Leaderboard

QB: Finley had his best game of the season, and if he’d played like that against Wyoming, we’d probably be sitting here with another win. Granted, CMU’s defense wasn’t anything special — I thought the number of turnovers they’d created (or been gifted) coming in masked some of their flaws. Still, it was great to finally see the kind of performance we know Finley is capable of. Hopefully, that’s something he can build on moving forward. On the lone interception, it looked like there was some sort of miscommunication, with the receiver running a different route than what Finley expected. RB: I don’t have enough positive things to say about Gant. He was excellent and once again looked like the FCS All-American from a few years back. He seemed a little gassed in the fourth quarter — which is understandable given he carried the ball 32 times and was on the field for all but six offensive snaps. It would’ve been nice to have another playmaker like Patrick available to give him a breather, but that wasn’t an option. Curry saw his first action, and while he’s a bigger back, he didn’t have much of a chance to show what he can do in limited touches. WR: Mason finally had the breakout game I’ve been waiting for. His performance looked a lot like what he showed during the spring game — the flashes that had me raving about him during the offseason. Outside of one glaring drop that would’ve moved the chains, this group was solid, and that miscue didn’t end up costing us. We just need this unit to keep developing. If they do, we’ll be talking about one of the better wide receiver corps in the MAC by the end of the season. TE: All three tight ends caught passes today and chipped in with some key blocks as well. I’m not sure why PFF graded the group as low as they did — I actually thought they played a sound game all-around. OL: This was one of the offensive line’s best games of the season — especially in the run game. It wasn’t perfect by any means, but they did enough to give the offense a chance to be effective in both phases. I believe K. Davis played every snap at right guard, which says a lot about his reliability and consistency up front. DL: I’m not sure when the last time our defense had five sacks, with four of them coming from the defensive line. Laventure was credited with six total pressures and two sacks, while Durham had two sacks, and Dall had three pressures. I also want to give credit to the DL for holding their ground and blowing up running lanes so often. LB: Summers played a whale of a game. I’m not sure what the refs thought they heard when he was flagged for mimicking calls again, but from my view, it looked like he was just trying to get everyone lined up correctly on a play where several defenders seemed unsure of their assignments. I’ll lump the secondary into this as well — it’s tough to always be in the right spot and still make open-field tackles against an offense like CMU’s, one that relies heavily on misdirection and gets its linemen to the second level. There were more busts than anyone would like to see, but overall the defense did enough to slow CMU down when it mattered most. DB: The secondary was asked to play the run more in this game than any other so far this season — as alluded to above. In coverage, they were generally solid, holding CMU to just 136 yards through the air. No individual stood out in a negative way, which is definitely a positive sign. ST: Special teams were very good overall, outside of the long missed field goal — which came from a tough angle — and Hills overestimating his ability by bringing out kicks several yards deep in the end zone. I like Hills and still think he’s going to break one this year, but there’s just no reason to bring those out from that deep. Coaching: Give credit where credit is due — great gameplans on both sides of the ball. Offensively, we were stubborn running the football while also taking timely shots downfield. The defense looked well prepared and didn’t hang their heads after giving up some explosive plays. Overall, I thought the staff came close to maximizing what they could in this game. The only downside was a handful of penalties that were 100% self-inflicted. QB: Finley Johnson RB: Gant Curry WR: Walker Masom WR: Mar. Williams Grear WR: Polk Monteiro TE: Newell Cravaack Whisner LT: Dar. Johnson Motley-Simmons LG: McManus Archer C Lyons Morris RG: K. Davis RT: King A. Jones DE: Durham D. Frazier DE: Dall J. Frazier DT: Hull Murphy Musika DT: Laventure Mixon Madden LB: Summers Boswell LB: Cooper Spriggs NB: Al. Branch CB: Reed Kamara CB: DeWalt Thomas S: Flowers Hunter S: Di. Johnson Stepney Top Rated on Offense (20 snap min.) WR - Mason C - Lyons QB - Finley RG - K. Davis RB - Gant Top Rated on Defense (20 snap min.) LB - Summers S - Flowers LB - Spriggs CB - DeWalt CB - Reed

Today's scrimmage was by invite only. All I can say is Groce has a big problem on his hands. Too many good players and not enough minutes per game. Perkins and Henderson both look like they could play this year. Head and Evan Mahaffey looked solid. The Serb is going to be a matchup nightmare for our opponents. Scott buried at least 6 NBA range 3's. Overall a good showcase.

