GP1

The game went pretty good considering there were a lot of new players on the field last night. An early penalty turned a TD into a FG. The game was not as close as the score made it out to be. We should have won 27-14. Army is not the worst team in I-A.....close though. They would compete well in the MAC week in and week out. Here is what we need to improve and just some general thoughs. In general, I'll take a win any day and I'm feeling good today.Let's start with the most important player on the field, the QB. Jacquemain played decent. He needs to be more accurate with his passing. Accuracy gets yards after a catch. Accuracy limits balls getting picked off by tipped balls. He may not be the fastest guy, but they need to run that option more with him. We have a good back up if he gets hurt.Big plays. Big plays take game breaking players. Losing Harvey is going to kill this team because there is absolutely no deep threat on the field. Jabari is a good player, but while he made a great catch in the end zone, he also dropped a couple easily catchable balls. A senior needs to be more consistent. Kennedy does nothing for me, he is a mudder and not a game breaker.....way too easy to tackle in the open field. A good defense wlll just stuff up the middle with him in the game and force him outside where he is easily tackled. I think they could get more production out of another back. I think the only player on the offense who can change the game only played on series last night and that is C. Jackson. Jackson needs to play more....maybe not start, but one series a game is not enough.Speaking of catching the ball......Kasparek, you are a junior now.....if you want to be in the NFL some day, you had better start catching the f-ing ball when it is thrown to you and hits your hands. You have a young QB and you need to step up and help him. If you can't do this, we need to only throw the ball to 83.Defense. Int. for a TD is always a good thing. It seems as if teams are lining up, finding 19 and running away from him. Teams did this late in the year last year also. It's a good plan to run away from one of the better players. I still hate the 3-3-5 defense though....too small. It gives up too many yards and loses field positon. I don't think we had one three and out last night. Good teams will expose this defense again this season. There was a time in the second quarter where the defensive line was getting smashed. This can't happen.Play calling. I thought the play calling was pretty good for the players we have this year. First play they ran a quick pass to the WR and it worked so they ran it on the second play to the other side of the field. That's good play calling. They have a tendency to go to the well too many timess though and later in the game they showed they were going to run it and ran it. We lost five yards. It would have been a good time to run a deceptive play. I really think the play calling this year is going to be limited by the talent. They don't have anyone who can get open down field so look for a lot of short passes. The running game must be strong this season.Another play we run a lot is the fade near the end zone. I hate this play because it is all or nothing. We got one TD on a circus catch, but Jacquemain and Jackson both threw the ball badly out of bounds on the two other attempts.We ran the fullback for a ten yard gain last night. We have to run the FB successfully a couple of times a game because it opens the rest of the running game by presenting a threat to the defense.Special teams. As bad as it looked last night, it was still better than last year. I'll leave it at that.Kick offs. We had trouble last night, but watching TV yesterday, it appears as if there are a lot of teams having difficulty with kicking from the 30. It's not just us. There is going to be an adjustment period for everyone. Everyone may just have to accept better field position as the tradeoff.I think a young offensive line did a real good job last night considering their experience. A lot of the stupid penalties we say last year didn't happen (ie: the endless parade of false starts and holding). The option offense we run puts a young line in a position to look good.The crowd. On the way to the bar with my wife she asked me how many people I though would attend and I said twenty five thousand. When I saw the crowd, I said, "Did I say twenty five thousand, I meant twenty five hundred." ESPN did a good job of now showing the stands.I hope I don't seem overly critical here. Good win, good start to a season with a lot of new players. We played much better than the score looks. Let's get ready for next week.

We should always be ready.Here is another way to look at it. The Zips went to NC State last season and beat a bad team, then went straight into the . Maybe the same happened here. Time will tell.

Isn't Zippy a little out of shape to make All American?

I didn't say we could pick up a game in five minutes, I said OSU could. We would end up playing Indiana State or someone like that.The eight points you make are good, but most could be said about us playing Penn State or Michigan. Evey big program has a huge stadium, every game is on TV now (Is our game on the Big Ten Network? If so, few will see it.), not all of the kids on the team are from Ohio and had a life long dream of playing at OSU. I would hope the players want to win every game regardless of the other team.There really isn't anything "special" about playing OSU or Michigan or Virginia or Penn State, etc. for Akron. In fact, it could be looked at as typical for our early season schedules. It's just another game against a BCS school where we will be outmatched against so they can make their alumni feel good and get us some money. I love Akron football, but I can't pretend the circumstances are more than what they are in this particular case. The NC State game was fun last year, but it doesn't make up for tanking in the MAC.

