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He's what I could glean my first look at the 2024 Zips - Ben Finley saw the field as the #2 QB behind Tahj Bullock. It won't be long before he assumes the #1 position. He hit receivers downfield, whether they were open or in traffic. He moves the chains. Looking forward to watching him in an upcoming scrimmage. Seems like a nice kid too. From observing the player interaction on the sidelines, the other players seem to like him. Finley tosses one deep. Finley reads the D. Myles Walker reels in a 40 yard TD pass from Finley. Noah Perez is still hanging around. Steele Wasel saw a fair amount of action. He seems more confident this season. More purposeful with his actions. It wouldn't shock me to see him pass Tahj as the #2 QB at some point. Tahj received a fair amount of PT Saturday, but seems to be a distant 2nd to Finley in the QB race. Steele tosses a screen pass. David Jester arrives too late to block a PAT. Look out for Bennett Adler this year. I thought he was somewhat of an unsung hero last season. Solid, durable. And sneaky-strong. I'd predict 5-6 sacks for him in 2024. #36 Dante Jackson handled most of the punting today. Very windy...you couldn't tell much from what came off his foot. Adrian Norton handled the punt return duties. With mixed results. He misjudged one that bounded over his head. Braydon Ruggow saw some action. As expected, he looked overwhelmed. Tossed a bad ball on an out pattern that should have been an INT. Missed a wide open seam route for a TD. Nowhere to go but up for him. 😀 Joe speaks to the 4 QB's who saw action today. A little chilly, but overall a really nice day for an outdoor scrimmage. I wish I had hair like Steele. Owen Wiley lines up for a PAT. Then, my camera battery died. Other notes - Finley pulled in a high snap and hit Adrian Norton on a quick slant for a 7(?) yard TD strike in the second half. Perfectly placed ball, and Norton showed nice hands pulling it in while also keeping his feet inbounds. After the play he took his helmet off and got flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct. Joe was pissed and stopped the practice to forcibly remind every player they can cost their team a game with their reactions to adversity, as well as prosperity. Not much news on the RB front. Marquese Williams saw a few carries. He's a little guy. In the post practice mid-field gathering Joe singled out Fish and McCoy as guys that have been outstanding so far. He also brought in three of his former players (not Zips) to say a few words to the guys. He also mentioned the portal opens on Monday, and if any player isn't fully committed to turning the Zips program into a winner, they should use it. Joe also voiced the players can't be thin-skinned. They need to listen to bad stuff in order to improve. Overall, to me, Joe's leadership style strikes a nice balance of being very direct and honest with the players, while also letting them know how much he cares about them and their success.

The coaches allegedly hate these games. And there's also a certain segment of fans who wish-away the season in anticipation of 3 days in Cleveland. And that's fine. I really enjoy "measuring stick" games against like-competition. This Groce team has a lot to prove. They completely whiffed in the early OOC schedule. Yeah they were on the road...yeah it was a new group of players that needed to gel....yeah the teams are near the top of their respective conferences...etc. etc. etc. We lost every. Single. One. If we are going to have a shot at winning a 1st round NCAA game, we need to not only challenge ourselves with a tough OOC schedule, we need to start beating some of these teams. It's been proven that whipping downtrodden Buffalo, pathetic EMU and soon-to-be-Horizon fodder NIU doesn't prepare the Zips for squat. The bracketbuster was great. How else could I drive 20 minutes south of Hudson to see Top 25 team in the JAR? Nevada, VCU...great mid-majors like Oral Roberts and Creighton? I've seen crappy BGSU teams for 30 years. It is refreshing to see someone like Arkansas State, South Alabama, James Madison, etc. on our schedule. Beat South Alabama handily at home, like we should, and grow a bit. Prove something. We've lost 80% of our measuring stick games in the past. We always have a great MAC record. We'll have another one in 2025. Outside of our SWAC and OAC cupcakes we have yet to really ascend in OOC games. We're Kings of the MAC...which is great...but that's been our ceiling for 20 years. I'm greedy. I want more. Beat South Alabama by 15, run roughshod over the MAC, and beat somebody in the Big Dance.

