Captain's Blog #8

[Captain Kangaroo]

I think is is simple to look at this Saturdays match up between the Zips and Broncos and say, "Man, the Zips S-T-I-N-K." But that really doesn't do justice to how bad this Zips team is actually performing.

A better gauge of what we're dealing with in the big picture can be seen in the epic Presbyterian vs. Gardner Webb match up this past weekend. In that game, the Blue Hose...yes, you heard it correctly, the Presbyterian Blue Hose snapped the nation’s longest losing streak in the Football Championship Subdivision at 20 games and spoiled the Gardner Webb Bulldog's Homecoming 26-24.

This really hit me in the gut because after the Zips-GW game, I slunk into our parking lot, post-game, thinking, man...Gardner Webb was bigger, faster and executed better than the Zips...these guys are going to do some 1-AA damage?! Nope, they stink.

So to all of you clamoring for the Zips to move to the 1-AA (FCS) level I say... baby steps, my friends. Let's work our way up first.

Rob Ianello, a graduate of Catholic University, could not be reached for comment as of Blog Time today.

I would also like to take this time to clear up a misconception that ZipWatcher's "Quit on the Zips Hall of Fame" is not adding new members due to limitations in ZipsNation's available bandwidth. Like Matt Rodgers presence on the Zips sideline in the first half...or big foot sightings...there's absolutely no truth to it. Stop it with the rumors.

I think the best zinger from the crowd came as the girl's golf team received some recognition on the field immediately after WMU's first TD pass. "HOW ARE YOUR COVER SKILLS? WE NEED YOU!" rang out. Even though it came from the upper deck, the snickering girls on the field seemed to hear it pretty clearly.

I thought it was interesting that everyone who shook TW's hand after a 1st half ceremony made a beeline for the Purell dispenser? Odd...

Bagdad Rob continued to stay-the-course with his field goal fetish. Like K.e.n.t, like Syracuse, like OU, he faced a dire situation where the team was in need of some hope...some confidence...something meaningful to build on...and down 35-0 before the end of the half....he trotted out the field goal unit. 35-3 at the half. Yippee.

I saw several ex-Rowdies, now alumni, get the boot from InfoCision. What a shame that we're putting on such a horrible show...and now giving the boot to some of the few that showed up to watch the debacle.

Did you know -- the Zips led in time of possession Saturday?

Please take this next statement for what it is and nothing more -- The Zips played at a noticeably faster speed with Potts in the backfield taking the snaps. While it might hurt our gaudy time of possession numbers, I thought the faster pace kept the defense more honest. Yeah, we moved the ball against 4th-stringers on a mediocre MAC team, but we at least attacked. Running PN7 out in the pro set and watching him get snowed-under within 2 seconds has officially run it's course for me. That offense is a slow death.

Could we have ran Pride or Burney in the wildcat and saved Potts' redshirt? Since it is gone, I hope to see more of him. Note - Had Potts played on special teams prior to Saturday? I thought he had, but I could be wrong.

Speaking of slow death, I turned another corner watching the game Saturday. I went from being angry, to just flat-out being sad about what's become of an Akron Football Saturday. Watching the Zips bungle every offensive possession, while getting stomped into the ground and scored upon every defensive series is like watching a loved one dying on the operating table. You have to be there for support, but it rips your heart out to see that monitor work it's way from beeping, to the inescapable flat-line.

On the less-morbid side -- I think the best on-field moment Saturday came when the Jumbotron showed Brian Wagner on the sideline after his TD rumble. He had a big smile on his face. It was cool to see a smile coming from our sideline...I couldn't recall the last smile I'd seen on the home side.

Speaking of #34...on the off chance that we ever get inside the 5 yard line again this season, can we give him the rock? He'll score. I guarantee it.

And speaking of not scoring inside the 5. I feel terrible for Alex Allen. A healthy AA circa 2007 would have scored 4 out of 5 tries from that spot. He's one of my favorite players. It's too bad it's ending this way on the field for him.

As usual, we had a great tailgate party. Chili is a great social food...you can just walk up to everyone's pot with your empty bowl, it gets filled up and you shoot the breeze (so to speak) for a while. It was fun to taste everyone's different takes on the American classic. Sausages, smoked meats, ground meats, 10+ varieties of peppers...if you like home-style food, it was a great event. Hopefully it grows next year. Always great food and great company in the Lot...the Zips Tailgate is the one thing YouTube Tom can never kill. Even though he's tried...

Lunch is done. I hope we can hold Temple under 65. And since Buffalo lost to Temple 42-0, I'm looking at November 26th as a mighty big day.

Oh - and a final note to TW: Do iCoach a favor and stay away from the Blue Hose on our 2011 OOC schedule.

[Buckzip]

Well said CK.

[ZIPFB#1]

As for Wagner taking the ball in and scoring on the wildcat..I totally agree! What a surprise that would be for the other teams! and a TD for us! Here is his high school records for all ohio divisons. Maybe the coaching staff forgot he can run the ball too.

