Lee Adams

I guess what I was thinking is that IF they could have controlled the ball a little longer and maybe put up another TD(I know they missed 2 FG's) they would have been in better position in the second half. After Irons' TD run not much happened offensively. No, I know Moorehead is not a bad coach and I realize he didn't have much to work with. Just after watching these guys for so long and not seeing better results ya wonder what its going to take.

CMU came into the game appearing to be good defensively and at least questionable offensively. Their run game surprised me especially with an apparent 3rd string back carrying a lot. Early, they ran at the left side of the Akron D-line successfully. They were able to run the ball effectively the entire game. And yes their O-line pretty much handled Akron up front. They were also able to hit on some of the crossing routes which have given Akron so much trouble. Akron did get some tighter coverage as the game went on but the CMU QB didn't have to win that game for them. I know CMU played some tight D. Their DB's weren't allowing Akron's receivers much separation most of the game. Akron's receivers made a couple of geat catches under tight coverage. I am still puzzled why Akron RB's only carried the ball 11 times for 8 yards. I think sometimes even when when you are not getting much on the ground offensively you have to stay with it so the defense has to play it and to keep your defense off the field at least a little longer. oh well.

Bad teams and coaching staffs figure out ways to lose games. IMHO, this game was lost in the first half. Akron scored on a QB run. BUT,Coach Moorehead did nothing to establish the RB's in the run game. Why? He has good RB's. At least make the defense respect the running game. Nope. He kept calling plays to the boundary, short passes and runs which got very little. He has 3rd down and makeable and he is throwing behind the line. He eventually got Irons beat up because he was handling the ball so much. Sometimes good offensive coaches outsmart themselves. CMU is a decent dfenseive team. They are bad offensively. Except when teams play an Akron defense they can suddenly run the ball effectively and hit enough passes to be effective. Afraid that was the last realistically winnable game on the sched.😟

He got beat up.

For the Zips to win: The Defense has to finally play at the line of scrimmage. Can not let CMU get a running game going that it hasn't had all season. Don't allow CMU receivers to get 'underneath' the CB's and run across the field on slants and posts. Obviously, that would cut down on some of the chunk plays that the D has been giving up. The offense has to score early. Joe has some solid RB's,use them. Don't make Irons throw the ball 40-50 times. If Irons is healthy, get him moving,options,draws. If Akron has to start chasing points again they are gonna turn the ball over. CMU defense is not giving up much. Who wins? Hell I don't know!

Was checking the stats for CMU and Akron in MAC only games. CMU has really struggled offensively. 16.5 ppg. Rushing avg. 2.6 ppg. Passing 231 yds/game. Completion at 51.2%. Conversely, only giving up 27.5 ppg. We all know what Akron is doing on offense and...not doing on defense. If Akron can continue to control the ball not turn it over and put up points they have a punchers chance IF thats a big IF they can stop CMU on the ground and not have DB's chasing WR's all over the field. Joe usually comes up with something offensively. If the D side can at least make CMU have to use long drives to score, this MIGHT be the 'break through game' for Akron. They won't win by 13 if they win but...

Somebody has gotta coach 'em up.

If it makes you feel any better the Browns are having the same types of problems on defense.😵

He has found something offensively. But, as I said before if Irons has to throw the ball more than about 30 times it means Akron is chasing points. That takes him away from being able to use his legs to keep a defense honest. And, it limits the use of the RB's. Right now the offense is more than compettitive. They put up 30+. They have a decent QB, two top notch receivers and a couple of good RB's. Shoulda been enough to at least be in it in the 4th Q! Unfortunately, on the other side there are guys masquerading as DB's,DL's and LB's. Halloween IS coming. Giving up big play after big play. No pressure. WR's running wide open in the secondary. The problem isn't about just one or two players. Its a system wide problem. That D gave up a half hundred + yesterday! At this point in the season if coverages are still getting blown, and there is little or no pressure on the opposing QB, the defensive coaches aren't getting players into favorable positions. I think Joe is going to have to take a hard look not only at the players talent level on the D side, but also on the coaching side. Probably won't improve much this season. Too bad they are wasting an improved offense.

Looking at the stats,for whatever you think that is worth, one would think OU has a distinct advantage on the offensive side. Defensively OU doesn't look great but it looks like they can put up enough points to win. So, unless the Zips take a big step on the defensive side a win in Athens doen't look likely. Looks like Rourke is the main cog. But, it looks like they can also run effectively.. Unless the Zips can put up a lot of points like 30+ hard to see a win. Just keep getting better.

I agree as far as how 'useful' the sacrifice games might be. Yes, they are a pay day. The vast majority of the time thats it. When teams like Akron are losing 3 out of their first 4 or 4 out of their first four fans such as we have lose even more inerest in the team. "Akron is 1-3 again,good night". The players get beat up, see Irons. What fans there are definitely stop following the team. Did Akron beating NC State,Northwestern or Syracuse suddenly cause casual fans to get interested? Having lived through all of those I can tell you it did not. One thing that might change the equation is that if the P5's went completely their own way and maybe actually got penalized by the playoff committee for playing 'cupcakes'. Then the rest of DI would have to reorganize and play more competitive games every week. Lets hope.

