Z.I.P.

Twenty-five minutes in, no score. Shots 2-1 for UA.

It's a good thing someone told them we were coming. Their largest home crowd this year is 875.

Z.I.P., not quite sure where you're getting your information from, but Scott hasn't started a game this year, let alone played all 90 minutes. He has gotten some significant time in a few games, but not very many. Are you sure you are not confusing him with Chad Barson? (also a freshman, but a defender whom we don't hear a lot about, who almost never comes out of a game).I bet you are thinking of Chad Barson. From what I hear, he is the "captain" of the defense. Also, one of the nation's top recruits. Looking up stats he had a goal this season and two other headers from corners against cincy and w mich that goalies made great saves. From watching games and hearing Porter talk about him he is one of those players who does everything correct, rises to every occasion, can take on any forward, yet receives no glory. My bet is he notches a game winner against V tech! Interesting note, I believe Barson and Sarkodie are best friends and I believe they played club soccer together since age 13. Barson, Sarkodie, Caldwell, Valentine, and Speas were all in Florida together. Talking with those guys, Barson actually began talking with Porter first and decided on Akron. The way high school and graduation worked out Sarkodie graduated a semester earlier than everyone so was at Akron a year sooner. Soon after Barson decided on Akron, Kofi committed, than the rest of the freshman crew followed. Goes to show how influential a couple of players can be!You see! I managed to scare up a couple of new "insider" posters, just by posting some provocative language. Roo Gang is exactly right about the way the recruiting went down. I believe Ben, Chad, Kofi and Valentin are all in the '91 birth class -- probably true of Nagbe, Bunbury, Meves, Schmitt, Dagilis and maybe Caldwell as well. We OWN 1991! I did think though that Scott was a starter at midfield. Thinking about it now, who would he replace?! Maybe Caleb would consider going to a 3-man back line and placing Caldwell up at Holding Mid. Can anyone tell us where he played while at Bradenton? Is his game similar to Blair's, or is he even more possession oriented? He HAS to be the nation's top-ranked "12th Man". He should be another in the long line of future MLS/international professionals off of this team.

We have "Live Stats" Play-by-play -- might be better than the Gametracker gadget. Voila:http://www.hokiesports.com/msoccer/live/

A. I read Razor regularly (can't get his blog at work because the fed govt blocks it!), and while he admitted that JD will be gone next season, I didn't see him call for his head THIS week. B. Everyone raise their hands who thinks the guy who went 9 for 23 for 98 yards and lost badly to a less than mediocre team can now be annointed by the Holy See. St Paddy O'Nicely :bow:Apologies to anyone who's offended by the above.

I'm impressed by your faith in the team! Now, if they manage to pull this off, it will go down as one of the greatest comebacks and coaching accomplishments of this, or most any season -- and will lead to a contract extension for JD Brookhart. Did you thing about that before you made your prediction? In all seriousness, however, three wins from this group is as much, or more than I can expect -- but then I predicted 6-6, 7-5 at best before this began, while everyone was researching the possibility of a MAC school in the BCS Championship Game. Keep the faith!

Some of you might remember this -- two years ago I had to ask on this board if freshman Blair Gavin was getting any playing time with the team. Blair was arguably the highest ranked recruit in school history, being the first US U-18 or U-17 player to put his name on the paper for Akron (along with Tony Ampai). But, Blair received little if any mention in game descriptions because the spot he played -- was he at center midfield, or holding mid? -- he didn't come foreward offensively often. The response I got to my question was that Blair had started all or nearly every game that season. And he was a crucial cog on the team that became Akron's first #1-ranked team. Well, this season, the highest-ranked recruit is Massachussetts native Scott Caldwell, who's been a member of US national youth teams for at least three years before Akron (wore the armband for the US U-16 and U-17 teams as I recall), and I think was in the Bradenton national youth residency program. Scott was the #6 ranked recruit by the best-known website that ranks recruits (TopShelf?) -- at least, after Ben Speas' injury which knocked him out of the #1 spot he held before his senior year at CVCA. Well, guess what? Scott Caldwell is this year's Blair Gavin! Starting and playing nearly 90 minutes every game of the season. He's apparently that same type of block of stone at the center of the formation, who helps hold the shape of the team together with his play. At least that's the view from here in the 50th state. Can anyone who's seen the team in person share any feedback on what role (and position!) Scott is playing on the consensus #1 team in collegiate soccer? With Blair now becoming more of an offensive threat, that puts the pressure on someone to be a ballhawk in the center. I suspect that's the role of Scott.

