The Big(gs) Game..........

[Z-P]

You guys all know how it is to come thru the gates at the open end of the Bowl, then cut a hard right and walk thru underneath the stands past the concession stands and come out one of the “shoots†opening up to the stands?

Well, I did that today instead of walking along the field going to my seat, as I normally do.

Anyway, when I came out the “shoot†and saw what was in front of me I literally just went “OH MY GOD, THIS IS AMAZING……….HOW WILL THEY EVER PLAY A GAME IN THIS?â€. It was an amazing sight. It was about 25 minutes before kickoff, and the wind was swirling around, at let me guess, at least 30 mph, it was snowing HARD and it was difficult to see across the field.

I’m closer to 60 than 50 (in age), and I’ve seen a lot of football games in my life, but this was the first time I have ever personally been at a game I thought was going to be played in “historically bad conditionsâ€. That’s what it was like Z.I.P. I just wanted to give you a flavor.

I’m “wired†for every game (headphones on to Frenchie and crew) so when Steve said “all bets are off, because the field conditions make this an even game†I agreed he was right. Anything could have happened today.

Well, you all know the result.

Following the game, Stams gave the “Player Of the Game†to the O line……………bullcrap. Brett Biggs was the hands down winner. He literally put the team on his back and carried them all day. What a little player. He’s on to the next level after this performance.

At this time, I’d like to slip in a personal note to Dr. P.

Dear Dr. P……………….

You’ve done a fantastic job at Akron. You continue to do great things.

Your legacy will be much, much more than the athletic accomplishments you are now experiencing………in fact, athletics are really not all that important in the greater scheme of things……………………

However, at this moment an important appointment is “on the table in front of youâ€â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦the replacement for one of your cornerstone accomplishments, the hiring of Mike Thomas.

I personally employ hundreds of people in multiple countries. I respectfully submit that I can recognize talent when I see it.

Right in front of us is the best candidate to carry on the successes you ignited with the hiring of Mike Thomas several years ago. It’s Michael Waddell. Mike Thomas implemented your visions over the past 6 years. Mike Waddell was his “right hand manâ€, and in many instances, really did the heavy work. Please reward Mike T and Mike W by allowing us to carry on these traditions with the appointment of Michael Waddell as the new UA/AD.

I hope one of you “sluggies†will be kind enough to pass that along to the Good Dr. P………………..because I’m sure he has better things to do than to follow the Nation.

There’s a lot more I’d like to put down, but no doubt you cats will do it in fine style.

ZW………..thanks for the extra vote!

Z-P

[Z.I.P.]

It was an amazing sight.  It was about 25 minutes before kickoff, and the wind was swirling around, at let me guess, at least 30 mph, it was snowing HARD and it was difficult to see across the field.

I’m closer to 60 than 50 (in age), and I’ve seen a lot of football games in my life, but this was the first time I have ever personally been at a game I thought was going to be played in “historically bad conditionsâ€.  That’s what it was like Z.I.P.  I just wanted to give you a flavor.

I’m “wired†for every game (headphones on to Frenchie and crew) so when Steve said “all bets are off, because the field conditions make this an even game†I agreed he was right.  Anything could have happened today.

Well, you all know the result.

Following the game, Stams gave the “Player Of the Game†to the O line……………bullcrap.  Brett Biggs was the hands down winner.  He literally put the team on his back and carried them all day.  What a little player.  He’s on to the next level after this performance.

At this time, I’d like to slip in a personal note to Dr. P.

Dear Dr. P……………….

You’ve done a fantastic job at Akron.  You continue to do great things.

Your legacy will be much, much more than the athletic accomplishments you are now experiencing………in fact, athletics are really not all that important in the greater scheme of things……………………

However, at this moment an important appointment is “on the table in front of youâ€â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦the replacement for one of your cornerstone accomplishments, the hiring of Mike Thomas.

I personally employ hundreds of people in multiple countries.  I respectfully submit that I can recognize talent when I see it.

Right in front of us is the best candidate to carry on the successes you ignited with the hiring of Mike Thomas several years ago.  It’s Michael Waddell.  Mike Thomas implemented your visions over the past 6 years.  Mike Waddell was his “right hand manâ€, and in many instances, really did the heavy work.  Please reward Mike T and Mike W by allowing us to carry on these traditions with the appointment of Michael Waddell as the new UA/AD.

I hope one of you “sluggies†will be kind enough to pass that along to the Good Dr. P………………..because I’m sure he has better things to do than to follow the Nation.

There’s a lot more I’d like to put down, but no doubt you cats will do it in fine style.

ZW………..thanks for the extra vote!

Z-P

WHAT?? You mean it's not 78 degrees with 12mph tradewinds from the E/SE in Akron? Oh, my gosh, I thought everyone had tropical weather, with a chance of windward and mauka showers later in the day. But, as I told coach McFadden yesterday, I'd love to switch weather conditions with y'all -- for about 30 minutes!

Why don't you come join me in (sunny??) San Francisco next weekend? I'm buying at Big Nate's Barbecue in SOMA before the Zips-Bears game.

And I'd just like to second what Z-P had to say to the good Dr Proenza. Keep us on track, big guy.

And have an extra drum stick for me.

The Zip in Paradise,

Honolulu, Hawai'i

[Quickzips]

Yeah, rub it in Z.I.P., rub it in. Anyways.

