johnnyzip84

This is a good point, even if all the road teams happen to be under 0.500. It's just plain weird how every home opponent but one (UT) will likely be a winning team, while all the road opponents will likely be losing teams. Nevertheless, it IS difficult to win on the road in the FBS no matter what. And if the Zips end up with 5 or 6 road wins, that's still something no other UA team can claim. I have a buddy who used to call Lee Owens, Lee "0 Wins" because the Zips really struggled on the road during his tenure

It looks like the final chapter in the 2008 'Cuse football saga has now been written. Now the horse is at least 18 feet under. Some UB Bulls fans seemed to be concerned about losing Gill to SU, from comments on their fan site last week.ESPN SU Fires Robinson

Good points, SeeTeeZip, but don't hold back. Let us know how you really feel! I think this discusion does point out one big difference that we ALL need to expect next year. The entire game day experience for Zip football is about to change in a big way. We have been spoiled, somewhat, in some aspects of the game experience in the years at the bowl. Among other things, one could often opt to arrive "just-in-time" and still get parked, hustle up to the bowl and plant their fanny in a seat before the opening kickoff. Often, that same individual could roam the stadium and "upgrade" when the opportunity presented itself. A buddy of mine and I used to play "follow the ball" when attendance was particularly low. In short, a paying customer could almost always get in and out quickly and cheeply. These days are a thing of the past.At the Info, those of us who have followed the Zips for a long time are going to have to make some adjustments. But I believe these will be WELL worth it. You can't have your cake and eat it too. The Info WILL draw quite a few more fans (although 20K+ average over the 1st 5 years sounds a little optimistic...I'll got with 18K unless JD gets on a roll) and the reason is, as SeeTeeZip states, LOCATION. I, for one, look forward to this new UA game day experience. Will it be more time consuming and expensive? Absolutely. But I believe it will also be far more rewarding and enjoyable. When I made the trip to Syracuse this year, even with the 'Cuse being down, I witnessed a mid-sized college city that I believe serves as a perfect model for what UA and the City could achieve here. In Syracuse there are lots of eateries/pubs to enjoy on gameday and countless pockets of tailgating. The atmosphere was exactly what college football should be all about. If we can create an experience that is even 75% of what is available at Syracuse, we will be the envy of the MAC, whether our rivals will want to admit it or not. I actually think it could be so appealing that OPPONENTS will travel in greater numbers to Akron once good word of mouth spreads.So, in essence, SeeTee, I agree with you for the most part. Too many of us our looking at this gift stadium in the mouth.

One potential advantage that Akron, Toledo, and Buffalo have over other MAC programs is they are all located in a decent-sized city. It's no wonder UT is usually among MAC leaders in attendance, and a big reason why the Rockets have been the 1st and most frequent MAC program to host "big-time" teams. UT also put something like $20 million in Glass Bowl refurbushments (loges/luxury boxes) in the early 90's setting the stage for this. I see NO reason why UA could not at least duplicate what UT has done, and be one of the leaders in MAC attendance year in and year out. How much will that figure be? So many factors got into that, the biggest being the product on the field. I also think how well other MAC programs "step up" with facility improvements will be key. Like Skip said, it's the MAC. And I'm in the camp who believes we aren't going anywhere else soon. So A solution is for the MAC to step up, incrementally, from year to year. What could be a budding rivalry with Buffalo may end up being a key part of this puzzle. With the West having such a wild and competitive year, I have to believe attendance figures over there are already up.

I am with you and have preached the same thing about the fact it doesn't matter on the primary defensive formation. They chose the 3-3-5 because of the flexibility it has for personnel. Unfortunately we don't have that primary hero-back that we need (he's recovering from a shoulder injury and is hopefully going to be available next year) Williams was supposed to be, but he is designed more as a cover safety the a true Rover. Bottom line if a coach is an idiot for running the 3-3-5, then I guess Ball State has the dumbest 10-0 coach in the nation.I assume you are talking about Will Fleming? Is there any way we can keep Will, yet resassign his papa? Seriously we NEED to make some major changes on D (this coming from some jerk, that would be ME, who thought this year's year's team had the making of a great defense lol) and I, for one, wouldn't mind seeing a new DC in 2009. Ryan Bain will help, but not cure the woes we have all grown accustomed to seeing all too often.

