Greatest Rubber Bowl Moments

[K92]

Let's hear it...

[Blue & Gold]

Willie Spencer throwing a TD pass against Virginia Tech, in the final seconds of the game, to bring the Zips to within maybe 8 points, I don't really remember. All I remember is that we still had no chance of winning the game, but the Bowl just absolutely exploded as everyone was ecstatic that we hung so close. VT was a Top 25 team and most everyone thought we'd get blown out. We hung right with them, Jason Taylor FAR outplayed VT's All-American defensive end (don't remember his name either).

[K92]

My best (hazy) memory is the 1986 Murray State game. What a night. I believe it was the first time the Zips were ever on ESPN. If memory serves me correct, Zippy stole the head away from the Racer mascot before the game. Zips won. Beat Frank Beamer. Who knew he would go on to the success he's had? If anyone else remembers, wasn't this the game with the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders at halftime?

[Buckzip]

Certainly the Marshall game where the Marshall players were carrying the QB to the LOS.

[Blue & Gold]

Certainly the Marshall game where the Marshall players were carrying the QB to the LOS.

Good one! That's another one I'll never forget. Clips of that game are shown during the closing credits of the movie We Are Marshall.

[GP1]

Beating those turds from Portage County on Thanksgiving to go to the MAC Championship Game.Second would be the tailgating. If you could let yourself accept if for what it was, it was a great place to have fun. There was beer, food, passing football...the airdock was right there....And if you were lucky, you would get to watch a training pilot crash a plane. Nobody ever died on the runway, but a lot of wobbly flights landed.

[skip-zip]

My best (hazy) memory is the 1986 Murray State game. What a night. I believe it was the first time the Zips were ever on ESPN. If memory serves me correct, Zippy stole the head away from the Racer mascot before the game. Zips won. Beat Frank Beamer. Who knew he would go on to the success he's had? If anyone else remembers, wasn't this the game with the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders at halftime?

WOW...this is a good one. It actually slips out of my memory from time to time. Let me add to what you've said .....I think it was ESPNs first Thursday night game ever. Yes, the Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders were there. It was also the day we decided to paint the light pole on the 50 yard line green to help it blend in with the field for TV. Most people came by bus from campus, and I remember everyone having beer. People even snuck beer balls into the place that night. I remember seeing one roll out onto the field at one time (I sure hope it was empty). And seat cushions from one of the banks were flying around too. Crazy night. And I think the relationship that started that year between Beamer and Faust led to a lot of those future games against Virginia Tech. I do have a favorite game though. Who else remembers the home opener in 1992 when Darren Alcorn kicked the 57 yard field goal to beat Toledo? I think it was the only time everyone ran out onto the field in celebration after the end of a game. That was our first game ever in the MAC, and the place was packed because it was an Acme-Zip game. That was also the season we went 7-3-1, our best record ever in D-1A. Who would have thought, after almost 20 years, that duplicating such a record would become so difficult?

[GP1]

I do have a favorite game though. Who else remembers the home opener in 1992 when Darren Alcorn kicked the 57 yard field goal to beat Toledo? I think it was the only time everyone ran out onto the field in celebration after the end of a game. That was our first game ever in the MAC, and the place was packed because it was an Acme-Zip game. That was also the season we went 7-3-1, our best record ever in D-1A. Who would have thought, after almost 20 years, that duplicating such a record would become so difficult?

Great memory!!! Not only did he make that bomb, the the Zips didn't have much time to move into the position to kick the FG. Maybe someone can help me, but I remember Toledo scoring with around a minute to go. FG or TD and extra point I can't remember. I think it was a TD and extra point and they were going for the tie on the road. I was watching the game from the endzone. As soon as he kicked the ball, the guy I was watching the game with said, "It's good!". One of the best clutch kicks I've ever seen.7-3-1. WOW! In eleven games. I can't believe I'm about to type this, but those were the days. Who would have thunk? Two years later, the program was in free fall. Seven wins now would be a blessing.

