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Nothing that I can see in the ABJ discussing tonight's game, but I do know now that the Tallmadge girls are rolling and OSU's coach was ejected for the second time. And theh ABJ has audacity to post "6 reasons why you should subscribe."

Link to Spotify is in the article

Just re-watched the 2022 title game video again. It will never get old. One day I will designate a TV in my home to play it on loop for 24 hours a day. An underrated moment from that night was X cramping up after the final buzzer. One, he played his tail off for 40 minutes. Two, you can see the "teamism" this group has as they all gathered around him to help him stretch and get him back on his feet. No dances for the cameras, no "me me me!" just US. Let's Go Zips!!!!

KENT STATE STILL SUCKS!!!

The rankings listed are based solely on the HS/JUCO signings. Rivals is still working on incorporating the portal rankings. Buffalo signed six (HS/JUCO) 3 stars and we signed four (HS/JUCO) 3 stars, but our 16 players combined actually averaged the same as Buffalo’s 24. If we went by the average class rating we’d actually be tied for 1st in the MAC. Instead, the rankings go by total points of each player. Rivals Rating = Points 6.1 = 150 points 6.0 = 135 points 5.9 = 120 points 5.8 = 105 points 5.7 = 90 points 5.6 = 75 points 5.5 = 60 points 5.4 = 45 points 5.3 = 30 points 5.2 = 15 points The thing is, unless we are landing about half the class as 3 stars it will be difficult to finish 1st in the conference because JoeMo only wants to take around 15 players from HS/JUCO in each class. Of course, that may change once portal rankings are included. I think this is a great class and complements last year’s class well. I also do not believe we are finished with the portal. I think there is a good chance we bring in another DE (or two) and potentially have another DB (or two) hit the portal in the next window. I try to say something about each player as I go through and update the position previews. If I have some extra time I’ll go through and break down some highlights on some of our guys here.

I know some freshmen will work their way onto the two deep, especially at the skill positions. I’m just not sure how long it will take for that to happen. Below is my best guess of how things will start out. What does everyone else think? OFFENSE QB: Irons Undercuffler RB: Wiley Lingard WR: Adams Golden WR: George Anderson WR: Thomas Gathings TE: Banks Clark LT: Landers Chambers LG: Banes Robarge C Georges T Williams RG: Kilbane K Davis RT: N Williams Frank DEFENSE DE: R Johnson Cheatom DT: Holt Murphy DT: Thomas T Jones DE: Rabah Richardson LB: Arslanian Griffin LB: McCoy Fish Nickel: Tallandier Lewis CB: Hunter Threatt SS: Thompson Woods FS: Martin C. Thomas CB: Golden-Nelson Durant

It's moments like this that make a rivalry great. It's unfortunate we were on the wrong end of it that game, but we won the game that mattered

I wish I could find a video of the entire game instead of just offensive highlights. The defense we played on KSUcks was half of the fun that night.

Hits a 3 in the 2nd half...announcers "Carry doubles his point total". 😁

My one question - Whyche mispelling Sam Wyche's name? Oh yeah...can't write...forget I asked.

that makes sense. @clarkwgriswoldsays the Verizon in Macedonia is where he goes to get MAC tournament tickets.

I heard that the t-shirt cannon is coming out for this one. In part to rally the fans, in part to keep @NWAkron's attention on the floor at all times rather than burying his head in his hands.

People don't talk about this enough

I’m not too sold on C. Thomas staying on the two deep at S tbh. I just wasn’t sure where to slot him and where he fits in. DE would be the natural answer, but he hasn’t put on the needed weight and was moved back to the secondary. A freshman may take over that spot sooner than expected. I’d also like to see T. Williams and K. Davis push for starting positions along the OL sooner rather than later. I left Behm out at LB, but I’m sure he’ll have first crack. I don’t think he’ll be able to hold it down though, since Fish was already hot on his tail by the end of 2022. Griffin was active on special teams and it’s time for him to make a leap. It’ll be interesting to see if Darnell can challenge Clark for the backup TE spot. That DE position makes me cringe. If those guys don’t develop/take the next step forward quickly, I feel like we are one injury away from our pass rush being on life support.

I didn't know Brank was in the portal either. Bummer there, but we have a lot of capable guys at TE. Outside of small toss ups here and there (like Jones and Thomas at DT),I think you are spot on @catdaddyp. I think we are in agreement on wanting another DE to challenge starting spot or least add depth (a true freshman and tweener listed in the top 2 isn't ideal IMO), another OL to challenge the guys on the interior, and another CB for good measure.

fixed it. that's right. that term was fresh in my mind from somewhere.

