johnnyzip84

Wow, I really think the Beacon is serious about turning the corner on Zips' sports coverage. Tom Gaffney wrote a nice (albeit tardy) article about Jenna's accomplishment in today's paper (Link).LinkMay I offer a belated congratulations to Jenna myself. Great job!!! You even had Steve French and the rest of the WNIR morning show talking about you this morning

Good point. That's all the more reason to schedule this game, IMHO.I voted for Marquinn Davis, if only to find out why the mere mention of his name would elicit a smile/chuckle out of JD. His combination of size and speed is pretty unusual.

No player from the 2009 recruiting class is on campus. They won't arrive until summer.I'm not worried about Bain. I know they wanted to go easy on him this spring to make sure he'd be fresh come summer camp. I know there was also a concern that he might hurt someone on the offensive side of the ball if he played full-go, which is the only speed he knows.Every spring game the Zips leading rusher is someone that never sees the field the following season. See Frank Berchie or Ben Ruhlin. Generally speaking, I don't expect to see a whole lot of PT from any of the upper-classmen.However, at least some of the new recruits will be on campus for the annual Spring Festival this Saturday. I know Phil Tonga will be there. As many of you may know that I am the Tonganator's uncle, I hope that you get a chance to meet Phil and regards my best wishes for him. Just go easy on the grip! We don't need any injury to those Monster Hands! hehe! I wish I could be there. I can't wait to see Phil on campus! I'll do my best to ease up on him.....just for his Uncle's sake

I'm not sure how long this name has been on the roster, but I noticed today that a Marcus Lemon (presumably Shaun's brother since they are both listed from Walforf, MD) is shown as a Sophomore linebacker. I wasn't aware Shaun had a brother on the team.

Did I miss something? Fleming's still DC, isn't he?I think the 3-3-5 should be replaced, but I'm not THAT concerned to this point over what JD has stated to the media. Last year, my biggest complaint was in short yardage situations. We never employed a "jumbo package" near the goal line on defense. I still have a vivid image of a Syracuse back waltzing easily towards us Zip faithful in the 2nd half of that game, with a light and overmatched Zip D sprawled about in the endzone. I think we had Doug Williams as a down lineman on that play. If situations like this aren't defended differently (scheme, personel or both), then I don't care what JD and Fleming have to say about "more multiple looks". Because it will be a moot point after another year of samo-samo. I will reserve judgement until I see the product on the field, however. You'd like to think the spring game would offer a glimpse, but who knows.Irrespective of scheme, I'm pretty disheartened by the Bain bad back news. I also wonder why Chris Henderson wasn't mentioned in the article. I assume he'd be on campus? Any info of Chris out there? We NEED at least one of those guys to come through in a big way.Skip.....actually I recall the 4-down linemen set used mostly (and effectively I might add) against Army. It was also the last game the Pendleton saw the field much, but I won't go there

There is a good chance by the beginning of next soccer season I will have a Zakuani jersey to wear to the Zips games. I freaking love the Sounders jerseys.I was thinking the same thing, too. If there was ever any question as to who my favorite MLS team is, that's been decided. It's GREAT to see the fan support up in Seattle as well. It's likely Steve couldn't have walked into a better situation than he has in Seattle (at least in North America).

You have a point, GP. I'd be pretty happy with "85%-90% UC" at UA

OK, I see a naming contest coming on. OK here's one:Polymer PorterIt's a good one, but Ohio Brewing already has Polymer Pilsner.I'm going to grab some RooBrew as soon as I can. You can't have enough local brew!

LBJ reads this forum?