[johnnyzip84]

The Toledo and Murray St. games are definitely up there The resounding thud that occured when Alcorn struck the ball gave immediate hope to all Zip fans that it enough power. I was in the closed end, and from that vantagepoint it was clear pretty soon after that it was accurate as well. I remember listening to Frenchy's taped call of the play after I got back to my car. It was probably his SECOND most excited call ever. Akron's own Gary Pinkel was coach of the Rockets that day and he lead them to a win at Purdue the very next week.I remember a group of students at the Murray St. game with a sign that said "Gerry's Kids" towards the closed end Two other games come to mind:In the late 80's, I remember watching the Zips absolutely crush the UC Bearcats 31-0 before a small crowd on a perfect late autumn afternoon. Just looking at scores, has there ever been a more impressive Zip football result?And finally we must mention the "Loser Bowl" between OU and UA to close out the 1994 season and Faust's career as a football coach (as well as his good friend, Tom Lichtenberg).

[zip37]

The OT NCAA Quater or Semi Final game against No. Mich, it was so cold I moved to the NE corner of the Bowl to get the wind to my back; the 2nd was on a hot-humid windless nite against W. Ky [Acme-Zip Game] sweated my buns off the Bowwl was absolutely PACKED. Won both games.

[Let'sGoZips94]

The Snow Bowl in '05 against Can't State where we destroyed them and made it to the MAC Championship Game.

[Buckzip]

The Acme Zip games were always great. We always got there early and watched the soccer game. Then the pre game band stuff and the game itself. There was always fireworks and something like the Army Golden Knights at the half. I remember the game that Chris Angeloff collapsed and died. Not the best time.The place was packed and electric. I really miss that. Another stupid marketing error letting that fade away.

[Spin]

The Cleveland Force playing NASL teams there.sorry, couldn't resist

[scottditzen]

Rushing the field after that FG was quite a joyous event!!

I do have a favorite game though. Who else remembers the home opener in 1992 when Darren Alcorn kicked the 57 yard field goal to beat Toledo? I think it was the only time everyone ran out onto the field in celebration after the end of a game. That was our first game ever in the MAC, and the place was packed because it was an Acme-Zip game. That was also the season we went 7-3-1, our best record ever in D-1A. Who would have thought, after almost 20 years, that duplicating such a record would become so difficult?

Great memory!!! Not only did he make that bomb, the the Zips didn't have much time to move into the position to kick the FG. Maybe someone can help me, but I remember Toledo scoring with around a minute to go. FG or TD and extra point I can't remember. I think it was a TD and extra point and they were going for the tie on the road. I was watching the game from the endzone. As soon as he kicked the ball, the guy I was watching the game with said, "It's good!". One of the best clutch kicks I've ever seen.7-3-1. WOW! In eleven games. I can't believe I'm about to type this, but those were the days. Who would have thunk? Two years later, the program was in free fall. Seven wins now would be a blessing.

[Zipmeister]

The Toledo and Murray St. games are definitely up there The resounding thud that occured when Alcorn struck the ball gave immediate hope to all Zip fans that it enough power. I was in the closed end, and from that vantagepoint it was clear pretty soon after that it was accurate as well. I remember listening to Frenchy's taped call of the play after I got back to my car. It was probably his SECOND most excited call ever. Akron's own Gary Pinkel was coach of the Rockets that day and he lead them to a win at Purdue the very next week.I remember a group of students at the Murray St. game with a sign that said "Gerry's Kids" towards the closed end Two other games come to mind:In the late 80's, I remember watching the Zips absolutely crush the UC Bearcats 31-0 before a small crowd on a perfect late autumn afternoon. Just looking at scores, has there ever been a more impressive Zip football result?And finally we must mention the "Loser Bowl" between OU and UA to close out the 1994 season and Faust's career as a football coach (as well as his good friend, Tom Lichtenberg).

Yes. 40 to Zip over highly favored Tampa featuring Freddie Solomon at QB and Leon McCray at RB (both of whom spent time in the NFL). Zips opening kickoff returned to the Tampa 4 yard line. Fumble lost on their first play from scrimmage. We score on our first play. ACME Zip game sold old crowd. Tampa drops football following year.Second place memory. 80 yard punt at end of the game against Northern Michigan. Ball disappears into the fog that had settled in forming a ceiling on the Bowl right at the top of the stands, reemerges out of the fog behind the return man.Seems to me both games happened in the early 70s, but the brain cells that contained that info in my head have shut down (also McCray might be McQuay).

