Greatest Rubber Bowl Moments

[johnnyzip84]

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.

Great story!

[Hilltopper]

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.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).

That Tampa game in 1969 was the first Zips football game I ever attended. Tampa 1969 I don't think Fred Soloman was playing for Tampa just yet, he graduated in 1974 and was drafted into the NFL in 75. Tampa pros Tampa played for a few years more, but dropped football after the 74 season. We lost to Freddie that year at the Rubber Bowl.

[Zip Watcher]

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.

+1 on that game and the Tailgating.Thinking about the Rubber Bowl in general reminds me of the fact that my son (then 4 years old) refused to go in to the upper rim restrooms and asked if we could go out and use the port-o-potties.Re-read CK's final Rubber Bowl field storming note here. One of my favorite ZN.O posts of all time.

[Zipmeister]

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.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).

That Tampa game in 1969 was the first Zips football game I ever attended. Tampa 1969 I don't think Fred Soloman was playing for Tampa just yet, he graduated in 1974 and was drafted into the NFL in 75. Tampa pros Tampa played for a few years more, but dropped football after the 74 season. We lost to Freddie that year at the Rubber Bowl.

This just keeps getting stranger and stranger. Your link says the 40-0 game was played in Tampa. I watched the game in person. I was not in Tampa. I'm going to keep remembering it the way I always have. I may be terribly wrong, but I really enjoy my distorted memory anyway.

[Hilltopper]

You are correct. Akron 1969 I don't remember Freddie though, until 74.

[gozips19]

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?

I can tell you that in the Marshall comeback game people rushed the field. I can tell you that because I think i made it onto the field before the ball hit the ground. By far my favorite game. But my favorite memory has to be beating Can't to win the MAC east in the blizzard. I still remember people making fires in the middle of the parking lots to keep warm. Making breakfast burritos and having them turn cold in about 10 seconds. Watching people run to the bathrooms only to disappear from sight after 10 yards. Going to games now there are so many people that claim to be at that game. It's kinda like when a drunk Indians fan starts to tell me how he was either at the 10 cent beer night or Barker's perfect game. I know they are lying but I let them tell the story anyways.

[MDZip]

I can tell you that in the Marshall comeback game people rushed the field. I can tell you that because I think i made it onto the field before the ball hit the ground. By far my favorite game. But my favorite memory has to be beating Can't to win the MAC east in the blizzard. I still remember people making fires in the middle of the parking lots to keep warm. Making breakfast burritos and having them turn cold in about 10 seconds. Watching people run to the bathrooms only to disappear from sight after 10 yards. Going to games now there are so many people that claim to be at that game. It's kinda like when a drunk Indians fan starts to tell me how he was either at the 10 cent beer night or Barker's perfect game. I know they are lying but I let them tell the story anyways.

Having moved right after college, my greatest Rubber Bowl memory is meeting JohnnyZip84 at the Ball State game during the final season (and arguing with Nate Davis' family ). I saw the Marshall game on ESPN. One of the announcers mentioned that the University bought the Stadium from the city for $1. The second announcer stated "The University got taken". I think the Info was a good idea and one day it will pay off. Side note on the Barker perfect game. I was a student at Akron that year and some friends of mine had decided to go to an Indians game that weekend. Had we picked Friday we would have seen Barkers perfect game, Sunday was an Indians double header win. We picked Saturday, a blah Indians loss. I went to Indians fantasy camp in January 2008 and faced Barker in the "Pros vs. Joes" game. He struck me out (and he wasn't trying hard).

[skip-zip]

I can tell you that in the Marshall comeback game people rushed the field. I can tell you that because I think i made it onto the field before the ball hit the ground. By far my favorite game. But my favorite memory has to be beating Can't to win the MAC east in the blizzard. I still remember people making fires in the middle of the parking lots to keep warm. Making breakfast burritos and having them turn cold in about 10 seconds. Watching people run to the bathrooms only to disappear from sight after 10 yards. Going to games now there are so many people that claim to be at that game. It's kinda like when a drunk Indians fan starts to tell me how he was either at the 10 cent beer night or Barker's perfect game. I know they are lying but I let them tell the story anyways.

Having moved right after college, my greatest Rubber Bowl memory is meeting JohnnyZip84 at the Ball State game during the final season (and arguing with Nate Davis' family ). I saw the Marshall game on ESPN. One of the announcers mentioned that the University bought the Stadium from the city for $1. The second announcer stated "The University got taken". I think the Info was a good idea and one day it will pay off. Side note on the Barker perfect game. I was a student at Akron that year and some friends of mine had decided to go to an Indians game that weekend. Had we picked Friday we would have seen Barkers perfect game, Sunday was an Indians double header win. We picked Saturday, a blah Indians loss. I went to Indians fantasy camp in January 2008 and faced Barker in the "Pros vs. Joes" game. He struck me out (and he wasn't trying hard).

No kidding. Everyone in Akron claims that they were at the Marshall game, and at the Akron/Can't blizzard.I have to admit, I let my group talk me into leaving the Marshall game early because we were 100% sure that it was over. I remember listening to the ending on the radio on the way home, and almost driving the car off the road. I also have to admit that I couldn't even convince myself to leave the house the day of the Ken+ blizzard. Maybe I would have done it if I was 20 years younger. To this day, I have to chalk this up to "Akron Bad Luck" that maybe the most important home game in the history of Akron football was played in such brutal weather conditions and road conditions that very few people were able to enjoy it.

[Lee Adams]

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.

