Ball state game

[Valpo Zip]

Now that the game emotions are put to rest, and besides all the feelings about the team and the game result, am i the only one disappointed with the whole game day experience?What a pathetic fan turnout for a Div 1 College game, what a horrible game day experience, what a waste of a day to drive 5 hours to spend your saturday like that. Home opening, last season in the RB, stupid me dreaming of a great day of wet football. Going into the RB, i saw a hundred rowdies packed in the corner by the end zone while a similar hundred of Ball state fans spread around the 50 yard line (talk about home court advantage).Other than the rowdies, UA band, and HS bands, we maybe had a thousand other fans 100 of which were wearing OSU gear (yes inside the RB).During the game, our D on 3rd downs and the stadium is so quiet i could hear the airplanes engines on the runway. On offense it took us a TD to get some clapping out of our fans, a first down was not necessarily worth clapping. One of the main recruiting tools coaches use to attract prospects is gameday experience and fan support. I bet some of our players had better fan suport in their HS games than what they had today. The state of the stadium is not an excuse, the rain is not an excuse either... I am not sure what the reason is.

[bobbyake]

the rain and the fact that there are low expectations for the Zips this year was the reason for the bad fan turnout. Hopefully things look better for the UC game.

[zipsbandman]

Now that the game emotions are put to rest, and besides all the feelings about the team and the game result, am i the only one disappointed with the whole game day experience?What a pathetic fan turnout for a Div 1 College game, what a horrible game day experience, what a waste of a day to drive 5 hours to spend your saturday like that. Home opening, last season in the RB, stupid me dreaming of a great day of wet football. Going into the RB, i saw a hundred rowdies packed in the corner by the end zone while a similar hundred of Ball state fans spread around the 50 yard line (talk about home court advantage).Other than the rowdies, UA band, and HS bands, we maybe had a thousand other fans 100 of which were wearing OSU gear (yes inside the RB).During the game, our D on 3rd downs and the stadium is so quiet i could hear the airplanes engines on the runway. On offense it took us a TD to get some clapping out of our fans, a first down was not necessarily worth clapping. One of the main recruiting tools coaches use to attract prospects is gameday experience and fan support. I bet some of our players had better fan suport in their HS games than what they had today. The state of the stadium is not an excuse, the rain is not an excuse either... I am not sure what the reason is.

You lose in the MAC you draw flies. It's simple. I can assure you that if the basketball team was this bad our average attendance numbers would be in the hundreds.

[ZippyforPresident]

Now that the game emotions are put to rest, and besides all the feelings about the team and the game result, am i the only one disappointed with the whole game day experience?What a pathetic fan turnout for a Div 1 College game, what a horrible game day experience, what a waste of a day to drive 5 hours to spend your saturday like that. Home opening, last season in the RB, stupid me dreaming of a great day of wet football. Going into the RB, i saw a hundred rowdies packed in the corner by the end zone while a similar hundred of Ball state fans spread around the 50 yard line (talk about home court advantage).Other than the rowdies, UA band, and HS bands, we maybe had a thousand other fans 100 of which were wearing OSU gear (yes inside the RB).During the game, our D on 3rd downs and the stadium is so quiet i could hear the airplanes engines on the runway. On offense it took us a TD to get some clapping out of our fans, a first down was not necessarily worth clapping. One of the main recruiting tools coaches use to attract prospects is gameday experience and fan support. I bet some of our players had better fan suport in their HS games than what they had today. The state of the stadium is not an excuse, the rain is not an excuse either... I am not sure what the reason is.

THE REASON IS THAT WE DON'T WIN GAMES. I know that probably sounds petty, but if this team wants fans they are going to have to win plain and simple. I'm not going to say there weren't some positive aspects to today's game b/c there definitely were, but losing efforts in a rain soaked relic 7 or so plus miles from campus by a non bcs school does not draw crowds. It saddens me as much as you I'm sure, and yes, I was at the bowl pounding away w/ everyone else, but what I did take away from today is that there were a TON of new faces in the student section in the rain... things are on the verge of changing for the bigtime at UA... I was there in the early/mid Frye years initially and in comparison this student section is totally ready to explode... and the Rowdies play a big part in that, but I really do think the excitement on campus is essentially unparalelled @ this point in UA history. If this team starts winning some big games the support is gonna be there and it will DEFINITELY be there next season at the new stadium.

