Captain Kangaroo

July 2004 - Click Little did anyone know it would become "The Phenomena that Swept the Nation" in 2005!

Former Tygers help drive Zips to Motor City By Larry Phillips News Journal MANSFIELD -- As high school juniors, Brian White and Mike Donaldson were key contributors to the first Mansfield Senior football team to win a playoff game. As seniors, they spearheaded an Ohio Heartland Conference championship team that became the first in school history to reach the playoffs in back-to-back years. It only stands to reason they would make history in college, too. Donaldson, a redshirt junior, and White, a senior, are both starters for the first University of Akron football team to win a Mid-American Conference championship and qualify for a bowl game. On Dec. 1 in Detroit, the Zips beat Northern Illinois 31-30 with a thrilling, last-minute TD drive on national television. "When we got fitted for our (championship) rings, I think that's when winning that game sank in," said Donaldson, who was part of a stalwart offensive line that allowed just 18 sacks this year. Both former Tygers overcame a series of injuries to play crucial roles during the championship season. It was well worth it when the Zips earned the automatic bid into Monday's nationally-televised Motor City Bowl against Memphis. "(The MAC championship game) embodied our season, it was up and down. It was just a heckuva game, especially the finish," said White, who plays a number of spots along the defensive line. "We've taken time to celebrate it. Now we're not just going to a bowl game, we're going there to win it." Donaldson is a 6-foot-5, 280-pound left guard who has lost 50 pounds over the last two years. He's also overcome a number of foot injuries, including a broken bone, that have kept him out of the lineup for huge chunks of the past two seasons. "I never thought about (quitting)," Donaldson said. "Injuries are just part of the game." The burly lineman has another year left and hopes to improve more next season. For White, Monday will be his last collegiate game. A linebacker in high school, plans called for him to redshirt his first year, too. But when injuries decimated the Zips defensive line in 2002, then-coach Lee Owens moved White onto a special teams unit and played him as a backup on the defensive line. He started six games as a sophomore before being sidelined by a sprained ankle. It took him four games to impress a new coaching staff as a junior, but he started the final seven games last year. This season, although a bit undersized at 6-2, 265, he's been playing at tackle and end, earned the Captain's Award as chosen by the coaches, was in on 56 tackles, and was a leader for a 7-5 squad that was 6-3 in the MAC. "We got close last year, and then lost some big players like Charlie (Frye)," said White, an All-MAC Academic pick. "This is really a statement game for us and for the MAC. "We want to represent ourselves and our conference and come back with a win." Donaldson agreed, adding the Zips began two-a-day practices this week in preparation for the bowl game. "People always remember your last game," Donaldson said. "We've been riding the wave a little bit. Now we have to get back to business."

Terry Pluto is a complete low aiming a-hole. If you aim low, you hit low. Just ask ZipsRifle about that kind of stuff because he knows the bullet typically goes where you aim. Like everyone else in the media, he is to arrogant to admit mistakes. I have no idea how a man of such limited intellect, foresight and knowledge is so respected among his peers. I guess we should all expect that from a graduate of Can't State though. and so does Terry Pluto. Speaking of Pluto and low-aiming...he's the same guy that wrote "I feel Akron's new stadium should seat 20,000." That was only two months ago.