Easy there. That's not very nice. We need to create a positive environment. Also, anti-zip used this word the other day when referring to Akron/its fans. Therefore, I think we should take note that "mouth breathers" is a kindergarten-level term and we should try to be more advanced in our vocabulary by using other terminology. I find it hilarious that the Sesame Street Lightning Chicken fans throw out baseless claims that accuse Akron of being classless, fail to produce any proof, and then have countless videos and articles thrown back at them of the Sesame Street Lightning Chickens being the classless bunch. Give em hell tonight, ZipsNation.

The modern day David Harvey.

He had like 600 yards against Kent though?

He played 6 games for us

Might be one of those situations where Thomas is being slotted at a position where he’ll have the best chance of seeing playing time. I also wouldn’t rule out Thomas being used as a returner or potentially flipped to offense at some point.

Don't believe he scored another FG after that. I'm so pumped about this game tonight. Last year, I didn't have many expectations for the Akron/KSUcks matchups. The Chickens with Teeth undoubtedly had more talent, and they always get up for this game. We had not seen much from our squad to give us hope going into those matchups, and our performance in the Title game was incredibly unexpected (and welcomed). I still think the Chickens with Teeth are more talented, but going into tonight, I'm more confident in our system, our composure, and our Teamism. Carry is a mental midget, Pinky is the head clown, and the rest of the circus fit right into that clown car perfectly. We have shown the ability to compete even on an off night from X or Freeman, especially against teams that lack true discipline and Teamism. Most importantly, at the end of the night, we can read, write, and don't have to explain what the hell a flash is and why our chicken mascot has teeth. Thank God I was born & raised an Akron fan. IT'S 1:23 (ironically the full spectrum of KSUcks' counting abilities) AND...

Great listen. Thanks for sharing. We were lucky to have Chisholm. I'll never forget his last game, that 80-yarder we all thought would seal the deal. Of all of Bowden's brutal situational losses, that one took the cake.

Not sure I've ever hated a college basketball player more than Carry. He's such a cocky low life POS, I hope the Rowdies tear him apart all game. Wish I could find the video of him skipping his way down the court after he made his only bucket of the MAC championship game...while Kent was still losing.

What's the O/U for the number of skips it takes Carry to find a camera?

Trailers don't have basements.

Great memories, indeed! The anticipation was much more palpable. LO and his Packer inspired unis were certainly dominant during that period of the rivalry. One small edit - the debriefing with Reno was actually held at Ohio Brewing Company, when they were next door to the Barley House adjacent to Lock 3 during that period 🍺🍺🍺

I miss the old "first Wednesday in February" signing day. I used to go down to the University for every press conference. There were always some good stories. Coaches would give a power point highlighting all the recruits and say a little about them. Many names were a surprise...not like now, where every player and school can announce their commitment via their own social media. One funny memory - Eugene Jarvis was being recruited by both Kent and Akron. Once Jarvis' power point slide showed up, Brookhart raced through it...I guess Jarvis had decommitted, and chose Kent at the absolute last second. My favorite quip: Kent recruited 3 players from McKinley's '97 state championship team. A reporter told Lee Owens - "Dean Pees is bragging how he stole DeMarlo Rozier from you." Owens replied - "I think DeMarlo looked at our roster, and figured his best chance to get playing time would be at Kent." Note - Owens was 7-2 vs. Kent in his 9 years at UA. Reno Ferri once met a bunch of ZN.o members at the Barley House and gave a first hand account of all the recruits. Other coaches were there having some beers to celebrate the close of the recruiting reason. Fun times...I miss those days.

Both transfers from Keiser were first team all conference https://thesunconference.com/news/2022/11/10/2022-sun-mens-soccer-all-conference-teams-announced.aspx

Top Drawer Soccer....released the January recruiting rankings this morning the zips dropped from #4 in December rankings...to #6 Top Drawer soccer is showing 2 transfers..... from the Keiser Seahawks...an NAIA school in West Palm Beach per the attached article...Rui Reis was freshman of the year in Sun Conference 5'9 midfielder from Lisbon, Portugal...10 goals...9 assists Varela is from Spain...6'4 midfielder...was MVP of conference tournament 6. Akron (4) Commitments: M Caleb Borneo (Crew SC Academy – No. 37), D Joshua Hardin (Colorado Rapids – No. 70), F Nathan Ferguson (St. Louis City SC – No. 187), M Joshua Bartels (Crew SC Academy), M Matthew Dreas (FC Cincinnati), M Jackson Herbert (North FC), F Alen Kapic (FC Cincinnati), M Ryan Kopay (Beadling SC) Transfers: M Rui Reis (Keiser), M Alejandro Varela (Keiser) Akron’s secured commitments from some of the top talent from domestic ranks, boosting this group. https://kuseahawks.com/news/2022/11/10/no-9-mens-soccer-rui-reis-earns-sun-conference-freshman-of-the-year-honors.aspx https://thesunconference.com/tournaments/?id=446