[Z.I.P.]

The Cleveland Force playing NASL teams there.sorry, couldn't resist

Are you serious Spin? Did that happen? I don't think so. However, I DO have a RB soccer memory that I recently shared with someone in a pm -- Zip 37 I think. The first game of freshman Pat Nash's career, Akron was playing a season opener friendly against -- wish I could remember exactly -- a national side from Asia, possibly Singapore or Malaysia. The opposition had no players taller than about 5-5. But they were so fast, they would run around with the ball and control possession for long stretches without even attempting an attack. I think late in the first half, ""Doc" Nash's boy, who I had seen for years kicking the ball around at halftimes at Lee Jackson gets the ball about 35 yards out just to the press box side of center, and unleashes a shot toward the open end of the bowl that went like a guided missile into the upper left of the net. Amazing that it didn't tear down the net or go through it!

[zip37]

Wasn't it Jack Bidelman that made that return?

[Z.I.P.]

(American) Football games? OK, I don't go back quite as far as some of you, but I did see a couple of Browns games there, which I can remember. The last one, which my brother took me to -- the last time they played an exhibition in Akron was vs the NY Giants. It must have been the final exhibition of the pre-season, and Norm Snead, then the starting QB for the Giants, a long-time non-contender at that time (1970, 71?) did everything possible to avoid injury. In fact, many times, after handing the ball off, he turned his back and RAN backwards to avoid any possibility of being tackled! That was the game that Pete Gogolak, the legendary Giants place kicker was the first one I ever saw to kick a ball completely out of the stadium, about ten feet over the entrance tower. They stuffed about 42,000 bodies in the place that night.Later, in the mid 70s, Temple played a couple times at the Bowl, when they were a decent team, even marginally top-20 possibly, and Akron beat hem at least once. However, I remember their kicker Nick MikeMayer, who would play many seasons with the Atlanta Falcons kicked two field goals over 50 yards in the same game.TV? ESPN? The 1967 Grantland Rice Bowl vs LA Tech was televised somehow, I recall watching Bradshaw beat our butts. Then the Pioneers Bowl D-2 title game vs Montana State on ABC. The first regular season game I can remember seeing televised was AT Middle Tennessee soon after we joined the OVC. All I remember was that several coeds had the identical signs -- "Pop the Zits". I bet that creative idea was ubiquitous back in the day.But of course, the greatest -- weirdest -- memory I will take shall always be the Stupid Punter Game, vs Morehead State. I have told the story of Kevin Kendall before, and don't have the time to repeat it in its entirety, but in short, the idiot (well, OK, naive freshman!) was told by Dennison before running onto the field to hold onto the ball and not kick it -- as there were only a few seconds left in the half, and it was 4th and long from the MSU 40 YL. But, no one told him what to do after the clock ran out, and that the half didn't end just because the clock was on 0:00 -- he had to fall down to end the half. So he ran around the field with the ball under his arm for at least thirty seconds in every possible direction, finally being chased 60 yards from the line of scrimmage to the corner of his own end zone, where he eventually threw up a "pass" as he was about to be tackled in the end zone. Everyone assumed he and his team had escaped into the locker room unscathed, until late in the halftime, the PA announcer came on and said that the officials had assessed a grounding the football penalty on the play, and it being from the end zone, resulted in a safety. If anyone has that on tape, it should go to the Hall of Fame -- AND Shame!

[Z.I.P.]

The Toledo and Murray St. games are definitely up there The resounding thud that occured when Alcorn struck the ball gave immediate hope to all Zip fans that it enough power. I was in the closed end, and from that vantagepoint it was clear pretty soon after that it was accurate as well. I remember listening to Frenchy's taped call of the play after I got back to my car. It was probably his SECOND most excited call ever. Akron's own Gary Pinkel was coach of the Rockets that day and he lead them to a win at Purdue the very next week.I remember a group of students at the Murray St. game with a sign that said "Gerry's Kids" towards the closed end Two other games come to mind:In the late 80's, I remember watching the Zips absolutely crush the UC Bearcats 31-0 before a small crowd on a perfect late autumn afternoon. Just looking at scores, has there ever been a more impressive Zip football result?And finally we must mention the "Loser Bowl" between OU and UA to close out the 1994 season and Faust's career as a football coach (as well as his good friend, Tom Lichtenberg).

