UA1987

There are ways to grade offensive lineman performance, but I have not seen anything on Akron over the years. I have a suspicion that much of our running game anemia comes from the skill positions themselves and key injuries. I'm happy to see Akron finally getting some young running backs that may be able to start producing on offense. The fact that we finally have some highly touted young gun RB's committing to the Zips is another sign that Akron is on the upswing. While I noticed an uptick on the o-line when Funk was here (recruiting too) I'm not ready to point the finger at Ekkens. For all we know he may be doing a great job.

I'm surprised that FAU didn't score more points in the late season game against Charlotte, who is one of the worst teams in the FBS.

Answer - Injuries as you know. We will be relying on Manny Morgan and Kato Nelson to supply it in this bowl game. if we can get 130-150 yards rushing between them (with a little help from Edwards) then that would be decent and not unrealistic.

Singletary had 200 yard rushing against Marshall and the game was close. Marshall had a chance to win it on the last play of the game, despite all of the turnovers.

The November 3rd Marshall FAU game is interesting to me. Marshall had the ball 11 more minutes than FAU, had more first downs and out gained the Owls. if not for 4 interceptions thrown by Marshall in a rain soaked game this contest could have been a Herd win as it was very close - FAU 30 and Marshall 25.

We know all about your offense and your coaches, but they can't score on the bench. I'd also give Amato authority to use 2 of 3 time outs each half if available. Our spread is not good at ball control, but it can be done with slant passes, screens. RPO's, a decent run game, and a controlled mid-range passing game into open pockets given up by FAU. Keep the Owls offense off the field.

Strategy for the game: Use all of the clock each possession in the 1st half. Target first downs while attempting to put points on the board. Keep their offense off the field. Use all 4 downs or fake punt early if on the Owls side of the field. Then open up the play book in the second half. Amato's defense will have their hands full. The Zips will need a strong performance from the offense and special teams to win.

Boca is a great site for the Zips. The University is @2 miles from the beach and there are ton's of things to do (best offshore fishing in the world for Terry if he can find time). I wonder if the team will be staying at the Boca Raton Resort and Club (I've stayed there and it is nice). A family member of mine was an AT at FAU and I was able to see that the Owls kept a Central Mich. helmet in the center of their locker room as a trophy for a year after their Motor City bowl victory over the Chips. Lets hope the Zips don't let that happen. They have a new stadium, but their campus is not as nice as Akron's believe it or not.

I think we are trending a lot like the the lovable Chicago Cubs. Despite the loss, I'm proud of our lovable Zips and think we are looking good. Go Zips!

Woodside is #1 in passing efficiency all time in the MAC. Lets hope he gets a lot of empty yardage on Saturday. Surprised to see that the Zips have been to the MAC Championship (2005) before the Rockets (2004) have been back according to this article.

Please read up on the Eastern/Toledo game in the link below. Eastern's defense disrupted Toledo by being in their backfield most of the game. I think this is a good contest to pattern a possible Akron defensive game plan. Woodside is very good (reminds me of Charlie Frye) and the only way to hold him back a bit to be all over him most of the game otherwise he'll throw 5 TD's on the Zips like he did against Akron earlier this year. http://www.emueagles.com/news/2017/10/7/football-rockets-outlast-eagles-20-15.aspx?path=football

Akron is not going to beat Toledo in the same way Ohio did as the kitty's had an unbelievable ground game that day, but the Zips may keep it close and have a chance to win like Eastern did earlier in the year. Eastern was able to have a chance to win as their defense was in the Toledo backfield causing havoc most of the game. Maybe Coach Gildersleeve can get this team blazing again like he did against Ohio and we can spend most of the day chopping Wood-side.

You may be right, but I would do everything possible to screw with Woodside. Blitz 8 to 10 times from all over the place. Make them run with a back and we bend and not break. I hope Kato is ready as I agree with many on this site that he had cobwebs after that takedown last week. He needs to learn how not to take a hit. We can beat Toledo. Target Wolf more and blow up the Rockets.

Cute, channel this QB TFL. Don't worry you weren't going to get my donation anyhow.

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I'd go with Kato, but give Woodson some snaps this week in practice. We may need him.

The nation got a look at a good game last night. Beyond the obvious of Kato's super performance, our receivers and Manny Morgan stood out and the offensive line played well. I hope Coney can play next week. Featherstone was outstanding on defense, but he worried me on punt returns (maybe with a little more practice he will get better). The defense stood tall despite the bad calls. Especially at safety where Baggett came in like he had been playing all year there. Rourke's passes seemed to start to sail on him after the 1st quarter. I have to wonder if the Zips defense didn't rattle him with a hit or being seemingly everywhere in coverage. Not going to say much about special teams now as it would be a buzz kill. What a game! Go Zips!

I'm with ya buddy. I had a Miami doucher giving me a bad time a while back. He's gone to hell now, but I still hate those aholes. We can beat Ohio. I'd put Bell and Gilbert on their QB every play and ask our D/E's to break his face mask.

My defensive game plan would be to focus on their QB. Our linebackers and D/E's should be tackling, hitting, or getting in Rourke's face on every play. This will open up other areas to OU's offense, but their QB is the key. Their kid reminds me of McSorely of Penn State. Then, If Woodson's back with the offense Akron may move and score enough to win. If Woodson is out I would have to think about giving Kelly a few series if Nelson sputters. It might help too if we get O'Leary kicking field goals again. Shout out to Foster and Buddenberg by the way - very steady so far.

I have no idea what happened to Woodson on the off weekend, but I'm guessing this type of lack of discipline is why he was not voted as a team Captain by the players. Not sure why O'Leary wasn't kicking. The TV crew (if that's what you'd want to call them) said he missed some kicks so Bowden pulled him or something, but wasn't this kid on the all MAC preseason list with a 48 yarder to his credit this year? I'm pretty sure he would have made the kick that Gasser blew wide. Terrible game to watch with the announcement about Woodson at the start and Sands going down on his second carry. I think we could have all turned the TV off with 5 minutes into the 1st quarter and saved some grief. I didn't listed to the radio, but I'm sure French was disgusted. He always reminded me of Oliver Hardy when things go bad for the Zips.

Yep, we are getting better than our opponents. Woodson has showed the most improvement after surgery, but we have had others step up. Kinda enjoying this season so far and that's a lot for a Zips fan. The Miami game is big. I hate them and all of their tasseled toed alumni. Go Zips!

I was thinking 'awe SH_ T!' when their starting QB was returning just for the Zips. In hindsight, this may have lifted the play of Akron as I'm sure the coaches said 'good, we want to beat their best'. Great 1 point win! I have to give a shout out to Featherstone as I wondered if he would be a liability after Guiser was lost for the season. No sir!, we are fine at safety. Go Zips down the stretch!

Watched EMU last night and I'm really a fan. They played tough and lost again on 1 possession. They are not going bowling, but if I were an EMU fan I would be very hopeful on future years.

I agree with K92, this commitment list is a significant improvement in recruiting from prior years. Now, before someone jumps, we all know that this list will change, but I can remember prior years when Bowden was just starting here where we had 1 or 2 commitments at this time, as our program had sunk so low.

Woodson and Milkweed need to target Wolf more. At Western I can only remember 1 pass (and it was a bad one) thrown to him. Agreed about Bell. I think Brian had some stuff to deal with last year that was not all his fault. I'm pulling for him.