Is the money worth it? Maybe. Let's look at the options.First though, we need to keep in mind that the athletic department operates at an annual loss and they are trying to turn that around.Renegotiate? UofA position would have to be to either get more money or back out of the contract. Assuming OSU would say no to more money as they can schedule another team in about five minutes, we have to back out. If we back out, OSU finds another school and pays them $600,000. Approx. $225,000 more than what we are scheduled to get That amount of money is a drop in the bucket for them. Push a few extra hot dogs at the home games and they make up the difference. Schools would line up to get it. Akron would have to back out and schedule a home game that would surely lose them money against some pathetic school like......say......I-AA.......YSU.Could Mike Thomas have gotten more money? Probably, but it's hard to negotiate effectively when you are trying to pad your resume and get on the first train out of Dodge. He probably would not have gotten $600,000, but $450,000 probably would not have been out of the question as when we played OSU around seven years ago, we got around $350,000.As far as the "prestige" of playing at OSU. Outside of OSU and Ohio, I don't thing anyone really sees it that way. Where I live now, most college football fans, in the little bit of time they spend thinking of OSU, pretty much laugh at OSU becuse of the butt kicking they took in the championship game last year. USC fans feel there is prestige playing in Los Angeles, Michigan feel there is prestige in playing at their stadium, etc. I don't think kids come to Akron to play at OSU once in a four year career....that just isn't realistic. One may, but not many.Back to the question of is the money worth it? Begrudgingly, I would have to say yes. Until the school can generate more revenue, they have to do these things.As far as the nasty personal attacks..........keep up the good work everyone.

http://www.nfl.com/players/lukegetsy/gamelogs?id=GET185899There are four QBs on the SF team. Getsy and Shaun Hill are listed both as #3. Hill has played in all three games, Getsy has played in none. SF cut nine guys today and Getsy was not one of them. Most teams keep three QB. Could Getsy be kept around for the practice team? Getting zero snaps can't be a good sign.I think Hill has 2-3 years in the league and the one game I saw him in he played pretty well. Hell, he could probably start for the Browns if that means anything. Maybe SF is giving Hill every shot to prove himself. Getsy would come at a lower price.Any thoughts?

Good post. Trends are more important than what a prognosticator says.The service academies bring a level of discipline that quite frankly is not equaled in just about 99% of major college programs. In reality, they have a lower skill level than most and the discipline is what they need to fall back upon. Army will bring a 100% effort this weekend.With that said, Akron should still win this game. Expect a dog fight. Expect two missed field goals. 21-17 Akron wins.

Akron may have been equally as bad with Nick Sparks. I don't know this for sure, but you folks don't really know if Frye would have won more with a better defense or whatever of the 10,000 excuses some of you have for the guy. What we know for sure is that he did just enough to lose.What we also know is that Frye's brand of heroics and leadership are doing nothing for the Browns either.We also know that one year after we lost Frye's heroics and leadership, we won the MAC with a team less talented than the year before. HummmmmmmIf you guys really want to continue this discussion, I could lead you hacks around all day. I'd rather not though as the challenge just isn't there any more. It's become too easy.

I love this quote the most. Improvement is what you get when you have open competition and guys just aren't given the job. I also like that JD has left the door open the first couple games until the MAC schedule starts. This will continue to make the players better.I like what I have been hearing. Competition and discipline are a good thing.

That team went 4-7. The only teams they beat were horrible (OU, Can't State, Buffalo and EMU). I feel pretty confident that this year's team will have a better record.....it wouldn't take much. I feel good about this year's team getting at a minumum 5-6 wins. Sorry for the optimism.

I looked at the entire group together as I really don't have the time to go positon by position. I include running backs as well. We have two solid TEs right now and both could get a shot at the NFL. WRs were probably betther then. Running backs are not only better now, but the depth is much better.I'll let Frye's record as a starting QB stand for itself.

Agreed.Someone still needs to tell me who is going to come to the Rubber Bowl (Yes, the stadium in Ellet that is falling down as we type) and play in front of 5,000 paying customers. Wouldn't the same question of professionalism be directed at an AD that allowed his team to come to Akron to play in front of such a poor paying crowd and money opportunity? I think there are a lot of dummys (not all) working in college athletics, but none of them are that stupid. As fans, we look inward. This question requires us to look at the point of view of the other team. We all have to remember that non-conference teams don't need us, we need them.A really smart AD would try to wait a couple of years and get on the schedule at the new stadium where more people will be paying to go and the stadium will be full. What is the advantage of playing in Akron right now?Note To eguins: Save us the post on why Akron should be playing YSU. None of us really care.

