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Not to be a dick, but I hope JoMo's embarrassed about the product he's put on the field this year. This year has been one huge turd. I also hope the embarrassment hurts his pride and steels his resolve to turn this bloody mess around. I'm planning on being at the Info next Friday, but JoMo shouldn't be surprised if I'm the only person in attendance. Akron football fans can only suffer so much. It's inhumane.

I agree that playing Big 10 teams....might help with attendance. However, it could also hurt the zips for RPI. The Big Ten this year has 1 lonely team in the 48 team field. Ohio State and Michigan have both had many losing seasons in the past several years. Akron's tie this year against Michigan (a 5-6-7 record) did not help the zips in RPI.

That was the style of offense I wanted to see all season. Somewhat similar to what we did against Kent State. Heavy focus on the run and an emphasis on getting the ball in Lingard’s hands. Lingard rushed 26 times and also had 4 receptions. I thought he was close to breaking a few runs, but have to give credit to the excellent tackling by EMU’s LBs. Lingard played 70 snaps last night. Nice job utilizing Bullock as well. Newell needs to continue to see the field. He and Banks played the majority of snaps with all the 2 TE sets. I’m excited to see how he develops over the coming years. JU usually had time to throw the ball thanks to the high amount of max protects and chips. 19 of 26 for 223 yards and no turnovers. Give me that any day of the week. Shammond Cooper had his best game of the season. He’s become our best blitzer and has a knack for knowing where offensive players are going to attempt their next move. 9 total tackles, a sack, and 2 TFLs last night. On the flip side, Darrian Lewis probably had his worst game of the season. I was concerned our run defense would eventually take a hit when T.Jones went down and Fish was later ejected. For a while, the defense held up well, but the departures were noticeable in OT. Robinson saw his most action of the season, while McCoy, Cooper, and Griffin filled in for Fish. It’s unfortunate we didn’t execute when needed to win the game. The opportunities were certainly there. I’m also frustrated the fumble wasn’t reviewed when it seemed (from watching on tv) it was actually a fumble. We had timeouts to call to force a review, yet didn’t use them. That’s now 7 games decided by 7 points or less, including 3 OT losses. A season that could have gone a number of ways. Hopefully, the team lays it on the line next week and can end on a high note. QB - Undercuffler (Bullock) RB - Lingard (Anderson) WR - Gathings (Norton) WR - George (Anderson) (WR) - Walker (Golden) TE - Banks TE - Newell LT - Chambers LG - Frank C - T.Williams (Georges) RG - Lyons RT - N. Williams DE - Nunnally (A. Smith) DT - T. Jones (Robinson) DT - Lavea (Moore) (Murphy) DE - Adler (L. Jackson) LB - Fish (Griffin) LB - Cooper (McCoy) NB - C. Thomas (Lewis) CB - Durant (Golden-Nelson) CB - Tallandier (Golden-Nelson) S - Thompson (C. Thomas) S - Martin (C. Thomas)

Hell of a gritty win to give Gensler the first, of hopefully many, of his HC career, 63-58 over Robert Morris in their education day game. Zips got into OT and really began to play well. Alexis Mobley with a sweet turnaround fadeway late in the shot clock with about 16 seconds left put the Zips up 3. Bass then stuffed a 3 pt. attempt and dribbled into the front court before the Zips were fouled with a little over a second to go. Hit both shots, ball game.

It's only about a 3 1/2 flight to Grand Cayman. They arrive Friday afternoon and don't play their first game until Sunday. They should be well rested. I will make sure that none of them get pulled behind a boat on a inflatable banna this trip.

Tired of this kicker talk. I know this place isn’t a great place to be for a player parent and I’m 100% comfortable with player criticism. But let me just defend Owen. He missed one kick this year that was his fault, the other was so poorly blocked on the edge that the Buffalo player was standing in front of him when he kicked. It’s maddening because he routinely wins the weekly “kick off” by making all of the kicks that Moorhead refuses to try in game. Yeah he had a squeaker in OT, but box score shows it went in. What should be talked about, is kicking is 80% mental. And you can’t have confident kickers when they know if they miss just one, they are out and rotated. No kicker is perfect. The Georgia kicker started the year terribly, the coach publicly and privately backed him and he’s a Groza semi-finalist right now. Dante is a good kid, and a good kicker, but the decision to start him in Indiana shocked all of us, including Dante. Moorhead put him in that position last minute. Not Tucker. I watch my kid make those kicks in warmups, in pressure kicks at practice, and to not go for the kick and instead punt from your 31 is just incredible to me. How do you preach finish and don’t give your players the chance to finish. This coach, the announcers, all talk about the kicking issues and meanwhile my kid has missed one. A 47 yarder into a stiff wind. The holder and the snapper are very good. But no kicker will succeed in this environment.