I watched a portion of the Indiana-Michigan game (won by the Hoosiers 1-0) this afternoon on CBS College Sports. I was impressed with the individual skills of the Wolverines but their organization was less than stellar. Still, given the game is in Ann Arbor I could see this being a tough one.Worst case: 0-0. And that's if we go there unprepared. Akron? Unprepared? Unlikely!

Yeah a lot of their fans seem to have some sense of entitlement. I can't understand why. They haven't won anything of note, period. And anywhere on either coast people will think they're wearing a green buckeye shirt when they have on any Ohio gear.I have a couple friends from high school that go to OU. Both are die hard OSU fans, and graduated with sub 3.0 GPAs. I can't talk trash to them about Akron-OU match ups because they are indifferent to it. It's all about Ohio State. I guess we aren't alone.I am going to fire our intern from ou when he comes back this summer. He was a little slow anyways.OUch!

I'm not giving up on my alma mater. I'm going to keep swinging for the fences (is that the appropriate metaphor?). However, the team just lost to OHIO for Pete's sake -- at home. On Homecoming. Frankly, the only way I see this season ending successfully is if baller4life gets the start at QB this week, and throws for 800 yards, and runs for 400. With our luck, we'll probably have 22 turnovers, and go to overtime.

According to the scouts, "he's a legit 7 feet".And as I recall Gamechanger posting, he's up to about 230?

I'm on the bus with ya Betch. But I'm not behooved by it yet. Check your dictionary!

looks like the Can't game will be the battle for the basement...They can still make a run of it. The d is looking pretty good and the o should be able to move the ball. I still have hope that they can make a respectable showing by coming on strong.Nahhhh. I thought they would win one yesterday -- even made it onto ESPNNews. Then BG came from nowhere to kick their in the final seconds. What can I say? BTW -- Isn't Miami still in the MAC East?

This should be the toughest game for the next month (till the NCAAs). Va Tech's a good squad, not the New Jersey Generals of the ACC.

I like it! He turned 80 this summer. And would it have been more appropriate for Arnold to ride a motorcycle than a golf cart??

He definitely makes the people of Carbondale, Pennsylvania proud. My good friend from San Diego comes from his hometown, and I know those coal miners are made tough!Now can the coaches give the people of Massillon, Ohio an opportunity for pride? Please?

Don't forget! Akron's football team is undefeated, untied, and ranked #1 in the nation.And they need your support. Come out to Lee Jackson to root on the No. 1 collegiate footballers.

Didja hear our soccer team is ranked #1?

Now that's the first serious appraisal of the BubKittens I've read around these parts! I really feel, if we can't win this week, we may not get another 'W' this year. Win, and we still have a chance to be competitive in the East, and shuffle over to Buffalo with some Mo. But to have a real chance in the East, we must win the next two. It starts tomorrow! Akron 27 Ohio 17

Is there any way to get the broadcast of tomorrow's game -- or upcoming games -- on free on-line audio? I don't think that's asking too much.

Hey -- What is the rating the Captain posted on the front of the site? p.s.: "Somewhere in the top 5"? Anywhere but FIRST will send me into amazement.

How long does this vote last anyway?

Whatever anyone want to believe, supporting data can be found somewhere. ;)The deadline is October 31st. And he's leaning toward Transylvania!I understand some failed to get my message. Yes, Kentucky. There is a Transylvania!

Can anyone enlighten us -- Is Mr Beaven an actual ABJ reporter, or just an occasional (soccer seasonal) employee? I see him interjected in Razor's blog whever the subject turns to futbol. Frankly, if the Beacon wants him to make up for the paper's incapacity to report the sport, then they should hire him full time -- to cover a serious sport. I'm sure they have other sport-specific reporters. Does soccer not deserve a ful-time gig?

thats odd... could have sworn that its worked before... in fact, didnt even notice that it said to enter just the video ID. guess i need to cut down on my lolI have no idea what this is about! But... it made me think of the Tennessee Titans playing in their old Houston Oilers unis. It made me wonder if the Baltimore Ravens will someday play in their old Cleveland Browns duds. Then, on second thought, even Art Modell wouldn't be THAT crazy.