Zip_ME87

I'm terrible at estimating...approx. 50? Kudos to all who were there, and especially to the AK Rowdies who were there. (def louder than all of the UM fans)Well worth the drive and the 8 hours of vacation from work; great weather, great fans; great game.

EDIT. Nevermind... Apparently soccer games are free, general admission, according to UM athletic ticket office.

Very classy Zipsrifle.

Yes, Spin, you are correct that "the Nati" is not in NEOhio, but NEOhioans like a winner. If Akron were to actually win something, not just win a MACC (with a 5-3 MAC regular season record), and win consistently, I think you would actually see a real boost in attendance. However, since Akron hasn't won anything of substance, the only comparison available is another team in the same state as tOSU. a D1-A team that has actually won something and gone somewhere meaningful...the Orange Bowl...and is currently ranked in the top 25.As far as your Mt Union references, Mt Union isn't on TV, and therefore is virtually unnoticed in a TV/media-driven society. It sucks, but that's the way it is. Some 2-bit sports channel like Sports Time Ohio should consider broadcasting Mt. Union games live to fill in their pathetically-void broadcast schedule.

I noticed that too.

I've been looking at this game. I often come to Houston on business and was hoping that a trip would come up in that time frame. No luck so far.I do suggest that you contact the Akron ticket office about tickets before buying directly from A&M. I think they get some tickets to all away games, and they may be able to seat you near the Akron bench...not sure of that, but worth a try.

