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Cibastian Broughton wore #11. He played a bit early-on, but the bulk of the QB time was allotted to Johnson and Finley. Expect to see Broughton on the field somewhere in 2025. If not QB, then WR...returns...he's too athletic to redshirt. Mike Johnson Jr. had a nondescript day. He played a lot. But didn't show much. He's a big kid. But looked either rusty, or unpolished. We'll see how he improves, and how Joe decides to utilize him, as the weeks progress. As Ben Finley goes in 2025, so do the Zips. He exhibited his typical deft touch on deep balls over the middle, hitting Alex Adams and Myles Walker for long TD's. He also tossed a couple of picks. Based on what I saw yesterday, Owen Wiley seems to have a leg up on the competition with Matt Schramm for the kicker position. Wiley was perfect on the day. Schramm would have been too, but missed from 43 yards out. Matt Schramm hits a 32 yarder. Justin Anderson, a Washington State transfer, pulled in an INT on an overthrown ball by Mike Johnson. Too bad it happened a stride or two out of by camera's view. 🤬 Isreal Polk has a quiet day. Here, he pulled one in from Mike Johnson. Marcel Williams, a Marshall transfer, couldn't get credit for this nice catch, as his foot landed on the sideline. Williams did have a legit 30 yard TD catch from Finley earlier in the day. First time I'd ever seen Johnny Brookhart on the playing field? No sign of Brayden Ruggow today. Not sure if he was injured? Cam Macon (Walsh transfer) took the next handoff into the endzone. It was his only carry of the game. The bulk of today's running game was handled by Jordan Gant, the Tennessee State transfer. Gant looks like a strong, serviceable back. #13 Sean Patrick also saw a fair amount of action. The scrimmage ended with Myles Walker snaring a 15 yard TD courtesy of a Ben Finley toss. #99 Owen Wiley puts pressure on Cibastian Broughton. Just kidding...that's something the Beacon Journal would do. 😁 THIS #99 is Jaiden Brown-Demery, a 6' 4", 310 pound true freshman from West Mifflin Pa. Big kid. Played with the 2nd unit. #4 Justin Anderson snagged an errant Finley pass and made a nifty return. A few photos above, he also picked Johnson. #21 Catrell White (DB) also had a nice day in the secondary. He had a couple break ups in addition to a Finley pick. General observations - Good energy today. For an 8 am start, all the guys were whooping it up and having a good time. After the scrimmage Joe gathered the team as midfield, and immediately stressed the importance of the guys getting their schoolwork done. One odd occurrence - #34 Braydon Johnson is a Grad transfer punter from Indiana State. He absolutely skyed a 42-ish yard punt, which hit the turf and jumped another 20 yards down field. I have to assume the 2025 punter job is Castle's, but he does appear to have some strong-legged competition. Wyoming is 2 1/2 weeks away!

What an absolutely sensational debut for Malik Henry so very happy for the young man what a great pass

If Connor is moving on to play somewhere else, we owe him big time for opening this roster spot. John: "Son, you know I love you right?" Connor: "Yes dad. I love you, too." John: "Awesome. Now get the hell out of here. I have a 6'8" Serbian sniper - basically the next Nikola Jokic - ready to commit and need the roster spot." (how that conversation went - probably)

obviosly we werent available, since were playing in the Jack Jones classic in Las Vegas that day. Its actually quite a day of hoops. 4 games. UC San diego, Tulane, Arizona St, UNLV, Santa Clara, Tennessee St, Murray State and Akron.

This article has no rankings...but top drawer soccer (TDS) ...did a Big East preview https://www.topdrawersoccer.com/article/?categoryId=21&articleId=54910&articleTitle=mens-a10-big-east-ivy-league-preview Big East Akron joining has done wonders for the strength of the Big East, adding another storied team to a conference full of legacy programs. The Zips and Georgetown will likely fight for supremacy, while Providence looks to continue its rise as an elite program. St. John’s and Connecticut, two programs desperate to reach the highs of the late 90s and early 2000s, are among the others to look out for this season. Top Players to Watch: Mitch Budler, Akron(m) (Goalkeeper of the Year) Top Freshmen to Watch: Braxton Hayes, Akron(m) (No. 116 Ranked TDS Class of 2025)

Starting DL was- Dall Hull Laventure Durham

It seems odd that they lost their tallest player (Okonkwo) and got bigger, but it works out that way.

They lost the MAC POY and improved, at least on paper.

Don't count your chicken's just yet. Still a bunch of paperwork to be approved.

Ognjen Stankovic, 6'8" wing. Represented Serbia in 16u, 17u and 20u FIBA games. Has played 50 games on the Adriatic League over the last 2 seasons I haven't been this excited since Taylor Currie.

What in the world?

https://www.instagram.com/p/DNWfgG2s4ck/?igsh=azlrejV3NHhkeXBj Football and Soccer get 2 dollar beers. Crowds are about to be rowdie 😂😭

From last season but just saw this. Nice video.

zips now lead 4-0 at 75.... Jack Sullivan scored on a restart for 3rd goal Ignacio Alem earned and took a PK for the 4th goal great to see the team depth...doing super in the 2nd half.

