johnnyzip84

well played! I agree with a lot of what gozips19 said. I'll add a few other thoughts: 1) Listening to Coach Bowden lately, it's obvious that he's really feeling for his players because they haven't been able to experience a level of success commensurate with their effort. I think this may have caused him to "overcoach" in a few areas recently (#7 returning kicks comes to mind). 2) We're making plenty of silly mistakes lately, but we're also getting no luck in the injury department. 3) For the 1st time this past week I heard Coach Bowden say something that raised my eyebrows a bit. On Zips Live Thursday, he said something like NIU probably isn't as good as Tennessee or Central Florida. I remember thinking at the time that I wasn't sure I agreed with that statement and after yesterday I definitely don't buy it. The MAC in 2012 is a different animal, and if you look at the plethora of key underclassmen on the rosters of NIU, Toledo, K.E.N.T., and OU, this surge is likely to last a few years. 4) We think Coach Bowden picked a bad year to start in the MAC, but what about UMass' timing? 5) Besides D-Line and O-Line, we NEED a few burners at WR in the 2013 class. Otherwise, the good defenses will continue to sit on the short stuff.

I'll second that emotion, Keener. It's just too bad that yesterday was the 1st Saturday that really started to feel like 2010-2011 again: all the fun being had in the parking lot. We do have some serious culinary talent in Lot 9 though. I wouldn't redshirt any of them either Add the following beers for me: Young's Double Chocolate Stout Murphy's Stout Boddington's Pub Ale Now I can't compete with Frank's & Mo's world class pepper collection, but I have a few scotch bonnet peppers that have Lot 9 Chili Cook-Off written all over them! Go Zips!!

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These are great seats, but I feel compelled to warn you that you'll have to deal with a loud-mouthed A-hole three rows back

The Zip connection with his dad, Tony (former RB under Coaches Faust and Bowden), is pretty cool!

It sure felt like that a few times in the 2010-2011 seasons! On another front, the line jumped 2.5 points today (to 16.5). I wonder why?

He wasn't the FIRST Vaughn to wear #99!

You said it! He was always in position and he and his defense were well coordinated. Even on the near misses (like Koroma's wicked left that grazed the post) he was in good position. My buddy and I agreed that he was the player of the match (although David had a nice save too, with the reaction save on the point blank header).

I suppose it goes without saying that the Zips will hope to make NIU beat them through the air. After seeing the way Jordan Lynch grips the ball when passing, I think that would be a priority

USA Today thinks Nico is questionable (as is Goodman), but Presley is out.

GT's article in the Beacon provides some hope. Both Nico and Presley are "day-to-day". Thanks, GT! At this point, I think I'd want to make sure they can come back strong, even if it means missing the game this week, rather than playing and having the injuries linger the rest of the season thereby severely limit their performances.

Don't forget, we also play AT #1 on this list.

NIU really seems to be hitting their stride. That probably explains why the line has jumped up to 16 points. I hate to admit it, but K.E.N.T. probably belongs in the discussion as well. In the past when the Felons had shown signs of turning the corner, they would blow a game like they have this week (WMU at home). So we'll see how that goes. At this point I'd have to say NIU looks to be the strongest team all around, but there are a lot of big games remaining to be played.

With much of the rushing totals coming from QB Jordan Lynch, it will be interesting to see how Coach Amato schemes to defend the keeper off of the read option.

As Joe Dunn would say, "there's no doubt about it!" The MAC AND Sunbelt just might be having their finest all-around seasons, top to bottom. For once the saying "it's just the MAC" (as in, why wouldn't we be able to turn things around quickly) just doesn't hold water.

Of course, we're all curious as to whether Nico and/or Presley have any chance of playing this week. If somehow we can get a few guys back healthy, the emergence of JT55 last week might give us some needed depth later in the season. How about this, GT? Any information on these two?

Zips open as 2 TD underdogs. I'm looking forward to seeing the team rise to the challenge against a very solid FBS football team. Go Zips!!!!

First, I want to make it clear that the way Coach Bowden and staff have been able to continue to get the team to bounce back each week and COMPETE is nothing short of amazing. I think Z-P and GoZips have made some good points here. Consequently, I will keep my "anxiety" in check (off the board). I have never said he can't or won't get it done here, but players aren't the only people who can develop a losing culture. It's becoming evident to me that I, as a fan, may have fallen into a similar malaise over the last few years. But I've never quit on the Zips, and I never will. Go Zips!

Three of the remaining teams on the schedule are a combined 10-0 in the MAC and 17-3 overall. Other than one wacky poster, I don't recall anyone saying Coach Bowden can't or won't get it done. I'm just disappointed that the job he faces seems even bigger than I had imagined when he was hired. And I'll bet he agrees with me on that. Are we not permitted to voice are concerns and disagreements and still be considered to be Bowden Backers?

I still tend to agree, but I would be a lot more confident in that statement had we managed to win 1 or 2 of these competive games. I remain nervous about the effect the poor record has on recruiting.

Hey, maybe THIS game is still winnable If it takes me calling for Pohl to get in there to get Dalton going, I'll do it every time! Now let's get an onside kick or two.

Disappointed that Kyle Pohl isn't getting some PT right now. This season is now officially "experimental". There are only 2 games left on the schedule where the Zips will have ANY chance to win in 2012 (CMU and UMass) and neither will be easy. Coach Bowden needs to start thinking about 2013.

Signs of life!!!

Coming up on ZERO points in the last 4 quarters. Are you kidding me? The Offensive Coordinator needs to do something.

I'm sorry, but after Caldwell's PK I started to switch back and forth between the UA-PSU replay and the U-21 England/Serbia clash so I didn't see what happened to Robbie. The announcers didn't dwell on it from what I could tell. Once thing is for certain. This game really should have been a 3-0 or 4-0 game. Brenes could easily have had 3 himself.