You draw a very interesting parallel, and one that I don't think is that big of a stretch (though I'm sure many disagree). College football fans have short memories indeed. When the Miami Hurricanes were the scourge of the NCAA, few were aware that prior to the good professor (Howard Schnellenberger) coming aboard, you could have lumped the "U" in with the San Diego States of the gridiron. The "U" didn't even have a football program until the 1950s. Change often comes slow to football programs. It's often hard to notice. But like anything, enough small changes can lead to a demonstrable difference over time.I was at the 31-0 victory over the Bearcats in 1989. The game wasn't even been that close. It may have been the pinnacle of Faust's reign here at UA, although the road victory over the same Bearcats to close out 1992 may have been just as impressive.I know it'll take a lot of work, but I don't think your vision is out of reach whatsoever. Sure, some things are out of the Zips control. But if they take care of the things that are available to them, then anything can happen. Ask Howard Schnellenbeger.

Rasor gets some interesting information out of JD. Among other things:1) Bain IS eligible.2) His back is giving him trouble.3) DeVoe has a lot of learning to do before he can "whip it, whip it good".4) JD is not willing to say the 3-3 is dead, but I agree with Rasor that this is more about semantics. JD IS willing to say there will be more multiple looks.5) Rodgers seems to have Harris' curiousity.Link

Given the situation the MAC is faced with TV contracts, this is a VERY good schedule IMHO. The only slight negative is the lack of Miami for the 2nd year in a row. Otherwise, I see lots of positives.1) By pushing Can't towards the latter part of the schedule, we have a great chance of drawing good crowds right up until that game. a) Morgan St. --> Obviously the 1st game will draw, if only for the novelty. Indiana --> Chance to beat a "name" school and there should be some Hoosiers to help fill the place. c) Ohio --> A good rivalry has developed here...might be my 2nd choice (besides Can't) for the 1st MAC home game (OU alumni in the area too).2) IF the Zips can "steal" a road win over either CMU or NIU in the 1st three conference games, then I feel like there's no way we aren't competing for the championship down the stretch......a stretch that looks very forgiving on paper.3) Even if the Zips lose the 1st two MAC road games, there will be opportunities to get back in the race.4) The road trips should be sweet! a) Penn St. is the money game that will, at the very least, offer an iconic college football setting for UA to measure themselves. And who knows? I just might have to plan the long haul to Mt. Pleasant this year. The Zips owe the Chipps. c) A trip to the Anchor Bar is long overdue and will fit in nicely with some Zip payback over Turner Gill and his Bulls. d) Syracuse was a blast last year, and now that I know the Blue Tusk is the place to be it will be even better in 2009. Plus, I can't wait to see the Orange fans' faces after we prove that last year was no fluke. e) Whipping BG's butt at Doyt-Perry could be the fuel we need to explode down the home stretch.5) Sure we have those Friday games, but they are INFINITELY better than a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday game.In summary, the table has been set for a perfect start to the Info Era. I simply can't wait!!! Go Zips!!!!!edit: I didn't know the lower case b followed by an end parentheses resulted in shades

thats a good point. I wonder if they'll still use the Indiana game as the big party for the opening of the stadium, but that might be a little awkward if there already was a game there the week before...That brings up ANOTHER point. Will any Akron City Series games be played at the Info prior to Indiana? I would assume yes. So we can just lump the Morgan St. game into that category

You gotta tell me how a game against Delaware State is more exciting than one against Morgan State.The only thing I can come up with is the "revenge" factor (linkie).....OK, so most of the roster wasn't even born the last time they played, but let's ignore that for now and just humor me Linkie - Scroll to 1987

Can we place an order NOW for a freakish pseudo-pass/fumble combo that results in a Zip defensive TD? If so, I'll take two Seriously you HAVE to assume CJ7 will be "Skyhigh" (at NOT from a Skyway burger) for this game. It'll be like spring game 2007, only played in the fall of 2009. I'm sort of neutral on the merits of scheduling this one. I DO agree that if you're going the FCS route, don't take a chance on a good program and wind up with egg on your face. Any MEAC/SWAC team should be overmatched by UA, so this SHOULDN'T be an issue. However, this has the feeling of Faust's 1st game (NAIA Salem) to me.....a mere exhibition. Is that the best way to start a new era?

Give me or give me death!!!!

