You can call me crazy...

[Valpo Zip]

I know that following the heartbreaking loss to CMU, the popular thing may be riding the wave of bashing the coach and calling him all kind of names and stuff. I am however going to call things fair and square as I see them:1. Clayton Moore played a heck of a game and showed that whenever the line gives him time, he can throw. He is also getting a lot better at reading the blitzes and beating them. He is only a sophomore and is only going to get better.2. The Chisel is the best running back we had since Brett Biggs and he is only a sophomore.3. AJ Fox is better than all the kickers Brookhardt recruited, combined. And he is only a freshman.4. The receivers are still not great but they are showing improvements every game.5. The whole team is fighting every game till the last minute. They are still disciplined and motivated. I am fully aware that this team is 2-18 since Ianello took over, I don't like it. I don't enjoy watching my team loose every Saturday with 500 people watching in the stands. My question to you remains, why do you think that firing the coach and starting a new "process" will suddenly make things better?

[Blue & Gold]

5. The whole team is fighting every game till the last minute. They are still disciplined and motivated.

This is the one that blows my mind. These guys are fighting hard every week, till the end of every game, even if we're getting blown out (which hasn't happened in a while). I'm pretty sure I would have been half-assing it by now. I've got to give props to the players on this team; I honestly have a lot of respect for all of them. Additionally, for as often as I hear on ZNO (from a few select, perpetual posters) about how much the players dislike iCoach (& staff), I just can't really believe it due to how hard these guys are playing for him.

[GP1]

I know that following the heartbreaking loss to CMU, the popular thing may be riding the wave of bashing the coach and calling him all kind of names and stuff. I am however going to call things fair and square as I see them:1. Clayton Moore played a heck of a game and showed that whenever the line gives him time, he can throw. He is also getting a lot better at reading the blitzes and beating them. He is only a sophomore and is only going to get better.2. The Chisel is the best running back we had since Brett Biggs and he is only a sophomore.3. AJ Fox is better than all the kickers Brookhardt recruited, combined. And he is only a freshman.4. The receivers are still not great but they are showing improvements every game.5. The whole team is fighting every game till the last minute. They are still disciplined and motivated. I am fully aware that this team is 2-18 since Ianello took over, I don't like it. I don't enjoy watching my team loose every Saturday with 500 people watching in the stands. My question to you remains, why do you think that firing the coach and starting a new "process" will suddenly make things better?

I don't disagree at all. I would only caution that we were playing a really bad team yesterday at home. We will be playing a much better team this week on the road. If the above continues, we are improving. If not, we are still spinning our wheels.

[Big Zip]

I agree with GP1 I am going to reserve my judgement for after the next game. CMU did everything they could yesterday to give us that game which was surprising considering they have played with better teams than us earlier this year. Yesterday's game was pretty horrible to watch in the first half....I'll say it again -- this team plays much better from the pistol then they do from their standard offensive formation. Moore seems to be able to see the field better -- he doesn't need as much time because he is already five steps back. iCoach needs to suck it up and ditch his offense for the pistol. I'd love to see an entire game using that formation and not just when we fall behind. I also like the no huddle....would love to see it run the entire game.

[Lee Adams]

I know that following the heartbreaking loss to CMU, the popular thing may be riding the wave of bashing the coach and calling him all kind of names and stuff. I am however going to call things fair and square as I see them:1. Clayton Moore played a heck of a game and showed that whenever the line gives him time, he can throw. He is also getting a lot better at reading the blitzes and beating them. He is only a sophomore and is only going to get better.2. The Chisel is the best running back we had since Brett Biggs and he is only a sophomore.3. AJ Fox is better than all the kickers Brookhardt recruited, combined. And he is only a freshman.4. The receivers are still not great but they are showing improvements every game.5. The whole team is fighting every game till the last minute. They are still disciplined and motivated. I am fully aware that this team is 2-18 since Ianello took over, I don't like it. I don't enjoy watching my team loose every Saturday with 500 people watching in the stands. My question to you remains, why do you think that firing the coach and starting a new "process" will suddenly make things better?

Based on the 2nd half yesterday,we could say the PLAYERS are making progress. Ianello finally put Moore in the shotgun most of the time. By necessity,they had to throw the ball more because they were behind. That opened up the field. Moore was able to get into a rythm. That helped Chisholm because the defense couldn't just sit on him. He still needs to run behind his pads. But maybe he'll learn. Ianello was calling the plays in the 2nd half,not the O-coord. That was interesting.Players win games. Coaches do not. What is sad is that a coaches decision(s) cost the players a chance to likely win that game.