A few thoughts on last night's basketball celebration and reunion. The event was the brainchild of Karl Schwarzinger, former 70's player and huge supporter of Zip basketball. The night sold out. Tickets were $100 each plus fees. Approximately 220 were sold, but not attended. It was a class event. I asked if the proceeds were going to NIL. Karl said no, but they would go to the program. The team showed up. They are a great group of guys. Groce once said if you go to Akron you have to buy into our culture because we don't change for you. These players have bought in. They are very athletic and because of that, and no dominant low post player, for now, Groce said they will play faster and emphasize transition. All have bought into defense. Josiah Harris came over and introduced himself. He is very personable. I asked him how he liked the team and he was very optimistic they will keep Akron at the top of the MAC. I asked him why he came to Akron. He said he liked the program, Groce, the tradition and it got him closer to home (Canton). He loves the new practice facility. He thought it was equal to what he had at WVU. Tressel was there. You could not get to him as all the old, deep pocket supporters were always surrounding him. When he spoke he was typical Tressel. Joe Dunn asked him to comment on the changing world of college athletics. His answer was 5 minutes long and he said zero. My friend leaned over to me and said "that is why the media in Columbus called him the senator. He talked and talked and said nothing concrete." Huggins was asked to describe how he built Akron by Joe Dunn. Hugs answered he got guys who wanted to get better and would play defense. That's it. He has lost weight, but he now looks like a recluse or hermit: beard, long hair, slicked back. At my table were three players who played for him. To a man they all loved him as a coach and said he made them better every day. Bud Wentz talked. I thought he and Len Paul were the best speakers of the evening. Bud said he is having more fun with Akron basketball than any other time in his life. He said our NIL will aid in retaining players, not poaching them. Akron was one of the first schools to set up a collective. Bud contacted the lawyer who set up the first collective he knew about, for Arkansas baseball, and learned all he could about doing it right. His enthusiasm for the program, the coach and our future are very high. Len Paul, perhaps the best player to ever play for UA, spoke more from the heart. He said if he had it to do all over again he would still go to Akron. He loved Wyatt Webb and his teammates. Brian Westover, a 6'8" center on one of Len's teams told his wife that the reunion with his teammates was one of the best moments in his life. Len actually left a school in Texas to come to Akron. When Wyatt called him he was already in Texas but said send me a ticket and I'll be on your team. The rest is history. Guthrie was very circumspect about leading an athletic dept in these changing times. He noted he is talking more with lawyers that anyone else. He believes the MAC is the best place for UA. Our focus would be conference championships, not trying to find a seat with the big boys. He noted the AD's and presidents do not want to get into player bidding wars, which we will not win. Instead Akron needs to focus on retaining players thru offering a place that cares about them, builds personal relationships, gives them great facilities and educates them. He told me later NIL will play little role at Akron. Football has little, if any, NIL money to offer. Basketball has what it needs to hold our players. Finally, other administrators feel we need to be ready for a G5 championship. This was not said in any remarks by the speakers. There were many other speakers like Steve McNeese, Eric Mclaughlin, Dr. Climon Lee and Enrique Freeman. All talked glowingly about their time at Akron. Thru the eyes of these former players you realized we have a special place at UA, despite all its challenges. The last speaker was Groce. He captured the crowd. His thoughts on continuous improvement got you excited for the future. We were listening to someone who was ready to move the program still higher. And he knows how to do it. Another night like this is already scheduled for the last weekend in July 2025. The focus on using this weekend for all teams to reunite will be emphasized.

Last night everybody was a winner thanks to Bud Wentz. In the putting contest, a new target sign was revealed that was 50% larger and had no target hole. The announcers said all that was required to win the $10,000 prize was to hit the sign. The young lady contestant took aim and sent a straight putt right at it. Just as the ball got there, the helpers lifted the sign and the ball passed underneath. The contestant started to walk away but was informed she had indeed won $10,000! Bud was waiting with the check at the other end of the court. The shot for tuition contest took a similar twist. A student was selected as always who could win a semester of tuition by sinking a layup, a foul shot, a three point shot and a half court shot in 30 seconds. It was then announced there would be a substitute celebrity shooter. Ali Ali! He calmly sank the first three shots on his first attempt. After about 10 attempts he banked in the halfcourt shot and the crowd went wild! Kudos to Bud for thinking outside the box to make senior night special.

Just trying to see something. React if you are going to the game!