Congratulations to former Zip Shaun Docking for an incredible coaching career at Coastal Carolina. Long time Zips soccer fans will remember that Shaun Docking was a junior (key contributor) on the outstanding zip team that lost in the 1986 NCAA final. Great player, great coaches. Best wishes for a happy and successful post coaching career. Darn good ZIP !!! https://www.wmbfnews.com/2025/08/13/i-have-nothing-fondness-great-memories-long-time-ccu-coach-retires/

Man, I thought it felt like it was about time! 😂

I'm hopeful we can use this thread to track rankings and RPI as they change throughout the season rather than jumping around the forum to find them.

Here is an article from an Toronto FC fan site https://wakingthered.com/2025/08/10/20736/toronto-fc-snatch-draw-in-philadelphia-in-djordje-mihailovic-debut/ I like one of the comments below the article The good news was Henry. He changed the match with three or four impressively good passes, including the assistance. He is very fast and anxious to play.

I only hold second-hand information, but I understand Nathan Ferguson scored a first-half brace with an assist to Ashton Kamden. Lineup was Budler, Kamden and Pedro at wing backs. Daragh and Kossehasse center backs. Dreas, Borneo, Roman, Morck, Filsinger and Ferguson. I'll await the release of further secrets from our usual correspondents!

They generally don't publish the score or a game summary for exhibition games, probably at the coaches' request. It's strange considering the games are open to the public, but it's been that way the last few years at least. Anyways, the Zips won 2-0. Two goals from Ferguson in the first 22 minutes. The starters mostly came out at halftime and the 2nd half was a little disjointed as you may expect.

Holy...

Congratulations to Malik Henry on signing with Toronto FC (MLS)

So he's used to the pay scale.

Great way to drown our sorrows! A game will be cheaper than going to a bar so students might as well come to the game

Too bad the Vegas game (12/13) against Murray State isn't 3 weeks earlier. A Zips/Browns trip to Vegas would have been epic.

Thanks to you and nice person at the game for the updates! Glad to see that Bahur and Alem were involved in the goals as I thought both played well on Saturday. Based on the starting XI being the same for both matches (other than GK), it seems like that may be set, but as we know, subs are important in college soccer. While we may not have as many clear cut stars as last year (Emil, Dyson, Malik, etc.), hopefully the overall depth is better and that can balance things out.

A heads up..... I am not on twitter....so I am not likely to see this news first .... last year, the regular soccer season started on Thursday August 22nd last year, the Big East mens soccer coaches poll was released on Monday August 19th. With this years schedule starting on Thursday August 21, I would expect that the Big East mens soccer coaches poll will be released on Monday August 18th. I expect that Georgetown will be the pre season favorite to win the Big East.

crazy that a school with such a successful men's program has a horrendous women's program.

Every coach in the MAC voted ...that Akron would finish in last place. https://getsomemaction.com/news/2025/8/11/womens-soccer-western-michigan-selected-as-favorite-in-mac-preseason-coaches-poll.aspx

Ironically, according to archived stories on GoZips.com, last year the non-conference schedule was released on August 12th. And then the conference schedule was released on August 14th.

Hmmmm, so our buddy Boals can get beat twice in Cleveland this season.

In limited 2nd half action, Braxton Hayes did not seem to be pushing for a starting job in Exhibition #1. Disappointing. Hopefully, we shall see more of Hayes on Wednesday during exhibition #2.

I’m curious as well. My guess is it’ll be Hull and Laventure—Hull being the best DT in the spring and Laventure subsequently earning the #1 jersey on defense.

Watching the highlight videos I see a pretty versatile defender too. On occasion we come across a team with a very big point guard. It’s hard for Tavari and Young to hold off 6-5, 6-6 players from getting a head of steam. Marvin and this guy look to have the lateral quickness and size to make life difficult for them. Edit: Even though we haven’t seen Eric Mahaffey, I imagine he will be able to help guard these big point guards as well.

That doesn't matter anymore. Starting this year the scholarship cap was increased from 13 to the roster size cap of 15.

Looks like the Nikola Cvetinović Serbian connection paid off.

He looks quite serviceable. And big. 👍

Some video - https://youtu.be/VGIhM-8-Iow?si=SW4YG4p16q https://youtu.be/2Zv11wsbJCQ?si=zbm0_YVdVACPG6QMx2jNlu

Sounds like John's trip to Europe was fruitful. Anybody have more details?

I heard that he has already been replaced. Not sure by who.

The article states: "Reed comes to ODU after spending the 2024 season at Akron coaching the corners. Reed helped the Zips to their best season in seven years." That's really polishing the old turd.

This is really a shady thing for this coach and ODU to do. If an employee doesn't want to be around, don't let the door hit you where the good Lord split you.

Its what happens when you have the lowest budget in FBS.

Not a great look getting our coaches poached by a G5 program that has had 1 winning season in their 10+ years being FBS.

Happy as a 🐷 in 💩 🤣🤣

I like the Zips I'm this game. Wyoming was bad last year. I'm assuming Akron will be better than last year. Road game across the country for Wyoming is also a handicap for them. My way too early prediction, given no injuries during training camp for either team, Akron 33, Wyoming 28.

He may not be as athletically gifted as some of the other DL we have, but he has a relentless motor. I bet he sees the field simply because of that. Usually guys like that have a great work ethic.

The Zips made an appearance in the College Football 26 trailer. Turnover Tire!

He turned into a stud when I coached Pitt on CFB25