LZIp

Nice start.

I was going to wait until after the season to dive into this, but I've got the itch this morning. There is no denying the coaching doesn't have room for improvement, but really trying to limit this discussion to players. Without a doubt, many holes need filled for this team to be competitive in the MAC again. My approach if I were the coach based on expectations to become bowl eligible next season without sacrificing the future: QB: I admire Kato's toughness and how he has seemed to grow as an individual throughout his career. However, his passing and decision making have not seemed to improve since he was a freshman and he seems to be less of a running threat now than ever. I don't believe he is a fit for the offense Arth is trying to install and I believe we've seen the last of him on the field. I propose a 3 way competition heading into camp - Gibson, Marousek, and a transfer QB (D. Clark maybe?). Another QB needs brought in to compete with Gibson. He could be the future, but I haven't seen enough to just hand him the job. RB: Tough to get a good read with the OL, but I believe Hayes-Patrick and Reese are pieces to work with. Still want to bring in a transfer for competition/depth, and at least 1 freshman. TE: We lose Junk, Johns, and Long after the season, leaving only Wofley on scholly. Need to bring in at least 1 transfer and true freshman. WR: Should be okay here for next year with Stewart, Scippio, Hicks, Knight, Morris, and Mathison. Need a few true freshman though to have guys ready after they are gone. OL: Council and Gray are building pieces. Another hole is opening up as we lose Brown. It will not bode well if the current starting C is starting next season. We have some true freshman who aren't playing this year, but if they aren't able to get on the field this year, will they be adequate next year? Bring in 2 transfers here...this is priority #1 with the team if you ask me, but there doesn't seem to be a lot out there in JUCO/transfer portal. Still bring in 3 freshman on top of that so this issue is hopefully fixed once and for all. DL: Cross has improved as the season has went on and I think Mitchell is adequate to plug the middle. We are bringing in one JUCO DL already for competition. The staffs current approach here is likely OK. Add 2 freshman. OLB: Scott, Sampson, Richardson, and Lawson are probably fine here. Really only one of these on the field most of the time with the use of the Nickel..add 1 freshman. ILB: Arslanian, Glover, and Watts are adequate I think. Need 2 freshman. CB: Hooks has developed well over the year. We have a few options to fill the other position, but I haven't seen enough to bank on natural development. 2 transfers and 2 freshman. Safety/Nickel: We are good with Watts and Thomas. There are a couple guys to step up and fill the other starting spot (Daranijo and Mack). I'd bring in 1 transfer and 1 freshman here. Scholarship breakdown based on the above: QB: (2) - 1 freshman, 1 transfer. RB: (2) - 1 freshman, 1 transfer. WR: (2) - 2 freshman. TE: (2) - 1 freshman, 1 transfer. OL: (5) - 3 freshman, 2 transfers. DL: (3) - 2 freshman, 1 transfer. OLB: (1) - 1 freshman. ILB: (2) - 2 freshman. CB: (4) - 2 freshman 2 transfers. Safety/Nickel: (2) - 1 freshman, 1 transfer. Total: 25 new additions. 16 freshman, 9 transfers. The biggest key for acceptable results next year is going to be the staff basically bringing attrition to a halt and have a very good hit rate on the transfers so we are getting immediate improvement. Go Zips..

Idk about defensive really, but it did have some good info in regards to his approach of building the program. He's right in that a strong foundation is necessary for sustained success. He didn't mention them by name, but I believe he was talking about Toledo and how they are able to continually reload even after coaches leave for bigger jobs, and he does have a point. I think we all want a program like that. With that said, there cannot be another season like this one. There is no excuse for it. Looking at next year's OOC schedule, 3-1 is a serious possibility even considering this year's results. YSU, NMSU, and UMASS. Average FCS team and two of the worst FBS teams. Something like 1-3 with a loss to YSU will likely be the beginning of the end for the staff. They seem intelligent, hard working, and want to take the right approach (maybe too correct if you ask me). Still rooting for them....

Would be nice if we could get a similar atmosphere at the stadium and bars for every Zips game as last night. One can dream..

I thought Andrew Wilson-Lamp looked much better than OSU commit Jayden Ballard last night. To nobody’s surprise, Massillon played Keyes. Ball never lies though..he ended up getting injured and was out after that point.

Shock the world! Wish I could make it down there for this one.

Ah...the Enrique Freeman victory cigar!

Ugh...

Some immediate DB help. Had a nice offer list out of HS. https://247sports.com/Player/Kenny-White-46037197/high-school-204649/

All aboard the Tribble Train!

We beat the spread...wooo! If I were a betting man, Gibson starts next game and we've seen the last of Kato.

Good things happen when you blitz...what do you know??!! Where has this been all year. Late 3Q and its a one score game..who woulda thunk?

Welcome and feel free to stick around!

LOL...In my defense..... 1. I didn't think somebody on the board would be calling for a walk on to get on the field. 2. Junk is a similar number and is mostly the lead blocker whenever the play calls for one. 3. He asked whether the player was hurt, and Junk was/is hurt.

FF: We lose two more recruits during the game tonight.

Hardcore rooting for BG tonight to beat OU and knock them out of bowl contention. Them coming into next week with no motivation/potentially mixing younger players in is our only chance at a W.

I think thats another credit to him (and Ali for that matter). True freshman need to know their roles (Virshon Cotton, anyone?)...especially at the beginning of their career. He's been cool and under control all year. Once all of the back ups were in, he took the initiative to create and show us what we can do. I'm looking forward to see what he does as his leash gets longer as the year goes on.

Tribble is going to be a good one. So well composed for being a true freshman. If he doesn't overtake LCJ at some point this season, its happen next year.

Whew. This staff really better pull something out of their ass to make this class respectable and put an acceptable product on the field next season.

@zzx

The deal doesn't expire until 2026-2027. My guess - we come out better with the deal as opposed to untelevised on the weekends. https://www.espn.com/college-sports/story/_/id/11372218/mid-american-conference-espn-agree-new-13-year-media-rights-deal

Do you have a source for this? Did some digging this morning and I can't find mention of this anywhere. Relevant article on Kansas and the limit: https://www.si.com/college-football/2019/05/06/jeff-long-big-12-ncaa-recruiting-rules-scholarship-limit And another re: the transfer portal: https://www.si.com/college-football/2019/02/18/transfer-portal-scholarship-limits-initial-counter-rule

I have see that right now.

Let's clear this up - Mr. Ward means Brandon Junk #45. To answer his question, yes, I believe he is hurt.