Biggs was definitley the star of the game. Period. I know the question at the end of last year was how do we replace Frye. Right now I think how we replace Biggs is a bigger problem. The kid isn't big, but he plays like he's 7'2". I'm gonna miss him in our backfield. I know I'll take some heat for this, but I don't know if Garret Wolfe will be the best Running Back at Ford Field on Thursday.

I'm gonna miss Jay Rohr too, as much as Biggs' late season performance has helped us on Offense, Rohr has helped that much on Defense. He just plain gets to the ball, and when he does, he wraps up and brings down.

How the heck did Swiger not miss and xtra point today? Seriously, I figured noone would even make one, but he made 5. Not that we needed them, but nice performance by Swiger in his final game in the Rubber Bowl.

Speaking of our delapadated stadium, will someone please tear it down already, for the sake of all of us? Please!

God did that weather suck, I'm surprised we got as many fans as we did today and the fact that most of them even made it to halftime was a miracle. It was nice to see.

Ofcourse Can't helped nothing at all on attendance. Not that we really expected any help, hell they can't get 3K to show up at their own stadium in good weather. I don't think they brought 300 today and that includes their panzy ass band that left after halftime.

One final thought.

[GP1]

We talked earlier this week about the snowstorm in 1987. That was a bad storm, but nothing like today. In 87, there was much more snow, but it was warmer and no wind. It's almost five o'clock, and my feet are still cold.

Once again Biggs was awesome.

I'd also like to tip my hat to Kiki. Without his dominating presence in the middle, JR does not make all the tackles he does.

Congratulations to Biggs and Hixson for both going over 1,000 yards today.

For those of us on this board who have been watching the Zips struggle along for years and years since moving to D 1-A in 1987, I'm sure you all feel as I do that this is a great day for the football program, students and alumni of the University. This is even a huge win for the City of Akron. To Dr. Proenza, Mike Thomas, Mike Waddell, the Athletic Department staff, JD Brookhart, the entire football staff and players, I would like to say thanks for not giving up early this season when all was certainly not going well. Excellent work...you guys earned the ultimate GP1 compliment........you all have become WINNERS!!!!

See everyone in Detroit Thursday.

[GP1]

I personally employ hundreds of people in multiple countries. I respectfully submit that I can recognize talent when I see it.

I'd think it would be more difficult to hire an AD than develop a worldwide network of janitorial outsourcing. That's just me though.

[zip37]

All of you that think Biggs is the whole bucket--you're right--but w/o an O line in front of him, he would go very little-- Stams was right-- the O line was the MVP, If you do not know that-- you never pplayed the game-- football games are won or lost on the line of scrimmage!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

With ball ammunition lock and load.

P.S. It was bitterly cold out there, 2nd worst I've ever been to, the game w/ No. Mich in the mid 70s was colder but no snow.

[Quickzips]

The O-line was a big part of things today, they opened up a lot of holes for Biggs. However, the cuts that kid was making in those conditions were simply amazing. I just don't know how he was doing it. I would figure one cut and he'd be on the ground. Just feet straight out from underneath him. It didn't happen. I love good O-lines as much as anyone, maybe more so. Football is won and lost in the trenches. I'm a firm believer of that. But without a guy like Biggs out there today that game gets a lot more difficult.

[zipboy]

Thank you Zips. The whole nation is indebted to you today. Given the circumstances, one of the best peformances by a Zip in what BB did today.

[Zipsrifle]

I totally agree that Biggs was amazing with how he was cutting today. I can't believe we put up 35 points. Nobody could go ANYWHERE! Just slipping and sliding on the snow. I think field position put the 35 points on the board for us today. Because nobody could run anywhere, keeping Can't pinned down really made it easy for us today. Nice job zips.

As for the fans, I was amazed to see when I showed up at 8:00 that my normal spot was already taken!!!! REAL diehard fans out there today. GREAT turnout considering the weather conditions the hour prior to kickoff. I was frustrated with everyone leaving early, but I know they had obligations and it was so freaking windy!! I just remember how it was in 2000, great day for football, we beat Can't and Syracuse got the Wagon Wheel. The entire home side was nearly full and everyone gave a great big standing ovation to the team. Not so many people at the end of the game today. I'm really hoping to have a good showing at Ford Field!

[Buckzip]

The o-line has improved greatly. Hopefully they will keep getting better.

[zipper]

I just have a couple thoughts on the new AD...

I've observed the same thing in watching Zips athletics in my lifetime. Whether a coach or an administrator, the public wants someone they KNOW. We do not like what we perceive to be an outsider coming into our group, because we don't trust them. So we always push for the inside candidate. Look how many people wanted Winters for FB coach.

Nonetheless, MT was an outsider, as was JD. Keith was not, but MT was smart enough to recognize the talent he had sitting there on staff already. To me, that speaks to MT's flexibility and ability to hire and support good coaches, no matter where he finds them.

I agree with several people here that Waddel has done a very good job, but I'm guessing there's more to the job than just marketing, which he is obviously extremely good at. Can he do the rest of the job? If the candidate pool produces sitting ADs who are already proven in all areas, shouldn't they look that way?

Everyone needs a chance, but is Akron U at the point where they can give someone a chance, or is this an imperative time to get someone in there who has already sat in the chair and been proven?

Just some questions. Just saying I hope they look around in a broad national search and get the very best candidate available. If they hire UAM, I'll assume he was the best man for the job, and I'm right behind him all the way.