Captain Kangaroo

New chapter: Former Pitt QB makes first start for Akron Wednesday, September 07, 2005 By Ray Fittipaldo, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette AKRON, Ohio -- Luke Getsy celebrated a couple of anniversaries over Labor Day weekend. One good, one he would rather forget. Two years ago yesterday, Getsy experienced one of the biggest thrills of his football career. As a 19-year old redshirt freshman quarterback, he started the season opener against Can't State because starter Rod Rutherford was suspended and directed the Pitt Panthers for the first quarter of a 43-3 victory. One year later, he was down and out. Getsy lost the quarterback competition with Tyler Palko and sought a transfer to the University of Akron. Coach Walt Harris and the Pitt athletic department refused to release Getsy from his scholarship, meaning Getsy would be responsible for paying tuition at his new school. "That was a real difficult time," he said after a practice last week in Akron. "Everything happened so fast. I had like a five-day period to decide where I wanted to go, had to figure out if I had the money to do it. As soon as I got here I was filling out loan forms like crazy. I was fortunate to get a couple of loans. Out-of-state tuition was kind of rough. My parents aren't in the best situation with money. But they made sure everything was taken care of." If Getsy harbors ill feelings toward Pitt, he's not saying. Going back to his high school years, his relationship with Harris had a history. When he was the quarterback at Steel Valley, Getsy was offered and accepted a scholarship offer. But when Pitt signed the highly rated Palko out of West Allegheny, Harris rescinded the offer. After a wave of criticism, Harris offered again, and Getsy accepted again. The refusal to release Getsy from his scholarship means he will have a $7,500 loan to pay off after he finishes school. "I guess they felt they had to do what they had to do," Getsy said. "We plead our case to a committee, and they sided with them. There was nothing I could do but go forward." Getsy landed on his feet. Saturday, he will be the starting quarterback for the Zips when they travel to No. 13 Purdue for their season opener. Though he has only 13 career pass attempts, Getsy has a wealth of experience in Akron coach J.D. Brookhart's system. Brookhart, in his second season with the Zips, spent seven seasons as Pitt's offensive coordinator under Harris, including Getsy's two seasons there. Getsy had to sit out last season under NCAA transfer rules, but he helped former Zips quarterback Charlie Frye, now the backup with the Cleveland Browns, with the intricacies of Brookhart's system. Frye took Getsy under his wing, and the two became close friends. Getsy spent most of his free time around Frye and sped up his learning curve within the offense. In turn, Frye became a mentor to Getsy and helped him through his transition year. "It was an interesting relationship," Brookhart said. "I think Charlie helped him in so many ways with the experience and intangibles that he had at the position. But Luke helped him, too, because Luke had been in the system. He had a knowledge base that Charlie wasn't able to have. It really was a great relationship. It was an ideal situation last year." Frye was a four-year starter and owns every major Zips passing record. Getsy, a 6-foot-2, 220-pound junior, has big shoes to fill. Akron, 6-5 last season, is rebuilding after competing for the Mid-American East Division title on the final day of last season. Only five starters return on offense, including just one lineman. "Following Charlie is going to be hard," Brookhart said. "People have been spoiled around here with Charlie making plays for so many years. What Luke is going to bring is he has a knowledge base in this system. "It's going to be a process, especially with a young offensive line. Luke has always been a poised individual. In a short amount of time, he'll develop a leadership role on this team. He handles himself well. He understands the system and what we're trying to do. He's going to be a very efficient player." And now, two years removed from his first college start, Getsy will lineup under center again Saturday. A second beginning. One that Getsy hopes will be the start to a productive career at his new college football home. "I enjoyed my time at Pitt, still have a lot of great friends there," Getsy said. "It was time to move on. Things happen for a reason. I'm happy in the situation I'm in right now."

In a typical year, I'd be there. However, I'm heading down to Murfreesboro in 2 weeks and I just can't swing back-to-back roadies. Maybe we'll hook up at the BG game.

By that, I would infer he has running talents, but no blocking talent? We need a FB that can block first...run second. What D-1 school gives a FB more than 5-6 carries now-a-days? As a final note: If he bust a few 15 yarders on his carry opportunities, I'm sure his carries/game will increase rapidly.