MAC Attack By John Grupp TRIBUNE-REVIEW Sunday, December 18, 2005 At this time last year, Bruce Gradkowski was coping with a broken hand. Luke Getsy wasn't broke, but he was sidelined, frustrated, and there were bills to pay. "It was a trying time," Getsy said, "but I had to be patient with it." Gradkowski and Getsy have overcome different hurdles on their way to becoming record-breaking quarterbacks for two Mid-American Conference schools. The two Western Pennsylvania-born players -- who combined to throw for more than 5,000 yards along with 43 touchdowns this season -- will lead their teams into bowl games in a six-day span beginning later this week. Gradkowski, a senior from Seton-La Salle High School, will direct Akron (8-3) against Texas-El Paso (8-3) in the GMAC Bowl at 8 p.m., Wednesday in Mobile, Ala. Getsy, a junior from Steel Valley, will guide Akron (7-5) into its first-ever Division I bowl game when it meets Memphis (6-5) in the Motor City Bowl at 4 p.m. Monday, Dec. 26 at Ford Field in Detroit. Both games will be televised on ESPN. Getsy, who paid tuition at Akron last year after transferring from Pitt, and Gradkowski, who had a steel plate inserted in his hand following post-season surgery, are among five Western Pennsylvania products who were quarterbacks this season at Division I programs: Panther junior Tyler Palko threw for nearly 2,400 yards along with 17 touchdowns in Pitt's first losing season since 1999. Junior Matt Bonislawski threw for 836 yards and six touchdowns in an injury-shortened season at Connecticut (5-6). Sophomore Anthony Morelli played in three games while backing up Michael Robinson for Orange Bowl-bound and No. 3-ranked Penn State. The GMAC Bowl will conclude a golden collegiate career for Gradkowski, who rewrote 19 school records since arriving as an undersized freshman at the only Division I school to offer him a scholarship. Driven by the perception he couldn't play D-I football, Gradkowski matured into a 6-foot-2, 220-pounder, adding 45 pounds. He threw for 2,171 yards and 24 touchdowns this season to earn first-team all-conference honors. He also shared the 2005 Vern Smith Award to become the first Toledo player in 10 years to be named the MAC's MVP. Next month, Gradkowski will play in two college all-star games, the Las Vegas All-American Classic on Jan. 14 and the Hula Bowl on Jan. 21 at Aloha Stadium. "When I came here, I wanted to be the best quarterback to ever play at Toledo," he said. "I feel things have gone very well. I'm happy and satisfied with my career. I'd like to end it on one last note, winning on a bowl game." Cool Hand Luke Akron had never earned a Division I bowl bid -- or even won a football conference title -- before Getsy sealed them both with one stunning, last-minute comeback in the MAC championship game Dec. 1 at Ford Field in Detroit. Playing in front of a nationally-televised audience, Getsy directed what is being tagged the greatest comeback in the history of Akron football. The unflappable first-year starter drove the Zips 81 yards in 1:41 without a timeout, and beat Northern Illinois, 31-30, on a 36-yard touchdown pass with 10 seconds to play. "He's got a lot more friends than he had before," Akron offensive coordinator Jim Pry said. "He's pretty special." Getsy finished 30 of 50 for a career-high 413 yards, as the Zips clinched their first football conference title since joining the Ohio Athletic Conference in 1915. The Zips will play in their fourth post-season game in 105 years of football (one being the 1968 Grantland Rice Bowl against Terry Bradshaw-led Louisiana Tech). "It was kind of like a dream," Getsy said. "I dreamt so much and prepared so much, it's like it was supposed to happen. It was great moment for everyone." The automatic bid to the Motor City Bowl was a sweet redemption for Akron. Last season, the Zips (6-5) were the only bowl eligible team to be denied a bid. "There were 50 spots," Getsy said. "We were 51st. ... This year that was the goal I wanted to achieve coming in; I wanted to get this team to a bowl game. Everyone is real proud of us." Getsy, who has passed for 3,000 yards -- the second-highest in school history -- and 19 touchdowns this season, deserved some good news. He missed last year, paying roughly $8,000 per semester for out-of-state tuition. The third-leading passer in WPIAL history lost his scholarship after leaving Pitt following his failed 2004 training camp battle with Palko. "It was crazy," Pry said. "He jumped ship and (Pitt coach) Walt (Harris) wouldn't release him, and everything was history." Getsy practiced with the team, but he couldn't dress for games or travel to away games. He gleaned knowledge from former Pitt assistant and current Akron head coach J.D. Brookhart and the best quarterback in Akron history, current Cleveland Browns rookie Charlie Frye. "I appreciate everything I've gone through," Getsy said. "I wouldn't be where I am if I didn't take the road that I did." Getsy wasted no time at Akron. He won the starting job during training camp, and threw for 283 yards and two touchdowns in his first start, a 49-24 loss to Purdue. He also passed for 406 yards and a school-record five touchdowns in an early-season 48-42 overtime win against Northern Illinois. After a mid-season slump, he recovered to reach 3,000 passing yards in 12 games, faster than any quarterback in Akron history. "He's had some up and downs throughout the season," Pry said. "Somewhere in the middle, he took a dip. His confidence got hurt. It took him a couple weeks to get back. But the last four games, he has taken charge. ... He's not blessed with a great amount of talent, but he makes up for it in other ways. He's an unbelievable student of the game." Getsy is a regular breaking down film in the coach's office. He and Frye became good friends last year, before Frye, who holds 54 school records, went to the Browns in the third round. Getsy this season maintained the tradition of late-night film study. "We talked about making him a key," Pry said. Bruce Almighty Proving himself over and over again is part of Gradkowski's code. His hometown school never offered him a scholarship. Pitt had no interest in the 6-foot-2, 175-pounder who was suspected to be more a product of Seton-La Salle's pass-happy offense than the owner of any special Division I skills. So, in his fourth collegiate start, Gradkowski led Toledo to a 35-31 victory over No. 9-ranked Pitt in 2003. He completed 49 passes, breaking Ben Roethlisberger's MAC record, and set school records for attempts (62) and passing yardage (461). "Once guys start doubting me," Gradkowski said, "that drives me more." He became the only quarterback in NCAA history to complete better than 70 percent of his passes in back-to-back seasons. On Wednesday, Gradkowski wants to peel away the memories of last year's bowl-game disappointment. He watched the second half of a 39-10 loss to Connecticut in the Motor City Bowl with a broken right hand. "It was frustrating," Gradkowski said. "I wasn't anywhere near 100 percent. Now, I have an opportunity to be healthy to practice and prepare." Gradkowski underwent off-season surgery in which a three-inch plate was inserted in his throwing hand. He said the six screws and steel plate have not affected his passing. "It's my bionic hand," he said. "I get a little more zip on the ball." Under Gradkowski, Toledo ranks 14th in scoring offense and 17th in total offense in the nation. He led Toledo to a 44-41 double-overtime victory at Bowling Green on Nov. 22, completing 23 of 36 passes for 298 yards and four touchdowns. Gradkowski is projected as the No. 4 quarterback in the 2006 draft and a probable third or fourth-round pick, according to NFL Draft Scout. "I think I have the college experience and credentials to get me looked at," he said. "It's what I do in the all-star games and combine and pro day workouts. I'm very confident as long as I get my opportunity, I'll be somewhere."

