Captain Kangaroo

If programs like Colorado and Rutgers are still picking up meaningful players as of yesterday, I'm pretty confident Akron's remaining scholarships will be used on decent talent too.

Reinke played quite a bit yesterday, so I don't think Sampson has supplanted him. It was interesting to look at the defense yesterday and see that, at times, it was the exact same players at each position as last season. That continuity and experience has to pay big dividends for the Zips this year. Jean-Baptiste saw time at both tackle and end. He seemed to get in the backfield a lot. Worst case, he'll be a seamless replacement for Camera. But he appears to have the size and skills to do more. I didn't notice McGriff. I don't think he played? Wooldridge saw some time. Stewart saw a fair amount of snaps, but didn't make any noteworthy plays. The reinforcements I was thinking about were Brimage and Lewis/Scippio. Our thin WR situation opens the door for one or two of them to play this fall. Dixon is another young WR that will be in the mix. I didn't notice him yesterday.

If anyone attended the scrimmage and wanted to share their thoughts, let's try it in this thread. Here's what I saw... The scrimmage began a little late, with the action starting a little after 9 am. Thankfully it was held indoors. Appropriately kicking things off was a session with the various kicking candidates who rotated attempts starting at roughly 30 yards, and extending out to 50. O'Leary and Gasser alternated, and then Fitschen and newcomer David Albert took turns. O'Leary looked strong. Gasser was short from 50. Fitschen is a lefty who's been around a while. Looks like he's got a really powerful leg. Albert hit one from 50. I don't know what that all will mean come September, but those are the names presently in the kicking battle. Kato and Alex Ramart split virtually all the QB snaps. Drew Hodgson saw very limited action. They wore red jersey's, so they couldn't be hit. The offense/defense portion of the scrimmage began with the offense basically at the 20 yard line, running 8(?) plays each, and then moving back to the 20 and re-starting with the other QB. The 2nd half of the scrimmage was devoted to red zone plays, again alternating QB's. Zips fans should be pretty excited about their 2018 QB situation. Both Nelson and Ramart looked eminently capable of running the offense. As expected, there were a lot of designed running plays with Kato. Ramart, while not the runner, acquitted himself well when he had to use his feet. Said Bowden after the scrimmage, "As much as we're excited about Kato, we haven't really talked about how excited we are about Ramart. He's 6' 3", 215 pounds and in addition to his passing, he runs the ball well. He's not a typical "Louisville type" running QB, but he's big and strong. I liken him to that Florida Atlantic QB (Jake Driskel). A smart runner with good size that drives you crazy if you don't account for him. It's exciting to have two guys who have now been with our program a little while, that can play the game like Kato and Alex." Both Ramart and Nelson showcased strong arms. Ramart threw a nice deep ball the MTB on his first possession that would have been on the money, had Traylor-Bennett not been held. He later had a deep one to Kwad that was dropped. Kato's best deep toss of the day resulted in a 30+ yard grab by Andre Williams. Williams took a big stem forward in solidifying a starting position. He showed sure hands, and looked comfortable catching balls along the sidelines and in the slot. He's also very elusive after the catch. Said Bowden, "We saw as a back up last season that Dre was going to be something special." Ramart threw the only INT of the day. Under pressure, he tossed a ball into traffic that was picked by Bubba Arslanian. A name to watch on the defensive side of the ball is Andy Jean-Baptiste. The 6' 5", 267 pound