Excellent find Big Zip. Interesting.I'd say that the program is better now. I don't fee like going position by position, but the group of RBs, WRs and TEs are better now as a group. The offensive line is about the same. I always thought the offensive line during that period was really good. Two on this list either spent time on an NFL roster or in camp. The current offensive line will have one NFL player and maybe one make camp. It's no secret that I'd take just about anyone over Frye....the guy just doesn't win.Even less to say about the defense. They are far more talented now as a group and probably by position. The biggest problem we have now is the awful 3-3-5 defense we play and not the players.One person not on the list is the kicker. I think it was Zac Derr. If it was, the 2001 team had a faaaaaaaaaar better kicker.

God I can't stand Terry Pluto. Was JD supposed to come in and start 18 freshmen his first year? Of course not, you have to play with the cards you are dealt. I think Pluto does that because he an LO must have been butt buddies, and there are a certain number of people out there who love Owens because he brought suburban kids to Akron. It plays right into his little engine that could story line. Fact, JD won the MAC and LO did not with better teams than JD had the year he won it.Deeper analysis would show that the three players that made the championship impact the year we won the MAC were all JD's recruits and without the the team does not win the conference......Getsy, Biggs and Alleman.

I couldn't disagree more. Dwight was the best DB we've had in the past 15 years, and was an absolute "shut down" corner. He was the best I've seen in a Zips uniform. He pretty much single-handedly won several games during his career. It is unfathomable how bad some of Lee Owens' defenses would have been without him.That 40-below-zero game @ K.e.n.t his senior year was one of the most impressive individual performances I've ever seen in college football. Too bad there were only about 261 people there to witness it.Vic Greene...maybe Bobby Lyons were at his level...but that's about it.Dwight Smith Ruled/Rules AMEN!!!!!!!!I don't like to pick the greatest player ever, but if you were to look at the top three Zips of all time, Smith, Jason Taylor and Mike Clark are easily the three best players to ever play at Akron.Smith could shut down the other team's best WR, he played WR, he returned punts, he returned kickoffs and he blocked kicks. You name it and he could do it. A real "football player".

OL = Brett JacksonDB = Oz JacksonHere is a good question. John Buddenberg was a six year NFL player, time in the CFL, graduated with an Electrical Engineering degree, why isn't he in the school's Hall of Fame? The only Zips to play longer in the NFL are I believe Jason Taylor and Vic Green. The people at the Varsity A probably don't know who he even is. What a shame.....If you are going to include Gary Tyler, guys like Shannon Wolfe would have to be included. Both solid players, but not standouts.

I love it! Makes me want to play a John Mellencamp CD and relive my youth.

Ahhhhhh! A truely interesting topic...gambling. I don't know how they do it, but book makers have to be the smartest people in the world.I'd take the Zips +7 in a second. In fact, I think I will.

Good post.The MAC has been on a steady decline starting after the 2003 football season and it's getting worse. While we improve in basketball, the league is getting worse as well. Adding scrap like Temple does nothing for the league except make it worse. If the league wanted to improve itself, it would kick out Temple and Buffalo asap.I share your optimism about this season.

I agree on both counts. Mr. Taylor has been very kind with his gifts to UofA. We should all thank him for the new stadium. Let's be clear about where the money came from though. This is no moral judgement, just the way things were. If Mr. Taylor didn't do it, somebody else would. Here it goes.What the biography doesn't say is that InfoCision got started from religious fundraising in the early 80s when guys like Pat Robertson and Jim Baker realized they could convince little old ladies to give $25 out of their fixed income to keep themselves from going to Hell. Mr. Taylor interned at Rex Humbard Ministries in Cuyahoga Falls. Some of the appeals were shameless. While it is true that InfoCision has helped many worthy non-profits such as American Cancer Society and March of Dimes, they still have this dirty little past (and present) under them that they don't like to talk about. Perspective is important....keep this in mind when sitting in the new stadium.The funny thing is that I would have done the same thing if I had thought of it. I guess I'm as shameless as a telemarketer.