Toledo Rockets at UTEP Miners TOL (9-3) 7 21 3 14 45 FINAL UTEP (8-4) 3 10 0 0 13

I like that thought. I hope it pans out for the long term.

When I get some time I'll weigh in on this one. Things are too busy right now. Sufficive to say I feel for Mike because he's been a phenomenal, tireless supporter of everything that people frequenting this boad care about. I wish I could take people back in time 6 years to see our team shop, web site, team apparel, game environments, student support etc. to realize the quamtum leaps we've taken under Mike's leadership. That said, Mack has the job. Proenza doesn't hire losers, so I am confident we are in good hands. I wish Mack the best and look forward to meeting him. More later.

The Beacon is making money, huh? Oh, then I stand corrected. Obviously then, they made the right decision to ignore Zips athletics over the past decade. Somewhere I thought I read that the Beacon was struggling just to make ends meet for...coincidentally...the past decade. I also thought I heard they lost a ton of subscribers. I must have been misinformed. The Beacon obviously identified a great recipe for success.

Giants Rookie LB Handling the Pressure By DAVID PORTER Associated Press Writer Posted December 20 2005, 5:28 PM EST EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- With a division title one tantalizing victory away, Chase Blackburn is the man in the middle for the New York Giants. Injuries to Antonio Pierce and Carlos Emmons thrust the undrafted rookie from Akron into the starting lineup last weekend against Kansas City. Filling in for Pierce at middle linebacker in his first career start, Blackburn finished with nine tackles in the 27-17 victory. The trial by fire continues Saturday at Washington for a player who came to training camp 4 1/2 months ago with no guarantees. A victory will clinch the Giants' first NFC East title since 2000 although they can do that with a win at Oakland in the finale even if they lose to the Skins. "I've given myself a little confidence boost knowing that now I am able to perform in the NFL," Blackburn said Tuesday. "Now I just need to continue to do so." At least this week Blackburn has some advance notice about his assignment. That wasn't the case last Saturday when he didn't find out he was starting until an hour before the game. That's when Emmons told coaches he had aggravated his strained pectoral muscle, so Nick Greisen, who had been moved from the outside to the middle, had to go back outside.. That development necessitated some last-minute cramming in the film room next to the Giants locker room with linebackers coach Bill Sheridan. Then it was out the tunnel and onto the field in front of 78,000 fans and across the line of scrimmage from one of the NFL's better offenses. Blackburn acknowledged to being a bit lost at first, but gradually found his footing and was in on six tackles on the Chiefs' second-quarter drive that stalled at the Giants' 1-yard line. He and Greisen combined to stop Larry Johnson on third down, forcing Kansas City to settle for a field goal in one of the game's crucial sequences. "I watched the film a couple of times and it was an average performance," Blackburn said. "I thought I was a little tentative at first. I think I was more nervous about being in the right spot instead of making something happen. There were a lot of things I could have done better: filling my gaps properly, taking a little more physical approach to the game." Blackburn's play caught the eye of coach Tom Coughlin in the first preseason game against Cleveland, a team featuring Blackburn's college teammate and friend Charlie Frye, currently the Browns' starting quarterback. After making the final cut, Blackburn began to make a name for himself on special teams and through 15 weeks was second on the team in special-teams tackles with 15, one behind James Butler, another free-agent rookie. His big moment before last Saturday came when he recovered a fumble on the opening kickoff against New Orleans on Sept. 19, a play that jump-started the Giants' 27-10 win. "I've definitely come a long way," he said. "I've worked hard over this past year to get myself ready to play at this level. It's a joy to be where I'm at and it's exciting to have the opportunity to play." Coughlin said Pierce, whose sprained ankle is still in a cast, would not practice this week and that Emmons and DT William Joseph (ankle) were doubtful. He said offensive tackle Luke Petitgout, who dressed but did not play against Kansas City after suffering back spasms the previous week, would practice