Amen. Wins like this on days like this makes me happy for those who can, and do, attend games. It's what college football should be. Today benefited the athletes students alumni fans and general community around Akron. This is what a public university should do.

On the spur of the moment I decided to attend the game since the weather was perfect. It is one of the best games by Akron in a long time. They had a nice balence of runs and passing and the receivers were open most of the afternoon. The defense made some great plays right before the half. Just wish we could have more games like today. I thought Finely was the best. On the interception it was a bad pass but the defender made a nice play on the ball. Makes me look forward to next week.

I don't know how to share it here because it was an IG story not a post, but I saw Enrique has the #25 jersey for the T-Wolves!

I've only lived in two states, Ohio and Pennsylvania. Naturally I have grown to DESPISE both OSU and PSU. Probably more excited about Penn State losing to both Oregon and UCLA, than I am about the Zips win today. All these cocky and arrogant people who have never attended those schools are insufferable. I always say I'd rather watch Akron lose every single game than be a bandwagon fan of a school I have no connection to.

All these guesses at the starting lineup are fun. Just remember that Eric Mahaffey was penciled into the starting lineup last year until a knee injury sidelined him for the season. Under Groce, whoever plays the best during practice gets playing time. Every minute of every practice is graded by the coaching staff. Outside of the point guard we have a team full of multidimensional players. It's going to be a fun season.

I'm really starting to get excited about the upcoming season. I assume Tavari and Amani are locked into the starting lineup. I suspect we may see Stankovic in the starting lineup (just like I expected Taylor Currie!). I've also heard he's closer to 6'6" than 6'8." That leaves spots for 2 guards/wings. I could see either Mahaffey in one of those roles. Does Sharon move into the starting lineup or does Shammah? This is much more fun than trying to figure out who's going to play with Malcolm Duvivier and Jimond. How far we've come.

This is how it should be. Hopefully the football team can keep this going. A competitive football season into a NCAA tourney run for soccer, into one of the most anticipated Zips basketball seasons could really be the momentum athletically the University needs to get back on track.

Ben is back https://x.com/Brett_McMurphy/status/1974504534606270629

I get that. I was referencing Joe's consistently good attitude and ability to forge forward regardless of the situation. Joe's the best.

You gotta love Akron football fans and the people on this board!!! We finally win a MAC game early in the season and we are talking about a bowl game even though we are technically not eligable. Last week this board was talking about firing our coach. When I was leaving the stadium I felt like taking a picture of our victory formation because I thought when is this ever going to happen again. If we win next week, this board will nominate Joe for coach of the year.

Congratulations to Jason Shokalook

Ya know what, good for Wyoming for beating us. Having to play in the snow in early October is asinine. Not sure their fans would've deserved this plus a loss to Akron.

Homecoming was fantastic. Great day throughout the University. The fall fest was an amazing setup.

Akron needed a win at home in the MAC on a Saturday in the worst way. Nice job.

If Florida Atlantic, Syracuse, and Penn State couldn't prepare Johnson to be a starting QB, it's asking a lot for Joe to do it. 😁 Ruggow is a redshirt freshman, so one week of prep isn't going to give him a fighting chance of beating a team like Toledo. We ride or die with Finley. Assuming he's healthy I expect a win this weekend. If he isn't, we'll punt a lot and lose by 24.

Akron back into the coaches top 25 poll at #19 this week. Next week's opponent Cornell is essentially #27 as they're 2nd in the receiving votes section. https://unitedsoccercoaches.org/rankings/college-rankings/ncaa-di-men/

Extra credit to Zip_ME87 for the umlauts in Emil Jääskeläinen. That's the Finnish Product! 😄

