BostonZip

It's just unusual...first time since 2003-04 the MAC was not represented in the preseason AP poll. I didn't think the conference was that lightly regarded (at least not in basketball).

Have the stadium cams been retired? I get the dreaded 404 error when I go to the former page.Anyone have any recent photos of the new dorms?

Was anyone else surprised that not one MAC team received a single vote in either the Associated Press or USA Today preseason men's polls?

WHOA there, K-Roo. The misguided athletic director in question was DAVE ADAMS, not Ken MacDonald. Ken MacDonald was the long-time Akron Sports Information Director and a Jim Dennison man through and through.

Final. K-S-U. 20, O.U. 11

98 yards

That's great...a thrill for the young kids, and another chance to show off the campus.

Anyone know who's playing at the Info today? A Sunday high school game? CYO games?

16,381 was the announced attendance. Must include all tickets sold, as the crowd appeared to be much smaller than Indiana (18,340 announced).

16,381 was the announced attendance. Must include all tickets sold, as the crowd appeared to be much smaller than Indiana (18,340 announced).

Final: Ohio 19, Akron 7.

Akron roughs kicker on OU field goal attempt (43-yarder was good).Penalty gives Ohio first down at Zips 12.2:46 remaining.

Ohio 19, Akron 7.7:00 left.Zips failed to score after having 1st and goal at the OU 7.

Ohio 19, Akron 7. OU scores on a short TD pass, 2-point conversion fails.10:56 remaining.

Zips fumble kickoff, OU recovers at Akron 33.Tough night for special teams.

Ohio 13, Akron 7 after 27-yard OU field goal.14:04 remaining.

10-7 Ohio, end of 3rd.Ohio has ball on the Akron 12.

10-7 Ohio, 2:41 left in 3rd.Zips miss on 43-yard FG attempt.

10-7 Ohio, 8:07 left in 3rd.Zips scored on a short drive after recovering a fumbled punt at the OU 30.As for attendance, from webcast I can't see the upper stands completely, but they are sparsely populated. I would guesstimate 12,000.

10-0 Ohio with 10:45 left in the 3rd.OU blocked a punt and recovered it in the end zone for a TD.QB Rodgers is out of the game with an injury. Nicely in at QB.

North becomes first City team to win at InfoCision Stadium.Does anyone know what the attendance was?

3-9.Maybe 4-8.

David Giffels, author, former Beacon Journal columnist and now a UA faculty member, reflects on the aura of InfoCision Stadium:"It’s been especially interesting to me just how remarkably remarkable the addition of this new football stadium has been," Giffels writes. "It’s not like it’s the only recent improvement. Far from it. But it seems to be the one that has drawn all the others into their full context."Read his blog here.

Glad the cams are finally back on, even if some of the glow of the early season is gone.

I made the trip to Ohio to attend the Indiana game, and was surprised by the small crowd, but I guess shouldn’t have been. Akron sports fans have been largely disinterested in Zip football for as long as I have been observing (40+ years).In my view, the pecking order for football interest in the Akron area goes something like this:1. Browns2. Ohio State3. Notre Dame4. High schools5. Akron UAnd that’s a distant No. 5.Clearly a new stadium isn’t enough to instantly bring consistent, big crowds.Would a winning team? Who knows – the Zips have not won as many as eight games in a season since 1985, and aren't likely to this year.Even when the team was decent, it didn’t draw. In 1986, Gerry Faust’s ballyhooed first year as head coach, the Zips drew 35,202 (at greatly discounted ticket prices) for the traditional Acme-Zip opener, but then averaged only 12,887 for their remaining five home games, despite going 5-1 at the Rubber Bowl.Moving to the Mid-American Conference and more familiar opponents was supposed to result in more fans, but the opposite has occurred. Since joining the MAC in 1992 through last season, the Zips averaged 11,968 fans per home game -- less than what the team averaged at home in the 1970s (12,458) and 1980s (13,646).The 2005 MAC championship team (7-6, 3-2 home) averaged a paltry 10,893 fans per home game. The next year saw a bump in average home attendance to 16,132 (8th highest all time), but home attendance declined in 2007 and again in 2008.Six different athletic directors over the last 15 years have tried to find the solution to creating interest in Zips football. Now it’s Tom Wistrcill’s turn.Good luck, Tom.