Dr Z

7:45 pm ESPN3 – Mike Monaco (play by play) and Austin Richie.

Akron to Play Football Series with UMass & Temple — The University of Akron football team will play a two-game series with former Mid-American Conference rivals– the University of Massachusetts and Temple University, Akron Athletics announced on Monday. UA and Minutemen will meet in Amherst on Sept. 28, 2019, and in Akron on Oct. 3, 2020. The Zips and the Owls will meet in Akron on Sept. 11, 2021, and in Philadelphia on Sept. 2, 2023. Akron and UMass have met four times in series history (2012-15) with the Zips holding a 3-1 edge, all in MAC play. Since 1967, Akron and Temple have met 21 times on the gridiron with the Owls holding a 14-7 edge. In MAC play (from 2007-11), Temple holds a 5-0 advantage over the Zips. 2019 August 31 at Illinois Sept. 7 UAB Sept. 21 TROY Sept. 28 at UMass 2020 Sept. 12 at UAB Sept. 19 at Clemson Oct. 3 UMASS 2021 Sept. 11 TEMPLE 2022 Sept. 24 at Appalachian State 2023 Sept. 2 at Temple

There are better Nah. The chart below reminds me of the story of when Lee Owens tried to recruit Allen Iverson.

Round 1: Monday March 5 - All games begin at 7PM Bowling Green Falcons @ Central Michigan Chippewas Northern Illinois Huskies @ Kent State Golden Flashes Ohio University Bobcats @ Miami-Ohio Redhawks Akron Zips @ Western Michigan Broncos

Is Kwad the fastest player in college football? After two seasons of middling around on the football field despite success in track, Smith showed out, catching 34 balls for 726 yards and seven touchdowns in 2017. He averaged 21.4 yards per catch a season ago, after averaging 24.5 on six catches as a sophomore. A larger sample set last year showed Smith can be dynamic when somebody gets him the ball. He's the fastest player in the MAC and one of the speediest in the country.

Between what I witnessed and coach's comments about his practice habits, I'll vote Virshon. PS This would be a nice thread for a poll. Easy to vote for ZN members.

I think some success can be gained by giving the young guys a taste of what the tournament in Cleveland is about. Just getting them there, and getting them comfortable with the logistics of the tournament would be a good step IMO.

The NCAA has granted University of Akron football player Mykel Traylor-Bennett a sixth year of eligibility after missing the 2017 season. Traylor-Bennett earned a bachelor’s degree in Summer 2017 and is pursuing a master’s degree in sport science and coaching. “We are very excited that the NCAA has accepted the waiver he applied for because of medical hardship to receive a sixth year of eligibility, very similar to what Warren Ball went through,” seventh-year head coach Terry Bowden said. “It’s so good for Mykel Traylor-Bennett who had an ACL injury last year after previously having an injury that kept him out of the 2015 season. What that does is it brings us back to a player who as a true freshman started several games at wide receiver. We moved him to tight end, and he started for us there, but now we’re able to move him back out to wide receiver. He can give us a physical presence, very much like Jerome Lane did. That’s what we’re excited about. I’m not sure if there’s going to be a more physical wide receiver in the conference than Mykel Traylor-Bennett.” “I never doubted God’s plan,” Traylor-Bennett said. “Adversity makes the man.”

Without Olojakpoke and Sayles, and a 10-player roster, eight Zips have been in a starting role over the last few weeks. Duvivier, Ivey, and Utomi have started all 27 games, and they have been joined by Eric Parrish (18), Virshon Cotton (6), Torrey Patton (6), Mark Kostelac (7), and Lucas Smith (4). That would be my assessment of the current situation—"taking stock."