Brentwood's Taylor picks Eastern Kentucky By Kevin Gorman <mailto:kgorman@tribweb.com> TRIBUNE-REVIEW Tuesday, September 6, 2005 It was only fitting that Josh Taylor was standing in line for The Racer at Kennywood Park on Monday when he made official his college choice. The Brentwood basketball star ended a rollercoaster recruiting process by calling Eastern Kentucky University coaches and making a verbal commitment to the Colonels. The 6-foot-7, 215-pound wing-forward is the first Division I men's basketball recruit from the WPIAL in the Class of 2006. "I went down on an official visit, met the players and fell in love with it," said Taylor, who spent the weekend on the Richmond, Ky., campus and met president Joanne Glasser. Taylor is one of the first recruits for new EKU coach Jeff Neubauer, an assistant on West Virginia's Elite Eight team last season. Neubauer replaced Travis Ford, who left for Massachusetts after leading the Colonels (22-9) to the Ohio Valley Conference championship and the NCAA Tournament. "They're pretty young, so I can go in and play," Taylor said. "After watching them playing in the tournament last year, that's a big dream I have." After averaging 19.4 points, 12 rebounds and two blocked shots a game as a junior, Taylor saw his stock skyrocket after an impressive summer with the Pittsburgh J.O.T.S. traveling team. He started the summer ranked No. 699 in the Class of 2006 by the HoopScoop recruiting service and ended it with eight scholarship offers. Taylor chose the Colonels over Akron, Northern Arizona, Quinnipiac, Rider, Robert Morris, St. Francis (Pa.) and Youngstown State. "It says a lot about Josh and his commitment to basketball that he's going to have this phenomenal opportunity presented to him," said Mike O'Brien, Brentwood's coach the past two seasons. "He was focused and really determined this summer to prove a lot of people wrong and say, 'I can play at this level.' " Taylor, a four-year starter, has transformed himself into a solid 3-point shooter who runs the floor fluidly and can pound inside the paint. He showed his strength by breaking the rim off the backboard on a dunk at the adidas Hoop Challenge this past May in Cleveland. "The backboard didn't break," Taylor said, "but the rim hit my head and it hurt." Taylor, a two-time all-section pick, enters his fourth season as a starter eight points shy of 1,000 for his career. He is Brentwood's first Division I basketball recruit since Will Griffin went to Towson in 1989. "I think it's tremendous for him and his family, and for Brentwood basketball," O'Brien said. "These guys saw him play almost every AAU game this summer. They're committed to Josh being Josh. They don't want to change him. They think he can play the 3 (small forward) spot and contribute immediately."

Wonder if Milum has put on any weight?

Foust...the kid from Oklahoma...will NOT be a Zip this fall. Something fell through...I don't know the specifics. Dials' rehab is ahead of Wood's. Conyers is on campus and ready to play in 2005-6. He looks every bit the athlete we hoped. Had a credible performance in some on-campus practices vs. LeBron a few weeks ago, I hear?

I wouldn't read too much into Allen not being on the RB 2-deep. Everything I've heard points to the staff being very happy with him. There's no shame in being a true Fr. behind Biggs and Kennedy. I was suprised not to see Elliot Bates on the OL, and Howe behind Rohr at LB. You are right about the DL size. But then again, that been the story with our DL since...well...since about the day we jumped to 1-A. If all goes well that will change in 2006...but until then...to quote Popeye..."we yam what we yam." I hope someone on the DL steps up and surprises us in 2005. I also heard Johnny Long is pushing for the starting WR job.

Q: Where did coach Neil, who joined Pitt last year and stayed through the recruiting season before not being retained, wind up? From all accounts he did with a fine job. Mike Landay of Dallas, Texas ZEISE: I assume you meant coach Bill Bleil, who was the tight ends and tackles coach last year. He is now the running backs coach at Akron (on the staff of J.D. Brookhart) and you are right, he did do a fine job.

