LZIp

Do I think its possible to achieve what you want? Yes. Do I want it? Yes. I just think you have to understand what the facts are. What DiG posted is reality. OSU is what they are due to many years of success, which builds school pride. Akron's situation can improve to what you, and everybody else on ZN.O want it to be with many years of sustained success and making noise nationally. That's no easy task. Very few programs have been able to break through and compete with their states flagship programs. TCU is about the only one I can think of. But even since they have finally joined the big boys, they have struggled. You can say its excuses, but it is what it is and it cannot be fixed short-term, let alone after a 5-7 season. You have to give "Joe Akron" something big to believe in, something more than your average Zips Nation poster acknowledges.

You can't be serious comparing Ohio State to Akron. OSU has the largest fan/alumni base in the country, is currently playing in the biggest rivalry game in the nation, and playing for a chance to go to a national championship. Oh...and it isn't black Friday.

I think its pretty obvious why attendance blew this week.

I can't do the conspiracy theories...The conference doesn't favor anybody and we are going to have an easier MAC schedule next year and it will have nothing to do with improvement and the MAC recognizing it. Honestly, I'd rather have a tougher one. We've proven we can compete with them, and are just going to be discounted like Buffalo if we have a decent year beating losing teams. I do know the only team in the MAC East that should be worth a crap next year should be BG. OU loses Tettleton and Blankenship. Buffalo loses Oliver and Mack. Can't will suck, UMASS will have that RB but im not sure what else, and Miami will suck. That's good for us.

I expect you to start packing your bags to move back to Ohio tonight. Thanks.

I was about to bring this up myself. We won the max games I expected this year, and I was probably more optimistic than some of the other posters. The other wins were nice, but this win really means a lot to me and I think a lot for the program. Toledo is probably the 3rd best team in the MAC, and the two ahead of them are pretty damn good. This win feels as great to me as the basketball team kicking OU's butt last year in the MAC-C, the OT MAC-C thriller over Can't St, and yes, even the soccer national championship (only because I care so much about football). We played our best game of the season today, IMO, and still played nowhere near perfect, yet came away with the win. I am happy for the seniors who get to go out on a high note after 3 years of hell. Also have to give Hilltopper a shout out for making the coaching staff aware of Pratt. He made two huge plays today. Is it August 28th yet?!

Why do they not give the ball to hundley in short yardage situations....

After the first drive, I love our play. Both teams are playing about how I expected. Really like our chances and I'm glad TB is finding ways to get some seniors involved like Austin Bailey on the fake punt. Let's go!!

Well we look like complete crap so far. Not sure Dillard ever had control of that fumble. Too bad terry didn't want to challenge it because he wasted a timeout before the offense ever ran a snap.

not sure why MTSU was brought up, but they have done pretty well in D-1. Usually finish around .500 or better and have a 10 win season or two sprinkled in. I know I'd love to have that here.

tough effort by CSU. To me, looked like Kentucky got some weak calls towards the end. Its worth mentioning that this CSU team lost to EMU by double digits.

final thoughts on the season: I was probably too critical of Embick this season. Tonight's loss was disappointing, and while we struggled by our standards the majority of the season, we seemed to get back to playing Akron soccer towards the end and looked really good. This gives me some more confidence for the future. He deserves our support. As others have stated, the Zips lose a good amount of talent. Next year will be a true test for Embick, but I have confidence in him. Go Zips!

I do not see it as a personal attack. He is simply wrong and extremely biased and I'm telling him that and as well telling him that I do not appreciate calling student athlete's idiots and morons when its clear he isn't very familiar with how soccer is played. Not sure why you choose to single me out when other posters said similar things like "surprised you aren't the coach" in reply to him, but I didnt mean to get under your skin.

Calling the coach/players of the best athletic team on campus "idiots"? Keep it classy. I could imagine, wait I know, how defensive you get when anybody questions KD or the players. If you were such a soccer genius, maybe you should be selling your strategy to some of the best managers in the world. You'd get laughed at. I don't like to see fans on twitter crying about the NCAA/field. Both teams are playing on the same surface.

No doubt. Programs like Akron have to take chances on those types of guys. However, for every off the radar guy that is a contributor, there will probably be 4 or 5 who won't work out. It is what it is.

Miami just lost to D3 Wilmington. Good job , Redhawks!

There are obviously exceptions, but I suspect there is a good reason why top programs recruit 5 stars heavily as opposed to non-rated players.

Yes. Ferns blew up between his sophomore and junior seasons (I believe) at some camps. He then accumulated offers from great schools all over the country. Note that I am not trying to hate and wish him the best. Because its uncommon for a kid form our area to be such a touted recruit (probably biggest since Joey Galloway?), many people have paid close attention and share a similar opinion to me. I've caught a few games, including the state championship game a year ago, and, in my opinion, he just doesn't make the plays you would expect out of a recruit of his ranking, or really any plays at all. When I've watched many other players on the team stuck out more than him, but isn't necessarily a bad thing. Both WRs from last season went D1 (one to Purdue, one to Ohio), and the RB who graduates this year is going to YSU. Ferns is a great person, has hard work-ethic, and is a great athlete, but I am not impressed by the football player Michael Ferns. I would assume coaches like Saban, Meyer, Hoke, etc know a little more than me, but we will see I guess lol. Sorry to go off topic.

as well as UL-L, correct?

I think Pittman will play DT, at least thats where I've heard they have been playing him.

I might think you were on to something if every other team at all levels of soccer in the world didn't do this. Also, you have goal kicks confused with punting the ball.

Pretty solid 1st half and entertaining game so far. Zips getting some nice chances and have a few goals. Indiana getting some chances as well, but haven't capitalized. Would like for the back line to play a little better, but besides that, looking good!

thanks

does anybody have a link for the stream?

That's a great possibility and I hope it happens. I don't have a problem with the U giving him the extension this early because it is clear he is turning the program around. There is one school I would be afraid of TB leaving for...and that is WVU. Like I said, its deserved, but you have to wonder if the extension was given so early to entice him to stay, especially since WVU will be looking for a new coach very soon.