Who is QB1? I don’t think there’s much doubt Finley is the leading candidate. Finley makes quick decisions and throws a catchable ball. He also has enough mobility to be effective in the run game and when scrambling. Finley has played at a high level in the past, so there shouldn’t be many overwhelming moments for him at the G5 level. Bullock has not developed as much as I hoped. My take is that he is mentally processing too slowly because his physical tools are not lacking. He is still an asset to the offense due to his bruising running style and should be utilized in short yardage/goal line situations. Will Akron have much of a run game? Purely speaking about the running backs, the answer is yes. There is not a RB on the roster with the makeup of Lingard, however, all of the backs are made for RPO type offenses. What I mean by that is they have a rapid burst once the ball is in their hands and catch the ball well out of the backfield. They can make the first defender miss and have enough speed to create explosive plays. Who will replace All-MAC receivers George and Gathings? The first choice would be Norton. The true sophomore has the make-up to be an all-conference player in just his second season. If Adams is healthy, he will return to his role in the slot, leaving the typical third receiver position up for competition. It’s possible that player is not currently on the roster. Multiple offers have gone out during the spring. How about the OL? It’s still a work in progress, but the starters will likely resemble most of the first combination displayed in the Spring Game. They were facing a defensive front that is reasonably one of the better defensive fronts in the MAC, so it’s hard to say how much improvement has been made. What was clear was the increased athleticism as the offensive line (especially the tackles) were able to climb to the second level of the defense and give the run game room on the speed options and perimeter plays. Inside runs were harder to come by in the Spring Game. Is there a better defensive front in the MAC? Maybe, but not by much. Miami has one all-conference defensive lineman and two all-conference linebackers returning (Zips have Nunnally and McCoy), so they can lay claim to this title in the pre-season. Zips have impressive depth at defensive tackle and linebacker. The only question is at the backup defensive end spot. The 2023 JUCOs could step up or perhaps one of the redshirt/true freshmen will see significant time. How’s the secondary looking? Long, athletic, and physical. Coach Renna and former CBs coach Bell have done an excellent job recruiting and developing talent. The downside? There is a void of actual game experience outside of Golden-Nelson, D. Lewis, and a few of the transfers. There may be some growing pains early in the season, but this is a talented group that should be assisted by the excellent defensive front. What’s the status of the Special Teams? Jackson returns at punter and was solid in that role in 2023. Wiley was strong down the stretch on FGs and PATs. Zips received a commitment from an FCS Freshman All-American kicker in March. New long snappers will also be arriving soon. Is the roster complete? No. By my count there are currently about 5 open scholarships. Most of the recent offers have gone out to wide receivers and offensive linemen. The roster is in the best place it’s been since Moorhead’s arrival and this year’s spring portal options are much deeper than last year’s. There is a good chance a difference maker or two will be signed. Who are the new coaches? QB - Michael Shuster (Duke Grad Asst.) WR - JD Brookhart CB - Kresean Reed (Northern Arizona CBs) ST - Ryan Matviko (Offensive Analyst) Which MAC team has been hit the hardest by the portal? Ohio. The Bobcats have also brought in some players who should be quality replacements, but they will be heavily tested this year. A substantial drop off in wins from the previous two seasons would not be a surprise.

Enrique Freeman and Anjali Silverheels at the Pacers formal team dinner earlier this evening in Paris.

