players having extensive PT last year, they were all new to each other in a game environment - meaning the person next to them was not someone they played beside previously in a game. Cohesion and understanding what the person next to you is doing, or is going to do, is invaluable on the OL. SFU threw a number of slants, twists, and blitzes at us that caused some confusion. In the long run that helps with our OL’s development, but it’s difficult to watch during the game itself. The scout team had no way of simulating the actual speed and efficiency that SFU’s defense was doing to play with. As the season goes on, that part of it is not as big of a deal because the players have adjusted, have experience, and it starts to shift more on the side of what we do best vs what the opponent is going to do. I’m not saying it’s not important what the opponent does, just in the way that our OL has already seen a variety of looks so it will not be their first time experiencing it. If I recall correctly, SFU also played with a nose the majority of the game which can wreak havoc on the interior of the OL. If that defender can fire off quickly at the snap, it causes the interior OL (especially the Center) to be on their heels. Daniels moves much better than Gray. Gray has what I call “heavy feet.” He’s massive, but just doesn’t move well enough at this stage. Hopefully, he’ll work hard and improve to give us a viable option down the line.

Joe on Zips live: “our schedule is not set up for us to be successful” Love his honesty. Said he told all players who have ever won more than 2 games at Akron to raise their hand and Bubba was the only one. Said it’s a massive culture change and he feels they’re moving in the right direction so far.

Winter is tracked based on Akron basketball. Once the MAC season rolls around, we know we're halfway through the 💩 weather.

Do yourselves a favor....go to GoZips.com and click on the Menu tab, and pick "staff directory". Go down to "Communications and Marketing". Three people total. And rumor has it one of those three is not actually working, just sitting home collecting a check due to being let go. Go to a D2 college website and check out their Comm and Marketing staffs. Guaranteed triple that number. Or go look at any MAC school's staff, at least 8 to 10 admins, plus Grad students. Then, throw in the fact that new management at the U decided to not use PEG to produce and manage football "game day experience", you will see why there will not be "creative things to do" during the agreed-terribly long time out breaks....New Admin has been hitting home runs with coaching hires, but losing the game admininstratively, IMHO.

Penn State at 33 and Duquesne at !9 . Next 2 games are huge. Zips must get a W in both games. Cleveland State will also pose a good non league test. Cleveland State battled Ohio State to a 0-0 tie last night at Krenzler field. Sinisa has a done a great job at CSU.

Games through Sept 21 (Gaucho Dan RPI) 13 Akron 34 FIU 113 VCU 102 Wright State 95 Michigan St 6 Indiana 11 blOSU 24 Pitt 33 Penn St 19 Duquesne 148 NIU 129 BUGS 203 Chicago St 60 WMU 38 Cleveland State

- Joe continues to hammer home the point we were outmatched or “out gunned” against MSU and Tenn. - Said we left 21 points out there with the missed scoring opportunities and turnovers. - Said Nate Thompson had his best game yet. He was decent in week 1, struggled in week 2, and had his best game in week 3. - Thompson is playing the boundary safety since he’s a larger guy at 6’3” 210 and is needed more for run fits. - Said Whigan has been the most consistent OL. Nate Williams has done a good job at RT. Daniels at LT has helped but he still needs to get stronger. - Blake Hester has done a nice job on special teams. - 3 Running Back rotation with Wiley, Price, Norrils. - Clearly happy with Noah Perez calling him “my guy.” - Mentioned obvious players from last game like Shockey-Louis, Adams, Grimes, Bubba. - Intentionally held off on designed run plays for Irons against Tenn.

Fall 2019: 19,217 Fall 2020: 17,829 Fall 2021: 16,193 Fall 2022: 14,991

UA enrollment is half of what it was in 2011.