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THE AKRON ZIPS ARE PLAYING THE SECOND STRING IN A WIN THIS IS NOT A DRILL THE AKRON ZIPS ARE PLAYING THE SECOND STRING IN A WIN

We may need to relocate the Brass sign. 🤣

The promotion of soccer has been pathetic in recent years. I hoped it would change between Guthrie and Goodrich but it seems to be the same. It is disappointing and the team of the past 2 years, deserves much better. Borneo not playing is a question mark, but it looked like Zips only had 7 subs yesterday and he was in zips attire not dressed to play. My assumption would be injury. Zips miss his skill. It was a must win game, and this team got it done without a bunch of key pieces available. Credit where is due.

Just for fun I was looking back at recent Akron successes in the MAC tournament. Akron was first eligible for the MAC tournament in 1993, it didn't even qualify for the tournament at all until 1998 and won only three games total until 2007 when it made the final (although the previous year the Zips were seeded third and their one win put them into the semifinal a streak that would continue for 12 years, then two years of not making the semifinal, then making at least the semis every year since it has been played). Despite the Zips never making a championship until 2007, and not winning one until 2009, they are 6-6 overall now (only one behind the three all-time leaders Ball St, Ohio and Kent (all of whom have made at least 32 appearances). Zips have 17. Despite the Zips having won only three games by 2007, they have the highest winning percentage in MAC tournament history at .607. Zips have as many wins as they have missed championship appearances since 2007. Just wanted to put in a little thanks to Keith Dambrot and John Groce for making these last 20 years so enjoyable. Now go win an NCAA tournament game (for us!). 🤣

I made the trip. Just a few observations - some already noted by others. Starters: PG - Tavari G - Young W - Eric M. F - Evan M. P - Lyles First subs: Shammah Bowen MMK ...Young moved to PG (though we all know Shammah still handles the ball a lot ... Evan M. moved to P Second round of subs: Stankovic for MMK Lyles back in for Evan M. Tavari back in for Young @ PG YSU was really hot from behind the arc. Kudos to them but definitely something we need to work on defensively. They had a guard named Tae Blackshear that was on fire & kept them in the game in the first half. Shammah was our 6th Man but was easily our best player & someone Groce can't presently afford to take off the floor. We don't look like as much of a shooting team as last year. Neither Stankovic nor Eric M. took a 3. I think we're going to need them to shoot from deep to better space the floor. Basically our offense consisted of Shammah, Tavari, Young, Amani, and/or Bowen launching it from deep. Stankovic is a physical wing. He's certainly tough and I can see he's not going to be punked by anyone. He makes his presence known out there. I'd even go as far as to say he's got some Ryan Andrick in him and may get under opposing players skin from time-to-time. He looks to be a good 6'7" by just comparing his height while on the floor to Evan M., Eric M., and Amani. Speaking of height, Tavari walked past me before the game and he is definitely 6' tall. No exaggeration there. I was a little surprised by how tall he was. Once again no inside game to speak of. Amani tried a few moves but I think only hit one of his patent hook shots (and none of his 3 point shots. Without looking at stats I'd say Amani definitely had a subpar game). Evan M. certainly likes to drive to the hoop... but he doesn't do anything more than that. At least he didn't tonight. Evan M. & MMK played a lot of minutes together & I don't really like them on the floor together as neither is a shooter. I was surprised at the amount of PT MMK received in general, not being much of an offensive threat. He's athletic & energetic but I'd expect his minutes to be cut back against JMU. Barri didn't do much. Looks like he's just going to be an occasional shot blocker/lane filler. Briscoe didn't get any PT. I was curious to see what he's got. Just watching him in warm ups he may be slightly slow-footed for this level. Idk. I probably shouldn't even say that without seeing him in game action. Tonight it looked like our team is a 3-point-or-bust squad. But I guess that's sort of what the game has evolved into. Idk. YSU got a lot of long rebounds & 2nd chance points. Someone else mentioned Head was not dressed along with the two true freshmen, Josh Henderson & Tai Perkins. I guess that's all I've got. It was kind of sloppy and disjointed. What I should have been expecting I suppose.

there goes the at large bid. John's Next endeavor.

If Wyoming and UAB would have been in UMASS kind of form...

https://gozips.com/calendar Just take a look at this past calendar week's results. Starting last wednesday, Zips womens soccer wins 3-0 Last friday, volleyball and swim both beat EMU Last saturday, Mens soccer, volleyball, and rifle all win Monday, mens basketball wins (WBB takes a tough loss) And yesterday, Football wins LETS GO ZIPS

I would never wish anything bad on him and appreciate everything he did for us but seeing him in that uniform still makes me a little ill.