#10 Ben Finley is the hands down #1 QB. He began the scrimmage with a 20 yard pass to Adrian Norton, then a 30 yard TD to Norton. A severely blown coverage nets #88 TE Jake Newell an easy TD Ben sprinted to the endzone to celebrate The OL acquitted itself well today. The starters were #55 Blanchard, #58 Burrell, #56 Davis, #54 Williams and freshman Jayvin James at RT #15 Terrance Thomas broke up this pass intended for Adrian Norton. It was one of the few times Norton was stopped on Saturday morning. Isiah Jones made a nice over the shoulder TD catch in the back of the endzone. Boding well for the future, it came courtesy of a nice Brayden Ruggow toss. Jordon Simmons got a lot of PT today. He looks to be the #1A RB. Kellom looks to be #1B. Simmons breaks the goal line for a 10 yard TD. Tahj looked better today than in the spring, but there is no QB competition. He'll likely get some early season opportunities as we try to keep Finley as healthy as possible for MAC play. But he's entrenched at #2. Tahj moved the team down the field, but an ill-advised pass was snatched by Syracuse transfer Aman Greenwood and taken the distance for a pick 6! Like the Zips, the scoreboard remains a work in progress. Oddly enough, it's probably as effective right now as it was the past 2 seasons? Joe addresses the team after the scrimmage. Overall he was happy. He liked the physicality. I agree, as there were some hard hits, and tough running. It was a noticeable ramp up from the spring. He like that the defense generated 3 turnovers, and made several stops on 3rd and short. A few final words from the Coach before the players hit the shower. Owen Wiley hits a FG. We seem in MUCH better shape with special teams this year. The FG/XP holds were flawless. #47 and #99 hit some solid FG's. #99 and #36 both nailed KO's into the endzone. #95 Castle had some great punts. #37 Garrison Smith (McNees State transfer) kicked two second half FG's (both < 30 yards). Hoban's Grant Gainer pulls in a swing pass from Brayden Ruggow and waltzes into the endzone. #3 Jarvis Rush (Jr. JUCO from Mississippi) eyes a deep ball from Ben Finley... ... and pulls it in for the TD! A guy I am very high on is #9 Paul Lewis III (Safety). He's all over the place on coverage, physical against the run, fun personality...you will LOVE him. Shown here dapping up #13 Rodrick Hunter. Adrian Norton, celebrating after a Finley TD pass, can't be stopped in 2024. He seems to be Finley's go-to guy. He has great hands, and uses his body to shield-off defenders really well. #7 Alex Adams showed so much promise 2 seasons ago. If he could regain his 2022 form, the Zips could have a hell of an aerial attack. Other notes: Marquese Williams, the Minnesota transfer, seems to be the #3 RB. #29 Jordan Castleberry got some carries, and also scored a TD. Starting DL was #95 Andre Proffit, #90 Demitri Madden (UTEP), #16 Fr. Dahvon Frazier and #94 Kabbash Richards Bennett Adler is wearing #1 this year!?

I was able to attend today's scrimmage. It was offense (blue)/defense (white), just like last week. Below are some notes and pics - #15 Ben Finley continues to impress. Had a couple nice TD tosses. Zips fans will find this kid an absolute breath of fresh air. Unflappable...doesn't get rattled after a bad pass or a WR drop. Accurate. A different level of QB than we've seen in an Akron uniform for a while. You will all love him. Ben can run if needed...but we gotta keep this kid healthy. Ben zips one over the middle. Tahj started the scrimmage. Other than a couple spot appearances by Wassel and Ruggow towards the end of practice, he and Ben split the reps. In the right situations, Tahj is dangerous. He was wearing the "can't hit me" green jersey today, so rushing attempts aren't all that informative...but he obviously is a handful for a defense when he decides to use his feet. Steele got only a series or two, but did toss a TD. Ruggow got one series. He'll definitely benefit from a redshirt. Not a knock on him...he's just got a lot to learn. #22 Charles Kellom had a great day. He looks like he will definitely contribute this year. Two receiving TD's! (this one off a Finley swing pass). Nice TD celebration by Charles & Co. #22 pulled in a 35 yard TD on a 3rd and 18 from Ben Finley. This was Steele's 5 yard TD toss to Adrian Norton. At the 5 yard line, lined up behind redshirt Fr. TE Aiden Diaz, Hester scampered around the left tackle for a rushing TD. Hester had 2 TDs today, and the OL lifted the diminutive RB to the sky. #17 Justin Campbell, a Ball State transfer, had a couple nice grabs, including this one over the middle from Tahj. The defense made some big plays today. Here, #11 Davonte Golden-Nelson jars the ball loose for a turnover. Here you go, @taylormade28 🦾 Big Ben meets with Soph. WR Paul Davis and Charles Kellom after Kellom's long TD reception. Steele Wasel had the "best hair award" last week. Hester nabs the honor this week. Great day for Blake. He got a lot of opportunities, and delivered the goods with a couple TDs. This OL sat out todays scrimmage. A familiar face is again prowling the Akron sideline. The scrimmage concluded with a pick six of Tahj Bullock by #13 Freshman Rodrick Hunter! Joe was as positive as I've ever heard an Akron coach after the practice. He emphasized he felt they got better today. He told the team they should be very pleased with how they executed. Pleased, but not satisfied.

Nice gesture by the Cavs.

