Captain Kangaroo

The NIT has dropped from 40 teams to 32 teams for this coming year. I guarantee one of those 8 slots went to a MAC school in the past.

I feel so guilty. I graduated from UA but didn't end up working there. I think I may form a support group...me and the other couple thousand people that do so every year. Matt Newhouse was the best. He was one of the original student posters on our board. He should get a ton of credit for generating student enthusiasm for athletics at a school where it was once thought impossible. He did more as a grad student than most of the paid "professionals" that preceeded him. Looking forward to our future games with FSU now that we have an "insider!"

I don't think Toledo needs to expain too much regarding their recruits. They've sustained a high level of success for longer than anyone in the MAC. Saban, Pinkel, Amstutz...they plug in a new coach and roll on. You can't do that without great athletes.I look forward to playing them this season. It's been too long.BTW: I was at the Rubber Bowl the last time we played Toledo. We scored a TD to bring us within 10 points late in the 4th quarter. Rather than go for two, Owens kicked the extra point, leaving it a 9-point, 2-possession game. I never thought I'd see a dumber coaching move in my life...until I saw Owens on-side kick vs. Liberty when we were up 41-14.

Someone help me here...The list of BCS shools MAC teams has recently beaten (in the 90's and beyond) is pretty extensive. Off the top of my head I can recall:Iowa, Minnesota, Pitt, Northwestern, Kansas State, Alabama, South Carolina, Maryland, Penn State, Indiana, Clemson and Iowa State. I'm intentionally leaving off the Rutgers', Kentucky's, Navy's, Army's, Cincinnati's and UConn's of the world, although these BCS schools have recently fallen to MAC teams too.There's probably at least 10 other very respectable BCS schools that MAC teams have recently beaten. Don't sell the MAC short just because you/we were stuck with Gerry Faust and Lee Owens for 18 years. The rest of the MAC has fared pretty well as of late.

I can't reveal a source, but it's very solid information.

It looks very good that Ryan Brinson will enroll at The University of Akron this fall. Brinson was highly recruited out of Canton McKinley and had verballed to West Virginia last season. He instead attended a Hargrave Academy. Brinson will have three years eligibility, beginning Fall 2007.Click and Watch Your Eyes Pop Out!

This is where we did our damage the past two PSU games. They sell Rolling Rock ponies by the case in the basement. Old wooden bench seats. Dark. Everything a college bar should be! There is a good mix of alumni and students here. PSU fans have treated us very well in the past. Wear your Akron gear and you'll have a great time. And if you drink the Rolling Rock - Bring your Tylenol.

• Zac Derr interrupted the Lord's work to try to earn a spot on the Atlanta Falcons roster.The former Akron kicker is in divinity school at Trinity Evangelical. The 27 year old was impressive in an April workout.He last kicked for the Dallas Cowboys, but was released in 2002 without playing a game."I don't know if I'll play in the NFL for five more minutes or the next 10 years,'' Derr told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "What is really in my heart is to serve the local church. If football is in the plans for me, then that's fantastic.''

I don't know of any other non-qualifiers. I do know Lemon is already on campus, working out.I hear Robinson's grades are ok. His weight is as good as it is going to get. The combination of Robinson, Reid and Gonzales will be as imposing a from three as there's been in the MAC in some time. From what I hear, Robinson's playing time will be proportional to how hard he works. He needs to bust his butt and keep his ego in check and he will be fine. Can he do that? Beats me. We'll see in September.