I'll list those that I recall. Others, please feel free to add any I may have missed (or make other corrections as needed). These are current as of this post MLS Columbus Crew - Evan Bush, Darlington Nagbe Minnesota United - Wil Trapp Nashville - Teal Bunbury Real Salt Lake - DeAndre Yedlin St Louis City SC - Ben Lundt Toronto - Malik Henry, Richie Laryea MLS NEXT Pro Chicago Fire II - Jason Shokalook Orlando City B - Dyson Clapier St Louis City 2 - Emil Jääskeläinen USL Championship Pittsburgh Riverhounds - Beto Ydrach Colorado Springs Swicthbacks - Marco Micaletto Indy Eleven - Aodhan Quinn San Antonio FC - Diogo Pacheco Loudoun United FC - Robby Dambrot Detroit City - Shane Wiedt USL League One Union Omaha - Marco Milanese Europe Lech Poznań (Poland) - João Moutinho Oct 1 edit - Added Teal Bunbury, MLS, Nashville whom I forgot. 😑

I’m not 100% sure but I’m pretty sure that most programs say goodbye to players when they enter the portal, it’s common practice. It’s not a matter of being stubborn it’s just a reality. Can you imagine if you didn’t do that? Every kid could just enter the portal and see what they get and come back if they don’t find what they want. And what does a program do while they are waiting for a kid to decide if he’s coming back? Do they just not recruit or offer until each kid makes his decision? They could end up in late spring with no kids. They really have to move on when kids enter the portal. I agree that Joe is a good person and a good football mind, but is he a good head coach? That remains to be seen. My other issue with him, is that he doesn’t seem to be a good promoter/ambassador of the program - unless he’s doing it very quietly behind the scenes (which in and of itself would say he’s not). This program needs a good coach and a good salesman to the public and student body. Like everything, wins would solve most of these issues. It just feels like since he’s been here it’s been one step forward and two steps back - stuck in an endless cycle.

I’m purely speculating, but from the outside looking in, Joe Mo doesn’t seem to have the type of personality to attract donors (for NIL purposes) like Groce seems to have. I just don’t know how fit he is to be a HC in this age of CFB. I heard Summers was only able to come back as a walk on after entering the portal. I swore I read something on here or elsewhere where he said he wouldn’t take somebody back who entered the portal (which I get to an extent but you have to put stubbornness aside when the program doesn’t have $ to work with). Feel like that was in reference to Jordon Simmons. I think he’s also somewhat to blame (most goes to Arth) for the bowl ban mess, but understand it’s a delicate balance and tough position to be in. I think Joe is a good football mind, seems like a solid person, and is pretty much doing the best anyone else would be doing here in this era of college athletics. But if we want to be a respectable G5 program, he needs to adapt. Additionally, regardless of who the HC is, the University/Alumni/fan base need to step up their support. I don’t think any HC is going to produce a regular winner here without a respectable budget and NIL support.

Love watching Darlington play. From the Zips to his stint with the Crew he was the best at his position in with every team he was with. I hope he stays with the Crew in some role. My only fear is that Jimmy Haslam owns the Crew and he has proven to be an idiot with all teams he owns. He only cares about the dollar and that hs led to many bad decisions.

Darlington is calling it a career after this season. One of the most decorated MLS careers of all-time. https://x.com/tombogert/status/1975339814569578979?t=Craoy3wgEtF467OFkkPw0w&s=19

And if your team wins you do both

It's Laramie, WY. You either attend the football game or go cow tipping.

Cornell comes in with a record of 7-1 and they've outscored their opponents 24-2 on the season. They've also scored 11 goals in just their last two matches. Gonna be a tough road match and we'll likely need multiple goals to win it.

Time to start talking about an extension!

Sounded like its a strain and not a tear which is good. Overall they looked tremendously deep! Brisco looks solid, and Amani has been working on his 3 ball

Not disagreeing with you, but to be fair, that’s pretty much every team’s message board. Just look around the MAC — heading into this week’s game, CMU fans were talking about a possible 6-2 conference finish. After the loss, the tone completely flipped on their coaches and players. WMU fans were ready to run everyone out of town until they slipped past Toledo. NIU fans are calling for their coach’s job after nearly every loss. It’s just the nature of fanbases. I’ve said this before, but as far as not being bowl eligible — don’t be so sure that sticks if we somehow get to six wins. The NCAA is becoming more toothless by the day.

I had better outcomes in mind before the season started. There weren't going to be any legal bills. Bowls are a no lose proposition. For schools like Akron, it's a nice reward for a decent season. If you win, great. If you lose, it doesn't harm a program and the loses are quickly forgotten during the Holiday season.

It's nice to look at the MAC standings and not see Akron in the heap of crap at the bottom. It does my heart good to see NIU flailing in their last year in the conference. Good riddance. If they think it's bad now, just wait.

