Blue & Gold

I'm probably taking two friends down to the Barley House for the game. Anyone else going? Will there be a better Zips destination?

What do you mean by, "after what happened to Sullivan, Steward, and Humpty,"? Sullivan wasn't quite good enough to get any PT. Steward was, very unfortunately, chronically injury-prone. Humpty was a good player and received a lot of PT. The fans were strongly supportive of all three. Could you please flesh-out your observation?

I hate to admit this before I've even seen the team play their first exhibition game, but I'm already more excited about next year than I am about this one. And concerning the topic of this thread: KD's a great guy. Ethical. Hard-working. Intelligent. Energetic. Passionate. Bleeds Akron blue & gold. We couldn't do any better than KD.

I know our football team sucks - basically always has. But I'm continually amazed/disappointed that we can't get numbers like this out to the JAR for men's basketball.

DT Demetrius Conwell. I'm dating myself with that one. This name goes back to when I began closely following Zips recruiting.

There's room for all. We can have a depth chart. E.J. Lilly & Christian Morgan! Yessss! Those are classics! I was completely amped when we signed both of those guys. How about the 3-Time Mr. Football candidate RB from Ravenna? Wasn't his name Marcus Sanders? Ran for like 4,000 yards his senior year. He may have gotten 3 carries for us during his career.

Whoops. CK & I were posting this @ the same time. Edit: Mod Merged.

Here's an article by TG in today's (9/21) ABJ: Ianello Seeking Patience Here's a worrisome quote: "After the decent start against the Wildcats, UA was dominated in the middle two quarters, being outgained 150-8 in total yards in the second period and 210-33 in the third period. The Zips had only 46 yards of total offense in the first half and 79 yards through three quarters. With reserves in the game through most of the final period, the Zips managed to finish with 172 yards to 544 for Kentucky. Of particular worry for the Zips is that the running game could produce only 67 yards rushing on 37 attempts (a 1.8 average). That came against a Kentucky defense that was ranked 94th (out of 120) against the run nationally, permitting an average of 188.5 yards in its first two games."

Wish I could have seen it.

I was at a wedding and unable to see the game. I was, however, able to listen to the 4th quarter. Steve French made it sound like Nicely was really bad. I don't have much to say about the game, except for the fact that I like how our D played in the 1st 1 & 1/2 quarters. Our new white jerseys look cool. There's a good pic of AA on GoZips.com. Oh, and I'm glad Giorgio Bowers got some time @ RB. From what I've seen of AA ('Cuse & GW), he just doesn't seem to hit the hole hard or fast enough anymore. I can't blame him, RB's a punishing position, let alone after a few bad injuries.

Anyone know if any local establishments are carrying the game? The Tap House, perhaps?

We beat Kentucky 21-20 & ZipsNation rises in one voice and pronounces iCoach a genius. We then immediately commence fretting about losing him at season's end to a BCS school.

I was stomping my feet for the Zips' D last week v. GW, even though I thought it was disgraceful that we were in such a close game with a 1AA. The first two weeks of the season were unmitigated disasters. The next two weeks are likely to be the same. But I'll be there v. Northern Illinois, once again stomping my feet for the D!

I'm generally disappointed in the crowds we get at Zips games, but this photo goes to show that you've got to win to expect big crowds.

I see that iCoach is the first coach lined up for the "Lunch With Coach" series. It's scheduled for this Thursday @ The Barley House. I'm going to assume they were thinking that by scheduling Ianello for this week the football team would have a good showing against 'Cuse plus a beat-down of a D-1AA under our belts, but would get the lunch w/ iCoach out of the way before we get our @sses handed to us @ UK & IU. Did anyone think we'd get thrashed by 'Cuse & beaten by a 1AA? Honestly, I still can't believe it. How low can you go? That's going to be one depressing lunch w/ the coach.

I don't listen to the 1350 show. They can call it what they like, but it's not an Akron sports show. It's the same-old-same-old Cleveland and Columbus routine. If they were bashing ZipsNation, like you said BZ, at least they were talking Zips. But, sadly, I don't find it difficult to believe they were chiding us for wanting to win and reminding everyone that UA is not a football school and, once again, reinforcing the negativity by stating that they never will be. Anyway... back to Columbus State & the Browns...

The score is impossible to predict as it will depend entirely on how merciful UK decides they want to be. I have the feeling it is going to be one of those horrible, and all-too-frequent games against a BCS school where we're just relieved every time our O get a first down or our D keeps the opposition from scoring a TD - you know, when simply holding the other team to a FG seems like a small victory. It sure ain't easy being a fan of the Zippers.

Anyone else notice Giorgio Bowers out on the kickoff return team? Since his red shirt is gone I'd really like to see him @ RB and not just as an up man on the kick return squad.

How about Monster-Hands Tonga? I'm surprised he hasn't even gotten a toe on the field thus far.

Well, at least next week should be fun. I would like to officially retract my above statement.

I'm actually much more excited about watching next year's Zips than I am about watching this year's Zips. Kinda weird. We should be a tear with the athleticism KD's assembled orbiting around a 3rd-year Zeke Marshall.

More on Deji, this time from a blog entitled CITY/SUBURBAN HOOPS REPORT by Joe Henricksen "There are always late bloomers. And there are always players who haven't been talked about or have been hardly noticed that grab people's attention in the spring and summer before their senior year. The City/Suburban Hoops Report hits on a few of those individuals, with more to come over the next several months, as they are all primed to spring forward in both player rankings, name recognition and as college prospects. ... • DEJI IBITAYO, 6-3, Olympia Fields (Rich Central) Maybe the least known among this chosen group, this high-flying wing will be opening eyes throughout the spring and summer. Ibitayo, who had a solid and productive junior year at Rich Central, is as athletic as any player in the state of Illinois. While his jaw-dropping athleticism and crazy hops have been his trademark, Ibitayo is slowly improving his skill level. He's made strides, looking better at the free throw line and looking more comfortable handling the ball on the perimeter, but he will have to continue making those strides and work on the mechanics of his jumper."

Here's a blurb on Deji from a blogger covering a Milwaukee AAU tourney. • The undervalued Deji Ibitayo of Rich Central, who plays with a solid Illinois Defenders team, continues to wow coaches and scouts with his great body and athleticism. The Hoops Report continues to love his upside. He is a high flyer who is still developing his skills on the perimeter. But Ibitayo is a high-major athlete who will surely draw continued interest throughout July. Sounds great! I've been coveting a 6-3 athletic guard! But... we have room for him? Someone has to be transferring out, right?

At least you probably get free pizza when their shift is over. One of them (and the Lord is my witness on this) is a pizza delivery boy!!! Yessssss!!!! He's got a very valuable degree in Journalism. K-ent sucks!

I'm neither a family man, nor an alumnus of UA (Walsh U. alum), and most of my friends, sadly, are actually Can't alumni. It's not an uncommon occurance I can't find anyone to go to the game with. But I'm a diehard fan & don't like to miss games, so I still go. I often just end up asking a girl or two - they don't really care about the game, but think the event is fun & like going out to eat before/after. But I'd say that, on average, I usually end up attending 2 games each season by myself (usually toward the end of the season, when it's cold/rainy & the Zips suck - which is like, every year.) I actually had 3 girls ask me (together) just last week, "When are we going to another Zips game?!" I was pretty excited until I heard why they really wanted to go: "We're hungry for Crave after the game!"