[akronad]

My perspectives on yesterday.1. For those of us that were tailgating, the rained sucked. However, everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. Big question for next year is where will the tailgating area be?2. Jaq is much is improved over last season. I'm sure it is because he didn't have to looked over his shoulder for another qb to come in during the game and also because it looks as though he really has worked over the pre-season.3. MAC referees stink. There is absolutely no consistently in their calls4. Total disappointment in the number fans in attendance. By game time, most of the rain was already past us. No excuses not to make the game5. Our defense is horrible. Does anyone know when and if Bain will be returning? The 3-3-5 is a gimmick defense. Did the defense ever create any 3 and outs?7. Receivers must catch the ball when it hits their hands. There is no excuse for that!6. Obviously, we were not as good as we thought we were, and Ball St. is a good team.Let's to go West Point and beat Army.Go Zips!

[ZipAlumn]

Back in the 60's and early 70's when the Zips were Division I and playing in the Ohio Conference they had some winning teams. What the didn't have was anywhere near a full Rubber Bowl during the season. As a student during that time (living on campus without a car) I had a tough time even getting to the Rubber Bowl, but when I got there the crowds were about a quarter of the size that I was used to in high school. Coach Dennison did have a couple good attendance years (actually just games) when he made the NCAA Division I Playoffs. Didn't know the answer then and still don't know the answer now. :wall:

[zips4ever2008]

Yesterdays game was hard to watch. I thought the Zips had a chance only being down by 7 at halftime. From what I saw, it was hard to imagine this was the same team that beat Syracuse and had a respectable loss at Wisconsin. It seemed we didn't run the same offense like last week. The defense still needs to stop someone. I guess the good thing is that Ball State might be the best offense we'll see this season. Again, the refs made some very dumb calls but I guess that's the MAC for you. We still could have played better. I do hope people will still come out to support the team and wear blue and gold. It bothers me to see people wear Suckeye gear at Akron football games or at any of our sporting events. I did enjoy seeing the Suckeyes get a beatdown last night.

[ctmjbowes@sbcglobal.net]

Can we all agree that once the Zips move to the new stadium it's going to have a huge effect on crowds and excitement in general? I'm an alum, live in the city, and generally HATE going out to the Rubber Bowl to watch the team. It's a depressing place, WAY too large in general, decrepit at best. It's been all of those things for many, many years. The campus has become such a better place than it was in the '80s when I graduated, and the stadium will enjoy and enhance the positives of the campus. Add to that the end of the need to travel WAY off campus and you'll automatically gain at least 2X to 3X the number of student attendees. Add to that the fact that you'll be able to buy beer in the new facility. Add to that the presence of downtown eateries and bars. Add to that the brand new facilities, better sight lines. It's all good folks. Now if we can get a little growth on the defensive side of the ball, along with some stickum for the receivers' gloves, we'll really have something!SeeTee

Back in the 60's and early 70's when the Zips were Division I and playing in the Ohio Conference they had some winning teams. What the didn't have was anywhere near a full Rubber Bowl during the season. As a student during that time (living on campus without a car) I had a tough time even getting to the Rubber Bowl, but when I got there the crowds were about a quarter of the size that I was used to in high school. Coach Dennison did have a couple good attendance years (actually just games) when he made the NCAA Division I Playoffs. Didn't know the answer then and still don't know the answer now. :wall:

[ZachTheZip]

We gave the game away yesterday. 5 turnovers can't happen ever again if we want to win another game this season. So it was rainy for the 1st half. That didn't create the interceptions in the second half. I hope to god that that was a fluke.The D played pretty well given the circumstances: lots of short yardage situations from turnovers, an incredibly balanced attack from Ball State, and no crowd noise to help them. They got a few TFLs in there, and kept the big plays to a minimum.I'm sure that JD is going to focus on protecting the ball heading into next week's game against Army (if we don't blow them out in spectacular fashion, this season is doomed).

[GP1]

I didn't see the game, but here is what I think. Too bad the Zips lost, but next week they can beat Army and be 2-2. There have been many, many, many years when we would have given our left you-know-what to be 2-2 after our first four games against all D-1A teams. I really thought we would be 1-3 after the first four so we are ahead of where I thought we would be, if we win at Army. Remember, six wins is the goal. We lost a chance to get one of the six yesterday. Let's get number two next week.For those of you who don't think injuries matter, I couldn't disagree more. The root of all football evil is built around injuries. NFL and college football teams live and die with injuries. MAC teams are especially susceptible to injuries because it is hard enough finding a few top guys and when one of those guys go down, the cupboard is really bare.Go Zips.

[GP1]

I'm sure that JD is going to focus on protecting the ball heading into next week's game against Army (if we don't blow them out in spectacular fashion, this season is doomed).

