72 Roo

Anyone who says we are turning on our coaches just doesn't get it. This football team played way below their ability. To accept their performance is to accept mediocrity and possibly sub-standard play. Can anyone say Lee Owens era? That's true mediocrity. We can, should and must do better. The talent and facilities are there. Let's not lower our standards or expectations because some posters don't know how to evaluate performance.

"it's going to get better next year for the kicking game, and offense simply because they can't get much worse"Racer, respectfully I'm not sure that is a given. Here's how I see it. We will have an unproven QB, a mostly new O line w/no depth, a running back (Kennedy) who gets happy feet trying to fake out everyone to get wide to running space rather than hit the hole with authority, no proven TE who can block a tackle and get open, an undersized FB, and a leftover poor kicking game. Our offensive play calling was nothing to be proud of either. That's too much to improve in one season. True our receivers could be the best in the MAC, but we have too many holes to fill. For me the most critical concern is the line where games are won or lost. If JD can find guys with size, skill and heart we can recover. I doubt it though. For what it's worth I hope I'm wrong.I believe we need to brace for a disappointing year.

Zipboy, thanks for sending your post. Very interesting. What seems to cause me concern is that the recruits who are expected to contribute early seem to be the ones we are having trouble keeping. That may be because for any MAC school to get someone who is capable of playing early, that recruit may be marginal by Big ten or Big East standards i.e. grades, work ethic, attitude, character. Therefore, they end up with us but still have the baggage ( see good old Nate Robinson). Just a thought, not really researched.Either way we are in for a tough year next year. With completely rebuilt offensive and defensive lines, a new quarterback and no solution to special teams in sight we have to brace ourselves for a bleak season. Just what I need, more post Thanksgiving depression.

Hey pals, let's knock the crap off! We did not take care of business repeatedly this season.Stop the ridiculous excuses. OU beat us outright. They played with greater pride and spirit than we did. Their coaching staffs made adjustments. JD and ours did not. Our O line was manhandled by the OU D line. Our receivers dropped 7 freaking passes. Our D line never penetrated. Getsy made poor decisions all night long. I had a field pass for that game and I was embarrassed by what I saw and heard on our sideline. This was truly a team of underachievers. Guys we didn't execute and it is costing us a chance to go to the MACC again, slowing our evolution to a highly respected team and pointing out JD has limitations. I haven't lost hope though. We have a pipeline of talent, the facilities continue to improve (latest: new offices in the fieldhouse) and I believe JD can learn from this experience. I support him and wish him well. But he has to get a reality grip and stop the excuses of 8 plays separates us from where we are and 8-3. That's just a smokescreen and should not be tolerated by us or Mac Rhodes. I know he is under pressure but stand up and take responsibility for the underachieving product he put out on the field. JD, his staff, the seniors and the captains are responsible for accepting poor performance. The key to solving a problem is to admit you have one. We have a great future with football. I, for one, will not let anyone stop me from believing in that vision. We are doing the right things. This season set us back, but does not stop us from recovering and growing to seize our potential. This is just a bitter pill to swallow since we all know we could have done far better.

Thanks for all the replies. This is going to be a huge game for OU and it ought to be the same for us. You just never know if Akron is going to show up ready to play to its potential. So far this season that has been rare. I fear Ou's running game. True our backers are too small andthe D line has not put on pressure or penetrated. Tough combination for us.But there is always the possibility of a miracle finish. I believethe game is won on the line. If we can show some offense I believe our defense can find a way to slow the OU running game.Good luck to GoCats and the rest of the OU faithful. I hope it is a great game with the Zips winning. I know for sure that it will be hard hitting. These two teams take it to each other with a vengeance each year.I can't get anyone from Columbus to join me so I'll adopt some Zip fans as new buddies when I get there. Look for a homeless Zip wandering around. Like Lee Adams, I'm a little older, but passionate about he Zips.

Some questions for the board:1) I'm coming from Columbus. Does anyone know if the Zips' fans will be seated all together?2) Is there a real chance of a sellout?3) Any Zips tailgating? Where? I'd like to say hi and swap lies.4) I'd like to sit with some Zip faithful. Any ideas where the most of our fans will be?5) Does anyone know if our O line has decided to play? I thought this veteran group of underachievers embarrassed itself against a mediocre Buffalo defense.6) Can our coaching staff keep from getting out-coached like Toledo and Can't did to us? I believe in J.D. but he or his assistants have done a poor job in preparing the team and making adjustments to the opposition.7) Sorry, I'm starting to rant. Just frustrated seeing a potentially great season slip away.

Thanks. For those of us who don't live in Akron and get the ABJ that article was touching. I remember the first time Jackoboice conducted the band he took over. I was blow away. What an improvement! It was the start of a band to be proud of. We all owe him a debt for his contribution to the U of A.

I think some of the posters were thinking UC has a stadium that is as rundown as the Rubber Bowl. Nothing could be further from the truth. It's a great place to watch a game. Completely rebuilt/restored and crying for a high quality team to play there. Maybe Dantonio will build one yet. The only sad comment is regarding the attendance. UC plays a schedule better than ours but draws poorly. I for one would love to have a Nippert clone on Exchange Street.

This just in .... The MAC Report has confirmed Can't sucks. But you knew that didn't you.

Can't is improved over last year, that much is true. But don't think for a minute that they can beat the Zips if we come to play. JD will have 'em ready and Can't will be treated to a defense that is every bit as good as Minnesota's. Remember 44-0?This is our game and there ain't no amount of Can't State false bravado that can change that. I hope all the golden flushes enjoy being drilled and eating crow. The Zips own you and that isn't going to change for a long time to come with our superior coaching and recruiting classes.BTW, when was the last time Can't won? Just as I thought, you can't remember either.GO ZIPS!

I agree our kicking game is a problem. What about the freshman from Lake Catholic? A former soccer player who was rated as the second best place kicker in Ohio and 10th in the country. Is he being red-shirted. I thought he reported this Fall, but haven't heard much about him. Can someone fill me in. Thanks. Go Zips! The Can't game will be great, but don't doubt for a minute that it is our game. J.D. will have 'em ready. He understands the importance of this as a rivalry, for recruiting, for the MAC East and the fact most of us hate Can't.

First time post, but this is a good topic.I'm in lock step with most of the board when they say the stadium needs to be done right. let's read that as right for the future. I get real scared when I hear discussion of limited budgets and working with what we've got. Those are just excuses for getting something up and getting it wrong. Remember the JAR. I do. I spoke with President Guzetta before he accepted the design and urged him to reject it.The stadium design must be expandable. I'm impressed with what Louisville did with Papa John Stadium. They built it with 42,000 seat capacity and are now planning to expand it to 63,000. We can't be as nice as they have because we don't have the funding. But on the other hand we can't build one just to get the public off the board of trustees backs. A 30K seat expandable stadium is an absolute necessity.BTW, did anyone see that on the initial picture of the stadium the architects had wedged a dorm between the stadium and Exchange St. There goes the positive visual effect this signature structure could make on visitors approaching the campus. What happened to some green space to make it stand out and be a symbol of our athletic emergence? The days of packing building upon building at Akron have got to end. Our campus is tremendous, but this design will not send the message we want.Let's be a positve force for change so we can be proud of what we end up with.