Zips Blips for July 2006Dry in JulyNot much going on football-wise for the Zips at this time. Things will begin to heat up when camp opens in early August. Here are the answers to a few questions several of us have posed over the past few weeks.Comings and GoingsOn the way out are Frank Berchie and Josh Kiner. Berchie, a Lee Owens recruit, wasn’t satisfied with his spot on the RB depth chart. Last I heard, Kiner is transferring to Villanova with designs on their Architecture program. I don’t know whether or not he’ll play football. On the way in are preferred walk-ons Demetrius Benjamin (LB) from Steubenville and AJ Harris (DB) from Columbus Brookhaven. Benjamin played in the Ohio North/South game.Also on the way in is Johnny Peyton, who will likely transfer from South Florida to Akron. It looks pretty much like a done deal.2006 HS Recruits On-campus in July Include:Aaris Reed (already taking classes), David Harvey, Dantley Kline, Mickey Baker, Delvin Davis, Igor Iveljic, Smith, Lemmon and AJ Harris. There may be others, but that’s who I know at this time.2006 OL recruit Mark Jackson will attend a prep school this fall. As stated elsewhere on ZipsNation, Jerrel Stoudemire is a non-qualifier. He is expected to be on campus in a couple weeks. Zips fans should cross their fingers regarding his commitment to the books, because the DL in 2007 will be pretty thin without him.2007 RecruitsNot to belabor the point, but Vincent Hill is a solid verbal for the 2007 class. He had offers from Maryland and UConn, amongst others.Three Zips are already confirmed for the 2007 recruiting class (Royal, Hill and Pride). The Zips expect one…maybe two additional recruit verbals by summer’s end. Injury FrontChevin Pace, Jemall Benjamin, Elliot Bates and Chris Brown’s injuries are all healing well and all are expected to be good-to-go in September.Bad News/Good NewsHulking Minnesota transfer Jason Sekinger (OL) was not granted eligibility for 2006. However, he will have 4 full years to play beginning in 2007.Wide Receiver SituationJabari is obviously the clear #1 WR. Johnny Long goes into summer camp as a leading candidate for #2. However, Jermaine Lindsay and David Harvey will push hard for playing time. Lindsay and Harvey are thought to be the two most talented freshman on the Zips roster, regardless of position. Look for an early, immediate impact from one or both of these guys.That’s all for today, Zips fans.

Zips Blips for July 2006Dry in JulyNot much going on football-wise for the Zips at this time. Things will begin to heat up when camp opens in early August. Here are the answers to a few questions several of us have posed over the past few weeks.Comings and GoingsOn the way out are Frank Berchie and Josh Kiner. Berchie, a Lee Owens recruit, wasn’t satisfied with his spot on the RB depth chart. Last I heard, Kiner is transferring to Villanova with designs on their Architecture program. I don’t know whether or not he’ll play football. On the way in are preferred walk-ons Demetrius Benjamin (LB) from Steubenville and AJ Harris (DB) from Columbus Brookhaven. Benjamin played in the Ohio North/South game.Also on the way in is Johnny Peyton, who will likely transfer from South Florida to Akron. It looks pretty much like a done deal.2006 HS Recruits On-campus in July Include:Aaris Reed (already taking classes), David Harvey, Dantley Kline, Mickey Baker, Delvin Davis, Igor Iveljic, Smith, Lemmon and AJ Harris. There may be others, but that’s who I know at this time.2006 OL recruit Mark Jackson will attend a prep school this fall. As stated elsewhere on ZipsNation, Jerrel Stoudemire is a non-qualifier. He is expected to be on campus in a couple weeks. Zips fans should cross their fingers regarding his commitment to the books, because the DL in 2007 will be pretty thin without him.2007 RecruitsNot to belabor the point, but Vincent Hill is a solid verbal for the 2007 class. He had offers from Maryland and UConn, amongst others.Three Zips are already confirmed for the 2007 recruiting class (Royal, Hill and Pride). The Zips expect one…maybe two additional recruit verbals by summer’s end. Injury FrontChevin Pace, Jemall Benjamin, Elliot Bates and Chris Brown’s injuries are all healing well and all are expected to be good-to-go in September.Bad News/Good NewsHulking Minnesota transfer Jason Sekinger (OL) was not granted eligibility for 2006. However, he will have 4 full years to play beginning in 2007.Wide Receiver SituationJabari is obviously the clear #1 WR. Johnny Long goes into summer camp as a leading candidate for #2. However, Jermaine Lindsay and David Harvey will push hard for playing time. Lindsay and Harvey are thought to be the two most talented freshman on the Zips roster, regardless of position. Look for an early, immediate impact from one or both of these guys.That’s all for today, Zips fans.

I have a cousin living in the Raleigh area who supplied the following information:The Brownstone Hotel is near main campus and downtown (shopping, restaurants, etc), but not near the stadium. The hotel within walking distance of the stadium is a Comfort Suites. But, if you are going to drive to the game and tailgate anyhow, then it won't matter too much. There is basically one big lot they direct tailgaters into (between the state fairgrounds and the stadium area).Game time is at noon, so it could be Kegs-n-Eggs @8am?