I wanted to touch on most of the potential starters. Not mentioned are many new players in backup roles who may also work their way into significant action. QUARTERBACK - California transfer Ben Finley was clearly the best QB in the spring game and seems to have solidified his position as the starter through fall camp. Tahj Bullock (former Virginia Tech transfer) will be the backup and participate in situational packages. RUNNING BACK - Michigan State transfer Jordan Simmons will likely be the starter and split snaps with redshirt sophomore Charles Kellom. WIDE RECEIVER - 2022 1st Team All-MAC Alex Adams (former LSU transfer) will reprise his role in the slot, if healthy. True sophomore Adrian Norton is set for a breakout season. The third receiver spot could be claimed by a number of players. Juniors Bobby Golden and Myles Walker will see significant playing time. Newcomers Jarvis Rush (JUCO) and Ahmarian Granger (Old Dominion/JMU) should also push for significant roles. TIGHT END - After coming on strong late in the 2023 season, Jake Newell (former Arizona State transfer) will claim the starting spot. The top backup will be Missouri transfer Max Whisner. OFFENSIVE LINE - This is an area that could feature a number of different players. The top offensive tackles are Josh Blanchard (former South Florida transfer), redshirt freshman Jayvin James, NC Central transfer Da’Quan Thomas, and Alabama/UCONN transfer Dayne Shor. The guards are Miami(FL) transfer Laurence Seymore, redshirt sophomore Keylen Davis, redshirt junior Colin Lyons, and JUCO Jerrod Burrell. Center should be filled by either redshirt sophomore Tyhler Williams or JUCO Alex Fox. DEFENSIVE LINE - 1st Team All-MAC CJ Nunnally (former JUCO) will start at one end, while senior Bennett Adler will start on the opposite side. Lama Lavea (former New Mexico State transfer) returns as a starter at defensive tackle. The other tackle spot will be occupied by either New Hampshire transfer Nathan Kapongo or true sophomore Marcus Moore. LINEBACKER - A deep linebacker corps returns three players that started over the course of 2023 in 3rd Team All-MAC Bryan McCoy, Antavious Fish (former JUCO), and Shammond Cooper (former Illinois transfer). DEFENSIVE BACK - Devontae Golden-Nelson (former Memphis transfer) has one cornerback spot locked up. The opposite CB spot could be filled by either Joey Hunter (former South Carolina transfer), redshirt freshman Catrell White, JUCO Justin Anderson, or JUCO Iesa Jarmon. Darrian Lewis returns at Nickelback. Safety will likely be a rotation between Cornell transfer Paul Lewis, Oregon transfer Daymon David, and Syracuse transfer Aman Greenwood. SPECIAL TEAMS - Owen Wiley returns at kicker and will be challenged by McNeese State transfer Garrison Smith. Punter Dante Jackson (former JUCO) has competition with Augustana transfer Avery Book.

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Step away from the bridges people. These things happen every season. The other MAC teams have figured out how to attack the Zips reliance on the 3 point shot. It was all a matter of time. This team has the coaching and talent to adapt to how they are now being defensed and will respond. Groce, Ford and a staff will figure this out and the players have the experience, maturity and leadership to carry it out. They've lost one game in 2025. It's not time to shake up the lineup or the rotations. Pay attention to who is in the game at crunch time, not who plays the first 5 minutes. That will show you who Groce trusts.

I never met Gerry in person. Only attended one of his games, when Terry Forbes' McKinley team whooped Moeller in the snow at the Rubber Bowl for the OHSAA title. However I know what a truly fine man he was. I attended the Notre Dame game versus Hawai'i at Aloha Stadium in the early '90s. Several Notre Dame fans saw my AKRON ZIPS cap and came up to tell me we were fortunate to have a great guy and leader of men as our football coach! But an even more personal story occurred around that same time just around 1990 or '91. I used to call a service that you would call on your land-line phone and listen to college basketball and football games -- it was HQ'ed in Akron. Well after a while I got the idea it would be cheaper to call Akron's radio station myself (WHLO then) and listen to the games. I called and they would put me on hold so I could hear the broadcast. About the third time I called the receptionist asked for my phone number. I thought she meant in case I was cut off she could call back. But about a week later I got a call about 5:00 Hawai'i time (10 or 11 in the evening in Ohio. After answering, the voice on the other end said "Hello, this is coach Gerry Faust. I hear you've been calling the station to hear our games! I just wanted to thank you for being such a great fan". I almost peed my pants! Again, late at night a college football coach makes a cold call to a stranger to just say thanks. That's the kind of guy Gerry Faust was!

I don't think we've got a general preseason 2024 thread going yet, so I'll post this here.

It's happening.

I know it’s been mentioned already, but kudos to Groce & Co. for green lighting the Evan Wilson start. Very nice.