JUCO transfer looks like he'll make an impact in 2018. Dylan Meeks saw some time at defensive end. Jamal Davis had an active day. Said Bowden, "He's still learning to play with his hand down, but he's got as much talent as anyone on our team. He could've had two or three sacks today if the quarterbacks weren't wearing those red shirts. Sampson on the other side, he's got some real ability too. We've just got to continue to grow them." When asked about the goals of this scrimmage, and the spring overall, Bowden said "I told our coaches I want to find the top eleven guys on offense and defense. and then we need to find those next eleven. We're evaluating the talent level of the team, and identifying which guys we can count on in the fall." Bowden also said it was a good time to experiment with some different looks on both sides of the ball. "We're trying a few different things ...just throwing some plays and formations up against the wall and seeing what sticks." One of those trials looked to be lining true freshman Keyondre White in the wildcat as the potential successor to 2017 short-yardage specialist Manny Morgan. On White, Bowden said "He's 233 pounds...we haven't had a runner like that for a while. He's got those big hips and he's tough to tackle. He's got a place here for sure." Bowden also mention he's following the track exploits of Devanier Floyd, "He's 220 pounds and ran a 10.9 the other day." Abe Alce also enters the picture this summer at 250 lbs, so the 2018 Zips will definitely have a different, more physical look in the backfield. There were only two scholarship running backs available today. Keyondre White and Van Edwards shared the load on the ground. Former DB Caleb Green got a few carries at RB too. He actually looked pretty good. ZipsNation medical specialist Dr. Z reports Deltron Sands is 75% healed, and will be ready to go for the fall. The Coach spoke in general terms about the scrimmage when he stated "We saw some guys today that made some plays...we didn't know those guys could do what they showed." But it was clear he was caught by surprise at the physicality of Maverick Wolfley's (West Virginia transfer) play from the H-back position. With Kobie Booker out for a family commitment, and Newman Williams out with a meniscus issue, Wolfley took the opportunity for extended playing time to steal the early Saturday morning show and provide a rude awakening to multiple would-be tacklers. The biggest roar from the sidelines came when Wolfley steamed up the sideline and completely flattened a Zips CB. If you like hard-nosed, old school football you're going to love watching Maverick Wolfley play at InfoCision over the next four seasons. Another surprise was the play of former QB Nick Johns, who caught several mid-range passes (1 TD) from the H position. At 6' 3", 230 pounds he was a favorite target for both QB's today. Former Zips defensive coordinator (under Lee Owens) Joe Trecey was once again seen coaching along the sidelines? In addition to Akron, he's had stints as defensive coordinator at Cincinnati, UCLA, YSU and some other schools. Word on the street is he's not going to be the Zips DC, but will be a defensive position coach. Alvin Davis was a healthy scratch today. Jest is back and looks to be in better condition than his freshman season. So the overall takeaways from today's scrimmage? We have a deep, veteran defense. We're a little thin at WR, but reinforcements are coming. And MTB will shake off the rust at some point. We have two great young QB's. The depth at H-back might get the Zips playing some 3 WR + TE sets this year? Maverick Wolfley is a beast. We got out of the scrimmage healthy. Apologies if there are any errors above. The scrimmage was very fast-paced, with no time outs. The seating in the Stile Center is very low, and it's tough to see the action when it's far away. It was tough to keep up at times.