Yep. As I recall those Akron teams back then had a hard time stopping the run. There were still a few good running teams in the MAC back then. Northern Illinois was one. Akron had a decent run game when Brett Biggs was there and Dennis Kennedy followed him. Akron had a local kid who played that rover position you guys were talking about. He was the swing LB/DB. Wasn't fast enough to play DB and wasn't big enough to play LB but he would stick his nose in on run plays. Got hurt a few times for it. I'm still one who thinks the base D should at least be 4-3 to try to control the line. Do situational subbing depending on the situation. But, I have noticed Akron trying to sub 4-5 guys at once and they have gotten caught out of position. Happened last week on the goal line. Hopefully the D coaches will figure it out.

I agree. There were 3 guys from that 2003 team who ended up in the NFL. The ones I mentioned: Hixon, Blackburn and Frye. Hixon and Blackburn won a Superbowl with the Giants as I recall. Joe inherited nothing close to the talent he and JD had in '04-'05. '

Whats funny to me, as I recall didn't Lee Owens have at least a .500 season maybe better when he was fired after 2003 season? He left some pretty good talent. Hixon,Blackburn, Charley. And I didn't think that O line was all that bad.

Thanks. I recall not liking his D back then.

I went way back to check out some posts re: the 2004/2005 teams when JD and Joe came to town. Seems like some of the complaints then were similar to now. But,that changed. Bad D,bad O line(lol). Someone complained because they ran a 'spread' offense. Imagine. What I can't remember is who was the Defensive coordinator those 2 years. As I recall those defenses weren't real good. And, didn't they play some kind of 'gimmicky' defense also. If anybody can respond would appreciate it.

Ya still too many warts. IF they can keep Irons healthy, and thats highly problematic in my opinion, they should at least score some points. But,it makes me nervous. On the defensive side it looked a number of times that defensive players were confused and out of position. Something wrong with sideline communication thus putting guys out of position. And, some of the DB's are really bad with technique. Can't get turned to run WITH receivers then not being able to find the ball in the air. And,yes tackling overall was poor. Maybe the offense will steal one but...

On the DB's, seems a couple of guys were running with their backs to the ball. They never located the ball and then drew interference calls because they ran into the receivers. Don't know who is responsible for teaching technique but they have to get their hips turned earlier and try to run WITH the receiver not behind. It was happening all day on crossing patterns and deep balls. They played hard,just not always effectively.

Was at the game. Frustrating. The offense was better with Irons being able to run. Had some nice yards ont he ground. I just thought Joe could have stuck with the ground game a little more. Irons still misses too many open receivers, still holds the ball a little too much. Had some drops too. Adams and Jacques-Louis are a nice combo. But, defense and special teams were the killer. Couldn't cover kicks well. Terrible play, on the muffed punt at the end of the first half. KId was backing up inside his 5! WTH! Joe was so pissed he yelled at the special teams coach. Jacques-Louis did have a nice return again. The defense was what it has been. Too many open receivers. Too many yards on the ground. Too many missed tackles. Even with an improved offense I am afraid I don't see any conference wins unless the defense suddenly wakes up.

I lwas edumacated at THE University of Akron in dem der early '70s. They never learned me to type good. I done half to wurk with what I getted. Besides the space key on my keyboard is stuck dammit!

Looks that way to me. LOL

If Irons can be mobil with roll outs and options,if he doesn't have to throw more than say..30 times,if they finally find a run game to take the heat off the QB,if Irons doesn't create sacks by holding too long,if the secondary doesn't let receivers run free,if the secondary 'punishes' WR's after the catch,if the D gives up no more than 2 'big' plays'if the D can pressure BG's passers...Zips will win a close one. But,if they can't accomplish 2 or more of those things BG wins. This game will give us a glimpse of what if any progression this team has made.

Yea. Its certainly not all on Irons. Right now he has no run game to speak of to keep the D honest. And, if he is still hurting that doesn't help. He is not a QB who can drop back 52 times and win ball games doing it. Joe has to figure out a run game that fits what he has. If Irons could be moved around with options,sprint outs it seems it would put more pressure on defenses and help loosen up his receivers. The D still has a few too mnay breakdowns that give up too many yards and points. They played better in the second half but there were a couple of critical breakdowns. Can't wait for Saturday. Hope the weather is decent.

Nice assessment.

Didn't watch the game but watched a lot of highlights and perused the stats. The bad: 1)Secondary still looks lost at times. On one Liberty TD the receiver stood between 2 DB's who were at least 5 yards away from him. 2) Defense still doesn't get much pressure and then gave up 152 on the ground against second and third stringQB and RB. And, gave up big play on the ground in the second half. 3) Zips had 52 yards on the ground? Still no consistent run threat from RB's or Irons. Joe has to get that fixed or the wins going forward will be few and far between.3) Irons is not or can not use his legs. If he is still hurt and can't run he takes away half his game. I said before Joe should have held him out of the UT to heal. 4) Had to throw the ball 52 times (29 completions). Irons is not that type of QB. Has to be a run threat to keep the D from teeing off on the rush. Several times he held the ball too long and created sacks. He is taking way too much contact. Now, the second half looked much better in certain areas. The D tightened up a little. They had chances in the second half but gave up couple of big plays. The D got some pressure. Jacques-Louis had nice return. They are making some progress. But until they can control the ball on offense, the defense will keep getting exposed. After seeing some of the MAC scores from the last 2 weeks I am not as confident as some about wins in conference. BGSU won again. Buffalo beat EMU. OU won. Maybe waht the Zips need is finally getting a home game. This Saturday will tell us a lot about the rest of the season.