Please define this. What is spectacular fashion?In D-1A football, a road win is good regardless of the score. I actually consider the win at Syracuse to be a blowout at 14 points. With that said, Army lost to UNH a couple of weeks ago. I feel good about our chances.

[ZippyRulz]

Can we all agree that once the Zips move to the new stadium it's going to have a huge effect on crowds and excitement in general?

I can definitely agree on that. Should be a sold out season next year, especially if OSWho stumbles and the mob turns on Tressel. The RB has 2 months to live.

[ZachTheZip]

I'm sure that JD is going to focus on protecting the ball heading into next week's game against Army (if we don't blow them out in spectacular fashion, this season is doomed).

Please define this. What is spectacular fashion?In D-1A football, a road win is good regardless of the score. I actually consider the win at Syracuse to be a blowout at 14 points. With that said, Army lost to UNH a couple of weeks ago. I feel good about our chances.

I'm using the term "Spectacular fashion" in a relative way. For Akron, a win by more than two scores is spectacular. So, a 15-point win at minimum. If we struggle to beat a team that bad, even if we do win, it's a very bad sign.

[MDZip]

I'm sure that JD is going to focus on protecting the ball heading into next week's game against Army (if we don't blow them out in spectacular fashion, this season is doomed).

Please define this. What is spectacular fashion?In D-1A football, a road win is good regardless of the score. I actually consider the win at Syracuse to be a blowout at 14 points. With that said, Army lost to UNH a couple of weeks ago. I feel good about our chances.

I'm using the term "Spectacular fashion" in a relative way. For Akron, a win by more than two scores is spectacular. So, a 15-point win at minimum. If we struggle to beat a team that bad, even if we do win, it's a very bad sign.

So it was 19. Are you happy?

[ZachTheZip]

I'm sure that JD is going to focus on protecting the ball heading into next week's game against Army (if we don't blow them out in spectacular fashion, this season is doomed).

Please define this. What is spectacular fashion?In D-1A football, a road win is good regardless of the score. I actually consider the win at Syracuse to be a blowout at 14 points. With that said, Army lost to UNH a couple of weeks ago. I feel good about our chances.

I'm using the term "Spectacular fashion" in a relative way. For Akron, a win by more than two scores is spectacular. So, a 15-point win at minimum. If we struggle to beat a team that bad, even if we do win, it's a very bad sign.

So it was 19. Are you happy?

Sort of. I expected Army to at least score a TD since their whole offense is about the running game. I'm not happy about all the dumb mistakes, but that seems to be the trademark of the Zips.

[ctmjbowes@sbcglobal.net]

I'm sure that JD is going to focus on protecting the ball heading into next week's game against Army (if we don't blow them out in spectacular fashion, this season is doomed).

Please define this. What is spectacular fashion?In D-1A football, a road win is good regardless of the score. I actually consider the win at Syracuse to be a blowout at 14 points. With that said, Army lost to UNH a couple of weeks ago. I feel good about our chances.

I'm using the term "Spectacular fashion" in a relative way. For Akron, a win by more than two scores is spectacular. So, a 15-point win at minimum. If we struggle to beat a team that bad, even if we do win, it's a very bad sign.

So it was 19. Are you happy?

Hey MDZip we missed you at OBC this afternoon. I know I was happy with the win, even acknowledging all of the mistakes. 2-2 with 2 road wins, an offense with some serious firepower. I'm liking it!Go Zips!SeeTeeZip

[MDZip]

The six hour road trip is a little daunting even to join all of you at OBC (which is a great place to watch a game if you can't be there in person). West Point is even closer to me but couldn't work out the details to get there this weekend. I also was trying to get to Syracuse as well so I think I'm going to make plans for every away game for the rest of the season even if I can't go. I had no plans to get to Wisconsin, maybe I should have. Plus, we need to move the Buffalo game back to Buffalo. We're undefeated against D1-A teams in NY and Buffalo is the last one left.

[johnnyzip84]

The six hour road trip is a little daunting even to join all of you at OBC (which is a great place to watch a game if you can't be there in person). West Point is even closer to me but couldn't work out the details to get there this weekend. I also was trying to get to Syracuse as well so I think I'm going to make plans for every away game for the rest of the season even if I can't go. I had no plans to get to Wisconsin, maybe I should have. Plus, we need to move the Buffalo game back to Buffalo. We're undefeated against D1-A teams in NY and Buffalo is the last one left.

I'll be satisfied if we can whip UB at the venerable old lady in her swan song MDZip. That would be a sweet finish to an NY sweep! Hey, I think we all might need to bring brooms to that last game at the Bowl. 1st for the NY sweep. 2nd to sweep out the urinals so we can all haul one out for a souvenir