On a nationwide scale, and in Idaho, I agree with you.But in NEOhio, where you're engrained (sp?) from birth to be a tOSU fan, because it's "Ohio's team", because it's "What we do", it's a different culture. You even mention another Ohio school to a board full of honks and you get annihilated and called stupid. This is the culture I'm referring to.tOSU could go 2-10 and charge $300 a seat and still draw 80,000 every week. Ak could run the table, blow the crap out of OSU and WIsconsin and two other BCS teams, and you bring them up and 99% of the state will say "Arkon? Seriously dude? They'll never be anybody." "Get that crap out of here, you got lucky. We were looking PAST you to a real opponent."And they won't show up of you paid them to (unless you showed the tOSU game on the screen).That's IMHO what Akron is up against in gaining respect. This generation, who's been burned by the Browns for 20 years, and go 150 miles south to compensate for it, needs to die off before the culture will change.BS! Look at the other nationally ranked team in Ohio before you draw conclusions...http://www.wlwt.com/news/21160824/detail.htmlAnd by the way, guess where some of the folks who are responsible used to work...UA.UC Attendance Mirrors Football Team's SuccessAverage 2009 Attendance Highest In UC HistoryMatt Knochelman, WLWT.comPOSTED: 1:06 pm EDT September 30, 2009UPDATED: 1:58 pm EDT September 30, 2009[bUZZ: UC Attendance Mirrors Football Team's Success] [DELICIOUS: UC Attendance Mirrors Football Team's Success] [DIGG: UC Attendance Mirrors Football Team's Success] [FACEBOOK: UC Attendance Mirrors Football Team's Success] [REDDIT: UC Attendance Mirrors Football Team's Success] [RSS] [PRINT: UC Attendance Mirrors Football Team's Success] [email: UC Attendance Mirrors Football Team's Success]CINCINNATI -- What a difference a decade makes.The University of Cincinnati football team looks nothing like it did at the start of the new millennium. The stands at Nippert Stadium, the Big East’s smallest football stadium, look nothing like they once did either.Rather than being a mediocre program that always took second fiddle to the likes of Ohio State and Notre Dame, the Bearcats have emerged as a power all their own.Since UC’s recent string of success, fans have begun to continuously Nippert Stadium. People almost always support a winner, and Cincinnati is no different.Expanding the seating at Nippert Stadium has even been discussed, which is a notion that would have been laughed at only four years ago.During the 2000 season, head coach Rick Minter led the Bearcats to a 7 -5 record. The average attendance was 18,575 fans per game. The season’s highest attendance of 32,924 people came for a 45-15 stomping of Miami (Ohio) on Oct. 28. The lowest, 17,647 fans, came for a 48-31 win over Houston on Oct. 7.In 2001 the Bearcats had a 7-5 record and averaged 23,055 fans per game. In the home opener, 35,097 people set a Nippert Stadium attendance record when 25th-ranked Purdue beat the Bearcats19 to 14.The next season, Minter led the Bearcats to a 7 -7 record and a share of the Conference USA title, averaging 21,696 fans per game. The lowest attendance of the season was for Nov. 30 win over the University of Alabama Birmingham. The 9,606 people present also marks the last time Nippert Stadium failed to attract at least 10,000 fans for a Bearcat home game. The highest attendance at Nippert Stadium, 31,478 people, was for an Oct. 5 loss to Miami (Ohio).The Bearcats also drew 66,319 fans to a 23-19 loss to sixth-ranked Ohio State at Paul Brown Stadium. However, many people at the game were fans of the Buckeyes, who went on to defeat Miami (Fla.) for the national championship.The ‘Cats went 5-7 in 2003, averaging 21,827 people per game.Coach Mark Dantonio was hired the following season, leading the Bearcats to a 7-5 record. However, attendance slightly fell, to an average of 21,255 fans per game.In 2005, the 4-7 Bearcats averaged 22,423 people per game.2006 was Mark Dantonio’s last season before leaving for a seemingly better opportunity at Michigan State University. The lowest attendance of the season was for the season opener, when 18,792 people saw UC shut out Eastern Michigan 31-0. UC averaged 20,373 fans per game during the season.UC’s biggest win was for the Nov. 18 home finale. 27,804 people watched as the Bearcats stunned seventh-ranked and undefeated Rutgers 30-11. This game was the start of UC’s emergence into the national spotlight.The game’s attendance was somewhat distorted, however. UC had a large lead at halftime, and UC students scrambled to the stadium to rush the field after the game. Students used to be able to swipe their student I.D. at the gate to enter any game. However, due to UC’s success, a limit was put on student tickets, making only 3,884 student tickets available 10 days prior to any home game.Dantonio left shortly after the regular season ended, and Brian Kelly was hired shortly after. On Jan. 6, 2007, in his first game as head coach, Kelly led the ‘Cats to a 27-24 International Bowl win over Western Michigan.The beginning of the 2007 season was similar to previous years, with just over 20,000 people in attendance to see the Bearcats crush Southeast Missouri State 59-3 in the home opener.The Bearcats started the season 6-0, beating Oregon State and Marshall in front of over 25,000, and 35,000 fans, respectively.The team’s first loss came Oct. 13 in a 28-24 loss to Lousiville in front of a sell-out crowd at Nippert Stadium. The Nov. 17 game against West Virginia also sold out; where fans saw the fifth-ranked Mountaineers squeak by the Bearcats 28-23 in the home finale.All-in-all, the ‘Cats finished the season 10-3, including a 31-21 win over Southern Mississippi in the Papajohns.com Bowl. The Bearcats also beat three top 25 teams in 2007, with victories over 21st-ranked Rutgers and 20th-ranked South Florida on the road, and 16th-ranked Connecticut at home.Higher attendance followed the team’s success, with an average of 30,246 fans per game.The success carried over to the 2008 season, where UC went 11-3, including a Big East Conference championship and a 20-7 loss to Virginia Tech in the FedEx Orange Bowl.The lowest attendance of the season was during the home opener, where 26,913 people saw the ‘Cats beat Eastern Kentucky 40-7. The highest was a stadium record of over 35,098 on November 22 against Pittsburgh, which was essentially for the conference championship.The’Cats beat Pitt, and followed up the next week by beating Syracuse 30-10 on front of 34,603 fans. After the game, UC claimed the Big East Championship trophy.UC also attracted over 30,000 fans for home wins over Miami (Ohio) in September and against both Rutgers and 23rd-ranked South Florida in October.The Bearcats again averaged 31,965 fans per game, beating the previous year’s mark.If the 10th-ranked Bearcats (4-0) keep winning, this should be the first year that at least 30,000 people attend every single UC football game at Nippert Stadium.30,421 people saw the Bearcats crush Southeast Missouri State 70-3 in this season’s home opener, compared to 20,233 people who saw the ‘Cats beat the same team in the 2007 home opener.32,910 people attended the Fresno State game and the West Virginia game on Nov. 7 has already sold out.The Bearcats have also defeated Rutgers and Oregon State on the road.Remaining home games against Louisville on Oct. 24, Connecticut on Nov. 7 and Illinois on Nov. 27 are also likely to reach the 30,000 fan mark.Only time will tell if high attendance will continue at Nippert Stadium. As long as the Bearcats keep winning, people are likely to continually fill Nippert Stadium, making the need for a seating expansion increasingly more pressing.---Attendance Statistics: http://www.gobearcats.com/sports/m-footbl/...tbl-archive.htm

I went to a BG / UA game at the Rubber Bowl 15 years ago. Homecoming. 70 degree, sunny October day. There were MAYBE 500 people in attendance.People have no clue how far game day attendance has come since Mike Thomas rolled into town and changed logos, started the AK-Rowdies, got rid of the bush-league vendors and team gear, got the stadium off the ground...etc.People want to plant a tree on Monday, and begin picking fruit on Thursday. It doesn't work that way. The AK-Rowdies of today won't pay dividends for several years. But they will pay off. It is the new AD's job to take the Program to the next level. The groups preceding him did.I know folks on here don't like hearing about Columbus State, but I just saw a PBS program about the building of Ohio Stadium...When it was first built, I think capacity was 60k +; first game they had standing room only. For the next several years, they had crowds of 25k or less in a 60k + stadium. It doesn't happen over night.