The most frustrating part of the loss is Akron outplayed and out coached EMU for the vast majority of the game and still lost. They were extremely well prepared for the game. The offense was creative and the defense stood tall for most of the game. The guys played hard. I'm convinced Akron still has a huge talent gap that needs filled to win games against teams even as average as EMU, both in starters and especially back ups. The defensive line got destroyed at the end of the game. I thought our offensive line played much better but pass blocking still leaves a lot to be desired. As a whole the skill players need to improve. Secondary had a good game but gave up a big play late. I totally get the players are better now than before Joe, but there is still a long way to go to get to the top.

Abhorrent officiating to not look at the OB play in regulation AND the fumble in OT. Gotta call TO in the OT to force a review. With that being said, anybody with a sac worth carrying around would go for 2 in the first OT. Another epic coaching disaster.

A game was played. I guess if anything, there was a stretch that was a good lesson in never losing your focus. Onto the Caymans, let’s win that damn thing for once.

The 3-0 Zips head off to the Cayman Islands Classic Basketball Tournament this weekend. The other teams competing in the tournament are Florida International (FIU), Drake, Utah State, Stephen F. Austin, Loyola Marymount, Oakland and Marshall. The tournament will be broadcast by FloSports. The Zips open on Sunday with FIU. FIU was ranked 7th of the 9 teams in the Conference USA preseason poll. 5'11" sophomore guard Arturo Dean was named to the preseason first team. As a freshman, Dean averaged 11.9 points per game, 4.1 rebounds per game, dished out a team-high 122 assists and played 29.7 minutes per game. He was the Freshman of the Year in the CUSA. This year he's leading the team with 11.7 ppg and 3.7 rpg. So far, they are 0-3 with losses to University of Miami, Tarleton State and Central Florida. If the Zips win they play the winner of Marshall/Utah State.

Thanks for cranking these out every week @catdaddyp. They're always well done and very insightful. This season has to have been almost as difficult for you, a newbie Zips fan, as it's been for many of us long sufferers. Newell looked very good at TE. Only a R-Fr.

Happy to join in the conversation. I recently started follow several “pundits” that scout and rate youth players, most from MLS academies and their pro and national team potential. I believe these guys watch a lot more games and put a lot more time into their craft than TDS and Prep Soccer. The US Soccer Collective is very informative and in depth coverage of US prospects (@chai_asc on Twitter). He has published positive info on Buebendorf and Held. Another example, USMNT Prospects puts a lot of information out there based on watching a ton of games. He recently went to a pay walled Patreon site (well worth the $5 a month)but his Twitter is still very informative @prospectsusmnt. Specific to our 2024 class, here some of what he has said about James Buebendorf in his evaluations. He recently ranked him as the #10 2006 prospect. ”10. James Buebendorf (St. Louis City)-LB: Buebendorf has a few things to work on, but has very high upside, and I would say as of now is the clear best of the ‘06 LB prospects for me” He also listed him as a potential call up for the 2025 U20 World Cup. There are other commits on Instagram that from a very small bit of research, look solid as well. A GK from Inter Miami academy, a MF from NYCFC and the local MF from Cleveland. I’m also optimistic about healthy Henry, Clapier and like you mentioned Ferguson, Borneo, and Bartels getting their chance to debut for the Zips. I also think there will be a new hunger in the team. Players don’t pick Akron to be home for Thanksgiving. If you were paying attention to the last game at Xavier, their students did the “I believe that we just won” chant. I think angry and disrespected Zips are dangerous Zips. My apologies for the lengthy post. Looking forward to the conversations.

In all seriousness the Zips should get 3 good tests in this tournament! FIU is 0-3 but stayed with ranked Miami Fl. I would love to win one of these tournaments for once especially since there are no P5 teams but we also need to take it one day at a time. Focus on FIU and beating them. Ofc the 3 games in 3 days is always good prep for Cleveland. Excited to see where this teams ceiling is.

The Zips get a win over Robert Morris, 63-58.

@MarkWiley The decision to have Dante kick the would've-been-game-winner vs Indiana will forever be a stain on JoeMo's resume. The concerns with Wiley were distance related from 45+ from what I had seen at the time, not accuracy. And I'm not even sure if distance is an issue, simply speaking based on my memory of his kicks. Instead of being 2-2 in the OOC portion with a win against a Big Ten school, we were 1-3, and the lack of finishing was set into motion.

