UA1987

No probs zippy5 - we are all Akron fans - but just one more shot - What do Steelers fans and a bottle of beer have in common - they're both empty from the neck up. - kidding Go Zips!

zippy5 I believe this is a discussion forum to talk about coaches decisions, game play, etc...

Well let me backup this confused conversation. We are not talking about clamoring for a replacement to a starting QB (per the NFL comparison), we are talking about what reserve QB would be best to take this team to wins the rest of the year should Pohl be injured. I'm not sure it's redshirt freshman Woodson based on what I've seen and I think senior ex-Colorado QB Nick Hirschman may be better based on his performance last year. One of the posters on this topic actually agreed with me on the Miami game thread when he said that Woodson might drag down our offense to below average if he has to replace Pohl yet decides to contradict himself here. The wildcard is Hirschman's knee. Now this may seem bizarre or expected from the unfortunate dimwits that follow shitsburgh, but I think it is worthy of discussion. Go Browns and Zips!

Not the way I see it. Hirschman played very good in his limited time last year. I'm not sure about his knee or his desire to play, but as he filled in well for Pohl before I would have to think he may be be taking some snaps with the starters this week and we may see him in the Ohio game if Woodson falters and Pohl has to sit. I have to wonder about the decision of Woodson at #2. Is it because he is a red-shirt freshman and has an upside and could transfer out? From what I've seen, Hirschman may be our best option if Kyle is out (let's hope this discussion ends soon with some good news about Pohl's health).

If Pohl is on the injury list this week, keep in mind that we have Hirschman in addition to Woodson. The spotlight could be moving Nick's way again, if he can play.

We have other players on the offensive line and I've seen Williams get manhandled before. Scott Boyett is 6'7 315 lbs (3 *) and has not played - why? I think it is a good question.

It appears we used a 5th DB as a Rover at Mizell's expense, probably in response to their QB play.

I'm concerned about Peterson. When your starting QB gets mauled, your start to look.

Is Mizell hurt or what limited his playing time?

Williams has done a great job of transforming himself to an offensive lineman, but I've seen him fooled and manhandled on several occasions, and this last one is serious. I'd rather see a big body at left tackle and wonder what went wrong with Boyett. Is he just in Peterson's dog house or is he that far behind? No way I'd sit McNamara either. Put Brown at RT and McNamara at RG and you're done on that side as far as I'm concerned. We miss Tank.

I'm still not 100% sold on this offensive line, despite some success. Not sure why McNamara didn't play. I didn't see the hit on Pohl. What side did they come from and who's man?

No mercy - Zips up 50 to nothing at half. Rip their tassels off. That's right, I remember, and won't settle down till we return the favor.

Just in case there is a die hard Eastern fan reading up on the game on this forum (doubtful, but just in case), the Eagles have some players and a very good HC. Eastern reminds me a bit of Akron, a year or two removed, with different strengths and weaknesses. I believe Eastern will begin to trend up. The need for a QB in Ypsilanti is clear, and our wide receivers were too open for Eastern to have a chance to win. Better times are coming Eastern fans. Hang in there and enjoy the ride.

Eastern has some big lineman both on offense and defense. It also seems they have a smaller number of letterman on their squad. I have to wonder if their new coach had to clean house and they may be down on numbers this year. So far their schedule has been very tough which explains some of the stats. Chances are we will win convincingly in this one as the Eagles barely got by Morgan State, but this team could get up and be competitive on Saturday if things click their way.

Eastern seems to play the Zips tough. Who knows now what happens, but I like this homecoming opponent and don't. I have respect for their team, but I hope for a blow out. Wish washy I know, but when have we in Akron been in this position before. Enjoy - hot soup and cold beer (maybe beer cheese soup) in lot 9 I'm guessing.

Biggest OOC victory in Zips football history! Great day for Zips fans everywhere!

My two cents: I'm a little surprised we didn't play Casimos at LG for Brumbaugh instead of shuffling the offensive line. The position changes up front probably made the offense less effective (assignments change) but did not cause the loss. Still I say experiment in scrimmages not in games that count. We need some continuity on the line. Marshall committed an almost record amount of penalties, but most were for aggressive play, which Akron seemed to lack. That hit on Pohl by their DE was a cheap shot, however. We need to remember to protect the QB at all costs in every situation. Not sure what to say about our defense. We missed March, yes, but I saw poor tackling and execution from our front 7. We were off balance because of the superior Marshall attack, but we should have played better.

I'm pretty sure our coaching staff would like to play this one over. We had a shot and let it slip away. I have to say however, the better team won. Akron showed, again, they are a force and can be the better team for part of the game, even in a hostile Big Ten environment, but we are not quite there yet to upset a strong power conference team. Maybe soon. I was surprised how little difference Tommy Brown made. So much on the offensive line takes time and I think this was the difference in the game, besides the lost points on our first drive. Stein would get my nod kicking field goals from now on. Nothing to be embarrassed about in this one - just a lost opportunity. No need to hang your head ZipsNation, good times are coming.

Thanks Zach for the Tommy Brown news. I have to believe Brown will start and play most of the game. The offense must have received a boost with this news and confidence is high today. Now, the longer we keep it close the more Akron will believe and Penn State will doubt. It's up to the defense early.

Penn State has a rebuilt offensive line and a strong front seven on defense. Sound familiar. They have some of the same problems we do but have their pipeline for replacing athletes is intact. Akron has done a fantastic job, but with our offensive line a work in process, we are at a disadvantage. Here's how I see it: QB - Hackenberg roll outs make him hard to get to, but Pohl is no slouch - advantage Penn State (but not by much) RB - I did not see a super back on Penn State - no advantage to either Receivers - advantage Akron Offensive line - advantage Penn State Defense - should I say it - no advantage to either (they are both very good) Special teams - advantage Penn State Our defense should keep this one from getting too far away, but can our offensive line handle Penn State. Can we move the ball and score or do we leave the defense on the field too long? Will our special teams perform or do they give up field position and points. Keys to the game - Offensive game plan that is flexible and finds some success and an offensive line that works.

I'm not worried about the attendance. Right now, we have a great time without the lines. Enjoy it, because the fair weather fans are about to jump on the bandwagon. The only good think about a packed stadium is you get to hear a very rare sound - the voice of an Akron crowd.

Boyett played in the last 5 minutes. Not sure what's happening, maybe he needs time to pick things up. Not sure about Tommy Brown either. Joe Dunn reported that Brown was eligible, but French said no. Maybe we can work both of them in soon to see if they can help with the running game.

Anyone have bison burgers tonight (sorry JZ84 - walked thru lot 9 at 4:30 and no bison burg sighting)? Howard is actually very talented, but the 2014 Zips are too. 35 - 10 Akron. By the way, Manny's was dead early despite $1.50 pints.

It's my guess that we will hear about Tommy Brown and Scott Boyett in the 6 o'clock pre-game with French. We need these two to get their timing down with the guards for the game against against Penn State. If they are active against Howard slug a beer to celebrate.

If we look good this year, I expect a RB or 2 next year coming in that will make us all happy. For now, Chisholm is our answer and I'm glad we have him. Is Boyett injured? I'm surprised not to see him on the line. I do have to wonder if the Howard 2 deep chart is a wake up call to some and I expect changes later.