Nice summary and and even nicer story, Cap'n.Did anyone else wonder why it took so long for Shawn Lemon to see the field last night? He also wasn't in the game for as many plays as he has been lately. Does anybody have any information?One other comment I have concerns the awesome play call on the Kennedy middle screen for a TD against the blitz. Yes, I also had complaints about playcalling last night, but they sure nailed it on that one. Did anyone else have flushbacks from the Motor City Bowl? I seem to recall a very similar play to Biggs against (once again) an all out Memphis blitz that was hugely successful.

At the very least, we could have used a "jumbo" package on defense in those short yardage situations. 5 big guys blocking 3 smaller guys is pretty much always going to get the O the 1st down, and Turner Gill (who I believe is also UB's OC if I'm not mistaken) obviously agreed, given the last few 4th down play calls. Why not bring in Harvey, Lively, Sewell, Rash, and say Pendleton (you knew that was coming) for a 5 man front in those situations, particularly at the goal line?On a side note, it was AWESOME seeing Cowles Stewart and Ryan Bain helping to lead the defensive cheers from the sidelines in the 2nd half and OT

Thanks for the "diversion" with the trough pic GoZips88! Much appreciated on this day after.

If a bowl has to "fill" a spot, they won't necessarily take the "more deserving" team or the "higher seed" among 7-5 records. They will pick the team they think will bring the most fans. I'm not saying UA would be selected over NIU or not, but I'm just saying that would be the criteria. Having said that, even if Zips win out I don't think we deserve a bowl bid.

ATTENDANCE: 18,516I know thats just tickets but Seems like you guys got out for the game..It was a decent sized crowd and a pretty vocal crowd compared to what is typical. Of course, what is "typical" is no longer typical beginning September 19, 2009 I plan on making the trip to Buffalo next year, and I echo the sentiment of another Zip fan (on another thread) that I hope this budding football rivalry grows because it could be terrific for both schools (and the MAC in general). I was a little surprised last night in the relatively low UB contingent. It wasn't much bigger than that from 2-win Toledo last week. I hope you get more to make the trip to BG.

They don't get much more exciting than that, TrueBlue. It's very strange how much these teams mirror one another. Good luck from here on out.

How many times was the offense in the wrong formation, making adjustments right up until the very last drop of the play clock? That was driving me crazy all game. UB doesn't shoot itself in the foot. It's all about Drew Willy. That kid has icewater in his veins.I can't fault the Zips' effort. They played their hearts out just to get back in it. The one thing this game did was take away ANY nostalgia I had left for the Rubber Bowl. I've seen WAY too many endings like this over the years.

Lee, I think I've finally cracked your "secret code".A --> Od --> wa --> em --> nAll other letters remain "as is".BTW, if DK fumbles THREE times, I will duplicate Karl Wallenda's tightrope walk across the Bowl NAKED. Now THAT should scare a little "ball security" into him and his teammates OK, so it's pretty strange to reply to yourself. You'll have to excuse me, since I was scared to death of another fumble. BUT, I am blaming Lee Adams for DK fumbling twice (even if one was "joint" mistake). I mean, this guy is notorious for holding onto the football and all Lee has to do is suggest bad things and they happen! I'm just busting your chops, Lee Hey, at least DK DID go for 150.....you must be able to make good things happen too.