Okay.I bet if the public knew when, and what time the games where, they might go too.If there was only a way to get a big poster and hang it over a major highway in Akron...now that would be cool. :rolleyes:PS I still remember the Jason Taylor one on Exchange Street a long time ago. I wish I took a photo of that.PSS I will be taking a photo of the new Portage County Pansy one on 43 soon for a new contest, stay tuned... I think the University should take advantage of the new digital/electronic billboards on Rt 8, Interstate 77 and on Interstate 76 to promote our teams more. Start putting up schedules, pictures and whatever. Those new billboards really catch your attention. Start advertising!!! Yes, they should start advertising, but billboards are not the way to go. History has proven to us that billboards don't work. They may sell other things, but Zip tickets are not one of them. Let Can't have every one of them if they want. They will get the same results we did.......poor.My understanding is that ticket sales are up from last year (they were up last year as well). OSU is probably a good reason for that, but they are still up and that's all that matters. All done without a single billboard. Amazing.I don't know what to make of our current marketing department. I may not always agree with them, but they seem to be getting results after years of declining ticket sales. They must know something I don't. Results are all that matter.Media guide looks good too. I agree with Dr Z. We just need to be seen as much as possible. That along with winning games will build awareness and support. I'm not a huge fan of billboards either, but I will tell you that everytime I drive by one of those new electronic billboards I can't help but look at it. Guys, listen..........there is absolutely no evidence that those billboards do anything to improve ticket sales. If any of you have evidece that it does, please let us all know. The reality is that up until last year, ticket sales were on a steady decline. Everything comes down to sales. Brand awareness isn't the problem. 50% of the people living in NE Ohio probably know UofA has a football team. 95% of alumni living in NE Ohio probably know they have a football team. We've been reminding them with billboards for the past 20 years and nobody came. They have a cultural and sales problem created by the inbreeding in college athletics and a generally apathetic community, which I've gone into several times on this board, that billboards are not going to overcome.If billboards are indeed cheap, then the saying "you get what you pay for" immediately comes to mind. If they were effective, they would be in more demand and they could charge more for them. I live in Akron, for now, and I swear to God, I have no idea where these electronic billboards are located.

I don't believe for a second that the Browns want to develop Anderson as a future starter. They also don't want to develop Frye as a future starter. Frye/Anderson, whichever wins the starting position, is going to be tasked with one job this year. Bail water as fast as possible while Quinn develops.A lot of this will come down to money. If Frye wins the starting spot, Anderson gets cut. If Anderson wins the starting spot, Frye gets cut. They will not want to pay both and they probably don't want ANOTHER QB controversy in Cleveland so the termination will be necessary. Both of these guys have a lot on the line. I think Anderson is better, but I wouldn't want him to play for my favorite team. I'd jump off a bridge if my team picked up Frye if he got cut.Most of you are Browns fans and I want to encourage some of you. The Browns could go 5-11 again this season and still be better than the mess they put on the field last season. Rookie offensive linemen, regardless of their draft position, have a way of getting QBs killed so don't think that draft pick solved all their problems. Thomas has a lot of adapting to do and on-the-job training isn't a good thing. The Browns will be better this year though.

I've used many adjectives to describe Frye, most unflattering, but stiff isn't one of them.

With all due respect, the campus changes were planned before Dr. P. I forget the president prior to him (Muse?), but it was planned under his watch. It's been a long time coming.

Okay.I bet if the public knew when, and what time the games where, they might go too.If there was only a way to get a big poster and hang it over a major highway in Akron...now that would be cool. :rolleyes:PS I still remember the Jason Taylor one on Exchange Street a long time ago. I wish I took a photo of that.PSS I will be taking a photo of the new Portage County Pansy one on 43 soon for a new contest, stay tuned... I think the University should take advantage of the new digital/electronic billboards on Rt 8, Interstate 77 and on Interstate 76 to promote our teams more. Start putting up schedules, pictures and whatever. Those new billboards really catch your attention. Start advertising!!! Yes, they should start advertising, but billboards are not the way to go. History has proven to us that billboards don't work. They may sell other things, but Zip tickets are not one of them. Let Can't have every one of them if they want. They will get the same results we did.......poor.My understanding is that ticket sales are up from last year (they were up last year as well). OSU is probably a good reason for that, but they are still up and that's all that matters. All done without a single billboard. Amazing.I don't know what to make of our current marketing department. I may not always agree with them, but they seem to be getting results after years of declining ticket sales. They must know something I don't. Results are all that matter.Media guide looks good too.