Blue & Gold

I think the staff & players are too optimistic about Tahj. Of course I hope I'm dead wrong.

No, if you watched the presser the article was woven together (accurately and fairly, IMHO) with postgame press conference quotes. Edit: Oops, actually there were also quotes from DJI and Alex Adams: “Tahj, for next year, he's going to be like another DJ, but he might be better,” said UA junior wide receiver Alex Adams, a first-team All-MAC selection in 2022 who dealt with injuries throughout the 2023 season and missed five games, including the final three. “[Bullock has] got the [ability to] run. He's got the throwing, too. Everybody just ain't seen that yet. But I ain't going to say too much. They've just got to come to the game and see.” A Zips captain who's aiming for a shot in the NFL, Irons said Bullock has “a great, great future.” Irons said he's also convinced the UA program is in good hands with Moorhead, though everyone involved must “buy in” to capitalize. “There's definitely progress being made,” Irons said. “It's just I feel we have to learn how to finish together by playing complementary football. One time, it'd be the defense doing great and the offense wouldn't be, or special teams doing great and the offense and defense wouldn't be or vice versa. I feel like it's just that one little hump we've just got to get over, but once that happens, Akron, it'll be turned around.”

This was also my guess. Our abominable season led to almost zero gate revenue so we’re now desperate to make it up somehow. If we had a team worthy of more butts in the seats we’d have the financial flexibility to be able to survive while picking up a game with a middling to low tier P5.

🙂

Just looked at the box score & see Prather didn't receive a single minute even versus Heidelberg. Is he still injured? It looks like he's been dressing. He's only a R-Fr., but zero minutes? Amani Lyles is another concern. Against Heidelberg he saw 20 minutes, shot 5-of-7 for 10 points, and had 8 rebounds, so that's a nice line... but... Heidelberg. Thus far against D1 competition all of our games have been nail biters so there's not really been a good situation where Groce could afford to let him get his feet wet in mop up duty. He tallied... 2 minutes vs. SDSU 0 minutes vs. S.Miss 0 minutes vs. FIU, and 0 minutes vs. Utah State Just something to keep an eye on. I'm not throwing the towel in on Amani yet. But with minutes like Prather and Amani have been getting, or, more specifically not getting... Idk.

This is how I feel. We weren't going to go undefeated, and without a P6 opponent on our schedule we were very unlikely to receive any Top 25 votes anyway (which I always covet). So, whatever, bad games happen. Let's learn from it & move on.

Did anyone else’s feed just freeze?

One thing that gives me hope of not losing key contributors to the TP is the Wagon Wheel postgame interview with Lingard. According to him he absolutely LOVES it here and plans on being a presence around the program for the rest of his life. He's played at both Miami-FL and Florida, so I'm sure he's letting the fellas know they're in a good place and the grass is definitely not always greener.

I didn’t watch but had been wondering if they could effectively employ HAVOC two days in a row.

Tavari can really get his own shot, they’re just an eyelash away from falling right now.

I think that's the idea! 💪💪

Indeed 🎯💯

We'll have to study that film & see what Missouri State was doing to them! Did you watch the game? Was it Missouri State... or did KSUcks just have an off night?

In the postgame interview responding to Joe Dunn saying (IIRC), "Coach, I'm so glad you hung those 'Walk-On Tryout' flyers in the Rec Center." Coach Groce said, "Enrique's a unicorn. I could coach for another 50 years and a situation like Enrique's would never happen again."

Thanks for this great post, @catdaddyp. The fact no one's replied to it shows we're kinda demoralized right now. If we get Kamari Landers back next year I'm excited about our OL. Idk when I've been able to last say that. Desperately need that plug-in & play QB transfer.

That is difficult to believe. Not a very high bar 🤨

FIU looked damn tough to me. I wouldn't want to play them again.

They look tough so far. I really like their pressure defense.