This explains the Frye start: Sports In short order, Frye cooks JEFF SCHUDEL, Morning Journal Writer CHICAGO -- Charlie Frye keeps saying he doesn't know what he would do for a living if he couldn't throw a football. He doesn't have to worry, because he has proven once again he can throw a football very well. Coach Romeo Crennel made Frye the surprise starter last night in the preseason finale, and Frye responded by completing 12-of-14 passes for 186 yards as the Browns stomped the Bears, 16-6. The two passes he didn't complete were dropped. General manager Phil Savage said Trent Dilfer is healthy and was rested to preserve him for the opener a week from Sunday against the Bengals. Frye, the third-round draft choice from the University of Akron, had been in a battle with Doug Johnson to be Dilfer's backup in the regular season. Crennel has not declared Frye the winner, but now the only question seems to be whether Johnson will survive the 21 roster moves Crennel must make by 6 p.m. tomorrow. Josh Harris, not Johnson, followed Frye. Harris did not play against Detroit or Carolina in the preseason. ''We wanted to see how Charlie would handle the surprise start and it looked like he handled it pretty well,'' Crennel said. ''I think his numbers looked pretty good in the first half. He did a nice job.'' Crennel said nothing should be read into Johnson not playing and he said it is unlikely he would keep only two quarterbacks. Frye played well in the first three preseason games and took a 78.7 passer rating into Soldier Field. His rating yesterday was outstanding -- 118.8. He played five series against the Bears and with him running the show the Browns posted one touchdown, a 3-yard run by Reuben Droughns and a 30-yard field goal by Phil Dawson. Dawson added field goals of 25 and 21 yards in the second half. Asked whether Frye clinched the backup job, Crennel answered: ''That's to be determined, but he did a lot to help himself.'' Asked the same question, Frye shrugged. ''I don't have a clue,'' he said. ''It really doesn't matter. You could be one play away or two plays away from being in there. I always prepare like I'm going to play.'' The Browns should have scored at least 13 points with Frye in charge, but Dawson was wide right on a 41-yard field goal try in the first quarter. Back-to-back penalties and questionable clock management at the end of the first half spoiled a chance for a touchdown at the end of a drive that began at the Browns 20. The victory was the Browns' most complete of a 3-1 preseason. The defense smothered the Bears. With Rex Grossman out until Thanksgiving recovering from a knee injury, their starting quarterback is Kyle Orton, a rookie from Purdue. The Browns gave Bears fans cause to worry. Orton completed 2-of-4 passes he threw, but his mistakes were costly. A badly thrown pass on the Bears' first possession was intercepted in the end zone by Leigh Bodden. Run defense was better than in any of the first three games. Thomas Jones, the Bears' starting running back until Cedric Benson tunes up, gained 9 yards on one run and just 1 yard total on three others. Still, the spotlight as far as the Browns were concerned was on Frye -- Frye plus running backs Droughns and William Green. Frye apparently cemented a backup job but probably won't play unless Dilfer is injured or the Browns go 0-for-September and October and Crennel decides to play for the future. Running back is another issue. William Green started and did nothing to show he should be the starter, gaining just 9 yards on five carries. Droughns, finally recovered from a hamstring injury, blasted through holes before they closed and gained 60 yards on nine carries. Green, though, played against the Bears' first defense. Droughns had his success against the Chicago subs with some Browns first-teamers still on the field. ''I thought he had some nice runs,'' Crennel said of Droughns. ''He's been on the sidelines and he broke through. I think the competition is heating up.'' Droughns dashed 19 yards over right tackle to the Bears 44 on the Browns' touchdown drive. On the next play Frye completed a pass 19 yards to Edwards on the left sideline to the Bears 25. The pass was over Edwards' inside shoulder, not his outside shoulder as it should have been, but Edwards adjusted, reached around and made the catch look easy. The next five plays were all runs, capped by Droughns' 3-yard run over left guard. Even when Frye wasn't advancing the ball he played well. On third-and-5 on the Browns' first series he ran out of bounds rather than throw a risky pass. He was sacked on a first-down play in the second quarter and made sure to protect the ball. His only mistake was a fumble in the third quarter when he lost the ball while moving his arm forward to pass.

