Z.I.P.

Per his twitter feed, New Mexico Military Institute JUCO soph OT Shane Richards was offered by Akron last week. 6-7 0r 6-8 and 310-330 per different sites. Offered in Spring by Oklahoma St. and in season by Idaho and Akron. We lose all our starting OL after this season -- right? http://www.scout.com/junior-college-football/story/1563036-richards-is-a-bookend-tackle-to-watch

I watched just the first half on PAC-12 Net. Frankly, UCLA over the past two games (Stanford and Cal) looks to be playing their best football of the season. How they managed to lose to the Cal club who gave up I think six goals to Stanford in the previous game I don't know. LOTS of parity in the PAC-12 -- except Stanford clearly head and shoulders above the "Pac". I will not be surprised if this team performs above expections on Sunday. Zips had better be prepared for bear! It's a big game for us -- and a HUGE one for them!

Have not seen discussion of future prospects for our underclassmen -- in terms of who we might be losing, that we would hope to have back next year. TDS is listing Richie Laryea as a Generation Adidas prospect, and I have to agree that he could be gone after this season of growth. Of course, Rich may not be the only one. Not sure if any of the (other) foreign players could get offers in MLS or overseas (e.g., Souto). http://www.topdrawersoccer.com/college-soccer-articles/2016-mls-draft:-suggested-ga-targets_aid38194

So what you are saying is...You haven't seen Toledo play yet?! No question in my mind and eyes, and apparently the poll voters, that the Rockets are more balanced across both sides of the ball. I would take BeeGee's coach first (and I wish Dino Baber's alma mater, the University of Hawaii could afford him but he should be at a P-5 next year), but overall Toledo has the talent advantage. FWIW, I hear that there will be far too few teams with 6+ wins to fill all 80 bowl spots, so Akron could slip in with a 6-6 finish. Would that be a good thing? Not sure, as we'd surely be heavy underdogs.

How about Mapp from Highland HS who just verballed?

Sounds like you saw it too, eh? Very bad call by the 20-something center ref. I thought I read his lips saying, "Sorry" to UCLA coach Salcedo. The player he whistled offside was way out of the play. I'm fascinated by how refs are assigned -- young ref for a key Pac12 men's game here, while the Center ref for Sunday's BWC women's game between Fullerton St. and Hawai'i was veteran MLS ref Baldomero Toledo!! In any case, The young Bruins continue looking at the tournament from the outside. They will be hungry when they travel to Akron, so Zips team better not have a let down. Not hard scoring goals off their central defense, but they as usual have very dangerous scorers in Abu Dunladi and the German import.

Well, that was a nice break!

Would you like to make the delivery? lol

Could you explain exactly what "deal" you are referring to? Do you mean ESPN3 coverage? For the record, Akron has received a great increase in national TV coverage in the past two seasons, thru the ESPN Gameplan format. While last season the team was on the plan (guestimating) around 10-12 times, in 2013-14 the team was on about 16 or 17 times. Hopefully we return to the 2014 stature.

We're going to need RBs next year. Chapman might have a chance to play...

How does the costume fit? Ha ha ha. Jus'kidding. Met ya in SB, CA! And thanks for da clip. Nice!

Rumor has it, Shep Messing starts in goal this weekend for FC Dallas.

Watched the first qtr of last week's LSU game, EMU looked awful. Thought they would give up 60 to the Bayou Bengals. So, I have to think LSU took their eye off the ball, or were looking ahead to the trip to Columbia...which they won't make. Still, our 'O' isn't enough to scare many teams. Akron 27-24. Now, can anyone describe the color of the Eagles road pants & helmet? Variation on Duke?

And... DeAndre takes it back! Still in the game. Come on offense!

Where did Vick go??

Well, Woodson INT to start the half, not a good sign!

Well, this one is IN THE BOOK! Holthusen scores his first goal at 88' to make it 2-0. Sorry to Big Mike and the Locos!

Gauchos finally get first shot of second half, after 23 minutes! Holthusen finally subbed in for Souders with 16 minutes remaining.

Akron is peppering Gaucho goal right now, and Sonny Vom Steeg is getting a workout. Keep it up, boys! Shot difference of 12-3, 8-1 sog.

Seemed in first few minutes that I was able to watch video (lost the feed after 10 mins) that UCSB was looking to pass over Zips' heads every time they touched the ball. It didn't work, and while shots were even for about 20 minutes, we ended up with a 7-3 advantage at the half.

Goal by Livapool Sammy, as he stole a backpass for the SB keeper. What a crowd!! As big or bigger than 2010 College Cup.

Aloha to my friend Big Mike! Damn, I wish I were in Isla Vista -- or on my way to Los Olivos to enjoy my friend Mike Sigouin's Kaena Syrah. Meanwhile, I will be heading straight over to watch the broadcast. Thanks for the alert. I'll have to be rooting for a Gaucho loss though -- and the same next Friday night when your gals visit my Rainbow Wahine home! And PLEASE -- Do NOT throw tortillas at footballers. The only place for tortillas is in my gullet along with that lovely Santa Maria tri-tip! Cheers! Go Zips!!

When Akron was beaten by Detroit in OT at the buzzer in Honolulu in 1990, the game-winning bucket was scored by Michael Jackson (who I think was an ass't coach recently at CMU). The next days paper headlined, "Titans Win in a Thriller".

Are our coaches not able to lay out a game plan based on who is the starting QB? The players have to have the entire playbook memorized, so I can't buy this one-dimensional mindset! Frankly, however, I think the Cajuns are about as good a team as there is in the MAC, so it may not make much difference. We have to beat the OUs, the CMUs, the Buffalos, Mass etc. to be considered a bowl team. Fortunately we have a favorable conference schedule (no Toledo or NIU). After this week, we have a good chance against every team except probably BeeGee.

If anyone is interested, the PAC-12 Network is showing the UCSB - UCLA game in under an hour (10PM EST). Here's the internet connex if you can't get it on cable. http://pac-12.com/