The argument against our bowling (assuming we beat Ohio and Temple) will be that we haven't beaten a quality opponent all season and that is unfortunately true. UC, BGSU, and UB were all W's that we gave away.The winner of the east will be the only team out (assuming they finish with 7 wins) Ball State CMU and WMU will all have 9+ wins..It all depends on how many bowls go "unfilled" by the BCS conferences. BTW, congrats on the hard fought victory, Bull_In_Exile. You guys have a nice team (although your D is almost as bad as ours lol), and if I have to lose in the MAC I'd prefer losing to a team like Toledo or you guys. I'll always root for Urban U (or the U of Urban or even the U AT Urban) over Fill-in-the-Blank State. Good luck the rest of the way.

Wow, Dr. Z, you have taken this seedling of an idea and grown it into a tree. Very well done. Do you have a graphic arts group working with you on this? The check boxes are particularly effective As I was looking this over, the goofy though occured to me. Do you think the fine citizens of Akron, New York will be pulling for the Zips tonight? JUST TEASING Bulls fans!!!

I'm going to say that the two Zip players who switched units heading into this season are going to have the biggest impact on tonight's game. A VERY well rested Andre Jones will score twice and BWill will FINALLY have that huge defensive TD we've all been waiting for all season long. DK will carry his load. Starks, Willy, Roosevelt and company will score plenty as well, however, making this a shootout worthy of the RB's final game. The difference is Igor as he nails a 42 yarder with the clock running out.Zips 48Bulls 47

Since this is the last game at the Rubber Bowl and it is being televised by ESPNU, I thought it might be interesting to "post" (ha ha) any "posters" that fans might be planning to take to the game tonight. I'll get it started with this one, playing on the fact that this game is not only for current MAC East supremacy but also for Empire State supremacy as well.

Lee, I think I've finally cracked your "secret code".A --> Od --> wa --> em --> nAll other letters remain "as is".BTW, if DK fumbles THREE times, I will duplicate Karl Wallenda's tightrope walk across the Bowl NAKED. Now THAT should scare a little "ball security" into him and his teammates

72 Roo, I also think of the Rubber Bowl as our "grand old lady" so I am right with you on this. I just couldn't help myself with the wise crack, given my somewhat twisted sense of humor. Hope to see you there tonight and join you in cheering the Zips to victory I'll be the guy with the chrome dome and a Zips pullover.....OK, I'll be one of several hundred guys with a chrome dome and a Zips pullover

LOL, you sure got me 5,000 is a joke... but ATTENDANCE: 10,134 at your last game is nothing to really brag about is it?And just what is your home attendance average for mid-week games at 8PM in the middle of November?11/4 ATTENDANCE: 16,058 (Competing with election night)I'd like to add that the student attendance at this game was close to 4kJust to let you know in case it's news to you, the Rubber Bowl is 7 miles from campus and has had trouble historically with student attendance as a result. There will be no such issue next year.

I know, I know the whole 7 Akron Zips in the NFL really has to embarrass a team like UB with two... If you're going to try to talk trash maybe, just maybe, it should not be in an area that we both stink ok...When one is a future HOF inductee, and TWO are members of the defending Super Bowl champions, I'd hardly call that "stinking". There are 23 teams that have had players drafted in the 1st 4 rounds in each of the past 4 years, and Akron is thre only non-BCS conference team among them. Look, UB may indeed win tomorrow and any objective college football fan will give the Bulls their due as far as how things have turned around. But the Zips are certainly no slouches and there is plenty of talent on this year's squad as well. We'll see who can execute better.

LMAO, some UB fan (Bull_In_Exile) just took this "rumor" to their board!

I have to admit, I breathed a little easier seeing this last post Let me now OFFICIALLY welcome you aboard Zeke's Mom and entire family! It is wonderful to have you :)Here is the Beacon Write-upLink

Seems my original information was a little old. Thus, I will correct myself before a Bull Troll (I kinda like that) snorts up their lunch. UB has TWO players currently in the NFL!Link

You bring up some great points concerning the strength of the soccer program, 72 Roo That's nice information on Mac actively seeking C-USA affiliation as well. BUT, you might want to reconsider the whole "pronoun antecedent" deal in your last paragraph. I'm just saying. Flowers on Mother's Day will only get you so far