We tailgated in a grassy area very near the stadium two years ago. I'll need to check with my PSU grad friend to find out the directions to the lot (things were a bit fuzzy the morning we opened up camp and I forget the specifics ). I will let everyone know. The proximity to the stadium was great, and it was a really nice, wide open area.

FWIW: There was a published plan from Mike Waddell's group to include the Can't game in the Zips season ticket plan. The new UA Marketing crew nixed that idea.Don't buy your Can't tickets ahead of time. Their stadium will be empty and there will be a ton of freebies floating around.

We'll have a group of about 16 Zips fans...maybe 20. Hope we can hook up. It is a great place both Friday night and game day. 0

I don’t think it is physically possible to clarify every misconception regarding the ZipsNation and Terry Pluto/The Beacon. I will give it a shot.The ZipsNation has several issues with the Beacon. They include:Lack of Zips athletic coverageShoddy Zips athletic coverage, if coverage is actually givenDespite what many at the Beacon think, Zips fans don’t care about the coverage OSU gets in the Beacon, as long as the Zips get equal billing…or better, since this is an Akron-based paper. Zips fans realize covering OSU sells papers in Akron. Zips fans realize the Beacon isn’t a non-profit organization and as such needs income to survive. With all the OSU fans in the area, it makes total sense to give OSU solid coverage. But not at the Zips expense.The Beacon says, “When the Zips do something, we’ll cover it.” Then why was there minimal/negligible coverage of Zips football on signing day? We had the #1 class in the MAC for the second consecutive year, and got no press whatsoever. In our hometown paper? The defending Conference Champs? How is that explainable? Why does the Beacon not send a reporter on a bus to MAC road games? That’s a bitch slap to Akron fans. The worst part is: The Beacon used to cover the Zips well. I still have the Beacon from Signing Day 2000, the class that included Charlie Frye. Pluto wrote a great article on Frye’s HS career. There were several other nice columns in that paper regarding other Zips signees. Even one on Rick McFadden, who had signed with OSU. Enron stock hasn't eroded like the Beacon's Zips coverage.Do the participants on this board hate everything Terry Pluto writes? No. He’s an excellent writer when he writes something he knows well. He knows the Browns. He knows basketball. His book on the ABA is great. He knows the Indians. He has some national renown and it is deserved. BUT – The reason people on this board have a problem with him is he always sells the University short. That’s why he never said a word as Dan Hipshers’ teams crashed and burned every season. That’s why he never said a word as Coleman Crawford nearly killed the basketball program prior to Hipsher. That’s why he clamored to keep Lee Owens, despite his inability to make an opponent punt for 9 consecutive seasons. And on and on and on….Pluto wants the Zips to have a 20,000 seat stadium. That’s absolutely absurd for a Division 1 football program. He says North Texas State is EXACTLY the type of team Akron should be playing. In the context of his column he’s saying the Zips have no business playing teams like Penn State, NC State and Cincinnati, and should schedule more teams like NTSU. NTSU is a good non-BCS program, as is Akron. They are similar in that respect. The game this season will be competitive. But Akron will compete well vs. NC State. NC State is a team that finished 6-6 last season and had 3 first round draft picks. I like JD’s chances vs. a crappy coach like that. Cincinnati is worse than NTSU but we shouldn’t play them? Toledo, BG, Miami, Marshall…all these schools can do it, but Akron can’t? Come on.The money points Pluto made in his most recent column regarding scheduling had no place therein. They were way off base. Does the 2006 schedule suck? Pretty much. I would have learned a lot if Pluto had described how it came to be. Not PSU, NC State and Cincinnati, but the MAC schedule. How do the Zips get three home games in November? And, two of those are on WEEKDAYS! How is the University supposed to get season tickets up if the MAC is going to screw us like that? Who was responsible?It is a benefit to play the home-stretch games at home. We should win each of those games. That advantage is far from a disaster. But attendance will be a fraction of what it would have been had the games been held on Saturdays. Or with better weather.Pluto’s name carries a lot of weight in the area. Hence when he says something, right or wrong, many buy into it. While 80% of his “disaster” column was accurate, the remaining 20% was his same old “poor little University of Akron” stuff that I really can’t handle. Rasor – I love your blog. Seems like everyone does. It is a great information source and always well written. But until something changes, the Beacon will continue to be the fingernails on the chalkboard of my existence.

He's a non-qualifier. He has submitted his paperwork and is expected to be on campus this fall, but he will not be eligible to play football.