Game Day Notes: Redshirt freshman AJ Hairston remains the starter at quarterback, throwing for 812 yards with three touchdowns and four interceptions on the season. He drew significant P4 attention early in his prep career before it became evident the G5 level would be his path. UMass has struggled to find consistent production from the backfield, partly due to injuries that have limited their key players. Colorado transfer Brandon Hood and UTSA transfer Rocko Griffin have combined for 519 yards and four touchdowns. At receiver, Jacquon Gibson has been the most reliable option throughout the year with 358 yards, though it was redshirt freshmen Kenyon Massey — a player we once offered — and Kezion Dia-Johnson who saw the bulk of the targets last game. Dia-Johnson, like Hairston, also had plenty of P4 interest coming out of high school. Up front, the offensive line has been a major problem, giving up 16 sacks in MAC play — the most in the conference. They’ve also surrendered 127 pressures on the year. For comparison, Akron’s allowed 83. Defensively, UMass has held up reasonably well against the run in conference play, but the overall picture hasn’t been nearly as encouraging. The Zips offense should have a chance to put together its best passing performance of the season against a struggling UMass secondary. The Minutemen have surrendered the most total yards and points in the MAC and sit second-to-last in passing yards allowed. To make matters worse, they’re tied for forcing the fewest turnovers in league play. Injuries have taken a major toll on what was supposed to be a revamped defense, though one bright spot has been Dartmouth transfer edge rusher Marques White, who’s been a steady presence up front with five sacks on the year. On the other side, Akron’s defense has quietly become one of the better pass-rushing groups in the MAC, second in the conference in sacks — and honestly, I’m not sure when the last time that could be said. On paper, Akron is a bad matchup for UMass, as the Zips’ strengths line up directly with the Minutemen’s weaknesses. Akron should win this one comfortably. Then again, things rarely come easy for this program, so we’ll see how it all shakes out. Notable MAC only Stats: Finley is third in passing yards and second in touchdowns thrown. Gant is second in rushing yards. Mason is eighth in receiving yards and tied for third in touchdown receptions. Laventure is tied for sixth in tackles for loss and tied for seventh in sacks. DeWalt is tied for fourth in passes defended. Summers is tied for first in interceptions.

The worst thing about BG’s collapse is - they’re going to beat us to Tim Tyrrell.

Getting to go to a bowl game and experience that for the players may be something to keep more of them here if the alternative is meager NIL money somewhere else. Yes, I'd rather have the bowl game.

I just read that g league players make $40,000 a year unless they are on a 2 way contract like Freeman who makes around $500,000, half the NBA minimum. Therefore, Nate is now making the most money he will probably ever make in his career. In other words, his salary will peak as a college player. I hate that he transferred but I cannot blame him for making this move. This is college athletics. Akron is the G league for major conferences.

I really think last years team got an unfair shake with injuries they were always competitive the first 2/3s of the game then would just run out of gas. Really hope this can be a breakout year and they can make the mac tourney.

I was worried about the post Defense when I heard MMK was backing up Lyles in at the 5. He really impressed me. I think MMK can be a solid back up big for about 80% of our games. Only problem I see is we have offense guys and Defense guys. Right now I think there are 4 guys who are both. Tavari, Scott, young, Lyles. the hope is as the season goes on more become both. Or Groce will have to be a wizard with rotation.

Fall 2026 Zip commit Londen Sears selected to play in the High School All American game https://www.topdrawersoccer.com/high-school-soccer-article/boys-high-school-all-american-game-rosters_aid55290 Fall 2026 Zip commit Kam Warnke will be in action Wed. night Nov. 5th at Tallmadge High School as his high School team (Aurora) will play CVCA in the Division 3 State semifinals.

Some quick thoughts: - Lyles was our best and most important player tonight, and may be the entire season. We were a different team when he was on/off the floor. - I am surprised Barre only played 2 minutes against YSU and didn't play tonight. I expected him to be an important contributor behind Lyles. I hope he just needs more time to feel comfortable, because I think we will need him against teams with size. - Young is the heart of this team. He plays with such intensity...I absolutely love it. If he stays here his entire career, I think he's a MAC POY candidate by the time he's a senior. - Eric Mahaffey looked tentative in the first half and seemed to relax in the 2nd. You can tell the athleticism is off the charts. - Evan Mahaffey is an elite defender and excellent rebounder. Not much offensive game, though. At least I didn't see much tonight. - MMK played really well. He's undersized as a big, but makes up for it with his motor. - I think Stankovic becomes an important part of this offense by conference play.

A good point made by our radio guys. Eric Mahaffey might be a redshirt freshman, but this was his very first college game ever. I will add that this was a high level game for a season opener and he looked quite comfortable out there.

By being in it? 🤔

I think Evan playing the 5 can only work situationally. Like if we're playing Purdue definitely not. If we're playing against an undersized frontcourt and want to pick up the tempo it could work, but not something you'd want to see 10-15 minutes a game. More like 2-4 minutes at best. We really need to get 10-15 solid minutes of Barre/Briscoe.

Zips up to #11 in the RPI - the highest RPI in the Big East.

Not the type of play that will advance us in the playoffs, but it was enough to beat Marquette. This is a curious team. They have the talent to play at the highest level, yet they have not put it all together. Where was Remi? Ferguson cannot play FWD at the level we need. He would be better converted to D so he could get playing time in the future. I also echo another poster: where is Borneo? Is he back in the doghouse? Regardless our MF doesn't have it. They were all world against St L. U. and then fell off the face of the earth. Stefan and Jack Roman are consistent and bring quality. The rest have to show up sometime. As we are playing now we cannot go deep in the tourney. We'll get in, but I'm not expecting a lot.

