Captain's Blog #3

[Captain Kangaroo]

The low-hanging fruit would be to make some snarky comment about how the Zips play resembles that seen during the summer's runaway success story - Women's Football 101. But that would be unfair to the ladies, and I cannot stoop to that level. Instead I will offer the following, unrelated perspective:When Ianello arrived on campus, one of the first things he did was cancel the football golf outing. Without beating a dead horse, I will simply say that the football golf outing was a great fellowship-event that annually brought over 120 Zips football fans together for a great June day party. The University made a couple bucks off the deal, and everyone left with a good feeling about the program. In killing the event, Ianello took a big step in alienating some people. Not just me, but a lot of people. That's all well and good, if the guy is winning. But he lost a great venue to build relationships with some of the biggest Zips Football supporters. Those people that might have gotten to know him on a personal level now have nothing to judge him on other than he's a guy who replaced a successful golf outing with a women's powder puff game. And a guy who loses over 90% of his games. So why bring it up? Simply because I attended the Mens' Basketball Golf Outing this week, and had a great time. I got to meet all the coaches, ask questions, talk some hoops, see some old friends, make a few new friends, and toss a few dollars the University's way. Over 120 of the UA Basketball supporters in attendance had a great day, got primed for the upcoming season, and feel like they have a personal relationship with the team and staff. Forget the records of the respective gridiron or hardwood teams...one coach is like Howard Hughes, and the other... well... I'll just say he openly cares about those who support his program. Ianello is getting a lot of heat from a lot of directions, and while it's easy to blame Brookhart or whatever other scapegoat you choose...the fact that he's taken an "Us Against the World" attitude, instead of embracing the fans, has undeniably shortened his tolerance leash.Regarding the Cincinnati game -- Anyone who could spin Clayton Moore's performance into anything positive is really smoking some of Portage County's finest home-grown. Three turnovers that resulted in instant Bearcat TD's?! Are you serious? FIVE total turnovers? Thank God he lit up the Bearcat walk-ons in the 4th quarter or he might have had the worst all-time QB performance in Zips history.Chisholm had an outstanding game, considering the circumstances. He's one of the handful of players that give me a pin-point sized glimmer of hope for the future. But I have no clue why he was on the field late in the game. We need to begin developing a #2 back.49-0 at the half harkens memories of some of the early Owens games against Miami and Travis Prentice. I think they had us down by 50 points at the half once, maybe twice? The 34-0 1st quarter against Iowa also came to mind...maybe even the 51-3 Brookhart game against Virginia. Regardless, the 49-0 halftime scroll across the bottom screen of televisions nationwide was as low as it gets for a Zips football fan.The redshirt pulling in the Cinci game also reminded me of Owens putting true freshman Greg Gromek in at QB after an 0-7 start to the season. That was Owens' "I'M F'ING FED UP" point. One can only hope that Ianello has realized sticking with his "process" is fiddling while Rome burns, and it's time to at least attempt to form a bucket brigade and get a couple wins by any means possible.Russell and Sconiers both has statistically nice games. Then again, their numbers were put up while the Cincinnati 1st and 2nd teamers were playing X-Box in the training room, scarfing down some Skyline 6-way Chili and lining up their Saturday night dates. Burning a tuba player for a 49-yard TD really isn't all that impressive.The football team did out-score the soccer team this week. God Bless Gozips19 for adding 4 beers to our tailgate list, and providing the great Game Day re-cap. Excellent job. There is no amount of points the Zips can beat VMI by this week that will have any effect on ZipsNation's opinion of Ianello. Barring a loss, opinions will formed on October 1st against EMU. And a final note - When I see all the Freshman and Sophomores playing for the Zips, one part of me realizes we shouldn't expect to win many games in 2011. One part of me says "We're in the MAC, and even a terrible team should win 4 games." And another part of me poses the question: "Did Ianello really need to drive all those kids away from the Program? Was his 'scorched earth' policy necessary?" The overriding thought, however, is -- "It's time to start competing, and time to start some winning."See everyone Saturday. Baseball game ending at 1:30pm means my tailgate beer contribution will be minimal yet again. I think next season we'll have a Kid's Root Beer Challenge?

[UAZipster0305]

An entertaining read as always, CK. Yes, Chisholm is one of the rare bright spots for the future. If he gets injured or doesn't play on Saturday, we lose to our second D-IAA team in two years. Otherwise, I think he puts the team on his back and we win.For me, the Cincy game was an all-time low for the program. Just imagine how much worse it would be had we not won the last game of the season last year or if we lose to VMI this coming week. Beyond that scenario, we can only go up from here.As you pointed out and GP1 has maintained, it's the MAC and we should win four games in the worst of seasons.The scorched earth policy shaped my negative opinion of iCoach very early. It was unnecessary.

[K92]

^^^This should be published in tomorrow's Beacon Journal. ^^^^

[GP1]

Anyone who could spin Clayton Moore's performance into anything positive is really smoking some of Portage County's finest home-grown.

I get sick of talking about a losing team so I'll just add this important piece of information to this thread. Guernsey County (Cambridge), Ohio has some of the highest rated pot growers in the United States according to those in the know, such as High Times Magazine. Just goes to show, it's good to be known for something.