Captain Kangaroo

Talked to a buddy of mine at the hoops game last night. He follows Stark County football pretty hard, and says "STAY AWAY FROM HIGHT." Guess the kid is bad news...many problems.

I can't say I agree with your take. I think the Zips have played fine at game's end, and their conditioning is not an issue. All players are visibly less flabby than last year and they play hard the entire game. My take: We played passive the final 10 minutes. We stopped pushing the ball...stopped shooting...and began hanging out near center court throwing cross-court passes. We were like the dog that caught the car...we got the 25 point lead...and had no idea what to do with it. The first 30-or-so minutes of that game was the best basketball I've witness at the JAR in some time...at least by the home team. Even the first 5 minutes, when our shooting was horrid, the D was relentless. The last 10 minutes was like a Hipsher team. Reminded me of Hip's squad's annual meltdowns against Buffalo. The difference was we won the game...and there were no F-bombs raining down on Joe Dunn and Steve French during the post game show. It's a win. I'll take it. we're 7-0 at home. Credit EMU with playing tough and not quitting. Let's beat the Turd's in Huntington and get back on track.

Click for your Dream Zips DL

GREAT defense tonight. Start to finish! Preston played well in Wood's absence. Futch didn't play so well in the same situation. Middleton had another solid game. 10 assists for Dru! Well-managed game by him tonight. Turner Battle was hardly noticable. Credit the "D" Travis is turning into one hell of a player! Staying out of foul trouble while outrebounding guys several inches taller...scoring going up up up...runs the floor at full speed the entire game...rarely takes a bad shot. 4 blocks. He's doing it all...and then some. Bubba en fuego! In games where he's "on" from three point land, we can really put the opponents in a hole quickly. Buffalo never recovered from his 3's. McFadden's passing is maddening, as is his shot. I've never seen a person's shot be so arc-critical. Every shot of his is dead-on...it either clangs out if the arc is too low, or hits nothing but net if he gets just a little air under it. I saw Hipsher's Zips have similar leads like the Zips had vs. Buffalo at the half. Hipsher's Zips blew a lot of those leads. I never got the feeling this one was in jeopardy. Kudos to the guys for holding such a large lead for essentially 30 minutes. 6-0 @ home is awesome. Mario closed out the game nicely. I like him on the court at games-end. Good D, ball handling, and he hits his free throws. Speaking of free throws...Travis must have busted his ass working on them. What was with Buffalo fouling with 45 seconds left in a 17 point blowout? And again at 25 seconds...and again... Hey Reggie Witherspoon: I got a kid that needs to get to school early tomorrow! Let's kick Z.I.P.'s MAC West Favorite EMU's ass Saturday!

I think that's a valid point. The team is playing as it should, given the schedule and talent. I can't complain about much that I've witnessed on the sidelines or the floor. We just need to continue improving, growing and recruiting better. That doesn't happen in a year. Unfortunately, after the last 16 years of virtually "nothing," it is tough to endure another season without realistic championship aspirations.

I've posted a few times on this board that our schedule sucks, and the general consensus has been "Let's get the W's versus lesser teams rather than risk a loss versus a "name" opponent. Look at Bucknell last week, knocking off #10 Pitt. What an unbelievable shot in the arm for their fans and program. Look at Marshall 2 nights ago beating Top 25 West Virginia. All of the sudden 3-10 Marshall is abuzz with optimism. I hear all the talk that Dambrot wants the Zips to compete on a national level. I give him the "pass' for this season's schedule too. But next season I want to see something besides Sister's of the Poor in November and December. I heard the Fresno State football coach say, before the UVA Humanitarian Bowl game last month: "We will play any team, any time, anywhere." FSU then went out and beat UVA. I would like it if our coaches said that....and then backed it up.

1.) Everything I've heard is Shoemaker looks to be the #2 guy going into this season? 2.) Dennis Basch moving to FB? Makes sense, since JD likes throwing to the FB. Dennis is a big kid too. it would be nice for Getsey to have Basch and Kasparek on the field at the same time. 3.) Everything I hear is that Drew Higgins is not in the mix at WR. Look for Long to have a break out year in 2005. 4.) Now that Zach Anderson's in the fold, pencil him in at #2 OL somewhere. Maybe #1. 5.) Based off last season's PT, I'd expect Stokes to start over Grant? Is Butler that highly thought of? I've never seen him play, so I don't know. 6.) Parris McNeal going to get another shot at Safety? 7.) Kicker: Swiger. Word is the transfer kicker from Wisconsin is no threat to Swiger's job.

You may add your own reasons if you'd like.

Thanks for the insight, OSZ!

Board: FAU, FIU need not worry By Ted Hutton STAFF WRITER Posted January 11 2005 GRAPEVINE, Texas · Florida Atlantic's jump to Division I-A football got a big boost Monday when it became clear the NCAA I-A Board of Directors had no desire to penalize teams for not averaging 15,000 in home attendance. FAU and Florida International can now move into their second and final year of transition from I-AA to I-A without the threat of having to repeat their first year after failing to meet the average. "It will be of assistance to [FAU and FIU] and a benefit to those who worried about being on the edge," NCAA Vice President David Berst said. "That's very good news," FAU Athletic Director Craig Angelos said. The board did not vote to rescind the rule, but directed the NCAA staff to come back with legislation in April that would eliminate or reduce the number. Berst said sentiment ran toward killing the rule. "It was clear there was a feeling for the need to modify or eliminate the attendance rule," said Robert Hemenway, president of the I-A Board of Directors. The attendance rule was adopted in 2003 as part of a package for I-A football qualification, and was in effect for the first time this season. But opposition had been building, with opponents saying attendance was out of a university's control. The proposed penalties for missing the attendance figure were to increase with each violation. After the first failure, a school is issued a warning and put on a 10-year probation period. A second failure within that 10-year window would get the team banned from a bowl game. A third failure would result in reclassification to I-AA. But Berst said there would be no enforcement until there is final resolution in April. Angelos said that while FAU is pleased the biggest impediment to moving to I-A is on its way to being removed, he still feels the school needs to increase attendance. "Rule or no rule, we have to grow our fan base to increase revenues," Angelos said. Six of the current 117 I-A teams drew fewer than 15,000 this season, according to unaudited NCAA statistics, and eight averaged between 15,000 and 16,000. FIU averaged 10,095 fans and FAU 10,784. Two of the 17 university presidents who make up the I-A Board of Directors are from schools that did not meet the attendance rule -- Sidney McPhee from Middle Tennessee State and Carol Cartwright from Can't State.

Any academic casualties? Any known transfers? I have to believe there are some players that have looked at their chances of playing under the new staff and decided it was best to move on?

I think Dustin Basch is 6' 3", about 255 lbs? First Team All-Cleveland area (Plain Dealer). Does he want to follow his brothers at Akron? Does JD want him? Although Owens' recruits, both Dennis and Dan seemed to have impressed JD, as both were integral parts of the 2004 Zips' offense. Seems like the Basch/Brookhart relationship should be pretty good? Hope to see Dustin in the fold...but I haven't heard anything regarding is recruitment.

Talented QB headed to Akron by Matt Natali The Mentor Cardinals went 7-3 in 2004 finishing ninth in Region 1 and barely missing the playoffs. Despite falling short of the post season, the Cardinals had an overall successful season, thanks in large part to Chris Jacquemain. Jacquemain is among Ohio's elite as he is ranked 82nd among the top 100 in the Class of 2005 according to Ohio High magazine, the official publication of JJHuddle.com. Early in his high school career, Jacquemain attended a couple different schools before finding a home at Mentor and becoming an impact player for the Cardinals. His athleticism and size (6-3, 200 lbs) allowed him to play several different positions in high school, including wide receiver, safety and quarterback. He excelled in all three positions, but was raw in each one since he never had a chance settle into a position for an extended period of time. However, his ability and potential at quarterback had the colleges and universities taking interest. Most of the MAC schools, as well as Pittsburgh, were vying for Jacquemain's services according to Mentor head coach Steve Trivisonno. However, Jacquemain ended his recruiting trail when he gave his verbal commitment to the Akron Zips back in November. "He really s likes the new facilities up there, he likes coach Brookhart, and it is only about fifty minutes from here," said Trivisonno. Although he has been recruited as quarterback, both Jacquemain and Akron are open to moving him to a receiver position should he not pan out at quarterback according to Trivisonno. But, all indications are that after a couple of years of guided development at the college level, Jacquemain could be a special quarterback.

No problem, Artist Formerly Known as Z-Pastie. You're still on my exclusive Tailgating "A-list" (a highly coveted status).

Football Auburn's Jason Campbell, Georgia's David Greene and Arizona State's Andrew Walter will share quarterback duties for the South team in the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala. The North quarterbacks are three top NFL prospects: Akron's Charlie Frye, Connecticut's Dan Orlovsky and Purdue's Kyle Orton. Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Jon Gruden will coach the South in the Jan. 29 game at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Norv Turner of the Oakland Raiders will coach the North.

Even a few days later, that comment bugs me. If a player feels he would get a better education elsewhere, he should have gone "there." I've fired employees with degrees from "better" schools. Why? Becuase they weren't pulling their weight. With a sand wedge from my cubicle I could hit 10 University of Akron graduates that are valuable contributors to our company. Accountants, engineers, graphic designers, heads of QC, product managers, marketing managers, and on and on. Allegedly "better" schools don't translate to "better" students. I'm not so blind to think that The University of Akron is the best place in the free world to get an education, but it is VERY good. In my 16 years of post-graduation work experience, never have I felt at an intellectual disadvantage because of the curriculum. If you graduated from The University of Akron, you are as prepared as anyone to be successful in your profession. If The University of Akron was such a cakewalk, then take your 4.0 and go to grad school at a "better" school.

You know your program is at rock bottom when the "close-to-the-best" player on the team is averaging a whopping 3.6 points per game. I'd jokingly say that "she'll be sorely missed"...but I see the women mustered a nice 40 points tonight versus Toledo...so I guess Stacey accounted for almost 10% of their scoring? It's actually a HUGE hit? :blink: Can we take bets on whether or not the women win a game this year?

What planet have you been on for the past 4 years?

Dude had 270 yards vs. Warren Harding! Doesn't look like he'll be a DB as far as I can tell? Click For 2004 Info

Looks like McFadden's scary passing continued @ Toledo? 0 points, 21 minutes, 5 fouls, 5 turnovers. That's bad stuff. I didn't get the chance to listen to the games, but it appears only Peterson and Travis decided to show up?

I concur!

Still WVU Blackhawk football standout Jeremy Bruce (RB/WR/DB) made a verbal commitment to West Virginia last spring, but made a visit to Akron a few weeks ago. The Akron visit, ironically, sold Bruce on West Virginia. "Akron's been on me pretty good and they asked me to come out," Bruce said. "I went to see their facilities and everything, and it was nice. But I'm sticking with West Virginia. That's where my heart is."

Hoops player too: Kemme flexing muscles at center Thursday, December 16, 2004 PATRICK DOLAN ThisWeek Staff Writer As far as Upper Arlington High School boys basketball coach Tim Casey is concerned, some central Ohio teams can boast of having a taller center than his squad, but few can say it has a stronger post player. At 6-foot-6, 255 pounds, senior Chris Kemme can be a handful for opposing teams. His size enables him to take up a lot of room under the basket, while his strength allows him to outmuscle opponents for rebounds. "He's a moose," Casey said of Kemme, who made a verbal commitment to play football at Akron University on Dec. 7. "He's extremely hard to move. Guys just bounce off him. And he's deceptively quick. He doesn't look like he can move, but he's pretty quick. ... When he's focused, I don't think there's a whole lot of guys who can guard him. And he's a great defender in the middle." Kemme, a three-year varsity player and second-year starter, was third on the team in scoring (9.1 points per game) last season behind Thomas Kluz (15.3) and Ben Lupton (12.7). Given the fact that Kluz and Lupton both graduated, Kemme is being counted on to help carry the offensive load for the Bears this season. And through four games, he is averaging 13.5 points, which ranks him second on the team in scoring behind junior Matt Streng (16.8). "I knew that Matt Streng and I had to replace two good players," Kemme said, referring to Kluz and Lupton. "I knew I had to score more points this year. I had a couple chats with coach Casey before the season about how he needed me to be one of the leaders and about how he needed me to score points." Kemme scored a career-high 19 points in a 57-48 win over visiting Westerville North on Dec. 7 and has been in double figures in points in all but one game. Last season, he scored in double figures in nine of the 21 games. "He's the most experienced guy we have," said Casey, whose team fell to 2-2 overall and 1-1 in the OCC-Ohio Division with a 56-44 loss to Newark last Friday. "He's the one guy we have who has a tremendous amount of varsity experience. ... I told him that we needed to rely on him to score points this year, and he's come through for us. He's been doing a great job. If he stays out of foul trouble, he'll have a great senior year." According to Casey, Kemme is held in high esteem by all his teammates. "He's continuing to grow into the leadership role," Casey said. "He's one of the players in our program that guys instantly respond to. The kids really respect him."

Wasn't Jud Cummins from Upper Arlington?

Wow...and I thought I was frustrated over the past 20 years... BZ's post simply stated we've seen some great QB play in the past 7 years. Your rant about having too few wins during that period is marginally valid, but has noting to do with BZ's post. I'll leave it at that. Regarding the quoted passage above, I couldn't disagree more with respect to thanking the players that have competed for the University over the past several years. Who cares if they got a scholarship? All had opportunities to attend other universities, large or small, yet chose to be Zips. The seniors put "Akron" on their uniforms and represented the University well for 4 to 5 years. I had a blast watching the likes of Matt Cherry, Sparks, Payne, Frye, Dwight Smith, Jason Taylor, Chase Blackburn, Bobby Hendry, Konrad Dean, Jud Cummins, Jake Schifino...and on and on. Yes, the wins were fewer than I'd prefer, but those guys bought into an Akron program with no field house, no championship legacy, no adoring fan base, an ambivolent local media, 6 mile trips to practice in the backs of beater pick up trucks, no $100 OSU booster "hand shakes"...almost zero TV exposure...man...how can you rebuke an Akron fan for thanking these guys? They were the BEST! The saying "Hate the game, not the player" applies here. Get pissed at Dennis Helsel, Bill Muse, Gerry Faust, Lee Owens, Peggy Gordon Elliott...take your pick. But, don't dismiss these player's contributions. They're the bedrock for all the unbelievably positive team accomplishments we're going to witness over the next several years. BTW: A special "Thanks" to the recent players for the two Marshall wins! I'd been waiting 20 years for a legit reason to storm the field after a big win, and you gave it to me...and I am ETERNALLY gratefull! Existing players: Keep doing the great job your doing in selling the new recruits on the University during the recruiting visits! Unreal job thusfar!!