OFFENSE QB: Finley Bullock - We are one of the few teams (maybe the only team) in the MAC returning their starting quarterback. Bullock will be the backup if he returns. If not, Roggow should be QB2. RB: Gant (Portal) Gee (Portal) - Transfers Gant and Gee should be the top backs initially. Redshirt freshman Patrick is the dark horse and may push for starting snaps sooner than later WR: Granger Mason WR: Polk Davis WR: Walker Hills (Portal) - The development of Granger and Polk in the back half of the season gives reason for optimism. Those two seem primed for a big year. If Adams returns (and is healthy) he’d be a nice boost. I really like the pickup of Hills from the portal. He’s the type of receiver who can excel in this offense and I think he’ll quickly work his way into the rotation. Redshirt freshman Mason is another one to keep an eye on. TE: Newell Cravaack - Newell was on pace to be 3rd team All-MAC before injuries sidelined him for a few games. However, Newell’s absence allowed Cravaack to gain substantial snaps. Cravaack became a fixture in the rotation once he had an opportunity. This duo should be one of the best in the conference. LT: Shor Johnson (Portal) LG: Archer (Portal) Fox C Morris McManus RG: Davis Mitchell RT: Jones (Portal) Mann - It’s really anyone’s guess who will be starting come kickoff. We lost some key players to the portal, but this group still has the potential to be solid. Coach JRod has had the OL on an upward projection regardless of who has been slotted along the line. We have some talented young players and a number of this year’s linemen will have previously spent time at JUCO. DEFENSE DE: Durham (Portal) Cheatom DE: Dall Frazier - Replacing Nunnally won’t be easy. That said, Durham ought to immediately be able to pick up some of the workload. The young players that are expected to play heavily into the rotation have high ceilings. DT: Murphy Hull DT: Brockington Madden - This position should have produced more than it did in 2024. Moore and Kapongo ended up being the only truly productive DTs once Lavea went down and we really didn’t have much of a pass rush from the interior. The DTs collected only 3.5 sacks as a group. The best talent here is the younger players. This position still needs addressing and 3-4 more interior linemen will be added. LB: Hollobaugh (Portal) Benenge LB: Spriggs Boswell - Similar to DE, this is a talented group, but most of the talent is younger and lacking experience. Hollobaugh should be an immediate starter and if Summers returns, that would help. I think Spriggs is in line for a breakout year. He has the physical tools and seems close to putting it all together. NB: Lewis Greenwood - Lewis and Greenwood return and will rotate at safety when needed. CB: Reed Branch (Portal) CB: Kamara (Portal) DeWalt - Reed was our best CB besides Golden-Nelson. Kamara should immediately slot in as the CB opposite Reed. If DeWalt can become more consistent, that would give us an incredibly long and athletic group to match up against opposing wide receivers. S: David Hunter S: Anderson D. Johnson - This group was inconsistent, at times, due to lack of experienced depth. David and Anderson will likely be the starters. Redshirt freshman Hunter may push his way into starting snaps. SPECIAL TEAMS K: Wiley Schramm P: Castle LS: Rhoades Special teams listed are returners and I’m assuming will step into starting roles. However, I imagine a few more specialists will be added.

Joe did what he was told. The customer is always right. During the selection process there were better designs. More clever designs. And Guthrie forced his lame, amateur Graphic Designer effort on us. Beyond that, he fixed a problem that didn’t exist, when he should have been focusing on real problems. Yay…he rearranged the deck chairs on the Titanic. There’s a reason the guy’s gone, and it isn’t because anyone was impressed with his graphic designer capabilities. Hope our next AD isn’t a putz. Based upon history there’s a 75% chance he/she/they will be.

Years ago...maybe during the Brookhart era...we were playing Kent (at Kent). The Zips were forced to punt from their own endzone late in the 4th quarter. If Kent just let the punt drop on the field, they could run out the clock and win the game. The Kent return man tried to field the ball, dropped it, the Zips recovered and won the game. Completely improbable. This era of Zips football reminds me of that Kent team. Or the Morgan State team that could have beaten the Zips last year if they just took a knee instead of running it and giving the Zips a scoop 6 on the ensuing fumble. The Zips do stupid things. Incomprehensibly botched executions of fundamentals. And it is repeatable. Dropped handoffs to close-out games against CMU and Buffalo 2 years ago. Missed 31 yard FG's to beat Indiana. Three turnovers + a turnover on downs against Buffalo last week...in the first quarter! Weekly fumbled punts... If you're a Zips opponent, just hang around long enough against them and they'll beat themselves.