[mh55]

One Temple fan's opinion....going for the win was the right call. Play to win. Want my HC to do the same thing.

[Dave in Green]

Some good suggestions in this thread. Hilltopper pointed out during the first half that the receivers were almost all running longer routes, and both the passing and running games were ineffective. We were all yelling for more short pass routes. It really took until the second half for this to happen. The shorter passes worked and opened up the running game, and the Zips offense took off. The Zips gained less than 100 yards total offense in the first half and more than 300 yards in the second half. Why not run the second half offense for a full game?Even though the failed 2-point conversions resulted in a Zips loss, I like seeing aggressive coaching and playing decisions. I think that becoming more aggressive will serve the team better in the long run than the passive, conservative style of play we've seen in the past from the team under this coaching staff.

[ZachTheZip]

One Temple fan's opinion....going for the win was the right call. Play to win. Want my HC to do the same thing.

If the best way to win is to take the game into OT and you don't do that, can you really call it "playing to win"?

[Dave in Green]

If the Zips had played for a tie and lost in overtime, many of the same critics would be complaining about not going for the 2-point conversion. Regardless of circumstances, winners are praised and losers are criticized.

[GP1]

going for the win was the right call. Play to win.

Myron Cope was a great radio announcer for the Steelers for many years. He was actually a really smart guy with a law degree...he just sounded funny because of how he talked. He used to say all the time that coaches with the idea that they are going to play against the percentages because they are "playing to win" sure do seem to lose a lot. The same goes for those who say that "Coach X coaches not to lose". Playing the football percentages is important in winning games. It is the job of the coach to rise above the emotion of the moment and think clearly for the players.Those who wanted to coach to go for it on fourth down last week with 8 minutes to go, down 20 were also right. It had nothing to do with "playing to win" and everything to do with elementary school math.

[Captain Kangaroo]

If the Zips had played for a tie and lost in overtime, many of the same critics would be complaining about not going for the 2-point conversion. Regardless of circumstances, winners are praised and losers are criticized.

Not true.There were 20 people around me at game's end. Every one of them was aghast at the 2-point decision.We had a HORRIBLE team on the ropes, at home. A team proven to choke. A team we'd outscored 22-3 to finish the 2nd half, and we handed them the game. What a gift for CMU.If we were down 1 to Ohio State, on the road, and our team was gassed from giving some Herculean effort, THEN you go for 2. Like Air Force did against Tennessee. No way you go for 2 under yesterday's scenario. Ianello blew yesterday's game by his extra point playcalling. I've never seen that before. I'd never seen a team kick off twice in a game either. Or kick a mid-4th quarter field goal to take his team from a 20, to a 17 point deficit.What's the common denominator?

[Captain Kangaroo]

Those who wanted to coach to go for it on fourth down last week with 8 minutes to go, down 20 were also right. It had nothing to do with "playing to win" and everything to do with elementary school math.

Is the guy that jumps off the top of a building on to the concrete below, when he could have taken the elevator, gutsy? Or stupid?Ianello chose to jump yesterday. The stairs and the elevator were both available.

[Big Zip]

Cap'n where did you go at the end of the first half? I know you don't leave the game, but you weren't sitting in front of me any longer.Listen....I do believe the real blown call was going for two early in the game yesterday and I don't believe it was on the players to make that decision. At this point in the season with nothing on the line I still loved the call to go for the win. iCoach did go against convential wisdom though....I think conventional wisdom dictates go for the tie at home and the win on the road. Hopefully Tom Gaffney will ask iCoach "If we can all say your team plays infinitely better in the pistol why do you insist on putting them back under center?"