I know what I saw Saturday night - "The Kid" has serious game. I look forward to 4 quarters of him vs. Buffalo.I agree with you CK. Do I expect Patrick to completely turn this around on his own? No. But, I do expect him to play to his abilities, regardless of his age and collegiate game experience. I also expect the Zips' coaching staff to coach to his abilities, regardless of his age and collegiate game experience.

Look at comparison of Opponents' RPI:Northwestern Opponent (RPI)Wisconsin Green Bay (46)DePaul (18)Oakland (62)Tulsa (16)South Carolina (7)Lafayette (49)Drake (20)SIU Edwardsville (88)Ohio State (26)Northern Illinois (29)Penn State (33) Average Northwestern Opponent RPI: 35.82Akron Opponent (RPI)SMU (91)Tulsa (16)High Point (59)Cincinnati (58)Indiana (17)St Louis (43)Bowling Green (185)Ohio State (26)Florida Atlantic (129)Illinois-Chicago (77)Western Michigan (166) Average Akron Opponent RPI: 78.82

This from a head coach? I hope this is just a poor choice of words. There are many successful people in this world who do things "beyond their years".

I agree that Akron's football tickets are priced where they should be and that the reason the stadium isn't seeing bigger crowds is the 1 - 4 record.I would suggest to anyone who can't afford an "American football" game and wants a great deal, go see the other "football team" on campus...the 1/1/1/1/1 Zips Mens Soccer team. Adults $8, Youth $4...what a great deal!

Great story ZW. I love this team!Last March in Portland, they were so excited to be there and they've always been approachable. I love Nik's attitude...he always seems so pumped up and always comes across as truly enjoying being around his teammates and the fans. Grinning from ear to ear, signing autographs for Zips' and other teams' fans in Portland. Loved watching his and others' reaction when they were standing in the Info club seats during the pre-game showing of the highlights video from last year. I could see they're pumped for the season to beign. Looking forward to "Meet the Team" next Saturday and the beginning of basketball season.

Great Three Stooges analogy.I hope you feel optimistic about the Zips future. Once the mismanagement is gone, the losing should be gone as well. The talent is there that is being wasted. I just hope Nicely doesn't transfer after the coaching change.I also feel optimistic about the Zips' future as you do GP1. The defense played with a lot of heart. The offensive players looked pumped up as well. Some better management from the sideline and some work with the special teams would go a long way. I totally support our players. But, the Pee Wee head coach and his OC have to go. (I don't know what to Say about the QB coach...I'm unsure how much control Walt Harris has over personnel decisions. I'm sure that he makes recommendations, but I don't know if they translate to the field.) To me it is inexcusable to not be able to build the best team in this poor conference.

I agree with you Zipsrifle. I feel badly for Matt. He was playing well when the coaches were calling plays that he could execute. This is Nicely's team now. Too bad this team is still hampered by an underachieving head coach and his washed up OC sidekick.

Couldn't agree more. Aren't the coaches supposed to evaluate talent. It shouldn't have taken a Rodgers' injury to get Nicely on the field. Once Jacquemain was dismissed from the team, the Zips didn't have the luxury of his redshirt.

I'll 2nd that and add Fire Shane Montgomery.

I'll say this for the first time, and I mean it. It's time for a coaching change. This staff (and yes, i know it's not just the coaching staff) has thoroughly run the program into the ground deeper than it's ever been in what was (is?) the most important season in program school history. I'm embarrassed to have to settle for rooting for a Wagon Wheel victory this season...there's nothing else to cheer for.The on the field product begins and ends with the coaching staff. The coaches recruit and coach the players that are on the field; they develop and teach the game plan (at least that's what they're supposed to do). The special teams were horrible and combined with the offense to keep the Zips from winning. Rodgers had problems and got hurt because his head coach and OC are football-challenged. Anyone could see that he was moving the offense until they called plays of which he was not capable of executing. Furthermore, any first year coach knows that you don't keep running the QB...easy to defend the obvious and we got the usual result. I agree that the punt formations were 3rd grade...I knew that punt was going to be blocked before it happened. Nicely looked good. JD and his OC shouldn't have needed Rodgers' injury to tear up his Nicely's redshirt. JD and Shane Montgomery should be fired immediately.JD has had more going for him than his 2 predecessors, yet the Zips have made no progress. (He has had the field house for a few seasons and at least the real promise of a new stadium). JD has taken the Zips' football team backwards. I'm embarrassed that once again the coaches who are producing are not getting facilities deserving of their accomplishments. The new on campus stadium was sorely needed, but a basketball arena and soccer pitch upgrade are much more deserved. All I have left to say is Go Zips and GOODBYE JD (I hope that was your resume you had on your clipboard on the sideline. It sure needs as much work as you can put into it.)