Touchdowns Scored, Career (minimum 80)

1 123 Hubert Bobo, Chauncey-Dover (1949-1952)

2 121 Richard Hall, Cincinnati Wyoming (1995-1998)

3 117 Tyrell Sutton, Akron Archbishop Hoban (2001-2004)

117 Ryan Brewer, Troy (1995-1998)

5 109 Carlos Snow, Cincinnati Academy of Physical Education (1983-1986)

6 104 Jason Bainum, Williamsburg (1998-2001)

7 99 Storm Klein, Newark Licking Valley (2005-2008)

99 Blaine Maag, Columbus Grove (2001-2004)

9 97 Brian Wagner, Springfield Catholic Central (2004-2007)

95 Chuck Moore, Mogadore (1993-1996)

11 92 Jordan Mabin, Macedonia Nordonia (2003-2006)

12 90 Tommy Lee, Mogadore (1999-2002)

90 Carl Smith, Washington C. H. Washington (1949-1952)

14 89 Nate Kmic, Delta (2001-2004)

89 Rafael Manriquez, Defiance Ayersville (1999-2002)

16 87 Maurice Hall, Columbus Brookhaven (1997-2000)

17 86 Tony Harlamert, Coldwater (2005-2008)

Yards Rushing, Career (minimum 5,750)

1 9,426 Tyrell Sutton, Akron Archbishop Hoban (2001-2004)

2 8,216 Jason Bainum, Williamsburg (1998-2001)

3 7,761 Carlos Snow, Cincinnati Academy of Physical Education (1983-1986)

4 7,656 Ryan Brewer, Troy (1995-1998)

5 7,386 Richard Hall, Cincinnati Wyoming (1995-1998)

6 6,785 Brian Wagner, Springfield Catholic Central (2004-2007)

7 6,700 Jordan Mabin, Macedonia Nordonia (2003-2006)

8 6,389 John Pettigrew, Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy (2005-2008)

9 6,376 Justin Roush, Pomeroy Meigs (1996-1999)

10 6,353 Donald Johnson, Cincinnati North College Hill (1998-2001)

11 6,339 Storm Klein, Newark Licking Valley (2005-2008)

12 6,134 Blaine Maag, Columbus Grove (2001-2004)

13 6,120 Maurice Hall, Columbus Brookhaven (1997-2000)

14 6,099 Brock Bolen, Germantown Valley View (2001-2003)

15 6,051 Marcus Sanders, Ravenna (1996-1999)

16 6,006 Dave Mason, Gibsonburg (1997-2000)

17 6,001 Marc Edwards, Norwood (1990-1993)

18 5,985 Jeff Rogan, Urbana (1979-1982)

19 5,880 Zach Weber, Delphos St. John's (1997-2000)

20 5,795 Nick Wilson, Hamilton Ross (1992-1995)

21 5,756 Chad Schulte, Delphos St. John's (1995-1998)

[ZipRoo]

HOLY SMOKES! Wagner ranks 9th in career TDs and 6th in rushing yards...and we're suffering thru a season with running backs who look like they're stuck in mud?!?! Cripes, get this kid working on offense!! Ianello, I realize you're clueless, but you have one of Ohio's all-time premier football athletes on YOUR team. Utilize his SKILLS!

And yea, CK, I saw Wagner's smiling face on the sideline....and instantly thought: Why isn't THIS KID'S FACE on billboards, tickets, programs, et al....instead of the goofy-looking "coach" ? Whoever is doing sports marketing over there should get a clue: Wagner's got it going on, and UA needs to take advantage ON the field and OFF.

[Dr Z]

I wish you could change one kid to another position or fix one thing and make our team that much better where it counted for something. At the beginning of the season (first 5 games) I was kidding myself saying that we needed to fix 3 things to compete. I don't see that anymore. I think we might have regressed. CK, you are a trooper for being able to write/think that much about what I witnessed on Saturday on the field. I need a few weeks off after that one. Working all day and making it to the last two weekday home games are going to be tough. I might have to consider taking a couple hours and working a short day to do it. We'll see. I hope the kids don't feel like I do, but how can they not? The staff has a tough job this week, but they should have worked smarter earlier to avoid this situation. Temple should be a 30 point favorite this week.

PS I heard Faust was doing the game instead of Alleman, does anybody know why?

[akron football]

As this nightmare continues I can't help but think about the young men that are getting ROBBED of a normal college football experience. When I went to OU bobcats football page and seen the players in the locker room singing there fight song and seeing the comradery it's makes me sad that our young men won't enjoy that. It's not there fault they chose the great facilities or the coaching staff that had a fire and passion for the game and not arrogance and belittling attitude toward the players. Now the players are getting injured and busted up and can't even look forward to a glimpse of winning. PN7 has had his head handed to him so many times I'm sure he'd wish he was anywhere but here. No line no recievers db's that are Div.3 caliber and a coaching staff that wish they were still at ND. But hey nice stadium....

[zipboy]

PS I heard Faust was doing the game instead of Alleman, does anybody know why?

Alleman had a personal engagement already committed to before he got the job. He should be back next week.

Luckily I missed the game last week. I too am going to think hard about coming down for the last 2 games. Good Zips Live show, they talked a half hour about the coaches bios. I learned a lot about how things are going to be turned around.

[UAZipster0305]

Although this season has been a train wreck, I still enjoy the charisma of your posts, Captain. I generally agree with everything you say, and this time is no different.

[johnnyzip84]

PS I heard Faust was doing the game instead of Alleman, does anybody know why?

Alleman had a personal engagement already committed to before he got the job. He should be back next week.

Luckily I missed the game last week. I too am going to think hard about coming down for the last 2 games. Good Zips Live show, they talked a half hour about the coaches bios. I learned a lot about how things are going to be turned around.

Was that a complete waste of time or what? Why didn't Morgan come here asking for more questions for iCoach?? :lol: