Captain Kangaroo

I need to go break the 8" thick ice slabs from my driveway. Hope your Christmas was great and I wish you the best in the New Year.

1.) I've been paying attention. EMU is improved, but there's no way they win the West. No way. I repeat, no way. 2.) I saw WMU play USC. They were outclassed, but only lost by 7. WMU had a brutal non-conf schedule. If they had Akron's sorry schedule, they'd be 7-1. 3.) I care if we beat Penn State in Basketball. Why? BECAUSE THEY'RE A FRIGGING BIG 10 TEAM!!!! HOW CAN YOU SAY NO ONE CARES IF THE ZIPS BEAT A BIG 10 TEAM? OUR LAST WIN AGAINST ANY BIG 10 TEAM IN FOOTBALL OR BASKETBALL WAS WHEN JOHN HEISMAN WAS THE FOOTBALL COACH...BUFFALO DID IT THIS FRIGGING WEEK!!!! 4.) Why should Miami return to earth? They beat Purdue and Xavier in week one. Akron could have played those teams 3 times a year for the past decade and never beaten them ONCE! 5.) Since you're the same guy that wondered "Why isn't Derrick Tarver going to be drafted in the NBA?" I'll attribute your ponderings to being 8,000 miles away. The point of view from Hawai'i is far different than from ground zero.

If some "guest" posted this info...ok...be skeptical. Dude...I have over 500 posts on this board...nothing is 100% in December, but trust me...the kid has a "verbal" with Akron. That's as binding as my verbal to Notre Dame...but it is a hell of a lot more factual.

Beating Mount Union, Ashland, Duquesne, CSU etc. doesn't excite me. Hell...Hipsher could do that. Beat a "name" opponent...PLEASE....win a tournament game...PLEASE...

I realize Dambrot didn't make the schedule...and I realize everyone schedules their share of cupcakes...but we aren't scheduling ANYONE of note. Dayton is about as good as it gets. They're good...but beating Dayton doesn't carry the national weight of beating, say Penn State...even if Dayton's program is better (and it is). Give me a win I can brag about, Zips!! (And regular season wins vs. Can't...while very nice, don't count)

I agree with just about everything you've written. I'll add the following: I am so DAMN frustrated with our cake-walk, sorry ass pre-MAC schedule. MAC teams thusfar have wins vs Virginia Tech, Florida State, Creighton, Purdue, Xavier, Depaul, Penn State, Auburn, etc. and we're too afraid to schedule those types of games. What a crime. In the semi-storied HISTORY of Akron Basketball we've NEVER won a game vs. a "name" team. That's an amazing statistic, when you consider that other MAC teams need both their fingers and toes to count how many "name" teams they've beaten in the past decade. You can count our "name" wins on the number of hairs on Dennis Helsel's head. Miami looks to have snapped out of their post-Wally slump (slump, by Miami standards). They will be extra tough in tourney time. I'm still not a believer in Buffalo. It will be interesting to see how Dambrot matches up with Buffalo. Hipsher's schackled motion offense always had fits vs even the worst Buffalo squads. OU looks tough at home, but their youth makes them somewhat easy pickings on the road. They WAAAY overspent on their coach. Marshall may go 5-23 this year. WMU's pre-MAC schedule has got to have them ready for conference play. That, plus their tourney experience from 2004 makes them the favorite to meet Can't in the finals. Oh yeah, they're talented too. I like BG more than Toledo at the moment. BTW, I believe Reimold did receive the "Steve Esterkamp" 7th year exemption. Or is it 8th? Ball State is in a Miami-esque slump (again, by their standards). They've done nothing special since that NIT run of a couple years ago. I don't believe in EMU yet. They've gotten fat on cupcakes thusfar. CMU. Misses Kaman.

Thanks for the notes, Zipboy! I always forget that that show is on the air. They should run promo's for it during Zips games. Another "show" I came across after the Miami game was on 88.1 WZIP. There were some students on the air discussing a bunch of stuff. They spent a decent amount of time discussing Zips football. I don't know if that was a one-time deal, or if they do it regularly? It was interesting to listen to regardless.

<Click For BA's 100m and 200m numbers> BTW: This was NOT the Brandon Anderson from Penn Hills that committed to the Zips two years ago, then disappeared. Ironic, though? Article: Pulaski County 47, Christiansburg 19 Cougars turn tide in hurry Pulaski County's Brandon Anderson returns a kickoff 93 yards to make sure the Demons' 13-7 lead is brief. By TIM WINSKY THE ROANOKE TIMES DUBLIN - Thirteen seconds is but a miniscule slice of a 48-minute high school football game. However, on this particular night 13 seconds ended up taking the entire cake. The Christiansburg sideline was in jubilation. The visitor stands were buzzing with excitement. The Demons had just taken a 13-7 lead over Pulaski County early in the second quarter. The Demons had momentum. They had control. But then they had to kickoff. In a 13-second, tide-turning jaunt, Pulaski running back Brandon Anderson returned the ensuing kickoff 93 yards to put the Cougars up 14-13. Pulaski (5-3, 2-1 River Ridge District) ran wild the rest of the game in route to a 47-19 home victory over Christiansburg (4-4, 1-2) Friday night. "That won the game for us," Pulaski coach Jack Turner said. "That gave us all the momentum and we never looked back after that." Following the back-breaking return, the Cougars reeled off 27 more unanswered points. "It was big for us," said Anderson, who scored two other times on the ground. "I caught it, and the wall set up, and I just saw the open field and then I was gone. There was no way I was going to let anybody catch me." From that point on there was no way the Demons were going to catch the Cougars. The score quickly ballooned as Pulaski used a bruising rushing attack and two big plays to put Christiansburg away. With five seconds remaining in the first half and Pulaski holding a 21-13 lead, quarterback Britt Shumate fired his second and last pass of the game to receiver Steven Cobbs for a 49-yard touchdown as time expired. The ball deflected off a defender and into the arms of Cobbs, who quickly turned and took the surprise gift untouched to the end zone. Pulaski sealed the game with a 53-yard interception return by defensive back Ryan Dean midway through the third quarter. The Cougars finished with 363 rushing yards on 59 carries. Anderson knifed for 108 and Derrick Burks powered for 141 and a score. The victory keeps the Cougars' playoff hopes alive. "I thought the kids rebounded well tonight after a tough loss to Blacksburg against a fine Christiansburg team," said Turner. "I'm telling you right now, a couple more years in the weight room with those kids at C-burg, they're going to have a heck of a football program. They're doing a lot of nice things." Hoffer finished with 131 yards passing, including three touchdown passes. Christiansburg's Antonio Clabon had a 63-yard touchdown reception.

Hartung to wait Nate Hartung, a 6-3, 410-pound offensive lineman at Butler, had scholarship offers this summer from Syracuse, West Virginia, Kansas, Temple and Akron. But colleges have backed off Hartung and he most likely won't go to college for a few years. Hartung is a Mormon and must complete a two-year mission at some point between ages 19 and 24. He plans to fulfill his mission requirement shortly after graduation from Butler. He then hopes to play college football when he returns. "It's kind of disappointing," Hartung said. "Everything was looking up after last year, but everyone seems to have pulled out. I know we weren't a very good team this year [1-9 record], but I still played alright. I'm sure my weight is a big deal." Hartung's father, Dick, said some colleges backed off because of the two-year mission. "He visited Utah and then their staff went to Florida," Dick Hartung said. "If the right school offered, he would sign. That would be Brigham Young and Utah. We're Mormons and I just think the state of Utah is where Nate should be." ******************************************************************************** ************************************** Duquesne running back Shane Brooks had more than a dozen scholarship offers this summer, but some of those schools are no longer recruiting him. He visited Pitt this past weekend and has January visits planned to Connecticut and Akron. ******************************************************************************** ************************************8 Stull calls Kentucky's number Tuesday, December 21, 2004 Seton-La Salle star Bill Stull was on a return flight Monday from a recruiting visit to Maryland when he received a voice mail on his cell phone. When the record-setting passer checked his message, he received some good news: Former Ole Miss quarterbacks coach Kurt Roper had accepted a job at Kentucky. A moment later, Stull's phone rang again. It was Kentucky coach Rich Brooks. This time, Stull delivered the good news by making a verbal commitment to the Wildcats. "They've been there since Day One; actually, they invented Day One," Stull said. "They were the first ones to send me a letter, and I got that my sophomore year. They were the first everything - first to offer, first official visit - and the thing that separates them is Kentucky's been there, no matter what. They were there from the beginning and they were going to be there until the end." Stull ultimately chose Kentucky over Maryland, Ole Miss and South Carolina, which had been recruiting him since hiring Steve Spurrier. Akron, Bowling Green, Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Indiana, Can't State, Florida Atlantic and Wisconsin also offered scholarships.

A friend of the Zips Nation sent an email informing me that Brandon Anderson has committed to the Zips. He's a DB from Hargrave Academy in Virginia. Interestingly, I believe he committed to the Zips two years ago out of Penn Hills HS? Must have had grade issues and decided to go the prep school route? Could be an entirely different "Brandon Anderson"...it isn't that unique a name? Click for BA info

Click Me

No link needed. Read about it in the paper tomorrow, I guess. Probably doesn't affect the Zips much. Miami seems to be able to "reload" pretty well. I doubt they'll miss a beat.

Zips women @ 0-9... "Wow."

The Zips have three non-conference games on their 2005 schedule. In addition to playing host to Army, they travel to West Lafayette, Ind., on Sept. 10 to face Purdue and to Murfreesboro, Tenn., the following Saturday to play Middle Tennessee State. The eight-game 2005 Mid-American Conference schedule will not be released until the spring, but Akron is slated to play home games vs. Can't State, Ohio and Northern Illinois, and road contests at Buffalo, Miami and Ball State. However, divisional realignment to offset the loss of UCF and Marshall in the East will alter next year's league schedule in some fashion. Akron Football Future Non-Conference Schedules Year (No. of Games) 2005 (11) Sept. 10 at Purdue Sept. 17 at Middle Tennessee State Oct. 22 Army Obviously, the Zips will play a game before September 10th, and obviously it will be a league game. I say play OU as the opener...OU will bring a big crowd to a Septh 3rd, or Sept 1st game. Save the home Can't game for late Sept/Early Oct. Two guaranteed 20K+ games. Don't waste the Can't game on the opener...but don't do anything stupid like playing it in November either.

Solich's Agent: "Hey, great news Frank.... I got you the OU job!!" Solich: "Man...how'd you pull it off? I didn't even know Stoops was gone?!" Solich's Agent: "Um, Frank...it isn't..." Solich: *interrupting* "Wow...I'm gonna get those SOB's at Nebraska back! Fire me after a 9 win season, will they?!" Solich's Agent: *interrupting* "Frank! It isn't Oklahoma University, It's OHIO University!" Solich (disappointed): "Oh...well...it still isn't so bad. You know Tressel built quite a program there. They weren't too bad this season, and..." Solich's Agent: "FRANK, LISTEN TO ME...IT IS OHIO UNIVERSITY, NOT OHIO STATE!!! THE BOBCATS, NOT THE BUCKEYES!!!!!" Solich: "Oh. Bobcats, huh? What, was the Otterbein job spoken for? F*ck..."

Actually, it was HIS vote. Rumor has it he thought he was voting for Alcorn State.

Looking at the OL situation for 2005, and reflecting back on 2004: We're losing Borrieci, Conley, Grzeskowiak and Piccirillo to graduation. That's 80% of the line, and those guys probably took 70% of the offensive snaps. As far as I know, next season's OL candidates include: Brewster (RS-Fr.) - No experience. Crouch (Jr.) - Starter in 2004, but no threat to the All-MAC Teams Donaldson (Jr.) - Back up Gruber (RS-Fr.) - No experience Hein - (Sr.) - Back up Kaplan (So.) Back up Schepp (So.) Back up Walker (So.) No Experience Willis (Jr.) Little Experience Bates (True Fr.) Huebner (True Fr.) Allenman (Jr.) Converted DL - Not much Experience I'm no Anthony Munoz, but does that spell disaster for 2005? I'm sure a guy or two can be brought in from the JUCO ranks, but OL's need time to develop (as a group), and everyone is new. Also, the OL had its share of troubles the past two seasons, but none of the backups seemed to be able to pressure the starters for their jobs? The OL coach has got his hands full for the next 9 months. Beyond Getsey, how does Biggs get his yards in 2005? In games vs. the "better" teams on our schedule last season (Penn State, UVA, NIU, Marshall and Miami), we had 139 carries for 253 yards. A paltry 1.8 yd/carry. No 100 yard games. Against the "lesser" opponents (MTSU, Can't, Buffalo, UCF, Ball State and OU) we had 241 carries for 835 yards. A respectable 3.5 yards per carry. All 6 games over 100 yards. Biggs proved he's a hell of a back if he gets some holes. Can he get some in 2005? Does anyone have any insight on this one? It seems like we could really struggle on the offensive side of the ball next season unless some rabbits are pulled out of the hat on Signing Day. That, or we play Buffalo and UCF 11 times.

Read in today's PD that another Glenville kid is going to Eastern Michigan.

I saw Toledo got two OL's (from Hoban and North). Pitt got the kid from Buchtel. The City Series POTY is from Garfield...haven't heard where he's going? Doen't appear there's a snowballs chance of getting Brinson. Wonder if there will be any Akron-area kids signed by JD in February?

Playoff loss can't erase solid football season By Jim McNamara, Sports Editor Wednesday, November 10, 2004 It took some time before head coach Greg Botta could look at the tape of his Panthers loss to West Mifflin in the opening round of the WPIAL playoffs. "It was a very disheartening loss," said the coach. But it was not a disheartening season for the Panthers and their fans. The Panthers went 7-2 during the regular season despite losing two of their top running backs during the first two weeks of the season. And after suffering a 14-13 loss to Hampton in the fourth week of the year, Franklin Regional ran off five straight wins. The Panthers outscored their opponents 192-16 during that span. "I'm pleased with the work ethic and attitude of this football team," said the coach. And all of those positive qualities started with the Panthers Class of 2004. Leading the way were Scott Uziel and Jim Rockovich. Uziel, a tight end/linebacker, is a legitimate NCAA Division I prospect and was a leader on and off the field. "Scott is the type of kid who can go as far as he wants to," said Botta. "He's going to be missed. He was like a son to me." Uziel started as a sophomore and continued to get better each year. "The other conference coaches couldn't say enough about him," said Botta. "Wherever he goes, he's going to make an impact." Rockovich didn't make his impact until the third week of the season, after two other running backs - Robbie Armstrong and Fran Johns - went down to injury. Rockovich became the team's go-to offensive weapon. "It fell on Jimmy's shoulders and he stepped up," said Botta. But it wasn't just those two. Botta said every senior member of the team contributed. And several underclassmen also turned in solid seasons. Two that jump out are Lenny Gallo and Brad Phillips. Phillips started the season at quarterback and defensive back. Gallo started sharing time at quarterback midway through the season and took the majority of the snaps by the end of the season. The Panthers will also have their entire defensive secondary, both inside linebackers and one inside linebacker back. On offense, Armstrong will return and should be healthy to lead the rushing attack. The key, said Botta, will be rebuilding the offensive and defensive lines and continuing the type of play this year's team started. "We have to stay hungry," said Botta. Having a winning attitude could be especially important because Botta believes the Greater Allegheny Conference will be pretty balanced next year. Hampton, he said, should be the favorite because the Talbots have a host of talented players returning. But the rest of the teams could be about even. There are a lot of talented young players coming back to teams like Keystone Oaks and Highlands, said the coach. "There should be a lot of parity next year."

As fullback/linebacker Joe Tuzze goes, the Lakeland Chiefs go By Joby Fawcett TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER 11/26/2004 Just as the cramped Lakeland team bus was about to move out of the parking lot, someone noticed coach Dan Case wasn't on board yet. Right on cue, Case climbed the steps, found a seat, and sat down. "Hey coach," a player yelled, "we almost left without you." "That's all right if you leave me," Case retorted. "Just don't leave Number 32." Number 32 is Joe Tuzze. The Lakeland Chiefs go nowhere without him. A mild-mannered high school senior on the outside, Tuzze is a throwback on the inside. He terrorizes offenses with his ferocious tackling. He sends chills through defenses with his bruising running. Throughout a remarkable Lakeland career, Tuzze has established himself as the area's finest football player. He has intimidating size at 230 pounds, to go along with freakish speed. His instincts are spot on, his desire is fierce. Number 32 is the heart and soul of this team. He'll be the focus of Lansdale Catholic's schemes as the two teams meet tonight in the PIAA Class AA quarterfinals at 7:30 at Wissahickon High School. "Obviously, as a player, he's had an impact," Case said. "But as an example, with his work ethic, his determination, and his character, he makes the other guys work hard. He's a natural leader." In fourth grade, Tuzze's legend began as a fiery player for the Junior Chiefs. Quiet and short on words, early on he showed a propensity to make game-changing plays. That success motivated him and fueled his love for the game. "Every year, I tried to play with a lot of heart," Tuzze said. "It always seemed like I could make some plays. I just hustle around and try to make plays. "I remember coming up and seeing everybody during track season lifting. After eighth grade, I got serious about lifting after the coaches told me I'd be on the varsity." Only 14-years-old at the time, Tuzze took the field for the varsity Chiefs as a freshman. Starting at fullback, then only 205 pounds, he played a vital role in one of the most productive offenses in area-history. Then, the Chiefs were led by quarterback Evan Kraky, who went on to set the state record for passing yards in a career. That season, Tuzze rumbled through defenses for 320 yards and five touchdowns and learned about character. "I didn't think I was going to make it," Tuzze said. "I toughened up and made it through the year." The rest has been a story of dominance and destruction. In his sophomore season, he helped lead the Chiefs to the District 2 Class AA championship. He ran the football with power, but it was on defense where he became a force. Tracking down runners trying to go outside, or overpowering those trying to move in the middle, Tuzze earned a berth on the All-Region team and left fans wondering just how good he could be. As a junior, his speed and strength were no match for offenses. Tuzze collected 132 solo tackles, had five interceptions and two fumble recoveries. Another All-Region berth followed and a first-team honor on The Associated Press Class AA all-state team. All that, and he was the Times-Tribune Defensive Player of the Year for a Chiefs team that went 13-1, losing to Northern Lehigh in the PIAA semifinals. Offensively, he ran for 1,196 yards and scored 24 touchdowns. Naturally, recruiters swarmed to see him. At summer camps, he shocked on-lookers with 38 repetitions with 185 pounds on the bench press. So impressed were University of Akron coaches that they offered Tuzze a scholarship. This season, with new faces around him, the silent leader has helped the Chiefs roll to a 12-0 record. That's 46 wins in the 50 games Tuzze has started. "It feels good when you have a guy like him lined up next to you," senior linebacker Jonathan Allegrucci said. "He's always got your back. He's always there with you. He motivates you in any way he can. If you aren't doing things right, he let's you know. He wants everybody to work like he works." That's a lot of work considering Tuzze has more than 10 tackles a game, another 1,000-yard season and 20 touchdowns. He'll end his career as the school's all-time leader in career tackles, career rushing yards and career touchdowns. "He's really humble," backfield-mate Colin Striefsky said. "He doesn't get caught up in all the hype. He's a great leader and someone we look up to. "It's real nice to have the best fullback leading the way. I just follow him." More accolades are in the future for this 17-year-old. For now, his focus is on Lansdale Catholic. One thing is for sure, the bus won't be leaving without him.

"HEY BIG ZIP...THOSE OVERSEAS PLAYERS COST A LOT OF MONEY!!!!"

Fort Hays candidate wants to be head coach again By NABIL SHAHEEN Hays Daily News Kevin Verdugo has been around the game of football for a long time. He has played or coached it on just about every level possible. The current assistant and running backs coach for NCAA Division 1-A University of Akron was the third candidate to meet and greet with Fort Hays officials and supporters this morning in the Tiger room at Cunningham Hall. "I don't think there is a better time to be here than right now," Verdugo said. "With the move into the new conference, the influx of resources being put into the program. The MIAA is probably one of the top Division II conferences in the country." Prior to Akron, Verdugo was a head coach at Fort Scott Community College for three years. He has also had stints as assistant, running backs or quarterbacks coach at Southern Illinois University, the University of Northern Michigan and Southeast Missouri State University. "I miss being a head coach," Verdugo said of his interest in the Fort Hays job. "I miss the challenges you face every day. It's a great time to come aboard and start something fresh and something new." The 35-year-old Verdugo is a native of Pittsburg and played quarterback at the University of Kansas for one year - "I was born and always will be a Jayhawk" - before finishing out his collegiate playing career at Colorado State University, where the team was Western Athletic Conference co-champion his senior year. Professionally, Verdugo spent two years in the New Orleans Saints training camp and also played for the Shreveport Pirates of the CFL. "I've just had an opportunity and been fortunate in my career to be around a lot of good people and see many different aspects of the game," Verdugo said. "I think it's something that tends to be a great resource. It makes you understand and appreciate a lot of things. I know many guys I work with in Division I that couldn't fathom some of the things you have to do at the Division II level. And that's OK, it may not be for them, but it's something that is a great brand of football." With his wife Jennifer and 5-month-old son Kaleb present at today's event, Verdugo said his priorities have shifted and thus a greater interest in a return to Kansas. "When you're a kid you spend your whole time trying to get away and out to bigger and better places," he said. "Then you grow and you've been all over, you find out that maybe home is not such a bad place. There's a lot of things you have to take a look at in your life and prioritize things. The opportunity to be close to home and close to family and work at a program like this is a great combination." Sports reporter Nabil Shaheen can be reached at (785) 628-1081, ext. 127, or by e-mail at nshaheen@dailynews.net.

We didn't play too well tonight. Very sloppy throughout Made some FT's! Hallejulia! Peterson had a nice overall game. CSU defended well. They took Bubba and McFadden out of the game by taking away the 3-point shot Wasn't one of Dru's better games. He seemed to be frustrated on the court? Collins played well defensively. Clutch steal at the end. How many shots would Futch take if he played 40 minutes? 40? More? Wood remains half man, half amazing. He never takes a second off. Per a fan (behind me) in the stands: "I don't miss Tarver at all." Seems to be a popular concensus. Can Preston adjust to such a limited role? I'd like to see him start, just because I think he gets "into the game" that way. I don't think he's at his best coming off the bench. Maybe he's just rusty? Middleton continues to impress. A pretty solid Fr. Gansey can shoot the rock. Frustrating, but fun game to watch tonight. In general, CSU looks like they'll improve greatly over last season...but they lost 23 straight last year, so that's no big whoop. They look to be a 10-12 win team this year. Miami beat Wright State in OT tonight. Tough one Saturday for the Zippers. WSU favored by 8, I'm guessing.

Unfortunately, there is no science to the decision to delete threads. I go by the "gut feeling" theory, and my gut feeling was...erase them. Why? Clutter... The topic has run it's course... Griping about officials is ok for a few days after the game...but it makes us look like whiners if it stays on the board much longer... Too many vapid posts from non-Zips fans intermingled within decent posts to systematically remove...it was easier to do a wholesale delete. Again, no science to it. In general I try not to delete much. This board is a highly visible representation of Zips athletic's fans. My unpaid job (and that of the other mods) it to keep it as classy, fun, informational and organized as possible while juggling work, family and life in general. Most people seem to enjoy the board thusfar, but we're always looking to improve too. Your comment is duely noted. In the future, maybe such threads can be moved? We'll see. Regards, CK