Here too! At 8:30 am the team has a lot more energy than me.

Would Ivey stick around if there wasn't a strong probability of success next season? Or, if he didn't have confidence in Groce? I'm with Jimmond. I think we'll be much more talented and deeper next year, and by season's end we'll be in the hunt for a finals appearance.

I would contend that, just because Hipsher and Crawford didn't win, KD shouldn't be considered our "ceiling." KD was a good guy. Very good MAC recruiter. Good MAC coach. And in the MAC, being somewhere between good and very good will get you in the Championship game more often than not. Just look at all the crappy coaches with full scholarship benches that couldn't beat the crippled Zips this year...it doesn't take John Wooden to get to the MAC Championship game. Huggins won at Akron in the 80's. His body of work then, and beyond shows he was the best Zips coach in the JAR-era. His tenure was short (5 years) but the guy has won big-time wherever he's gone. Against the best-of-the-best competition. Any AD would take Hug over Dambrot. The oft-maligned Hipsher had some good years too. But unlike Dambrot, the MAC during Hipsher's tenure was brutal. Bonzi Wells, Gary Trent, Brandon Hunter, Wally Sczerbiak, Tamar Slay, Antonio Daniels, Theron Smith ...the MAC was pumping out some NBA talent back then.

Senderoff wants the field of 68 expanded

Akron - The Rodney Dangerfield of the MAC #DefendingEastChamps

Bizarre rationale for leaving your team? Seems more like he was searching for an excuse. He just wants a bigger stage to showcase himself for the NFL draft. All the better for the Zips. He's a good player.

Capacity-wise, the JAR is fine. It's just an bush-league facility. Bad sight lines, and high school gym seating. No loges. No beer sales. At $60 per season ticket, it's worth it as-is. But before I die it is my dream to sit in a revamped JAR, in a soft-cushion seat that angles towards mid-court, with a beer, watching the Zips. I think I paid $200/seat this year? I'd pay $500/seat in the re-vamped arena.

Faust is BACK!

Scott Cross' most-recent 3 seasons: 2015-16 24-11 (.686) 13-7 3rd (SBC) 2016-17 27-9 (.750) 14-4 1st (SBC) 2017-18 21-13 (.618) 10-8 4th (SBC) I don't see how they fire the guy? Perennial 20-game winner, UTA Alum...wife is a UTA alum.

Insert your news, tips, rumors and speculation here. BG Finds Their New DC

Loyola's "Mr. Clutch" coulda been a Zip

I'll be curious to see if the 225 lb weight listed for Maverick Wolfley is accurate. That's more 30 lbs below where he was at in September. Wonder if that weight loss opens up some options for him outside of H-back? Also so interesting to see O'Leary still on the roster. I would have thought he'd walk away after falling out of favor last season.

Retired from Playing, but Hired as Offensive Coordinator

No Ham for the Zips this Easter

UMFeaking BC! Yet another win that makes this Mid-major grad jealous as hell! Nice job Retrievers on making NCAA history, instead of excuses! Couldn't imagine the party tonight in Baltimore!

I would contend that, if we can't pay Morgan State, we shouldn't be a Division 1 program. Put me in the corner with those that are happy we get one guaranteed week to feel good about Zips football in September. Those first three away games are an absolute meat grinder.

A Buffalo win gives the MAC some national respect. Buffalo games will generate a lot more interest across the MAC next year. No whining about their seed or being from a 1-bid conference. They just went out and kicked some ass. Awesome job by the Bulls tonight. They lost their marquee coach and just keep rolling with the next one.

It will be interesting to see what is easier - Winning the 1-bid MAC, with its tourney held 35 miles north of Akron? Being the #2 or #3 team in the A-10, where you'll need to annually finish above VCU, Rhode Island, Dayton, Saint Joe's and whomever else might be hot (like Davidson or Saint Bonaventure)? I'm thinking winning the MAC is a much easier route to the NCAA's. Just look at all the teams that couldn't beat the crippled Zips this year. Dambrot predicted Akron would be "Gonzaga of the East." If he said "MAC East," he'd have been much more accurate. I don't think anything I ever saw from him at his time at UA, or this season at Duquesne, foreshadows him having massive success in the A-10. He'll do ok. I hope he's happy there.

If I'm Daniel Utomi I pay good money for that jump shot photo! Kostelac vs. Thompson is my second favorite. Looking forward to your MAC Finals pics in 2019!

I had to watch the video to see what he meant, because no team that fights back from a 27-4 deficit can be accused of not caring. Alexander was speaking of the Zips relentless defense, and the fact that they don't care if they foul out. Players will use all 5 fouls if that's what it takes. No easy opponent bucketst. Can't complain about that observation.

Is it equivalent to beating Kansas in Round #1? No. But it would be HUGE. The Zips first NCAA D1 tourney win! What a story...a nationally televised game...in front of a packed house in Dayton where the Ohio fans would be 98% on our side...the team with 7 scholarship players wins a tourney game to advance to the field of 64? Sign me up!

The only problem is when you have an odd number in your crew. NW Akron's "TravelZoo" site is good if you have an odd number. Tix are $11/person there. On day #1 you can always buy the cheapest ticket available and sit wherever you want.