[johnnyzip84]

I agree with the general sentiment of this thread. Most of us (myself included) were so focused in the 2-PT decisions that we may have forgotten the many positives that we witnessed yesterday. I'll add these:1) I know CMU plays 2 true FR at DL, but the O-line pass protected as well as it has all year yesterday. Special props to Adam Bice whose pistol snaps were almost all right on the money in spite of him using his off (left) hand.2) I kept wondering why The Chisel was sitting the last few drives and I surmised that Alexander might be better at picking up the blitz. Soon after, #2 confirmed this thought with several excellent blocks that were CRUCIAL during the last drive.3) Moore had his best game, by far, as a Zip. A lot of this has to do with point 1), but he still made a lot of plays when they were needed. His pocket presence was MUCH better.4) Suel is right back playing at the high level we saw before his injury.5) Ladrach had the best game for a Zip TE since Richard Hall last year. I don't fault him for the missed opportunity in the end zone. The pass was just a little too high IMO.6) The defense really stepped up when needed them to yesterday against an offense that has clearly shown itself to be capable throughout this season. #34 was everywhere as usual, but Wilson also played big and Little made a huge stop on third down.7) AJ Fox is looking more and more like "money" on FGs and extra points plus his kickoffs have improved as well.8) Price had a couple of decent punt returns. I don't recall many of these this year.Given what I saw yesterday, I'm actually bumping up (slightly) the chances that Rob will eventually turn the program around. It's still somewhat of a longshot IMO, but I moved the chances up to 15%. In order to provide some perspective, I had this probability at around 40% to open the season. It had slipped to around 10% after the OU game.BTW, I didn't mind the second 2-PT decision too badly (although I liked our chances in OT better) but I agree with Skip that circumstances should have dictated taking the decision away from Zach Campbell after the 1st TD. Hopefully the staff will learn from this.

[Lee Adams]

Cap'n where did you go at the end of the first half? I know you don't leave the game, but you weren't sitting in front of me any longer.Listen....I do believe the real blown call was going for two early in the game yesterday and I don't believe it was on the players to make that decision. At this point in the season with nothing on the line I still loved the call to go for the win. iCoach did go against convential wisdom though....I think conventional wisdom dictates go for the tie at home and the win on the road. Hopefully Tom Gaffney will ask iCoach "If we can all say your team plays infinitely better in the pistol why do you insist on putting them back under center?"

Thank you! Why did it take him so long?

[Lee Adams]

If the Zips had played for a tie and lost in overtime, many of the same critics would be complaining about not going for the 2-point conversion. Regardless of circumstances, winners are praised and losers are criticized.

Not true.There were 20 people around me at game's end. Every one of them was aghast at the 2-point decision.We had a HORRIBLE team on the ropes, at home. A team proven to choke. A team we'd outscored 22-3 to finish the 2nd half, and we handed them the game. What a gift for CMU.If we were down 1 to Ohio State, on the road, and our team was gassed from giving some Herculean effort, THEN you go for 2. Like Air Force did against Tennessee. No way you go for 2 under yesterday's scenario. Ianello blew yesterday's game by his extra point playcalling. I've never seen that before. I'd never seen a team kick off twice in a game either. Or kick a mid-4th quarter field goal to take his team from a 20, to a 17 point deficit.What's the common denominator?

[Zipmeister]

One way to improve the athletic department's financial position would be to renegotiate icoach's contract. I suggest giving him a $30,000 raise with the provision that he gives the University $20,000 for every boneheaded decision he makes in the future. I don't think he is close to running out of these.

[Dave in Green]

If the Zips had played for a tie and lost in overtime, many of the same critics would be complaining about not going for the 2-point conversion. Regardless of circumstances, winners are praised and losers are criticized.

Not true. .....

So you're telling me you honestly believe that most of the critics on this forum would have praised Ianello for going for a tie if the Zips had lost in OT, and most would not have criticized him for not going for the 2-point conversion?

[cornbread]

If the Zips had played for a tie and lost in overtime, many of the same critics would be complaining about not going for the 2-point conversion. Regardless of circumstances, winners are praised and losers are criticized.

Not true. .....

So you're telling me you honestly believe that most of the critics on this forum would have praised Ianello for going for a tie if the Zips had lost in OT, and most would not have criticized him for not going for the 2-point conversion?

It was ballsy.Rehash this particular decision anyway you want. I am glad iCoach is ballsy.

[Hilltopper]

It was ballsy.Rehash this particular decision anyway you want. I am glad iCoach is ballsy.

So was Custer. I'd rather take my chances in OT at home.

