Ham

Cykron, I was only needling you about Canada. I should have referenced the DM Register concerning our D. Not only denigrating our D Sunday, they referenced us as an FCS opponent earlier in the week. Akron Zips, you think ABJ is bad, "The Paper Iowa Depends On" prints Friday night football results in their Sunday edition, nothing Saturday morning!

Even when we go to Canada? ( They have me worried.) Our running game needs to step it up! Kato's int obviously cost us points, but to say "he wasn't sharp all day" is an understatement. It's unfair to discount our D's performance when evaluating ISU offensive out put.

Rain may force us out of G7. If you come looking for us, send me a text at 515-822-6771 for an up date. On the way to Ames now. Should have first Irish coffee by 6:15!GO ZIPS!

Keys to the game: Contain Montgomery & Butler Our D has come up big so far. If they can continue that Sat, Zips win. For 5 min the Clones ran over the Jacks before lightning intervened. The above stats came against big time opponents. Can we match those numbers? I think we can come close enough to win. We did pretty good with Larken, a quality back. Our secondary looked real good at open field tackling. Butler got a lot of yards after broken tackles. In addition, I can see some hard hits producing "alligator arms", shrinking Hakeem's catch radius. The biggest question will be, can our O of the last 2 quarters show up for the next 4 quarters?

I was too, and I got to tailgate with my son and all of his NU buddies. I did have support from Captain and his family and the Reinke's.It only took a couple beers for everyone to calm down after the game. Everyone was all smiles when they turned the lights out at midnight on the golf course.

I can't believe that Kato couldn't have reversed field and out ran them even if all the way to a safety for 7 secs. With any time left on the clock after a safety, kicking from the 20 would have truly put them in a hail mary situation.

I'm not going to look at the replay, but I only recall one safety blitz. The front 4 did a great job without relying on the LB's to put pressure on the QB. This put more people underneath allowing the CB's to cover tighter, and give the S's room to roam. We held a BIG team to under 100 rushing. We gave up lots of passing yds but to a SR projected draft pick. I'm not saying that Chuck would have held us down. It's just "the next men up!" (I'm even encouraged with our OC.)

I think you have this one right on, but don't count on them looking past us. Without the 3 TO's, if we play 4 quarters like the second 1/2 , look out. We will hang with most. I really think Sat is a toss up, but I also feel like lack of experience at their QB will make a difference. He is not that green, but I think TO's will make a difference again. We will fly the flag for the second week, and get a few votes in the polls!

We could fall flat on our faces Sat, but I would do what ever I could to be in Ames Sat. This could be the start of a very special season. I'm thinking about what a little bit of success has done to my attitude, and can imagine what the team is feeling. We will see if the coaches and team leaders can channel the energy to play smart and disciplined Sat. Cykron has invited everyone to their tailgate. If you want to hang with a little bit younger crowd come to lot G7{grass lot, E of stadium, across the road}. You will find a few Zips and some of the "Wide Right Nati Light" crowd. Think Rubber Bowl X 100!

We have been talking about our senior laden D. I think we saw their leadership come through. This victory sure had their stamp on it! The scene after the game with the fan contingent in the corner and the locker room fight song really gives me a feeling that these young men have come together. I can't wait to see what kind of a team shows up at Ames. I think any fan should think real hard about making the trip to Ames so you would have the chance to see this squad really come of age.

I think we will be there a little earlier. Will try to save a spot next to us at green #2. Look for a black & purple canopy(my son is NU grad) with a Zip flag.

NU offence has been struggling, and now both tackles need to be replaced. I don't see a shut out, but I do think we will put more points on the board. Zips 24 NU 17

South, close to Central, first row by the canal Look for an NU & Zip flag

You just need a pass to park in the golf course. I'll post a map if anyone else would care to drop by.

If you don't want to haul a lot of stuff, you could just bring a supply of Ohio's finest brews and join us in the golf course. I'm not sure if you can get in there or the lot next to the stadium without a pass. I'll check with my son for correct info.

I'm not stupid. It would have been an upset if we had beaten NU. It will be an even bigger upset if we beat the next NU in Evanston. I guess I just have a player's mentality. If you go into a game expecting to loose, you should just stay home. Win or loose, ones only focus is only on next week. you need to look back in January.

Even if we only consider modern times, I'm looking forward optimistically to our trip to Evanston. Go ahead Zipmonster, give it a chuckle.

I was hedging about making the trip to Lincoln ($95 to sit 50 rows up in the corner of the endzone). By Friday I was able to get seats right on the 50 yd line tucked under the upper deck. They made us move to the concourse right before the horizontal rain came. That was our first trip to Lincoln for a game. In spite of the disappointment of the cancelation, we are still smiling. I knew their stadium was down town and wondered how the tailgating would work. It seemed like any where there was a few square feet, someone had set up a canopy. We were cordially greeted by many fans and welcomed at tailgates. It was amazing watching 85,000 fans going into a frenzy for pregame. I only wish we could have seen what would happen if something truly exciting happened! I only hope that we find our way back on Big Red's schedule even though Frost could have them rolling by then.

That sounds right,. My wife has it on her phone, but she is not home now. I'll be going in Friday evening, and I will have to deal with the 294 mess. My NU grad son likes to start tailgating early. I'm sure we will have lunch in the golf course and watch one of the afternoon games waiting for kickoff.

I'm not an expert on Chicago traffic, but it might be easier coming from the E to just pay a few tools and skip the 80/94 traffic leaving the turnpike. My nephew travels through out the city for work swears by an app that he uses. I can get you info on it if you want, but Saturday afternoon traffic shouldn't be much of an issue. The 80/94 section between the turnpike and 94W is always a bear. If you get to Evanston early enough, you could look for my Zip flag in the golf course lot.

With nothing to loose and some new wrinkles, I see all out pressure on F QB giving us several TO's( int & fumbles). Kato will have some nice runs, but the negative plays will allow Van to lead the rushers. I'm looking for an OC transformation that will have us targeting multiple receivers making that choice tough. Jonah will have more catches, and Kwad will have more yards. Zips 24 Bug Eaters 17

I'm surprised that Cykron hasn't chimed in about the lack of respect we are getting from Des Moines media. They are expecting a challenge Sat night from FCS South Dakota State, but look to Akron as a breather.

I'm confident that our D will test him early and often. He may be the real deal, but one does wonder if this is a product of an empty cupboard. I was going to try to make the trip to Lincoln, but $!00 seats 45 rows deep in the corner of the end zone will be keeping me home. I will be in Evanston and Ames.

Kotelac of rest? Rec Center Smith to the rescue! If I were Groce, I would take some staff and players to the rec center before our next home game and mix it up a little bit. What a golden opportunity to create the same kind of support that Porter had with soccer. It was one rebound, but it could be the start of a turn around for us.

If we hang our hat on Kato, we will struggle. I don't have the stomach to watch the replay, but Kato seemed to bail at the hint of pressure. He can't seem to be able to find the open receiver. You can't see the whole field on TV, but it's telling when they zoom in on the receiver and there are 3 or 4 defenders on coverage. Someone had to be open.