Forgive me if I'm not shocked. Then why does such an accomplished writer make so many inane, obviously inaccurate points? The schedule as a whole does not get the people to flock to the Rubber Bowl. 1-2 start means nothing. We got 15,000 to travel to Detroit last year and we started the season like crap. Most all MAC teams will begin the season with a losing record after 3 games. That's primarily because the BCS schools won't play us on our home field. Those people are ass-clowns. T-P needs to stick to what he does best...feel-good stories about local HS kids...the Browns...the Indians. Remember - This is the same guy who stated "I think the Zips new stadium should seat 20,000." That's a guy that knows a ton about Division 1 football. T-P is an excellent writer...when he writes about something he knows about or has thoroughly researched. He thinks so little of U of A ahtletics that he doesn't need to research anything. He just types out his blather off the top of his head and the Akron sheep who don't know better just follow along. He is the sheep's voice for U of A athletics, even though he only dabbles in it once evey two months. If Terry Pluto can find fault with any of my points in the above-listed posts, he is welcome to drop us a line.

The article stating he didn't yet commit is dated July 5th. The articles stating he commited were written within the past week.Ok, well, that's good news. I confirmed his verbal today. The article stating he was in Akron with his dad is accurate. He is a strong verbal for the Zips. Thanks to the Zips staff for bringing such a quality student athlete into the program. Matt Cherry should cherish his records while they're there...this new crop of WR's is really going to do some damage in the MAC over the next few years!BTW: Love to Matt...one of my all-time favorite Zips!

Hey T-P: Penn State $400,000. NC State: $325,000 Cincinnati: $150,000. That's Exactly what it should be - $875,000. Are you really stupid enough to think NC State and Cincinnati should shell out a collective $800,000 to $1,000,000 to get the Zips in town? There is no way in hell Cincinnati pays ANYONE $400,000 to $500,000 to come to their field. And, how is Cincinnati considered the bookend to "a tough triple?" Cincinnati would finish .500 in the MAC. They suck. Hey T-P: If our coach were a low-aiming pansy like you, you would be correct. Luckily he's not. It is not a great schedule, and no Zips fan is dumb enough to do cartwheels when they review it. But to call it a disaster is ignorant and degrading and shows you have learned nothing in the 2 ½ years JD has been in Akron. Yep...bring on those 2-9 directional teams from Texas. That'll get the local fans pouring through the turnstiles. Miami of Ohio…hey, they can play those BCS schools with realistic expectations of winning. So can Northern Illinois, Toledo and BG. But the Zips will never be able to compete at that level, right T-P? Great call, Low Aimer (Tip of the hat to GP1 for defining T-P as a Low Aimer. It couldn’t be more appropriate).Why's T-P griping about paying North Texas $250,000 to come to the Rubber Bowl? We play @NTSU next season so we are basically getting all that money back in 12 months. And don’t we get a return home game vs. Cincinnati too? The answer is “Yes.” A home-home with BCS/Big East Cincinnati is a great deal for the University of Akron. And while I'm at it: Although we are only getting $150,000 for the Cincinnati game, it is a bus trip. That saves $400.00 x 100+ (players, coaches, trainers, etc.) for plane tickets and related expenses, making it a $200,000 net game when all is said and done. Not bad to get paid $200,000 to beat a BCS school.

The article stating he didn't yet commit is dated July 5th. The articles stating he commited were written within the past week.

It isn't too much of a surprise that Vince was weighing his options as of July 5th. People I spoke to said he is EXCEPTIONALLY talented and, as word of his abilities spread, there would be heavy pressure from BCS schools to get him to "un-verbal."If the Rivals note is true...and it is the most up-to-date information (July 23rd)...it is a very VERY good pick up for The University of Akron football program. He's a hell of a student athlete.