It's an odd call in general, but I don't hate the call considering our situation. I hate the execution. The slim chance we get it (either converting or making the FG) gives them good field position. He was playing the field position game. 1) The gunners couldn't find the ball for some reason, allowing it to go into the end zone and 2) the punter should be able to kick a coffin corner... He was relying on a defense who is the better unit, played well most of the game. Unfortunately they folded in crunch time. Special teams has been a disaster this year. We talk about changes, the ST coach is one who comes to mind.

Good stuff from Thornton. Great veteran pickup by the staff. Could be a very important piece in how this thing plays out.

From the Zips post game notes. Freeman is eight rebounds away from recording 1,000 rebounds in his career. He'd be just the sixth player in program history to record 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds as a Zip. All from a walk on. Is there a college basketball walk on hall of fame? 🤣 Also according to those same notes if the Zips beat FIU, it will be their best start in their D-1 history.

I am going guess we are the only team in college football to punt from the 30 yard line.

One more thought on these types of games. Yes they don’t help us rankings wise and there is always a risk of injury. But Enrique’s breakout game was against Malone in 2020. While I’m sure we still would have seen him as a regular in the lineup regardless of that performance, that game was a turning point for him. No I don’t think we saw a performance like that tonight from anyone. But there is always something good that can come from a game like this

When you play to lose.....you lose!!!!!!!!

JoeMo should have gone for 2 and the win. This team is afraid to win

I agree!! I looked at the replay and it looked like it was out before he hit the ground. The ref who was closest did not make the call but a sideline ref that could not see the play.

He was inbounds???

Cuffler looks good when he has time and has open receivers. He has thrown some really nice passes. The last one was a great catch by Gathings. Glad he ran off the field before he could say anything!!

I would have loved the TD there but happy with 3. Not going to lie it was a nice series for Bullock there as well. Now it’s on the defense to continue to play strong.

Another big stand by the D. Come on offense!

Tonight Halligan and Wilson became Kretzer and McAdams. A new day for the Zips.

11:15 left. Wilson's earliest entry ever.

Looks like 3 starters out on defense. Makes me worried.

Well glad I chose to watch the FB game

Give it to Lingard and good things happen!!

6 minutes left in half and the students are already chanting for Evan Wilson. LOL.

This game is pretty good. The announcers on the other hand leave a lot to be desired. The analyst is going to set records for the number of times he mispronounces U's last name and the number of ways it can be mispronounced.

Lineup right now is Thornton, Scott, Dawson, Johnson and Enrique. That's damn solid for having 3 non-starters.

Not going for the 2 point conversion after we scored in the first overtime. We had momentum. Play to win!

We're doomed. BG is legit.

It took forever for UA to post it, but the attendance at the USM game was 2,432. That is the highest attended home opener in Groce's tenure since 2017, which from what I read was a double header.

I think JoMos decision to punt from the 30 yard line and the ball going into the end zone netting 10 yards sort of sums of this season of futility. Had he gone for it on 4th and 12 and made the first down, game over. Consider that our kicking game has had problems all season, what was he thinking.

Spent a very enjoyable evening at the James A. Rhodes Arena. Arrived after the football game started and left long before the football game ended.

Winning and facing Utah State and maybe Drake in the finals would be huge. I hope the game in South Dakota got the team acclimated to long travel for these games

I believe it's supposed to be a 12:00 noon kickoff. Would that give them enough turnaround time to host the Hoban/Walsh -v- Green/Massillon winner? I love it when the Info hosts big high school games (It's healthy for the community). This Friday they're hosting the Hoban -v- Walsh game & the place will be rocking.

We can P!$$ and moan about the refs but the Zips are a two win team due to $h!++y football, not the refs. You can't give up a 59-yard drive for a TD to end the first half and a 66-yard drive for a field goal to end the second half to a team that lost to UMASS.

Thought it couldn't be overturned, the PI call on Lewis at the end of the first half was egregious as well. Gave them 4 extra points with them getting a TD out of it, assuming the FG would've been made. I personally feel this was the best game called all year from an offensive standpoint. We kept Undercuffler playing within himself so he wasn't trying to do too much and turn it over, fed Lingard, and used Bullock in short yardage situations. A couple questionable calls, defense going to prevent which led to two scoring drives to end each half, and a spotty kicking game and this is unfortunately what we get. Also not happy with the way the OL performed last night at all.

I just can’t get over it. They had so many chances to put that game away and didn’t do it. It’s just so incredibly frustrating, JoeMo’s whole theme this year was FINISH - and that’s exactly what they haven’t done.

Why not call timeout and hope for a review on the fumble?