That's usually how I decide to attend too since my buddies dropped out long ago. I didn't quite make the move though because of last week's debacle and the thoroughly unentertaining Wyoming game I did attend. Now that the Zips might possibly be on the precipice of respectability and not get hammered every week or play stupid, I may go go next week. 🙂

A big tailgate for homecoming with a cover band, conference title celebration, and renewing wedding vows with zippy which was cute. They had cheap beer and food plus inflatables and tents with fans. Really nice setup I was there for 4 hrs and had a great time

I know football has been up and down but I feel like the athletic program on the up and up. I’m loving the advertising and pre game festivities of the Nemer/Goodrich era. Crowds are not at pre covid level but I feel theres an optimism across most of the sports. Hell if we beat UMass and Kent I still think that’s successful. Maybe not exciting but it’s raising the floor.

John Heisman was the coach.

I'll always cherish those 4 minutes.

Speak for yourself. I'd still rather see what Roggow could do

In six attempts, we have never beaten St. Johns. Crazy, especially after having the lead at home.

It will be interesting to see if anyone makes a dramatic leap like Amani and Tavari did last year. I always thought Tavari had talent but I was in the minority on this board and took a lot of grief from people on this board until last year. However, I was unhappy that Amani stayed with the team last year since I just did not see the talent. Could not be happier to be dead wrong. Nobody can ever predict who will improve from one year to the next.

Jack Roman has to be on the National list for the 5 most improved players in college soccer. Tremendous work by Jack Roman......to create that goal. The work rate of Jack Roman is phenomenal.

I would be stunned if Evan wasn't starting. If he was good enough to start 38 games in the Big 10, surely he is good enough to start in the MAC. IMO he will start at the 4. Stankovic was kind of a late add and probably needs more time to develop and learn Groce system. I wouldn't be surprised if both him and Evan start by the start of MAC play.

I can't find an instagram post or a X(Twitter) post by this young man. Looks like the Zips have added another 2026 recruit Calan DeWalt , a defender https://www.facebook.com/ECNLBoys/photos/d41d8cd9/1478534030944179/

Dropping divisions doesn't automatically make you more competitive since talent level drops accordingly.

To summarize the positives from the presser: 1. They had only 3 penalties 2. The placekicking was good 3. They got peeled so badly that some young guys got game experience If Joe Dunn ever gives up this sports gig he has a real future as a funeral director.

Seems like a smart decision as the University tries to right size its footprint.

I would just like to see some fire out of him in these videos. Show that you are angry, embarrassed, anything besides credit to the other coach and his staff bla bla bla

35 days until Zips basketball!

I agree the program is in trouble without any NIL resources. If nothing changes, we’re basically going to turn into a developmental team for programs that do have them. We were tied for the most MAC players lost to Power programs this past offseason, and on top of that we lost highly productive guys like Norton, T. Williams, and G. Smith to other G5 schools. The staff has done an excellent job identifying talent, bringing those kids in, and developing a large portion of them, but the reality is we won’t be able to keep them for long with the way the current landscape is moving. On top of that, I don’t think our win total has matched the talent level we’ve built over the last few years. I was staunchly against the idea of moving to FCS. While that might solve a monetary deficit — and I can’t really speak to the numbers there — it’s certainly not guaranteed to field a more competitive product. Outside of Nebraska and Toledo, this team has been competitive, they just haven’t won, and that should rightfully sit uneasy with fans and stakeholders. My biggest issue with this year’s team has been quarterback play. Our starter hasn’t played up to his potential, and we don’t have a backup capable of keeping us in a game. How that’s the case in year four is beyond me. The defense had a terrible day as well, which just made things look that much worse. Back to the FCS conversation — I believe a split is coming with the haves and have-nots anyway, so we’ll end up being forced into a different division organically. Who knows what that will look like, but the SEC and Big Ten are in the driver’s seat while the NCAA loses more control by the day. I certainly don’t mean to turn this thread into one we basically already have going elsewhere, since none of us truly know what’s going to happen in the coming years and can only guess. That said, I thought I’d chime in because it does relate to our results this season and where the program is headed if nothing changes. Even so, I still believe we have enough talent to hang with every team left on our schedule, and I’m not giving this staff a free pass. We need to see better performances and results.