Yes. 40 to Zip over highly favored Tampa featuring Freddie Solomon at QB and Leon McCray at RB (both of whom spent time in the NFL). Zips opening kickoff returned to the Tampa 4 yard line. Fumble lost on their first play from scrimmage. We score on our first play. ACME Zip game sold old crowd. Tampa drops football following year.Second place memory. 80 yard punt at end of the game against Northern Michigan. Ball disappears into the fog that had settled in forming a ceiling on the Bowl right at the top of the stands, reemerges out of the fog behind the return man.Seems to me both games happened in the early 70s, but the brain cells that contained that info in my head have shut down (also McCray might be McQuay).

And that game was Tampa's first after finishing the previous season ranked in the top-20, and beating guess who -- Can't State in the Tangerine Bowl. That's proof that it was a LONG, LONG time ago!

[zip37]

I remember watching that LaTech game on TV, we had Bradshaw at the 10[?] with tacklera at his feet, around his waist, and one around his upper sholder wirth only his rt arm below the elbow free, AND HE THREW A TD!!!!!?????

[Zipmeister]

(American) Football games? OK, I don't go back quite as far as some of you, but I did see a couple of Browns games there, which I can remember. The last one, which my brother took me to -- the last time they played an exhibition in Akron was vs the NY Giants. It must have been the final exhibition of the pre-season, and Norm Snead, then the starting QB for the Giants, a long-time non-contender at that time (1970, 71?) did everything possible to avoid injury. In fact, many times, after handing the ball off, he turned his back and RAN backwards to avoid any possibility of being tackled! That was the game that Pete Gogolak, the legendary Giants place kicker was the first one I ever saw to kick a ball completely out of the stadium, about ten feet over the entrance tower. They stuffed about 42,000 bodies in the place that night.Later, in the mid 70s, Temple played a couple times at the Bowl, when they were a decent team, even marginally top-20 possibly, and Akron beat hem at least once. However, I remember their kicker Nick MikeMayer, who would play many seasons with the Atlanta Falcons kicked two field goals over 50 yards in the same game.TV? ESPN? The 1967 Grantland Rice Bowl vs LA Tech was televised somehow, I recall watching Bradshaw beat our butts. Then the Pioneers Bowl D-2 title game vs Montana State on ABC. The first regular season game I can remember seeing televised was AT Middle Tennessee soon after we joined the OVC. All I remember was that several coeds had the identical signs -- "Pop the Zits". I bet that creative idea was ubiquitous back in the day.But of course, the greatest -- weirdest -- memory I will take shall always be the Stupid Punter Game, vs Morehead State. I have told the story of Kevin Kendall before, and don't have the time to repeat it in its entirety, but in short, the idiot (well, OK, naive freshman!) was told by Dennison before running onto the field to hold onto the ball and not kick it -- as there were only a few seconds left in the half, and it was 4th and long from the MSU 40 YL. But, no one told him what to do after the clock ran out, and that the half didn't end just because the clock was on 0:00 -- he had to fall down to end the half. So he ran around the field with the ball under his arm for at least thirty seconds in every possible direction, finally being chased 60 yards from the line of scrimmage to the corner of his own end zone, where he eventually threw up a "pass" as he was about to be tackled in the end zone. Everyone assumed he and his team had escaped into the locker room unscathed, until late in the halftime, the PA announcer came on and said that the officials had assessed a grounding the football penalty on the play, and it being from the end zone, resulted in a safety. If anyone has that on tape, it should go to the Hall of Fame -- AND Shame!

Well here's more proof I'm losing my mind. I don't remember either of these games being played at the Rubber Bowl.

[Z.I.P.]