Zips basketball TOMORROW!

Groce did a good job explaining that our OOC schedule this season features some of the best mid-major programs this season. Ark St, St Mary's, N Kentucky and Milwaukee are all predicted to be March madness contenders. Sit back and enjoy the ride. By March we will be there too.

A friend of mine is a financial planner. He submitted a 30 day notice to leave for another job (customary notice in his industry). He was due a bonus at the end of his term. The employer told him he was free to leave immediately. He said "Ok. I still get my bonus, right?" The employer said "no." So my friend decided he was going to stay the entire 30 days. His new employer wasn't expecting him to start for a month anyhow. The old employer subsequently stuck him in a warehouse with a card table for 30 days. My friend dutifully sat at his card table in the warehouse for 30 days, and ultimately got his bonus. I feel Guthrie is treating Moorhead is a similar manner. If/when Moorhead departs, be very scared of the next coach Guthrie hires. It has a very good chance of being much, much worse. The uneducated person with say "How can it be worse...Joe's only winning 2 games per year?" Trust me, it can.

I think it was a good, thorough assessment of the team. Zips fans will like Finley. He has some of Charlie Frye's traits, with the ability to both run and pass. He is slight of build, so hopefully he knows how to slide too. If he gets time in the pocket, he will hit WR's downfield. The Nunnaly, Fish, McCoy trio is our best hope to slow down Ohio State. They are three Big 10 caliber players. Bennett Adler looks to be in great shape. He's my all-MAC sleeper pick. Our OL is a complete unknown. I hope they surprise me. Their performance, and the injury bug, at the two most critical factors in the 2024 Zips going 3-9, or 6-6. We'll hit on 70% of our FG's this season. Who kicks them remains to be seen. I see Norton as the #1 WR this season. Adams is a question mark. He was not a factor in the scrimmages I watched. I think the other guys are solid, and Finley will have no problem finding open WR's to throw to. I like our DL in MAC play. Good size, depth and experience. CB's are a small concern. I like our safeties. If Kellom and Simmons stay healthy, we will be better at RB than last year. Both are capable of seamlessly replacing Lingard, and upgrades over Anderson. The fun starts on Saturday. Hope we get out of it injury-free, while having punched the Buckeye's in the nose a couple times.

Parking passes are now included for all season ticket holders. This is for every sport.

Just throwing this out there. We need QB depth, we've been "ass" for several years, and General Booty is available. Perfect fit if you ask me.

I just got home. I am: 1) hoarse from screaming; 2) exhaausted; and 3) damn proud to be a Zips fan. We had an obnoxious Kent State fan in front of us rooting for Miami who about 8 minutes on said it was over. As the clock expired I leaned in, grabbed him by the shoulder, and said "I thought you said it was over about an hour and a half ago." It very mush enjoyed that.

Tonight will be the 12th time in the last 18 seasons (minus 2020) that Akron will play in the MAC Championship game. We've been fortunate to have great coaches and players to make it all possible.

I plead complete naivety on this one, I’ve been to the JAR countless times, but is the state of the JAR really a deal breaker for Groce? Or is this primarily a fan issue. Groce doesn’t care about the seating and bleachers does he? If he wins we come, when he plays Kent we come. It has nothing to do with recruiting as he’s proven already with the retention he’s had and the portal guys he’s brought in, many coming from places with top notch facilities. Sure a refurbished or brand new facility shows a deep level of commitment but it could also drain resources from elsewhere. I would think, in no particular order, salaries for his asst pool, NIL, funding for travel/tournaments, nutrition and perks for the athletes, and commitment from the University on things Bud has been paying for e.g. marketing AND ongoing operational support at the highest levels of the MAC are the things that would be much more relevant to him staying or going.

Evan - Waved a great towel. Embraced his role as an energy guy on the bench. A very underrated shooter when given the chance. He'd have have seen PT in Groce's Akron Year #1 and acquitted himself well. Decent all around player for a walk on. Fun kid to root for. Seth - Short, streaky, stocky 3-point specialist. Unwavering confidence in his shot. Not such a great defender. If the Zips were to get in the Big Dance, he'd need to go on a heater if we are to have any chance of winning a game. Good 1-year portal addition. Isaiah - Good blue-collar player. Jack of all trades. Decent rebounder, decent 3-point shooter, decent ball handler. Confident, veteran presence. Good attitude. Gets into trouble driving the lane...not as good a ball handler as he thinks he is. Doesn't necessarily finish at the rim all that well. Never lacks effort. Never sulks.