Think the Zips can hold them below 35 points in the first quarter? Sincerely, Lee Owens

I have a couple friends with season tickets who've yet to receive them. Hence they also are unaware of the Gold Ticket Practice tonight and have no ticket to attend. I also remember mention of a Jason Taylor bobble head with this season's tickets. To date, no mention of such an item has hit my doorstep? Anyone else have a similar experience?

Golf Outing is being held in less than 4 weeks, and is the day of the home football opener? I will be in the tailgate lot at about noon on the 24th, so I won't be able to make it. Why not do something like this in the summer when there's absolutely nothing Zips-related going on? Hey...maybe it is a great idea, but opening day football tailgating is a 6 hour event for me, so I'll have to pass. ************************************************************************ AKRON, Ohio - The University of Akron men's basketball program will play host to the first-ever Alumni Golf Scramble Sept. 24 at nearby Raintree Country Club. All UA letterwinners, fans, alumni and supporters are welcome to participate in the event, which is being organized by the newly-form Men's Basketball Alumni Association. Scheduled tee times begin at 8 a.m., with a lunch buffet and awards festivities to follow. The event will continue in the tailgate area at the Rubber Bowl as the Zips football team plays Northern Illinois at 6 p.m. The scramble is a major fund-raiser in which all proceeds benefit the Akron men's basketball program, while also serving as an event designed to bring former Zips together with the current coaching staff. To register for this event click on the registration form link at the top of this page or contact the men's basketball office at (330) 972-7678. Registration entitles you to 18 holes of golf, lunch and an exclusive gift. Several sponsorship opportunities are also available for this event. A full list of those options is available in the registration brochure. Raintree Country Club is located in Uniontown, Ohio, just 10 minutes east of I-77 between Akron and Canton. Visit raintreegc.com for directions. Those interested in becoming a member of the Men's Basketball Alumni Association should also contact the men's basketball office. The Association was formed earlier this summer, and named its 2005 board of directors during its July meeting.

Trib10: Offensive linemen Player Ht., Wt. Class School 1. Chris Hanna 6-4, 298 Sr. Gateway Despite a disappointing off-season and academic difficulties, the projected guard has scholarship offers from Duke, Eastern Michigan, Illinois and Rutgers. 2. Pat Illig 6-6, 305 Sr. Central The huge tackle has offers from Temple and Toledo. 3. Devin Cox 6-3, 275 Sr. Springdale High-intensity brother of Iowa DE Lucas is on the rise. 4. Cameron Holland 6-3, 280 Jr. Perry Raw but talented guard has good feet, flexibility. 5. Vince Davis 6-6, 285 Sr. Carmichaels Towson recruit puts the Mighty in the Mikes' line. 6. Gino Gradkowski 6-4, 275 Jr. Seton-La Salle Brother of Toledo QB Bruce developing a mean streak. 7. Kevin Macon 6-6, 300 Sr. Oliver Great size and footwork; needs to be more physical. 8. Evan Blankenship 6-4, 310 Jr. Center Trojans RB Ashton Cobb will follow his lead. 9. Zac Kasparek 6-5, 280 Jr. New Brighton Brother of Akron TE Kris an intriguing prospect 10. Lucas Nix 6-5, 260 So. Thomas Jefferson Brother of Pitt recruit Nate started as a freshman.