(American) Football games? OK, I don't go back quite as far as some of you, but I did see a couple of Browns games there, which I can remember. The last one, which my brother took me to -- the last time they played an exhibition in Akron was vs the NY Giants. It must have been the final exhibition of the pre-season, and Norm Snead, then the starting QB for the Giants, a long-time non-contender at that time (1970, 71?) did everything possible to avoid injury. In fact, many times, after handing the ball off, he turned his back and RAN backwards to avoid any possibility of being tackled! That was the game that Pete Gogolak, the legendary Giants place kicker was the first one I ever saw to kick a ball completely out of the stadium, about ten feet over the entrance tower. They stuffed about 42,000 bodies in the place that night.Later, in the mid 70s, Temple played a couple times at the Bowl, when they were a decent team, even marginally top-20 possibly, and Akron beat hem at least once. However, I remember their kicker Nick MikeMayer, who would play many seasons with the Atlanta Falcons kicked two field goals over 50 yards in the same game.TV? ESPN? The 1967 Grantland Rice Bowl vs LA Tech was televised somehow, I recall watching Bradshaw beat our butts. Then the Pioneers Bowl D-2 title game vs Montana State on ABC. The first regular season game I can remember seeing televised was AT Middle Tennessee soon after we joined the OVC. All I remember was that several coeds had the identical signs -- "Pop the Zits". I bet that creative idea was ubiquitous back in the day.But of course, the greatest -- weirdest -- memory I will take shall always be the Stupid Punter Game, vs Morehead State. I have told the story of Kevin Kendall before, and don't have the time to repeat it in its entirety, but in short, the idiot (well, OK, naive freshman!) was told by Dennison before running onto the field to hold onto the ball and not kick it -- as there were only a few seconds left in the half, and it was 4th and long from the MSU 40 YL. But, no one told him what to do after the clock ran out, and that the half didn't end just because the clock was on 0:00 -- he had to fall down to end the half. So he ran around the field with the ball under his arm for at least thirty seconds in every possible direction, finally being chased 60 yards from the line of scrimmage to the corner of his own end zone, where he eventually threw up a "pass" as he was about to be tackled in the end zone. Everyone assumed he and his team had escaped into the locker room unscathed, until late in the halftime, the PA announcer came on and said that the officials had assessed a grounding the football penalty on the play, and it being from the end zone, resulted in a safety. If anyone has that on tape, it should go to the Hall of Fame -- AND Shame!

Well here's more proof I'm losing my mind. I don't remember either of these games being played at the Rubber Bowl.

Rubber Bowl? What was the topic again? (BTW -- thanks for not counting the third one)

[UAZips]

http://espn.go.com/ncf/boxscore?gameId=243102006This game against Marshall in 2004. The things that stand out in my mind:The last TD came on 4th down, Frye falling backwards found Montgomery in the back of the endzone with nothing more than a prayer.And of course, the Marshall punter's flub on their punt attempt with about 10 seconds remaining, and Akron's then game winning 42 yard FG.Also, I didn't know this until I looked up the box score, but current NYG RB Ahmad Bradshaw played for Marshall in that game.

[Spin]

The Cleveland Force playing NASL teams there.sorry, couldn't resist

Are you serious Spin? Did that happen? I don't think so.

It most certainly did.One game was against the Jacksonville Tea Men, I can't remember who the second game was. I want to say Tulsa Roughnecks. It was the first sporting event I drove to after getting my license, which would put it at 1982. I got Bart Wolstein and Kai Haaskivi's autograph after the game.I remember parking up on the hill, where the airport markers are now, and driving up over the bank to avoid waiting in line and paying the parking fee. Everyone was surprised a Plymouth Duster could do that without dragging the exhaust off. Fun times.

[Spin]

Seriously though, my favorite football game at the Rubber Bowl was October 22, 1983 vs. Moorhead State. The game ended 6-3, a real thriller. I played for Doylestown at the time, so I was use to pound-it-out games, every team had a fast farmboy they stuck at HB and let him run every play. Woodie Hayes would have loved it.It's my favorite game because it was my first date with a senior from Wadsworth High School. I spilled popcorn on her lap, ran off with my friends and terrorized the stadium for one quarter, all of the things idiots did on dates.She didn't seem to mind though. We'll be married 25 years in November.