I ran a department meeting this morning infront of about 100 people all over the country. We do a random multiple choice question in this meeting where the first 3 correct answers get a gift card. The question? Who has longest winning streak in men’s bball. Felt good man.

Great gesture from Indiana. Imagine telling Enrique 5 years ago he'd have an NBA All Star and Olympic Gold Medalist at his high school jersey dedication.

Involvement with Athletics: Initially supported football by sponsoring coaches' shows and gradually became involved with basketball and other sports. Built strong relationships with coaches and administrators to enhance facilities and support athletes. Basketball Player Development Center: Opened after years of planning, with construction delayed by COVID-19. Features state-of-the-art facilities such as a full court, shot tracking systems, film review rooms, and advanced coaching tools. Designed to help attract and develop elite athletes while freeing up space for other sports. Philanthropic Efforts: Wentz's family foundation supports various causes, including children's hospitals and local schools. Partnered with the NFL to build sports facilities in local schools. Perspectives on NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness): Advocates NIL as a tool for retaining and recruiting top talent, helping Akron Athletics compete on a national level. Believes NIL offers significant potential for community involvement in college sports but acknowledges it needs more regulation. Basketball Aspirations: Aims to take Akron basketball to new heights, such as achieving a Sweet 16 berth in the NCAA Tournament, which could benefit university enrollment and visibility. Personal Insights: Shared memorable moments as a basketball fan, including his passion for supporting Akron sports. Discussed his Mount Rushmore of Akron basketball players, highlighting legends like Xavier Castaneda, LCJ, Big Dawg, and Enrique Freeman.

"Looking ahead, rookie two-way forward Enrique Freeman is a name to watch as a standard NBA contract conversion candidate after the trade deadline, league sources told HoopsHype."

Good episode. Touches a little on everything. Even addressed the shaving “issue.”

That actually made me laugh. Ive given stats about the game which were shot down. And now facts about recruiting that’s been shot down. I could debunk the “smaller players” statement with size stats that I’m sure would also get shot down. So not going to bother. When facts are ignored, it’s not worth my time to continue the conversation.

https://www.topdrawersoccer.com/article/?categoryId=21&articleId=53982&articleTitle=best-of-mens-college-soccer-week-ten Player to Watch: Emil Jaaskelainen, Akron He is far from a secret, but what Jaaskelainen is doing this season deserves an isolated look. The graduate senior leads the country with 20 goals, six more than anyone else. Add the seven assists, and Jaaskelainen leads with 47 points, 14 more than the closest competitor. The British forward has been the best striker in college soccer while also peaking at the perfect time, with 17 of those goals coming in the last nine matches for the Big East regular season champions. Identified as a preseason transfer to watch, adding the two-time NEC Player of the Year from Long Island has clearly been a success for the Akron Zips. It must be the tips he learned from his father, Jussi Jaaskelainen, an English Premier League goalkeeping legend who played more than 800 matches.

Old Clarky is researching as we speak! I may have to travel to Jonesboro, Arkansas. Everyone should feel free to Venmo me some funds to assist in the costs of this trip. The Venmo account is under SendClarkietoTahiti@venmo.com.

Wonderful piece from the Players' Tribune by former Zip Darlington Nagbe- https://www.theplayerstribune.com/posts/darlington-nagbe-mls-soccer-crew

The LED nodes are being installed this week. Testing will commence shortly after. The board should be operational for the home opener.

For those who are curious, a quote from the site- Established in 2023, the Summit Circle recognizes those that make a financial investment of $25,000 or more, in addition to their ticket donations, to Akron Athletics. Investors in the Summit Circle make multi-year pledges that are crucial to the long-term financial success of our athletics program. Kudos to the Groces for doing this. This is something every coach who makes big money from the school should do. I promise to be a Summit Circle member when the university pays me $650K.

Here is a chance to make your voice heard. https://s1430320.t.en25.com/e/es?s=1430320&e=908&elqTrackId=efd74c1a1b7a40299e524d6e5aa03bea&elq=b4d1a9c4e33f4fb3a139a523b669c278&elqaid=145&elqat=1