I was thinking the same thing, gozips19. I can't see how they'd provide an estimated timetable like that otherwise. Reno was pretty excited about having this guy in his "stable". Let's hope that when he does come back it's at as close to 100% as possible.

I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm perfectly content to just sit back and watch akronad wail away on himself

And remember our women had BSU on the ropes in late January ar the JAR Things are looking up for BOTH UA hoops teams in 2009-2010!

And hence was created the bizarre world of non-scholly FCS (1-AA), with teams like Dayton, Drake (an old Zip foe), Georgetown, Duquesne, Fordham, Colgate (the whole Patriot League), the Ivies, etc. It's really pretty strange when you think of it, though I understand the "power" teams in this division (Colgate having been in the FCS CHAMPIONSHIP game recently) manage to compete by taking advantage of a decent gridiron tradition and by offering "creative" financial aid packages.

Top ten things to do now that Zips' hoops is on hold for a while:10) Go out and watch a Zip baseball/softball game or two. The baseball team has struggled a bit out of the gate, but the MAC schedule should prove to be a little more competitive.9) As much as it hurts, follow the rest of the NCAA tournament and dream of future Zip runs.8) Design a full-size Ryan Bain bobble-head. I'm sure we can get some Mechanical Engineering students to "procure" a suitable spring.7) Adopt an MLS team. You COULD go with the defending champs who happen to reside in our state, BUT a more Akro-Centric (just made that up) selection would be the expansion Seattle FC (Steve Zakuani's squad).6) Adopt a USL-1 team. UA's own Evan Bush is the keeper for the Cleveland City-Stars. You don't even have to travel very far to see them live.5) Attend a few Aeros games. Canal Park remains a spendid venue (and OBC suds are available there as well).4) Attend a few Indians/Pirates games. For anyone who hasn't been to PNC in Pittsburgh, it's certainly worth a day trip. Many feel it's the nicest ballpark in the country.3) Attend the spring football game in numbers, and select a favorite player(s) for the coming season. Our new digs would look even better with fan clubs sprinkled around the place.2) Rearrange your entire fall schedule around Zip football/soccer, just as soon as each TEAM's schedule is announced. Big things are right around the corner in Zip athletics and it will be so much better to have as many people involved as possible.1) After gaining approval from Skyway burgers, construct full-size Ryan Bain bobble-head on the corner of Spicer and Exchange per the specifications of 8). The immediate benefits will include a Skyhigh burger eating contest before every game and free large Californias for each valid ticket stub when the Zips. Near term benefits include Zeke gaining 50 LBS of pure muscle, due to his time in the weight room AND previously mentioned Skyhigh eating contests. Which then brings us full circle. At this point it'll be time to ride the hoops train again. Only in 2009-2010, the train is going to "keep rolling on". Go Zips!!1a) I almost forgot......ROOt like crazy for the KING of Zips' hoop fans to bring home a championship to NE Ohio!!!

I simply HAVE to express, just how much I appreciate your enthusiam and positive attitude Zeke's Mom It's going to be AWESOME to have you rooting for the Zips IN PERSON next year! Go Zips!!!

I am VERY curious and excited about his abilities. He may REALLY help with toughness and strength down low.

You guys gave it everything you had. How could we ask for more? Nate, you will succeed in anything you attempt. Regarding the rest of this special team, I'm 100% sure you will build on this experience and grow. That's all we can expect from ourselves; to continually grow and adapt. Oh and beore I forget. To the dude in OSU gear who mockingly cheered for the Zags on a GU dunk after a Zip 3 pointer --> may your OSU gear spontananeously combust once Siena smokes your sorry red and silver behind tomorrow :DOh and MUCHO KUDOS to all who made the trek to Portland. We are all greatful for such dedication and support. Soon, these trips have victories associated with them.And THANK YOU to Ohio Brewing Company for providing an electric atmosphere that maybe unprecidented in Akron sports history. No matter the outcome, that was an amazing scene tonight. Let's hope this becomes routine in the future.Go Zips!!!!!!