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Sunday August 30 I always smile when a ranked ACC team takes an L...against at Big East Team #6 Georgetown 3 #19 Duke 0 Robert Morris and Duquesne ended in a 1-1 tie. UConn 4 Western Michigan 1 DePaul 3 Loyola Chicago 3

DeWalt has made the Falcons' opening day roster!

Stefan Dobrijevic scored another goal today for Austin FC II, his 7th goal in 22 appearances (along with 2 assists). Ashton Kamdem is currently out with injury for the 2nd time this season. When healthy, he's been a regular starter for Crown Legacy (Charlotte's MLS Next Pro team) but he's only played in 17 of 25 matches due to injury.

Interesting. One of my favorite sayings is, "never bet on the come". It relates to betting on the COME line in craps. It's a type of futuristic bet that can pay better than normal odds and protection against rolling an out once the point is set (assuming you're not one of the antisocial a-holes who bets the don't pass line), but is high risk. BG has decided to make a bet on a guy who has actually played games in lieu of potential without game experience. I think it's a smart bet. More teams should make this bet. The player who lost the QB competition will still be transferring from school to school ten years from now hoping for a starting position. He needs to get a real job.

The Zips NFL drought appears to be over (usually some changes after the fact for the initial 53). I know the Browns could use him if he ends up being available.Congrats Malcolm!

Wake surprised and won 9 games last season, though they may be hard-pressed to replicate that success in 2026. In the off-season, the staff targeted older transfers—with experience—in an attempt to create a more veteran team. QB: UNC/South Alabama transfer Gio Lopez will take the reins of the offense in 2026. He’s completed nearly 66% of his passes for 4,781 yards and 32 touchdowns versus 12 interceptions in his collegiate career. However, he can be feast or famine at times. For example, in Wake’s last scrimmage, he completed nine straight passes before proceeding to go 3 of 15 with two interceptions to close out the scrimmage. Edge: Wake RB: Junior Ty Clark is the expected starter after collecting 323 yards and 3 touchdowns last year—including a performance of 91 rushing and 73 receiving yards in the bowl game. Edge: Akron WR: Carlos Hernandez is on several All-ACC preseason teams as a receiver and/or kick returner. The senior had 40 receptions for 611 yards and 3 touchdowns last season—including a 93-yard touchdown reception. Rice transfer Drayden Dickmann and Louisville transfer Antonio Meeks should be the other starters. Edge: Akron TE: Senior Kamrean Johnson should step into the starter role after being the primary backup in 2025. Edge: Even OL: Only one starter returns from last year, and he has been working with the second unit—at a different position than he played last year. Wake will likely roll out three FCS transfers, a transfer from Oregon State, and a second-year player along the starting OL. Holding penalties have apparently been an issue with this new group during camp. Edge: Even DE: Redshirt seniors Langston Hardy and Gabe Kirschke provide a legitimate pass rush off the edge. The duo combined for 12 sacks in 2025, with Hardy also listed on the Chuck Bednarik Award Watchlist. Edge: Wake DT: Weber State transfer Matt Herron, former Idaho transfer Dallas Afalava, and redshirt senior Zach Lohavichan will receive the majority of snaps on the interior of the defensive line. Edge: Wake LB: Senior Aiden Hall returns as one starting linebacker and is on several All-ACC preseason teams after amassing 73 total tackles in 2025. He will be flanked by redshirt sophomore Frank Cusano, who collected 45 total tackles last season. Edge: Wake CB: FIU transfer and former CUSA Honorable Mention Duece Blades will start at one corner. Redshirt senior Ashaad Williams, who played in four games last year, is expected to start opposite Blades. Edge: Wake S: Redshirt junior Davaughn Patterson resumes his role as a starter, where he had 80 total tackles and 9 passes defended and has been named to several All-ACC preseason teams. Braylon Johnson is also back as a returning starter after collecting 38 total tackles last season. Redshirt sophomore Rushaun Tongue should fill in at the other safety spot. Edge: Wake ST: Connor Calvert returns after going 18 of 22 on field goals and 32 of 33 on extra points. Australian freshman Ethan Hyams will likely take over punting duties. Edge: Wake Prediction: I’m sticking with my original preseason prediction and going with a loss here. I didn’t feel great about our rebuilt OL versus Wake’s DL before, and now that issue will likely be compounded with a redshirt freshman at quarterback. Hopefully, Broughton can offset his inexperience with some natural playmaking ability. I am anxious to see how our DL fares against Wake’s OL. I think this is an area where we could hold our own. However, our linebacking corps could offset this line of thinking.

Last night's game was one that will be talked about for some time: perfect weather, great opponent, team effort, 90 minutes of pressure on the Wake goal, great coaching match. We still have much to work on, but we are coming together and putting the pieces in place. My random points: Ty Morck was our best midfielder last night I love how the staff is playing Sears into a formidible attacker. I just wish he would take defenders on more often. If there is nothing there cross sooner, I don't care if we are short. Running onto the ball gains an advantage over a static defender Sam Bunch has got to cool his physicality. Last night he deserved two yellow cards = one red The defense is solid. Freddy and Matthew are easy to build around. McQuire and Bunch are nice additions. Wake had only one attack that was dangerous. We had a half dozen. Our corners have got to improve. We have little production from them and that is a waste of opportunity. The upside for this team is enormous. Remi needs the mids to be more dangerous to open space for him. O'Rourke looks ready. Jack Sullivan has come on, but Jack Roman has yet to find his form Cudos to the Wake goalie. He was outstanding. He kept the game from being 3-0.

I agree. Joe took over a well-funded juggernaut when he accepted the Zips job. 13-35 should have been 35-13. The practices we couldn’t hold last season should have kept the team fresh. Instead we struggled in the red zone. i think the Zips lead the MAC in NIL funds, and student body support. That alone’s gotta be worth 2-3 wins this year? Joe’s had every possible advantage known to man after taking over for Tom Arth. I can’t believe the team hasn’t improved every year since he’s been HC. Oh wait…it has.

UNLV is such a good OOC home game. Should be excellent football weather and hopefully we surprise people this season. It's Joe-Bowl or Joe-No-Mo this year. Give me 7 or 8 wins. Go Zips.