Actually...June. Click for June Verbals

A full recovery for Curtis Brown appears possible.2 football-playing brothers injured in crash recognize visitorsBy Mitra MalekPalm Beach Post Staff WriterSaturday, July 22, 2006Things look more promising for three teenagers who have been in critical condition at St. Mary's Medical Center since early Sunday, shortly after their SUV crashed into a wall.Brothers Curtis Brown and Frederick Barthell Jr. were alert enough to recognize visitors later this week. Brown is expected to make a full recovery, but Barthell appears to be partially paralyzed. Leslie Fuce III remained sedated. The young men, football players from Glades Central High School in Belle Glade, lost one of their friends in the wreck. Stanfield Watson Jr., 18, died when his Ford Explorer smashed into a decorative wall in front of Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Cemetery. Funeral services for Watson will be at 11 a.m. today at Glades Central, 1001 Southwest Ave. M.Royal Palm Beach police have not determined what caused the SUV to veer off Southern Boulevard. Recollections from the three teenagers could help, Lt. John Hill said. "They're the only ones who can tell us the tale," Hill said. "We're hopeful that we can get in there in the next few days."Former Glades Central coach Roosevelt Blackmon said Brown sat up and spoke a few words when he visited the 18-year-old Thursday afternoon. When Blackmon got to Barthell's bedside, the 16-year-old leaned his head and shook his former physical education teacher's hand.The teenagers had been out with a crew of sports buddies Saturday night, celebrating the fact that several of them would soon head to college. Brown had landed a scholarship to play as a wide receiver for University of Akron. Fuce, 18, is scheduled to enroll at Tallahassee Community College."They can play again, no doubt in my mind," Blackmon said. Watson had earned a scholarship to play football at Lincoln University of Missouri. He called Blackmon the night after learning of his good fortune. Watson wore the same jersey number, 13, that Blackmon had worn in high school. The coincidence, Blackmon said, made him feel an extra connection to Watson.

PG NORTH: Shaler player nets volleyball scholarship to AkronThursday, July 20, 2006By Chris Adamski, Tri-State Sports & News ServiceJessica Antosz has built a career on being proficient at blocking.In fact, she's blocked others so often and so well it has opened doors.Antosz, a 5-foot-11 middle hitter, became the first female volleyball player from Shaler Area High School to receive a full athletic scholarship when she made a verbal commitment to the University of Akron this spring."It's real exciting to be the first to represent Shaler this way," Antosz said. "Especially since our program has just been starting to get turned around the past two or three years with coach [Kris] Ruppert."Last season, the Titans finished fifth in WPIAL Class AAA -- their best placing in years ---- and Antosz was a big reason why. As a junior, she led Shaler in kills and blocks for the second consecutive season."She's very quick she's a good jumper ---- she can touch 9-10 [9 feet, 10 inches while jumping]," Ruppert said. "And for a high school kid, she's just an unbelievable blocker. At the college level, it's very, very important to college coaches that you can block. The college coaches that have watched her play say she blocks like a 6-2 girl."Antosz has been told by the coaches at Akron and other schools -- Temple also offered her a scholarship, and Syracuse was among the others interested -- that she understands innately where to line up across from an opponent. Antosz's anticipation is key in her blocking abilities, as are her quick feet."Her timing is one of the many things that sets her apart," Ruppert said. "It's a very touch skill for high school kids to learn the proper timing and footwork. There have only been a few high school kids out there who have been good at it, and she's one of them."Antosz also plays for the Pittsburgh Renaissance club team that earned 10th place at the junior nationals last week in Atlanta.A full Division-I scholarship and spot on a nationally recognized club team? Not bad for a kid who only started to play the sport four years ago. A basketball player growing up, Antosz quickly realized she had a knack for volleyball and focused all of her efforts on the sport within two years of beginning to play it."When I first came to Shaler, she liked volleyball, but it was just something else to do," Ruppert said. "Then all of a sudden, when she realized how good she could be, she really, really progressed and started taking it to another level."Starting in the fall of 2007, the level she will be at is with the Mid-American Conference Zips, who finished in fourth place in the MAC's East Division last season."I really liked the girls on the team," Antosz said. "They seemed to enjoy everything. The coaches seemed down-to-earth, and I looked into their business department, which is what I plan on studying."But Antosz has one more season to help the Titans, who finished third in their section last season and defeated section rivals and traditional powers North Allegheny and Seneca Valley in the same season "for the first time in a lot of years" Ruppert said."Last year we had one of the best seasons we have had in a long time," Ruppert said. "We have a lot of returning starters. I'm looking forward to a good season coming up. We're headed in the right direction."Antosz is similarly excited for her senior season and spoke of aspirations for a deep WPIAL playoff run. Her post-high school plans set, she isn't letting up, working out with her teammates for conditioning three days per week this summer."It's fantastic for Jessica, great for her and her family," Ruppert said of the scholarship.