The 1976 'Knute Rockne Bowl' DII playoff against N. Mich. It was OT and apparently the first OT playoff game in in history. It was possibly as cold as the '05 game. Nobody there. My buddy and I had a flask that we drained in the first half. Does anybody remember if a guy by the Name of Gary Hogeboom(?) played for N. Mich?Second,the '05 game.

[johnnyzip84]

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.

The 1976 'Knute Rockne Bowl' DII playoff against N. Mich. It was OT and apparently the first OT playoff game in in history. It was possibly as cold as the '05 game. Nobody there. My buddy and I had a flask that we drained in the first half. Does anybody remember if a guy by the Name of Gary Hogeboom(?) played for N. Mich?Second,the '05 game.

Hogeboom played at Central Michigan a decade or so after that.

[Lee Adams]

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.

The 1976 'Knute Rockne Bowl' DII playoff against N. Mich. It was OT and apparently the first OT playoff game in in history. It was possibly as cold as the '05 game. Nobody there. My buddy and I had a flask that we drained in the first half. Does anybody remember if a guy by the Name of Gary Hogeboom(?) played for N. Mich?Second,the '05 game.

Hogeboom played at Central Michigan a decade or so after that.

Thanks

[johnnyzip84]

I can tell you that in the Marshall comeback game people rushed the field. I can tell you that because I think i made it onto the field before the ball hit the ground. By far my favorite game. But my favorite memory has to be beating Can't to win the MAC east in the blizzard. I still remember people making fires in the middle of the parking lots to keep warm. Making breakfast burritos and having them turn cold in about 10 seconds. Watching people run to the bathrooms only to disappear from sight after 10 yards. Going to games now there are so many people that claim to be at that game. It's kinda like when a drunk Indians fan starts to tell me how he was either at the 10 cent beer night or Barker's perfect game. I know they are lying but I let them tell the story anyways.

Having moved right after college, my greatest Rubber Bowl memory is meeting JohnnyZip84 at the Ball State game during the final season (and arguing with Nate Davis' family ). I saw the Marshall game on ESPN. One of the announcers mentioned that the University bought the Stadium from the city for $1. The second announcer stated "The University got taken". I think the Info was a good idea and one day it will pay off. Side note on the Barker perfect game. I was a student at Akron that year and some friends of mine had decided to go to an Indians game that weekend. Had we picked Friday we would have seen Barkers perfect game, Sunday was an Indians double header win. We picked Saturday, a blah Indians loss. I went to Indians fantasy camp in January 2008 and faced Barker in the "Pros vs. Joes" game. He struck me out (and he wasn't trying hard).

That Ball St game was chock full of good and bad memories, MDZip. A great one was meeting you, no doubt And the exchanges between our little group and the Davis family was amusing. But when AA hurt his hip, that was a real low point. It makes his comeback that much more remarkable. It's true that he was never quite the same back, but he was good enough to get mention in Keener's Greatest Info Moments (and I concur 100%). That says all we need to know about AA. Gonna miss watching his courage and determination.I always give my wife props for going to the Turkey Day demolition of the K.E.N.T. Krazy Kops (that's who it seemed like we were playing that day). Athough she spent much of the game huddled below by the lower concessions, she joined me later in the game for the glorious celebration.I'm not sure how I left this one out, but my FR year (1979) I saw the Zips beat K.E.N.T. 15-13 in their 1st meeting in around 5 years. This was right about the time the series was starting to get reestablished. Linebacker Razor Reese made some big plays in this one. It was my 2nd Zip game ever, having grown up in the Pittsburgh area.

[Sergeant Zip]

On ‎7‎/‎10‎/‎2011 at 11:24 AM, Lee Adams said:

zip37 said:

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.

The 1976 'Knute Rockne Bowl' DII playoff against N. Mich. It was OT and apparently the first OT playoff game in in history. It was possibly as cold as the '05 game. Nobody there. My buddy and I had a flask that we drained in the first half. Does anybody remember if a guy by the Name of Gary Hogeboom(?) played for N. Mich?Second,the '05 game.

 

Knute Rockne Bowl highlights

[tboned]

On ‎7‎/‎8‎/‎2011 at 0:39 PM, lilroodude said:

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

Ditto on this one!!!!!!!  We only lasted through part of the third quarter!!!!!!!!

[tboned]

The final game !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  It was playing out perfectly. Except we lost. I think it was 5 OT's

[tboned]

I vaguely remember the game that was halted when the meteorite lit the place up. I was just a little kid at the time. I can't even remember the year.

 

[Blue & Gold]

1 minute ago, tboned said:

I vaguely remember the game that was halted when the meteorite lit the place up. I was just a little kid at the time. I can't even remember the year.

 

??? What??

[ZachTheZip]

Once upon a time, some tailgaters were camping out the night before the game, and they went into the woods with their truck, ripped out several whole trees, and piled then up for the best bonfire the Rubber Bowl had ever seen.

[tboned]

8 minutes ago, Blue & Gold said:

??? What??

Maybe some of the old timers on this site will have more details. As I said I was just a kid. It had to be around 1970 ish

[skip-zip]

22 minutes ago, tboned said:

I vaguely remember the game that was halted when the meteorite lit the place up. I was just a little kid at the time. I can't even remember the year.

 

 

Maybe it was one of the Alien Ships escaping form the nearby blimp hanger.  

[jupitertoo]

At the opening of Gerry Faust's first home game - an Acme Zip game against Salem College - the fireworks display almost shot the Goodyear blimp out of the sky. Seriously, it was close.  Oh, the humanity.

 

 

[K92]

I can't remember if I have ever shared the link before, but there is a Facebook page called Akron Rubber Bowl Memories that has some fantastic images posted.  Check it out.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1467742330193691/?fref=nf