The last news I heard was "no" "maybe" and "yes." Hight may not even have his high school diploma yet. Odds of him becoming a Zip appear to be 9999-1. I asked a friend at the University about Garner a few weeks ago and he seemed to think he was not going to be a Zip. The "friend" isn't a coach, so he's still got a fighting chance, I guess. Marshall is still in the fold and expected to play next season. If anyone else has more up-to-date info, please feel free to post.

AMEN, Brother! FINALLY...a win vs. a "marquee" team! Great team effort by all the guys! That win could be HUGE come March. Now let's put the wood to Clemson!! BTW: Was this win the greatest in Syracuse history?

We didn't skip a beat without them. I hope they get their collective act together because they're both big contributors...but if they don't it seems there are some capable players on the bench that can make curfew, attend practices and win games.

Thanks to our friends out west for the scoop. GoZips.com Link - Click

In an unrelated note, I saw the PD mention a few days ago that Ken Lolla went to join Zips former AD Mike Thomas at Louisville. To see the Beacon hop on the bandwagon now is like seeing LeBron's birth dad pop into the picture once he became fameous. Personally, I just can't take the BJ seriously. They've thumbed their noses at Zips fans for too long. You know what would get be to re-subscribe to the BJ? If Terry Pluto wrote a retraction of his column decrying the firing of Lee Owens (you remember the epic "...Akron isn't Ohio State...this isn't Notre Dame..." column. Admit he was wrong and I'll resubscribe. Until then I can't even bring myself to click on their web site.

My guess would be his poor defense and dubious shot selection to-date? It was certainly odd that the topic was not discussed in the post game show (at least from what I heard). Maybe he's simply ill, but my guess is the above.

I disagee. Two 6-5 seasons at Akron and he's gone? No chance. The Boise State coach had 5 ridiculously successful seasons...9+ win seasons while beating BCS-level competition...before moving on to Colorado. Hoeppner was very successful a Miami, but it took how long before he left for Indiana? 6 years? Maybe more? Unless you are an absolute coaching freak like Urban Meyer you aren't hopping anywhere in 3 years. Especially if you are 6-5 in those years. It is just plain silly to discuss JD's departure at this time in his coaching career.

He'll practice and also be able to play in the spring, I believe?

I guess that's what happens when you have good coaches. A double-edged sword, from a fans perspective. I'm sure we'll get another quality guy to replace him.

He's considered a "transfer" so that would lead me to believe he has to sit? I'll have to ask around and get the real scoop...unless some Nation member wants to help a brother out?

Just a reminder...

Whether he's good or not, I don't know. Whether or not he's freaking ENORMUS is not debatable!! 6' 9", 320...Holy Moly...

Sounds like Desmond Brentley got greedy and it blew up in his face? The texas kid took his scholarship and Temple fired their coach. Now that Temple and Akron are out, I'd be shocked if Can't doesn't enter the picture to scoop up our table scraps. Brentley can be the new Can't QB piÑata once Machen leaves. Wonder is we still have an offer in to Rick Stanzi?

I attended the Vikings/Lions game 2 weeks ago. What a surreal event...the fans only cared about the "Fire Millen" signs that popped up every 5 minutes randomly throughout the stadium. They only paid attention to the game long enough to BOOOO Jeff Garcia. Go Vikes...BEAT THE STEELERS!!! ...and then hit the party boat!!! :blink:

My thought was that the Zips soccer kind of parallels Gonzaga's hoops program. The Zags used to get stiffed on tourney seeding until they consistently beat the "bigger name" teams. Once they proved themselves they got the seeding they deserved. I believe the Zips seeding would have improved next season based upon their progressive success over the past couple of tourneys. I wish Lolla had hung around another year or two to prove my theory. Wild Thought of the Day: I think it it time the Zips approached the Big Ten for inclusion in their conference as a soccer-only member. Yeah, Chryst would be pissed but screw him.

I guess this would be another reason why someone like Wells should consider Akron. Memphis and Akron are on a parallel football level. If a guy the quality of DeAngelo can select Memphis, why not Wells select Akron? Wonder if JD can assemble Charlie Frye, Jason Taylor, Dwight Smith, Chase Blackburn and Ryan Myers to call Wells and let him know the road to the NFL can go through Akron.