Tuesday night always brings out the best in college football players!

YSU just wanted it more

If we beat UMass, and Kent continues to play well, I think the Wagon Wheel game at Infocision in 2 weeks will cause Joe's (Akron) left big toe to wiggle. Will there be a ticker tape parade down Exchange Street and tickets being scalped for $1,000 on Stub Hub? No. But there will be a palpable buzz and perhaps a "bigger than just friends and family" weekday crowd. Hopefully UA gives away a bunch of tickets. If the Zips blow a home game November 4th against this shitty UMass team, I'll personally go to Sully's Tool Rental, drive a rented bulldozer up Exchange, flatten Infocision and commence construction of a 40 foot tall bronze tribute to Charles Guthrie.

Bumping a new thread for the fresh season. So pumped for tomorrow

I am quite nervous for our defense tomorrow night. Hopefully we are hot from 3 and take care of business. who is everyone’s prediction for mvp of the game. I am rolling with Sharron Young

I missed Malik in attendance tonight, would've liked to have seen him! He's making great strides with Toronto.

Nice win with what seemed to be several players unavailable. Great to see Malik Henry in attendance tonight.

Attendance of 1,242 that is very disappointing last regular season home game the zips are number 20 in the coaches rankings the zips are number 12 in RPI. The Zips are competing for a Big East division title. why is attendance so poor?

The University isn't spending ~30 million a year just to provide life lessons to ~400 student athletes (if you even want to call them that anymore). That would be absurd. That might have been its intended purpose 100 years ago, but we've long moved past that. Now it's about enhancing the college experience, keeping alumni engaged, getting your name out there, and building good will in the community.

Cleveland State 2-1 win over IU Indy Ohio State got a very rare win this year…1-0 over the Nittany’s Milwaukee 2-1 over Northern Kentucky in a game not listed above, Western Michigan got a 2-1 win over Drake.

The good news is that Chad Welker will be the announcer. Chad is very knowledgeable about the players and is very passionate about the Zips. Chad always does a good job.

We'll pay them back in the Final Four.

It will be interesting to watch this team grow over the course of the year and see the rotations develop. You're replacing about 37 PPG from last year's rotation (Nate, Gray, Seth, Okonkwo) that is going to have to come from some internal growth from returning players and/or the combo of the Mahaffeys, Head, Stankovic, and Barre. Eric Mahaffey was apparently going to start as a true freshman last year, so that certainly suggests Groce viewing him very highly. I think Evan probably gives you modest offensive production along with elite defense. I know very little of Cody, but @clarkwgriswold mentioned the coaches really like him. He may be an important scorer off the bench. I've heard enough good things about Barre to believe he can be an energy big who chips in a few points around the rim. Stankovic is kind of the wild card to me. His size and skill suggests he could be an offensive mismatch against many teams. I'm excited to see it all unfold. The journey of the season is the most enjoyable part of being a fan, seeing where we start vs where we finish.

I was telling my son on the way home from the Tipoff event how lucky we have been as Zips fans. Most MAC schools would love to have had just one of KD or Groce, and we have been fortunate to have had both. Probably two of best coaches in MAC history.

I don't know that I'd want this Zips team to go to a bowl game? We've improved from last year...we're better than the dregs of 1-A and even mediocre 1-AA teams...but if we were matched up against a decent G5 team I think we'd get smoked like Bowden's 6-6 team did against Lane Kiffin's FAU squad. Something like 50-3. A 5-7 or even 6-6 season would make me happy.

My understanding is that he can be called up at any time. I am sure if one of the Timberwolves bigs suffers an injury he can be added to the roster. The Iowa Wolves are probably starting their practice this week and the season opens I believe on the 8th. It will be interesting how much he has improved as a 2nd year pro.

Bummer, no more Head

A bronze Arby's A?

YSU is a solid team. They played hard, handled the Zips pressure well and made timely shots. They will win a lot of games. The Zips could never sustain a run. They allowed too many open 3s and turned the ball over at inopportune times. Oggie looks like he fits in but his defense needs work. Shammah was the best Zip on the floor. His ability to create space they hit a jumper was on full display. Young continued to show his tenacity on defense. On one switch to a big man he actually muscled him out of the post. The Zips failures last night were clearly not effort related. They played hard and fast but just a little sloppy. They'll be fine.

Stats here: https://ysusports.com/sidearmstats/mbball/summary;team=home Thanks, Clark, for updates!

Thank you Clark!!

Rotations look like the real thing. Groce isn't visibly pissed so I really think he believes this might be good for them.

Tie game. 7 minutes left.

The card shop I work at on the weekends had a Panini redemption for an Enrique Freeman rookie auto. After learning that I PC Freeman, the shop owner gave the redemption to me. The card arrived today from Panini. Love seeing Zips on official sports cards!

Pitched two flawless innings.

And yet another perfect inning in relief for Bassitt in an epic World Series game. Bet the Blue Jays wish they had stuck with him a little longer in a game they desperately needed extended pitching moments. He still has a 0.00 ERA in this postseason.