Broadcast ESPN3 – Paul Peck (Play by play) and Amy Audibert (Analyst) Scouting the Bulls Buffalo enters the contest with a 21-8 overall record, including a league-best 13-3 record in MAC play. The Bulls rattled off eight straight league wins to open MACtion, falling to Kent State on the road, 82-79. They bounced back with a pair of wins before dropping their second game at Northern Illinois, 90-88, in overtime. The Bulls have won the last 3-of-4 MAC games, including a 108-82 win against Ohio. Buffalo is 13-1 (8-0 MAC) at home, 7-5 (5-3 MAC) on the road, and 1-2 at neutral sites this season. Four players are currently averaging double figures for the Bulls, led by C.J. Massinburg with 17.0 points per outing. He is shooting 46.6 percent from the floor (158-of-339), and 39.4 percent from long range with 69 made 3-point field goals (69-of-175). Massinburg also leads the squad at the free throw line (108-of-146, .740) and on the glass (220 rebs, 7.6 rebs/g). In addition, he is second in steals (33) and third in assists (73). Nick Perkins is second in team scoring with 16.8 points per game. He makes 48.2 percent of his shots (175-of-363) with 31 made 3-pointers (31-of-92, .337). He ranks second on the team in rebounds (179), pulling down 6.2 per game. Jeremy Harris follows with 15 points per game. Almost half of Harris’ shots come from long distance as he buried a team-high 74 trifectas with 158 total field goals made.He shoots 46.5 from the floor and 42.0 from deep. Wes Clark rounds out the double-digit scoring with 14.9 points per night on 46.5 percent shooting (100-of-215). In 19 games, Clark has drained 35 long-distance shots (35-of-90, 389), dished out 107 assists, and swiped 24 passes. Davonta Jordan leads the Bulls with 124 assists and adds 7.7 ppg. Defensively, Buffalo allows opponents to score 77.2 points a night on 43.3 percent shooting from the field and 34.1 percent from deep with 6.8 triples per game. The Bulls caused 409 turnovers (14.1 tpg) while collecting 171 steals (5.9 stl/g) and 109 blocked shots (3.8 blk/g). On the glass, Buffalo outrebounds its opponents 1126-1060 for a +2.3 margin.

If his health permits, I would guess, just like @94zipgrad, coach Stroud would assume the title of DC. I'm pretty sure he was the one calling the plays during game day. Can he fit another title in, assistant head coach, recruiting coordinator, and defensive coordinator? I'm not sure. I know first hand that coach Stroud's knowledge, and passion is second to none. Since there was no immediate announcement I wonder if coach Amato's announcement didn't take the staff by surprise. I hope everything is (health) okay with coach Amato. Lot's of talent on that side of the ball, whomever steps in is coming into a pretty good situation. Their biggest task will be finding a way to get a bigger push up front against our better opponents. When coach Bowden talked about the defense in the past he would typically say, coach Amato takes care of all that. I wonder if coach Bowden becomes a little more involved now?

Let's try to keep this thread about respecting coach Amato for his work and accomplishments. AMATO’S NO. 1 DRAFT PICKS Mario Williams .......... (Texans– No. 1 overall pick, 2006) Manny Lawson ............................................ (49ers, 2006) John McCargo ................................................ (Bills, 2006) Philip Rivers ................................................ (Giants, 2004) Koren Robinson ................................... (Seahawks, 2001) Andre Wadsworth.................................... Cardinals, 1998) Sam Cowart ................................................... (Bills, 1998) Peter Boulware .......................................... (Raven, 1997) Reinard Wilson ....................................... (Bengals, 1997) Derrick Alexander ..................................... (Vikings, 1995) Alphonso Carreker .................................. (Packers, 1984)

Chuck Amato Retires from Coaching Football AKRON, Ohio — University of Akron associate head coach and defensive coordinator Chuck Amato has decided to retire from coaching, the 71-year old legend announced on Monday after addressing the members of the team. “It’s been a while that I’ve been thinking about this.” Amato said. “Bobby Bowden preached for years the three ‘F’s– faith, family, and football– in that order. My wife has a sister and brother who are not doing well right now, and I’ve got twin boys (grandsons) in my house, and they just kill me. [he said with a laugh] I said to myself, ‘Maybe it’s time to go ahead and let someone else do it.’ Just be happy and glad. I’ve been around. I’ve been to the top of the mountain twice, and if it wasn’t for a wide left and a wide right, there’d be five of them (national championships). But I’m ready to retire, and I have to find something to do. If anybody out there has something they can give me, call me.”

