Captain Kangaroo

You never know how things ultimately play out, but that is the goal.

”Who are these guys?!” was the question I kept asking myself regarding The University of Akron’s 2018 Football Recruiting Class. The local newspapers gave Akron’s February 7th, 2018 National Signing Day virtually no print space. Northeast Ohio television stations all but ignored the event. And the various internet recruiting websites again focused their columns on the Power 5 programs. Aside from the noble efforts of a couple local AM radio sports talk personalities, the Zips signing day coverage fell well short of what a real fan wanted to learn about the class, and certainly beneath the coverage it merited. 2018 has a chance to be a great year for Zips football, and the kids bound to these 25 letters of intent have some really interesting storylines. So I thought I would head down to the Zips football offices and see if Head Coach Terry Bowden would give me a little time to discuss the class. Here’s what he had to say. Program Growth Generating a Bright Future

You sure they weren't talking about the basketball team?

Chuck said he needs something to do in his retirement, so I've offered him the position of Senior ZipsNation Sideline Correspondent. And, at triple my ZipsNation.org salary. Awaiting his reply.

Yep...that one is of a greater magnitude than the Gribben promotion.

I was on campus last week and had the chance to speak to Coach Bowden. I asked him about the addition of Marcus to the staff and here's what he had to say: "Because the local recruiting is so important to the success of our program, when running backs coach Eric Hickson left for Kansas State our goal was to fill the vacancy with a local guy. That guy is Marcus Wattley. Marcus went to Copley High School, played for The University of Akron, coached at Copley, and was then an assistant to Dan Boarman at St V for 9 years before becoming their head coach. He fit perfectly our goal of getting an outstanding, high character coach that knows the local community. Now that we’re a winning program, we have to do the best possible job of recruiting the local kids. Kids from St V come from all over the area, so I think Marcus’ hire really strengthens our position to best recruit northeast Ohio. Marcus has a lot of knowledge on the defensive side of the ball, so we’ll have him working with our defensive linemen and outside linebackers. I think we have about 8 guys on scholarship from St V, so obviously we’ve known Marcus for a long time." Trent Boykin will assume the duties of running back coach. A running back himself at YSU in the early 90's, he held that position for his first three years at Akron. Also - Kory Gribben was moved up from a grad assistant position to become the H-back coach. Congrats to Kory! Nobody noteworthy is leaving the Zips program or transferring out.

The Zips defense gets a bit of a boost this fall with the return of DL Devonte Jest, LB James King and Andy Jean Baptiste (6' 4" 270 lb DL). All three were at Hutchinson JC last season. Release

Joe and Luke Reunited

The Dukes lose again, this time 73-67 to St Bonaventure. That's 9 of their last 12 in the "L" column. Hope "Keith" took it easy on their elderly announcer tonight.

Lucky us...

From the Jets to the Redblacks?

Kent board abuzz for the big rivalry game.

Agreed. I'm tired of sweating out every XP kick, let alone the 28 yard FG's.

Jatavis needs to pick it up in 2018

Yeah...it would suck to reach the Elite 8.

For those keeping track - the Dukes have dropped 5 of their last 7, most-recently falling to the 10-12 Dayton Flyers by 15 last night (88-73). A big Fordham cupcake this weekend may be just what the doctor ordered for the former Zips HC?

With 7 scholarship players? No chance.

How many games would Dambrot have won last season if he'd lost Kwan, Noah, Antino, Big Dog, Poke and Dunn-Martin? That's about what Groce is up against right now. I liked what I saw from Groce and the kids when we had 75% of a full complement of scholarship players. But when we're down to 54% of the scholarship players everyone else has, you start to feel like the black knight in Monty Python's Holy Grail. We can can bleed on the opponent. But with no arms and one leg, that's about the only option we've got.

Now he's featured for 23 minutes per game on a 12-13 New Mexico team. Hope he's happy.

This is the first year in memory that there's no promotion of Signing Day.

@clarkwgriswold - you remember when you went on that vacation and forgot you'd tied Aunt Edna's dog Dinky to the station wagon bumper? Quoting the police officer - "The poor little guy probably kept up for a mile or so..." This ramshackle, snake bitten Zips squad bravely kept up this season ... until about the 00:30 mark of the second Ball State OT. Then the legs gave out. Excuse me while I go back and pick the carcass off the road.

Groce wasn't. Skip was.

Chase with the Panthers

I see it too...but to me it's just human nature. Every night we are facing teams that are bigger, stronger, more experienced, deeper...that beats you down. Utomi's points, rebounds and minutes are through the roof when compared to last season. He's worked really hard to improve himself, but he just doesn't have the supporting cast to win. And if you came to Akron to play basketball, your expectation is to win...a lot. That beats you down. Tough season for the players and fans. Hopefully the guys shake this mid-season malaise and get a couple wins to finish the regular season. A little confidence, and Sayles return, might get us a game in Cleveland? Seems impossible right now, but once you get past Toledo and Buffalo...the MAC ain't very good. A hot Utomi/Ivey/Duvivier can do some damage.

2 years at a lower division. 1 year at a D1 program. I don't see him leaving. Groce has raved about his work ethic and commitment all season. Now that's he's hit a little wall he's out the door? Not buying it.