LZIp

May be, but Whigan and Banes going down against CMU wasn't ideal. Hope they can go.

I think Cooper and Cephus are probably too much for our D to handle, but you play the game for a reason. A couple bounces go our way and we don't shoot ourselves in the foot, we have a chance..

Just came here to post the same thing. I though Ogbonna was done after this year as he was listed as a senior. The COVID year is making eligibility tougher to follow. With that said, Ogbonna was a prime example of a player I'd look to see transfer out. Senior whose only getting PT on special teams. Good luck to him. Side note - he's already been removed from the roster, so the staff seems to be keeping up on that, therefore its a resource to follow any other players who may transfer out where we don't see it announced.

Joe Mo & Co did a nice job filling in a lot of holes with the transfer portal this past offseason. The "hit rate" (defined by average MAC starter) doesn't appear to be 100%, but that is difficult to accomplish with the # of players brought in. I also still hope some of those players will continue to come along as they still have eligibility left beyond this year. My thoughts on the needs below come from consideration of players leaving due to graduation and what we've seen so far by underclassman who would look to take their spots. Per the roster online, and excluding special teams, we lose the following estimated scholarship players (12) after this season: Jalen Hooks (CB), Ryan McClain (OLB - may get a medical redshirt), Nic Ognenovic (TE), Bubba (LB - may have an extra year from last year's injury), Curtis Harper (DL), Ravontae Holt (DL - may have an extra year due to his injury history pre-Akron), Victor Jones (DL), Zach Morton (DL). Shocky (WR), JKP (S), Chu Ogbonna (CB), Tim Terry (LB), Anthony Whigan (OL). We currently have 14 non-special teams players committed, but we shouldn't be counting on any freshman to come in and fill holes right away. Based on the current production from the players above, we need somebody to replace potentially 2 LBs (1 if Bubba comes back), 1 CB, 3/4 DL (depending on Holt), 1 WR, 1 S, and 1 OL. There will also be a number of players transfer out, hopefully mostly due to not having the talent to elevate our program rather than players currently playing and showing promise. DL - I don't see any young DL playing and showing promise, and DL needs addressed as is. I say bring in 4 more DL transfers. LB - A couple guys show flashes - Fish and McCoy. The staff is high on Griffin, but we still don't have the proven depth we need there. Need 1 transfer LB, 2 if Bubba is gone. CB - I think Golden Nelson and Amankwaa are a capable pair of starters, but would like to see them challenged, and we need more depth regardless. 2 more transfers here. Lewis has Nickelback on lock and Durant should probably be his back up as he showed flashes there last year..he isn't an outside corner. S - I think we are good with Thompson, Martin, and Woods for the next year or two. OL - We lose Whigan, and have some promising freshman, but I still say bring in 2 OL for security to ensure OL is upgraded. The OL play is holding the offense back the most. RB - I think we're okay. Biggest reason for lack of production here is run blocking. QB - think we're okay. DJ is the guy and Undercuffler should at least be a serviceable back up if/when DJ goes down, though he isn't as mobile. Darius Jennings and Steele Wasel were also pretty highly recruited, so would hope one of those 2 could step in and be serviceable if needed. TE - we should be set for the foreseeable future with Brank, Banks, Clark, and Darnell. WR - Staff is high on Golden, Grimes is alright, Anderson doesn't get many targets though does have some potential, and Gathings has looked alright as well, but he's only been healthy enough for I believe 2.5 games in 2 years for us so far. I'd bring in 1 transfer to replace Shocky to ensure the passing game keeps humming since none of the aforementioned are showing that type of potential yet. With the 14 commits, and up to 11 transfer needs, that would put us at a total of 25 new signees. With up to 12 guaranteed to move on, this means there will be at least 13 scholly players with eligibility left no longer on the team next year., not going to speculate individually (think upperclassman/players who have been here a few years and aren't sniffing the field), just hope additional holes don't get opened up. I think Joe is actually going to look to bring in more than 11 transfers, however. Hitting on the majority of those with the likeliness of a few players on the team taking the next step, our holes are filled at the starter level and we have some depth. Filling holes doesn't mean we are MAC contenders next year, as there's still positions you probably need to upgrade to take that next step, but I think it reasonably gets you to .500 play. We may not see much if any improvement in the win column this season, but I strongly believe we will see encouraging results in getting our program to at least an above average conference team is in the near future. Go Zips.

On D, I liked what I saw of Bubba, Lewis, Amankwaa (in coverage, he did a good job shutting down CMU's best WR), and Woods. Woods was in on some plays and didn't get beat. No drop off at all in his first start compared to the other safeties that were out.

Gotta make that pick, but we lucked out anyways. Lets answer!

WHAT ARE WE DOING ON KICK OFFS?!!?

Oh look, another sack.

Among our many deficiencies on D, setting the edge is near the top.

Also it doesn't appear JKP or Nate Thompson are playing. Woods is in their spot, I think he's done alright.

Why are we squibbing kicks? Both times its results in field position at the 35+

That crap will cost you. Can't win games like this.

And a busted shitty play is going to cost us our QB. Great.

Run game has zero going today. Noticed Daniels is out (Chambers in his place).

and Behm and Terry.

We got Fish and McCoy in over Bubba and its showing on this drive.

CMU beat us with a screen and dump off on a blitz that drive. IMO thats a bi-product of our natural lack of pass rush activity. We are working so hard on getting to the QB that reading a screen or covering the check down is an after thought.

Defense held up so well besides that horrid last play.

Joe Mo seems a lot more conservative this game.

Bubba with a sack and a FF so far. Keep that man on the field.

Dont like that 3rd down call to the short side of the field with Adams blocking. Missed an opportunity to go up 2 scores.

That kick...ugh.

Thats the start we need!

Depends. Do Hankerson and Hunter come in and push for all conference recognition or are they just another guy? Losing Dawson hurts a bit.