It amazes me how much of an impact President Wilson has had in such a short time. I would be SHOCKED if any "replacement" could achieve half as much in double the time.

Great news. Two positions that need some depth.

2018 Akron Football Schedule all games are on Saturday, except the two indicated on Thursday and Friday in November. Apr 21 Spring Game at noon Sep 1 @ Nebraska Sep 8 Morgan State Sep 15 @ Northwestern Sep 22 @ Iowa State Sep 29 Bye Oct 6 Miami of Ohio Oct 13 @ Buffalo Oct 20 @ Kent State Oct 27 Central Michigan Nov 1 Northern Illinois (Thursday) Nov 10 @ Eastern Michigan Nov 17 Bowling Green Nov 23 @ Ohio (Friday)

For the entire time KD spent at Akron, I don't remember any ZN member calling KD "classless." I don't know the incident that the fan is referring to, but I would be surprised if KD exhibited behavior that called for that.

What an informative article, thanks. • Alce chose Akron over eight other Division I teams, including the likes of Miami, Wisconsin, USF and Pittsburgh. • While several schools wanted Alce as a linebacker, Akron pursued him to play running back. • Abraham Alce and Shedro Louis have been known as Thunder and Lightning. Akron was the only DI school to offer Louis. • Alce pulled a fast one on the crowd, revealing a Miami hat....quickly tossed the Canes hat into the crowd and said "I’m taking my talents to the University of Akron" • Zips running backs coach Eric Hickson visited Alce last March....A native of Fort Lauderdale, Hickson recruits South Florida with vigor every year. • Louis (Wide receiver/defensive back) has impacted on offense, defense and special teams....led a deep, talented receiving corps with 614 yards and 11 touchdowns. Louis tended to bring his best in big games

Can this be streamed on demand?

2018 Akron Football National Letter of Intent Signees Name Pos. Elig. Ht. Wt. Hometown | High School | Previous School Abraham Alce RB Fr. 6-0 224 Immokalee, Fla. | Immokalee Eric Bentley $ DL Fr. 6-2 244 Akron, Ohio | St. Vincent-St. Mary Gavin Blunt WR Fr. 6-2 195 Aurora, Ohio | Aurora Daishawn Brimage WR Fr. 6-1 195 Akron, Ohio | East Reggie Corner, Jr. $ S Fr. 5-9 200 Canton, Ohio | McKinley Devanier Floyd RB Fr. 5-9 200 Akron, Ohio | East Vincent Fonte OL Fr. 6-4 275 Copley, Ohio | Copley Landon Forman OL Jr. 6-5 280 Kingfisher, Okla. | Kingfisher | Northeast Okla. A&M Rich Hall $ DB Fr. 6-1 175 Pompano Beach, Fla. | Coconut Creek Logan Hawkins DL Fr. 6-2 270 Harrison City, Pa. | Penn-Trafford Jalen Hooks S Fr. 6-2 170 Warren, Ohio | Harding Devin Jordan OL Fr. 6-6 250 Fort Lauderdale, Fla. | Dillard Richard Kelly OL Fr. 6-3 300 Akron, Ohio | Archbishop Hoban Bryce Petersen $ OL R-So. 6-2 285 McKinleyville, Calif. | McKinleyville | Riverside City College Ben Phillis OL Fr. 6-5 300 Washington, Pa. | Trinity Treon Sibley WR Fr. 6-0 187 Akron, Ohio | Coventry Keyondre White $ RB Fr. 5-10 210 Fort Lauderdale, Fla. | Dillard $ Mid-year enrollee

How do you judge that? Not being funny, honest question? I have a hard time judging recruits. I've watched HS film on all our recruits since Lee Owens, and been excited about so many that have "flamed" out. I've watched the same film, and haven't been impressed with many that have had great success. So hard to judge for me at this time of the year. Now, when I get to watch a scrimmage, I can actually formulate an opinion, but I have never been good at judging talent at this time of year.

?? Hopefully one day soon, I can write "The Zips o-line dominated (insert top mac opponent here) the entire game" All the skill positions shine when this happens.