Classic Video of Zips Football

[johnnyzip84]

I stumbled on some old video on Youtube and I thought it might be a good idea to keep all footage like this in one place.For the first installment, I present Lavell Bailey's entry onto the stage. The date is August 30, 1997. The Zips have travelled to Lincoln, Nebraska to face the Huskers in a much anticipated (in the Akron area anyway....who can forget the summer billboards) season opener. Not surprisingly, the game gets out of hand before too long. But #88 provides a glimpse of things to come from about the 11:27 mark to around 11:45. I still remember Frenchy's incredulous call and I've always wanted to see the play. Enjoy!

[johnnyzip84]

My wife and I attended this one in Blacksburg. The Zips sure cranked out the yardage that afternoon (checkout the halftime stats), but the D simply couldn't stop Vick, Davis, Suggs and company. But there was possibly the most spectacular interception I've ever witnessed in person when Dwight Smith closed about 25 yards on a deep, open receiver to dive and snag a Vick toss later in the game. This isn't on the video, since it's basically Va Tech highlights. My wife deserves special kudos for this memory, since we attended this on her birthday. It should be mentiond that we managed a trip to Charlottesville the same weekend to see Monticello, Ritchie Tavern etc. Great weekend.

[johnnyzip84]

Then there's the 1st Zip win over a BCS team!

[skip-zip]

My wife and I attended this one in Blacksburg. The Zips sure cranked out the yardage that afternoon (checkout the halftime stats), but the D simply couldn't stop Vick, Davis, Suggs and company. But there was possibly the most spectacular interception I've ever witnessed in person when Dwight Smith closed about 25 yards on a deep, open receiver to dive and snag a Vick toss later in the game. This isn't on the video, since it's basically Va Tech highlights. My wife deserves special kudos for this memory, since we attended this on her birthday. It should be mentiond that we managed a trip to Charlottesville the same weekend to see Monticello, Ritchie Tavern etc. Great weekend.

Johnny,

I didn't make this trip to Blacksburg, but I was there for the massacre in October of 1995 during Owens first season when VT racked up 77 points on us. The funny thing about that game was that we were tailgating with a bunch of Tech fans for hours before the game, and they insisted that we had a chance to keep the game close because they didn't have a very good offense. In fact, they had just been shut out at home by Cincinnati a couple of weeks earlier. Ouch.

[johnnyzip84]

Johnny,

I didn't make this trip to Blacksburg, but I was there for the massacre in October of 1995 during Owens first season when VT racked up 77 points on us. The funny thing about that game was that we were tailgating with a bunch of Tech fans for hours before the game, and they insisted that we had a chance to keep the game close because they didn't have a very good offense. In fact, they had just been shut out at home by Cincinnati a couple of weeks earlier. Ouch.

Ouch is right! People say last year was bad (and it was). But how that '95 team managed to win 2 games is a mystery. The VT score was humiliating, but I nominate the season finale in Oxford as perhaps the lowest point in Zips D-1 history (G-Webb certainly contends.....as does the home loss to Delaware St). Miami won 65-0 and IIRC they took a knee in Zips territory BEFORE halftime! Let's hope we don't see any of that this year

[GP1]

I nominate the season finale in Oxford as perhaps the lowest point in Zips D-1 history (G-Webb certainly contends.....as does the home loss to Delaware St).

All ugly memories. Vs DE St., we threw three pick sixes and had a punt blocked in the endzone for a TD. It was brutal....just brutal. 28 points off of TOs. Do the math, without the TOs we win. Brutal...but not the worst.

[skip-zip]

Johnny,

I didn't make this trip to Blacksburg, but I was there for the massacre in October of 1995 during Owens first season when VT racked up 77 points on us. The funny thing about that game was that we were tailgating with a bunch of Tech fans for hours before the game, and they insisted that we had a chance to keep the game close because they didn't have a very good offense. In fact, they had just been shut out at home by Cincinnati a couple of weeks earlier. Ouch.

Ouch is right! People say last year was bad (and it was). But how that '95 team managed to win 2 games is a mystery. The VT score was humiliating, but I nominate the season finale in Oxford as perhaps the lowest point in Zips D-1 history (G-Webb certainly contends.....as does the home loss to Delaware St). Miami won 65-0 and IIRC they took a knee in Zips territory BEFORE halftime! Let's hope we don't see any of that this year

I think you're right that the Miami massacre in 1995 may have been the lowest point ever. We should never give up 65 to a MAC team....ever. And the Gardner Webb debacle will stick in my brain forever. But, the 56 at home against Western Michigan and the 50 at home against NIU last year may have been almost as embarrassing? For God's sake, these are MAC teams.

[K92]

Western Michigan was the lowest point for me last year. Worse than G-W. The Zips defense made their wideouts look like Stallworth and Swann feasting on the first year expansion Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The stats speak for themselves. Hopefully, we have nothing remotely resembling this debacle happen this year.

[skip-zip]

Western Michigan was the lowest point for me last year. Worse than G-W. The Zips defense made their wideouts look like Stallworth and Swann feasting on the first year expansion Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The stats speak for themselves. Hopefully, we have nothing remotely resembling this debacle happen this year.

Thanks for the awful reminder on the stats. It heightens the embarrassment when we're reminded that our only scores were a field goal right as the half ended (when we were down 35-0), and a fumble recovery return.

[K92]

Western Michigan was the lowest point for me last year. Worse than G-W. The Zips defense made their wideouts look like Stallworth and Swann feasting on the first year expansion Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The stats speak for themselves. Hopefully, we have nothing remotely resembling this debacle happen this year.

Thanks for the awful reminder on the stats. It heightens the embarrassment when we're reminded that our only scores were a field goal right as the half ended (when we were down 35-0), and a fumble recovery return.

Sorry, Skip. It was definitely a dumpster fire day.

[johnnyzip84]

Western Michigan was the lowest point for me last year. Worse than G-W. The Zips defense made their wideouts look like Stallworth and Swann feasting on the first year expansion Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The stats speak for themselves. Hopefully, we have nothing remotely resembling this debacle happen this year.

Thanks for the awful reminder on the stats. It heightens the embarrassment when we're reminded that our only scores were a field goal right as the half ended (when we were down 35-0), and a fumble recovery return.

Sorry, Skip. It was definitely a dumpster fire day.

Come on guys, let's focus on the positive. Have another look at that sweet catch by Lavell Bailey Let's turn those upside down

[Dr Z]

The biggest play in Akron's history.

Worst punt protection scheme ever.

Frank & Steve go nutz.

Leftwich makes news at the Rubber Bowl

The weather was really nice this day and I had a great view.

[johnnyzip84]

Nice work, Dr. Z!

Getsy to Hixon speaks for itself.

I wonder if that Patriot Bowl trophy is in the Info somewhere?

Frenchy's WMU call never gets old.

A fairly high percentage of people who talk about the game where Leftwich was carried down the field by his O-line somehow seem to forget that Akron won. Ryan Myers could really hit.

It's tough seeing #48 playing his heart out in the PSU game. R.I.P. Tyler.

[skip-zip]

I wish someone could find a clip of French's all time best call.......the 56 yard field goal by Darren Alcorn in 1992 to beat Toledo in an Acme-Zip game in front of a packed Rubber Bowl. It was our first home game ever in the MAC. What a night.