http://fausports.cstv.com/sports/m-soccer/.../100309aab.htmlTop-Ranked Akron Rolls over FAU 3-0 on SaturdayZips tally three first half goals and improve to 9-0Oct. 3, 2009Final StatsBOCA RATON, FL - The Florida Atlantic men's soccer team fell 3-0 to No. 1 Akron on Saturday night at FAU Soccer Stadium.The Zips (9-0-0, 2-0-0) got on the board early as Teal Bunbury scored off a corner kick in the second minute of the game to give Akron a 1-0 lead. Later in the first half, Bunbury would score his second tally of the game in the 30th minute to give the Zips a 2-0 advantage.The Akron offensive onslaught would conclude in the 38th minute when Ben Speas tallied a goal to put the Zips ahead 3-0. The game was dominated on both sides by Akron as they outshot FAU 20-2 and forced the Owls (4-3-2, 0-1-0) to commit a season-high 16 fouls.The one bright spot for the Owls came late in the second half when Erick Espinosa tallied FAU's only shot on goal during the game. Freshman goalkeeper Jeremy Crumpton made four saves in net for FAU.Florida Atlantic will be back in action next Saturday afternoon at 12 p.m. when the Owls will face Hartwick for their first conference road game of the season.

We were pretty damn rowdy...The first half was a little quiet since we were on our side but after the half, when their goalie was right in front of us, all hell broke loose. It's great when on corner kicks, we're so loud that the goalie and defenders that are screaming to each other, cupping their ears trying to hear the commands, get pissed at their own team HAHAAbsolutely loved the "Brutus hates you" chant.

..."The "Fab Four" as they dub themselves, beat everybody in sight, then travel to Florida to play in the AAU (11 and under) tournament. They lose but decide to stick together through high school. When it is clear that Dru, due to his size, doesn't stand a chance at an all-black school, the group chooses to play for a private, mostly white school, provoking hurt feelings in Akron's black community.Dru's dad comes aboard as an assistant under the hard-driving white head coach Keith Dambrot. A 27-0 season is capped by a state championship in which the undersized point guard throws up seven consecutive three-pointers that hit nothing but net.A second season brings distractions: Transfer student Romeo Travis is a selfish and perpetually angry loner, and James' growing celebrity threatens team cohesion. The coach's decision to accept a college job following the last game, thus reneging on a promise he made the four kids, leaves a feeling of betrayal.The feeling vanishes when Coach Dru is offered the coaching job at SVSM. Trouble is, he is more of a football guy. He questions whether he can guide such a talented, now nationally recognized team."...More than a Game review

And whose players are these? JD Brookhart's. This is his 6th year. They are his recruits. Sorry Baller, but JD is responsible.

Took my first trip to the Big House yesterday with a friend who is a UM alum (and who has come to Zips Mens BBall and football games). IU is not the #11 team in the Not-So-Big 10. Zebras were horrible...thought I was watching MAC refs...perhaps they came over from Ypsilanti.

Jordan Miller...wait, I forgot he left the team in August. (More proof of JD's recruiting prowess.)Matt Rodgers because, as the Browns have proven time and again, changing QB's over and over solves nothing. The problems with the Zips go beyond who the QB is.Fire JD, make Shane Montgomery the Interim Head Coach and Walt Harris the Offensive Coordinator. That would change out the head coach and possibly the play calling at the same time.

I'm a big fan of JT and have followed Akron for years. By little publicity do you mean no publicity? I have never read or heard of any such gifts to the school or football program.He is a true gentleman. He wants it that way. When the program has needed financial support in the past, he has come through. I've heard that one day when his playing career is over they may name something after him. The should do that Hall of Fame weekend five years after this season.They should, and I think he deserves a statue (immortalized) to show how much he meant to the program and University and to remind the players, recruits and fans that greatness can come from anywhere.Greatness on and off the field.