Z.I.P.

You beat me to this one Hilltopper, but you cut the caption off the photo that appears on the front of the Honolulu Star Bulletin sports page this morning. It reads, "Aina's Carlton Powell plowed through Kai defenders Wilrey Fontenot and Jake Patek in the first quarter of the Hula Bowl at Aloha Stadium". Then the second shot of #85 (Jabari) appears inside with the game story. That (the Pg 1 photo) was the first catch by Jabari, which he nearly took in for six, but fell at the one. Carlton Powell is the about 6-6, 280 lb defensive lineman from Virginia Tech. I know, cause I was sitting next to his parents. That boy's mama didn't sit down the whole game, and screamed and yelled from start to end. No question where #88 gets his motor.There was no MVP awarded. Well after the end of the game they announced "Speed and strength leaders" for each team, whatevertheheck that means. But had there been an MVP, Jabari would have had a shot, being the leading receiver with his 5 catches, for 88 yards. I suppose Morris the Marshall QB probably would have been voted MVP, as he led his team to a big halftime lead (24-0?). However, no doubt Jabari made a splash in Hawaii this weekend. Hope he gets to the combine. He does a good job of concentrating and playing within himself. He also showed he doesn't mind throwing a block or two. He's a combo WR/TE. One aside: The story in the paper says the attendance was about 2000. I've seen 2000 people in the stadium, and can tell you there were at least double that many just on the side opposite where I was seated. Attendance was more than double what they had at the Hawaii Bowl between UFC and Nevada a couple years ago. But still, very small.

Speaking of Coach Dambrot, I was watching the Cinci Withrow - Canal Winchester game on ESPNU tonight, and the announcers gave great props to Akron coach "Tim Dambrot" for his winning ways. Of course it centered around his relationaship with King James, but very nice words about "Our Tim". BTW -- Man did Winchester blow THAT game!

I haven't had a chance to look at the box score -- at least there should be a box score, unlike rosters, which didn't exist at the game today -- but my rough count was five catches by Jabari out of seven times the ball was thrown his way. The first ball was over his head, and the last one was high, off his fingertips. The strange thing -- not sure what was up -- but the stadium PA announcer called his name for recovering a fumble by the Kai (West) team. I don't think he was playing defense, but who knows?Did anyone see the game -- and my sign? I think I got on Versus midway through the second quarter, as the cameraman came right up to me in the front row. I have to say, this was the most fun I've ever had at a football game. The crowd was an average Can't State size, maybe 6-8 thousand. And most everyone around me had a relative playing in the game! We all had a ball interacting with the players in front of us. However, this may well be the final Hula Bowl game, as the size of recent crowds is MAC-sized, and little sponsor $$ seems to exist. Beside no rosters, there was NO halftime show. I've never been to any FB game without ANY halftime show, and the Hula Bowl always used to have a great presentation at the half. No more. Also, the jerseys must be used from previous years, as the numbers were washed out. The '5' in Jabari's '85' was barely legible on his back. This is actually my favorite game, ahead of the Pro Bowl, but it may not be around much longer. Shame.

You da man, GZ!Two interesting facts about Virginia Episcopal School:1. They have more sports than U of Akron -- including cycling.2. Their last game was vs Eastern Mennonite, which I believe is a four-year college.

Is Jabari actually playing in this game???I went to a practice session on Thursday, and couldn't see anyone resembling him. His name is not listed on the roster for either team. He better show up -- I have my sign: Allez Jabari -- Le Grande Zip.

There will be ZERO tax dollars put into it whatsoever. What ever isn't being paid by name sponsors or donations will be paid with bonds. I'd rather have a clean stadium that is financed using bonds than one covered with every brand-name imaginable with a sponsor for every drinking fountain and doorknob.I'm wit'choo Kid!This post presented by Jamba Juice. Check out Jambajuice.com for the location nearest you.

Tell that to Braylon Edwards. Not that I think Jabari is on the same level as Braylon, but you can be an effective NFL reciever, even a Pro-Bowler by making the circus catches and missing easy ones here and there.The biggest thing that is going to hold Jabari back in the draft at least is his age.How old IS Jabari??Zips fans, watch for my sign in the stands on Saturday: ALLEZ JABARI

Alas, A-10 teams do not participate -- although you wouldn't know it from watching the ESPN analysts who have them rated in some sort of "ESPN Mid-Major poll". Gonzaga also does not play -- they're too sweet smelling for the rest of us. BUT, having seen St Mary's, I expect them to be top-25 by the time the BB arrives. They'll beat GU at least once this year. And hey -- they kicked OU's arses.

Well, let's see...play at Youngstown...sit on the bench at Akron... Hmmm...Let's think about it a while longer.

Yeah, you're right pal. There's no real market for women's basketball in this country. Just ask Pat Summitt.

Hey people. Hope I am not the only one watching the "mediocre" Houston women winning on national TV on ESPN this afternoon against a very good Tulane team. Houston is indeed a very good -- not a great, but -- a very good team which really plays well at the end of games (recently coming back from a 22-point deficit for the largest comeback in WCBB history). The Lady Cougars were down by 6 at halftime on their home court today, but came back strong to win going away by 10. As I said, this team is is good as any in the MAC, at least in terms of athleticism, and has three players who could be First-Team all-MAC in Twiggy McIntyre, Ty Jackson (double double inc 11 assists today) and the other guard, Obaze -- the sister of former La Tech guard Amber Obaze, possibly the fastest female guard I've ever seen.I have concerns about a young Akron team's ability to come out every night and fight the way they must to be MAC contenders this year, but on a given night, they are indeed capable of beating anyone. Look out BeeGee. Z.I.P.

McNees '3' makes it 52-28 Akron! Steve has 20 for da Zippahs. Oh, yeah!

Payback is a bitch, Redskinhawks. Take that Uncle Charlie. 41 points must be a first-half record vs a Coles-lead team. Damn, I love it! Please fill us in with ALL the details. So, it looks like Steve McNees is having a breakout game, huh? I don't think we'll have to depend on Ced, or anyone else to make FTs at the end.We got momentum @ Dayton. Let's keep it up till at least March!

The ACTUAL score is now Akron 23 Miami 16. Not sure of the clock, must be the second half, eh?

Amen to that brother!I have to believe that sitting pat on the hand Akron holds is a sign that the crew in charge fail to understand just how poor the team -- meaning the offensive attack (Nike once had a hiking boot called the Noatak -- it was named after JD Brookhart's offense) was in 2007. It reminds me of the Cleveland Cavaliers failing to bring in anyone to help LBJ before this season. The lack of offensive performance shows the team must bring in a leader with some imagination to call plays -- BUT that is not the only problem with the offense, and I believe the biggest problem is the underperformance of the blockers and the blocking schemes. This team has some great young players on its offensive line -- and they should be able to manhandle opposing lines, at least in the MAC. So, yes, bring in a OC with proven ability either at the BCS level, or from a lower level. But we have also got to find someone who can teach the kids on the line how to block. QB is a key position in college FB, but by itself, a quarterback cannot win games. We need to upgrade the whole team and program, and should rely on the strengths we have. The O-line is the area of the team that has the most potential for improvement, and can be what leads Akron to a bowl season in 2008. Go Zips!

Jason Taylor makes his network TV analyst debut on NBC today, sitting next to Bob Costas. I'm waiting fir him to mention the potential of the great third-string QB for the Seahawks. Meanwhile, this morning (Polynesian Standard time, folks), I was watching the International Bowl, and in pops ol' number 99 of the Fins, playing the anti-Mike Vick role. Jason stars in a PSA for the ASPCA -- or is it his pooch, Bear who stars? In anycase, this guy has rockets on his advertising possibilities -- the sky is the limit. Does the sports world have a player with the kind of celebrity potential of our ex-Zip? IMHO, he already is a better, more photogenic and personable on-air player than that ex-Giants brother, What'isname.I always felt JT would have a great future doing pro football on the tele. The only question is, can he make more money there than in Hollywood? And will any of it trickle down to the U of A? Please JT, help out the ol' alma mater, will ya? Please?

IMHO, Akron lacks anybody more than an average MAC RB. We could really use a burner. Bring on the guy in the pink coat if he can be a playbreaker.

Indeed the 1997 Patriots should be envious. Drew Bledsoe and Pete Carroll don't have squat on Zippy.Jerry Glanville and is '91 Atlanta Falcons should also pay respect to Zippy.Be careful what you say about coach Glanville. He's now coaching at Portland State, and they have Akron's number.

You know, after a second thought, I do have to say The Tree is the best mascot anywhere. Ever seen him? He can turn the lamest costume into a reason for a party. And in the marginal mascot category, a runner-up vote for Harvard's mascot -- whatever his name is. It's just some dude in a cape and wizard's hat. But the cape has question marks all over it. This is a great costume only because Harvard practices reverse psychology.

We're not the ones who are planning it. The City of Akron is. If they want to build a brand-new arena for us, I'm certainly not going to complain regardless of whether we actually need one or not.UAK,Trust me my friend, the City of Akron is NOT planning any new arena. HOWEVER, if the University of Akron were interested in putting up the cost of a new arena downtown, His Honor El Don would be more than happy to piggyback on the project in order to take credit for future electoral considerations.My New year's resolution was to be less cynical this year. But damn, if I can't stop telling it the way it is! Which reminds me...

I will put the best spin I can on this news: As I recall, this is an improvement over a year ago, when we lost a couple more than this, and just one of these (Alphonse) is a potential starter -- though Jackson may have threatened at another position (RB in my opinion would be the best for him). Virtually every college football team loses players each year. It is good news if these players left voluntarily, rather than being told by academic authorities they were not welcome. Second, there are other players who are now looking around for greener pastures, and hopefully some will come and look at the fences going up on the beautiful Infocision Stadium complex. Wouldn't it be great to get a Big-Ten level quarterback transfer over here?I am confident the team is on the verge of turning things around. On the other hand, my fingers are crossed, so my cup is not running over with confidence. And like Lee Owens' brother, Lee Adams, I must say that another losing season must bring a coaching change. The worst case is that the powers that be will accept losing, an attitude we were supposed to have overcome already.Best wishes to the Zips for a championship renaissance in 2008.

Yeah, I would have liked a fuzzy Blue and Gold jacket, since that course was no Augusta National. Now allow me to let you in in on my prediction for the 2009 Mascot of the Year: Vili the Warrior from the University of Hawai'i. Watch the Sugar Bowl for a look at the second-best mascot in America -- or the Best in Polynesia, as it were.Meanwhile the champagne corks are popping among the Zips in Paradise. What a day it is here. Go Zippy! Go Warriors, beat dat Hairy Dawg again.

This truism would have very possibly gone by the wayside, had Miami been able to beat Cinci on Saturday. They lost 56-50, but their wins over Xavier and Illinois are the biggest by the MAC this year. However they also have losses to Louisville, Dayton and now UC. Yes, the MAC will probably get just one bid, but that is NOT written in stone. If MU were to go with one or 0 losses in the conference, and lose in the tourney final, they would definitely be considered I believe.The bottom line is, you can't get in if you don't play big-time opponents. And they have gotten Miami ready for conference play better than any MAC team.

:lol: :lol: Akron 79UIC 64Did UIC score the last nine points of the game? ESPN has 79-73 showing.

This news just in: Apparently the Dayton game has been cancelled by coach Dambrot. I guess he was watching ESPN2 today, and determined that playing a team of Dayton's caliber just didn't fit into his scheduling strategy of staying in the bottom-50 in SoS. I understand we will play Tiffin instead.