Blue & Gold

Game day article. http://www.ohio.com/sports/zips/university-of-akron-football-zips-drawing-the-blueprint-for-2016-season-1.676328# Offensive line: The first unit, which allowed few sacks during practices, appears to be set for now. Of paramount concern is whether or not it can maintain cohesiveness. Linebackers: Judging by the team’s roster, John Rachal, Travonte Junius and Ullysees Gilbert III are expected to start.

Nice article on Hakeem Lawrence & Mykel Taylor-Bennett. Our WR corps could be special. http://www.ohio.com/sports/zips/ua-football-two-early-terry-bowden-recruits-making-impression-in-spring-practice-1.675576

Good post. I absolutely agree that it's nearly impossible for us to get an NCAA at-large bid. However, the primary reason I really want to see us amp up our scheduling is not for a possible at-large bid, but for our local perception. People in the Akron area still think we're small-time and not worth coming out to see. I believe we need to do something radical to break that perception. We need to go on the road and play the big boys in their houses, not worrying about any return game what-so-ever. We need to not worry much about our 21-game winning streak. The only time I ever hear it mentioned is when Akron is on t.v. & the announcers are looking for something to talk about. What are the other schools? Kansas, Gonzaga, Duke, Ohio State. They never mention that 21-game win streak when those teams are on t.v. because I don't think anyone really cares. Recruiting? We'll still have a good record, even if it's a 19-win season.

Several unheralded players have unexpectedly opened some eyes. With the loss of two standout interior defensive linemen, the Zips needed someone to step up, and junior Darius Copeland has done so, Bowden said. “He’s making me feel good that we won’t have any drop-off after losing Rodney Coe and Cody Grice,” Bowden said. “He’s playing that position at a very high level. I suspected that he could.” That's extremely high praise from Bowden & sounds almost too good to be true.

He's one of the hardest hitters I've ever seen. Jordan George reminds me of Bre'. He's just somehow often in position to deliver punishing hits & it appears he loves to do so.

UA Football: Zips seeking big plays in Saturday's scrimmage, seek consistency from new linebackers http://www.ohio.com/sports/zips/ua-football-zips-seeking-big-plays-in-saturday-s-scrimmage-seek-consistency-from-new-linebackers-1.674835 Meh, article this time. GT kinda mailed this one in. There are two quotes from Bowden. Looks like the starting LB's for the Spring Game may be Ulysees Gilbert III, Brian Bell & John Rachal. I'm going to bet that our starting LB's come August are Gilbert, Bell & Jamal Davis - Davis is probably gonna take this spring to learn the D, but he should be a difference maker in the MAC.

UA Football: Transfer WR JoJo Natson hoping to make most of second chance with Zips http://www.ohio.com/sports/zips/ua-football-transfer-wide-receiver-jojo-natson-hoping-to-make-most-of-second-chance-with-zips-1.674558

UA Football: Transfer WR JoJo Natson hoping to make most of second chance with Zips http://www.ohio.com/sports/zips/ua-football-transfer-wide-receiver-jojo-natson-hoping-to-make-most-of-second-chance-with-zips-1.674558

I like Gauthney at C. Stephen Erickson is a stud who's usually played C, so this move means we're trying to get our best on the field.

You're probably right.

Check out picture #6 from the above article. It's Michaelee Harris. Apparently he wants to get his last year in? I thought he was done. Good news! That makes a stacked WR corps even deeper.

UA Football: Offense comes up with big plays for Zips in scrimmage http://www.ohio.com/sports/zips/university-of-akron-football-offense-comes-up-with-big-plays-for-zips-in-scrimmage-1.673363

UA Football: A few things to look for in first spring scrimmage for Zips http://www.ohio.com/sports/zips/ua-football-a-few-things-to-look-for-in-first-spring-scrimmage-for-zips-1.673148

Top 10 Moments of 2015 Season https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVBEse2GSjU 2015 Season Highlights https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2iFyRiEjypg

Jrship35, any updates on how Spring Drills are going? Any word on how our DL & new OL look?

http://www.cantonrep.com/article/20160329/SPORTS/303299991/16946/SPORTS What on earth is going on down in Columbus? 4 of last year's 5 signees have left the team. Is Thad Matta seriously crashing & burning?

Not from the ABJ: Ex-Akron WR Pratt Doing Well After Shooting http://www.cantonrep.com/sports/20160329/ex-akron-wr-pratt-doing-well-after-shooting

UA Football: Promoted Offensive Line Coach Brett Ekkens Excited to Get Started with New Set of Starters http://www.ohio.com/sports/zips/ua-football-promoted-offensive-line-coach-brett-ekkens-excited-to-get-started-with-new-set-of-starters-1.672327

Where to put this story? I just decided to start a new thread. Discusses Scarborough controversies, recruiting & football. Good read. http://www.cantonrep.com/sports/20160328/akrons-bowden-focuses-on-football-not-controversy

It really is. We should win that tourney, so maybe that's a sign that the staff's finally taking the team on the road for a few $$ games against name P5 schools?

Hilltopper, Do you know if there remains any interest from the Zips in LePear Toles? He's a pretty good local talent who hasn't signed with anyone yet. I've read he's received offers from Akron, K.e.n.t & Ohio, but, of course, have no way of knowing whether that's true.

Probably a walk-on?

Here is an interesting brief on how the MVC manipulated the RPI a while back & how the Mountain West Conference sort of did the same more recently. http://d1scourse.typepad.com/blog/2013/01/2013-mountain-west-meet-the-2006-missouri-valley.html

Nice! 2016 commit so he'll be on campus in the fall. Nice offer list: Illinois, James Madison, UAB & Southern Miss. He's 6'4", 270. Wonder if we'll try to move him inside to DT?

http://www.cleveland.com/sports/college/index.ssf/2016/03/akron_zips_41.html Elton of the PD talking about adding fresh talent.