Middle has top players back Tuesday, August 30, 2005 By PAUL GATTIS Times Sports Staff pgattis@htimes.com Tide will face MTSU team 17 returning starters When you look at Middle Tennessee State, you look at the quarterback. Clint Marks made the Blue Raiders record book last year as obsolete as a Commodore 64, setting the school mark for passing yardage as a sophomore and giving every indication that more, ahem, marks will come this season. But MTSU, which is a prohibitive underdog in Saturday's opener against Alabama, is more than a quarterback and a collection of dreamers. There are seven other starters returning on offense, nine others on defense. That doesn't transform MTSU into Notre Dame - the Blue Raiders are picked to finish second in the Sun Belt Conference after going 5-6 a year ago - but maybe the supposed cupcake is a little more sugar-free than Alabama coach Mike Shula would like. "We've got to get ourselves ready to play sound football," Shula said. Then again, experience doesn't necessarily mean results. MTSU's defense allowed 606 yards to New Mexico State, 502 yards to Akron and 501 yards to Florida. Coach Andy McCollum, though, is hoping those were growing pains for this season. "We got better a year ago," McCollum said. "We had some games that it looked like where we wanted to be. In other games, we gave up too many big plays. We had three freshmen starting in the secondary a year ago. They're a year older, but they're still young kids. We've got some linebackers who have played in a lot of games for us. "We've got some experience back. This is a year that, hopefully, we'll grow from last year and continue to get better." MTSU lost its top two tacklers from last year but gets back linebacker Jonathan Bonner, a Birmingham native who missed all but one game last year after having a cervical fusion. As a freshman in 2003, Bonner was second on the team with 74 tackles. The Blue Raiders also return all four starters in the secondary, led by cornerback Bradley Robinson. And then there's Marks, who threw for 2,749 yards last season and set two other school record with 35 completions against Louisiana-Lafayette and 259 completions for the season. He also completed 70.4 percent of his passes, the second-best mark in school history. Marks' biggest flaw was matching his 14 touchdown passes with 14 interceptions. "Clint did a tremendous job for us a year ago and gained some good experience," McCollum said. "We've got to cut down on the turnovers. Alabama can force you into a lot of turnovers with their quickness. "We've got to take care of the football and we've got to run the ball better." Going against Alabama's defense, which finished second in the nation last year in yards allowed, will be a daunting challenge. "They are very experienced in the secondary with guys who make plays," McCollum said. "They're physical up front and they run to the ball well. You really don't see any weaknesses."

Good to see Ryan doing well and sticking with it. Pretty long odds he's overcome...from D-II Ashland...to playing for Lee Owens' less-than-stellar defenses...to making an NFL roster!

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I am told this is being done.

I agree. Look at the Marshall. What would you have done differently than JD? Can you point to any coaching decisions that put us in a hole during that game? How about Miami? Yeah we lost...but the better team won. In no way shape or form were we out-coached. We we're out-depthed and out-athleted. Compare that to Owens and his maddening draw plays on 3rd and 8. His abandonment of the run during Frye's junior year. His "Let's-just-try-to-keep-the-score-close" mentality of the last BG home game (remember 5' 4" Junior McCray's 20 carries?) or the Pitt game. Remember how Owens stuck with Jesse Smith on the corner for four years despite the guy playing 10 yards off the line every play. The atrocious clock management at the end of the UConn game, leaving the game in the hands of the world's worst defense. I didn't see any of that stuff with JD. Once he had a few games under his belt he seems to consistently play the best hand with the cards he was dealt. Over the next few years JD's "hands" will be progressively stronger and our wins will rise accordingly.

"Junior Luke Getsy (Munhall, Pa./Steel Valley/Pittsburgh), slated to start the season opener at Purdue on Sept.10, struggled in the early going, but rebounded to complete 11 of 26 passes after starting the day by hitting on 1-of-10." For the past 8 years we've been in pretty solid shape at QB. I have no clue what to expect this season. I keep waiting for Getsy to do something that gives me hope, but thus far I haven't seen it. The OL concerns me greatly...but I'm starting to think the QB position is an even larger concern.

McNees has offers It looks like the WPIAL might have a handful of boys' basketball players sign with Division I colleges. One player who improved his status with colleges this summer is Shenango guard Steve McNees. McNees, a 6-2 senior who averaged 26 points a game last season, has offers from Duquesne, Can't State, Akron, Eastern Kentucky, James Madison and Wright State.

I went down to Jackson Field yesterday. What a first-class event! Great job by all involved!

No. He's just here to see the Inventor's Hall of Fame.

Apparently had second thoughts on a career in the military. He will be in Akron next week.

How so? I mentioned that, as late as yesterday, Marshall was still coming here (read my post). I got NC State and North Carolina mixed up. Big F-ing deal. King Zip needs to take a Zoloft and chill.