zipsoutsider

I heard an interview with TB recently and he vaguely alluded to the fact that KP16 was not effective at running the ball. The QB run obviously a big part of the 2015 game plan. He also mentioned that T Chapman was very talented and can run like the wind he didn't go into a lot of detail but he indicated Chapman just wasn't ready. Tommy was ready when he had the chance. As others have mentioned, TW13 was so emotionally invested into the bowl game that he was wrecked when it was over. He played his guts out a number of times this season and it seemed to transfer to his teammates. I also noticed T Chapman cheering Tommy on a number of times throughout the season and with him at the end of the bowl game. Seems like a real team player, which is really nice to see. Hopefully something will work out for him.

No doubt that we need a capable back-up and someone to help push Tommy.

Lots of potential. Gladney was Academic All-Big Ten in 2014. Gladney, Natson, and Smith all have big play explosiveness potential. Getting another target to match Lane will make the offense a real threat. The O Line will benefit from the most continuity we have had since we lost Tank. Casimos should be back, along with Ritz and Erickson, plus transfers, new recruits and some of the kids who red-shirted last year. I know we lost all seniors, but I think we could have the potential for a solid line for 3-4 years. Mitchell Hlay and Rich Kallay are good sized kids. Josh Krol is huge. We lost some amazing talent at D, but we gave some amazing talent on the team who already started contributing this year. Marcus and Pittman will be able to provide some leadership up front for us. Looking forward to watching Boxen and Bell develop. I think they have some real talent. Hopefully we will pick up a couple of Rodney Coe and Darryl Monroe type transfers with immediate eligibility, too. We aren't there, but things are starting to come together for us in a big way.

The offensive coordinator went to Rutgers and the defensive coordinator is reported to not be returning. How crazy is that?

Now a 2 star. These ratings systems are a bit ridiculous.

I don't expect anything to change in any fashion that will help group of 5 teams as power 5 teams hold all the power. The only way we will see any traction is if the playoffs are expanded to more teams and one slot goes to the highest rated group of 5 conference champion.

Thanks for the kind words and stopping by. It was classic, hard fought game.

Johnnyzip84 - that was an excellent post. This is a good reminder that there are a lot of things going on that we will never know about. Robert's a great kid with a bright future. Pratt delivered when we needed him to deliver. Hat's off to him and Tommy for capitalizing on the situation. It could be argued that he could have easily received the game MVP. ESPN announcers gave it to TW13, also arguably worthy, and CBS Sports gave it to Cody Grice who played a fantastic defensive game and delivered on offense, too. I think it was an excellent team win. However, I agree about Brown being in a category all by himnself. Seems like a stellar individual and can't wait to see him on Sundays. I would agree. It seemed that he became more emotional as the season went along and it was nothing but a joy to watch him be emotional with the kids. TW13 looked like he bawled his eyes out for a long time after the game. He was emotionally spent. I think even more than his athleticism, what made him the right fit for the Zips this year was his heart. He played one gutsy game after another this year and left it all out there on the field yesterday. I think his energy drove this team on the field and helped us sustain drives that we would have lost on in the past. He had a lot of growth as a player this year and can't wait to see what an another entire off-season of prep allows him to do in terms of preparation. I wonder if there is any chance they will post those to their website?

100% agree. Nice to see Robert's story and for him to have a little recognition. In addition to lane, I think we can also look forward to seeing Coney with some nice catches next year, too.

ESPN has a page of highlight that also include some of the post game stuff.

+1 (ran out of likes hours ago.) Could you really ask for better representatives of the program?

Not sure how long this will stay up, but Zips FB streamed the last moments and then post game Iive on Periscope.

Some really nice quotes from the post game interview here.

100% agree!

What a win. So happy for this team.

Rodney Coe!!! Will still be catching his breath when we start the second half.

Utah State has done well with the punt to pin us back. It has kept them in the game.

I think they would like to but no one has really been open.

Goodson to Woodson

I agree with the comments about Williams, he makes a real difference when he is in the game for us.

Mine are a little different, as I predict this to be a CMU/Ohio type of slugfest. Tommy needs to be patient and wait for the opportunities. Keep making plays with his feet when he has to but don't force the ball. They have an excellent pass defense. Be willing to throw it away. It isn't popular, but we will need to use Zach Paul as a part of the game plan to help get us into favorable field position. I don't see us giving them opportunities by going for it on 4th and short at mid-field, too often. This might be a game where 1-2 seized opportunities by either team determines the result. The key to us being able to score comes on the run game. We have to find ways to move the ball on the ground. This will help keep the defense fresher and open up opportunities for the pass. My guess is that Utah State will want to force us to throw first. So we might have to complete a few passes in order for us to be successful. I am expecting a game plan similar to Can't State with lots of short routes to move the ball. I am confident in the progression of our secondary and expect that They will do what they need to do. There has been an even greater cohesion and a level of aggression exhibited by the defense that reminds me of Secretariat: "a tremendous machine." Continue to contain big plays and play like the beasts they are. Play clean: minimize penalties, protect the ball, a clean kicking game, in particular clean snaps, holds, and kicks.I expect Utah State to have a decent fan presence at the game, but not one that will really determine the outcome. Good luck boys! Go get 'em, Zips!

I would have had less of an issue if this had come after the game. Let's focus on that, first. It's not like the ABJ has abounded in positive coverage.

Pre-game press conference

Marla Ridenour with yet another story that fails to really recognize the significance of the Potato Bowl appearance and focuses on more negative than positive. Seems like Williams did his best to try to turn negative questions to positive.

Well, they are getting love because they are all together in their Zips FB gear...they probably aren't seen in town like that too often. However, sometimes, it takes an outside light shinning in for folks to see what they've really got going on here. I saw a tweet where a UA student described a phone conversation where his mom had excitedly reported that the Zips were going to the Potato Bowl and the kid was far less impressed. The Potato Bowl is another step in a long road to changing the culture. The influx of positive press locally and nationally helps not only the team with recruiting but the community and students to feel better about the program. The more we win, the more this will happen. I really like the tone/feel of this video that was part of the Bowl Media Guide: The best thing to do is out number the ridiculous comments with positive ones.