[zip403]

I know that following the heartbreaking loss to CMU, the popular thing may be riding the wave of bashing the coach and calling him all kind of names and stuff. I am however going to call things fair and square as I see them:1. Clayton Moore played a heck of a game and showed that whenever the line gives him time, he can throw. He is also getting a lot better at reading the blitzes and beating them. He is only a sophomore and is only going to get better.2. The Chisel is the best running back we had since Brett Biggs and he is only a sophomore.3. AJ Fox is better than all the kickers Brookhardt recruited, combined. And he is only a freshman.4. The receivers are still not great but they are showing improvements every game.5. The whole team is fighting every game till the last minute. They are still disciplined and motivated. I am fully aware that this team is 2-18 since Ianello took over, I don't like it. I don't enjoy watching my team loose every Saturday with 500 people watching in the stands. My question to you remains, why do you think that firing the coach and starting a new "process" will suddenly make things better?

I hope cm8 PLAYED BETTER,, HE SURELY CANT PLAY MUCH WORSE,,and with him getting ALL the snaps,, he bettero be,,but hey we still are terrible..so are we to assume RI goes and gets another juco qb to bring in NEXT spring,,so he can say it was the QBS fault we are doing so bad,,oops,,he tried to use that this year with Nicely,,and id hasnt worked,,,coaching is still terrible,, PN7 got bounced after aseason so hey im all about treating RI the same he treated pn7 ,,time for you to go RI,,can we start a collection to buy you out? can we go find a juco COACH to run this team?

[GP1]

If the Zips had played for a tie and lost in overtime, many of the same critics would be complaining about not going for the 2-point conversion. Regardless of circumstances, winners are praised and losers are criticized.

Not true. .....

So you're telling me you honestly believe that most of the critics on this forum would have praised Ianello for going for a tie if the Zips had lost in OT, and most would not have criticized him for not going for the 2-point conversion?

I felt at the time the 1 point was the way to go and he would have made the right decision. Gametracker didn't post the result of the point after so all I could do was assume we missed an extra point. I about fell over when I realized he went for two and didn't make it.

[GP1]

so are we to assume RI goes and gets another juco qb to bring in NEXT spring,,so he can say it was the QBS fault we are doing so bad

Please provide us with any evidence this happened. Don't post again until you find some.

[skip-zip]

I know that following the heartbreaking loss to CMU, the popular thing may be riding the wave of bashing the coach and calling him all kind of names and stuff. I am however going to call things fair and square as I see them:1. Clayton Moore played a heck of a game and showed that whenever the line gives him time, he can throw. He is also getting a lot better at reading the blitzes and beating them. He is only a sophomore and is only going to get better.2. The Chisel is the best running back we had since Brett Biggs and he is only a sophomore.3. AJ Fox is better than all the kickers Brookhardt recruited, combined. And he is only a freshman.4. The receivers are still not great but they are showing improvements every game.5. The whole team is fighting every game till the last minute. They are still disciplined and motivated. I am fully aware that this team is 2-18 since Ianello took over, I don't like it. I don't enjoy watching my team loose every Saturday with 500 people watching in the stands. My question to you remains, why do you think that firing the coach and starting a new "process" will suddenly make things better?

I hope cm8 PLAYED BETTER,, HE SURELY CANT PLAY MUCH WORSE,,and with him getting ALL the snaps,, he bettero be,,but hey we still are terrible..so are we to assume RI goes and gets another juco qb to bring in NEXT spring,,so he can say it was the QBS fault we are doing so bad,,oops,,he tried to use that this year with Nicely,,and id hasnt worked,,,coaching is still terrible,, PN7 got bounced after aseason so hey im all about treating RI the same he treated pn7 ,,time for you to go RI,,can we start a collection to buy you out? can we go find a juco COACH to run this team?

Is this your first season watching Zips football? Our QB last year had an 85 rating, and had about 8 or 9 previous starts under his belt. Moore's rating just hit 110 after yesterday's performance, in his first season, with far less experience around him. And he has the ability to run. Are you possibly related to the person who posts here as Akron Football?

[Valpo Zip]

I know that following the heartbreaking loss to CMU, the popular thing may be riding the wave of bashing the coach and calling him all kind of names and stuff. I am however going to call things fair and square as I see them:1. Clayton Moore played a heck of a game and showed that whenever the line gives him time, he can throw. He is also getting a lot better at reading the blitzes and beating them. He is only a sophomore and is only going to get better.2. The Chisel is the best running back we had since Brett Biggs and he is only a sophomore.3. AJ Fox is better than all the kickers Brookhardt recruited, combined. And he is only a freshman.4. The receivers are still not great but they are showing improvements every game.5. The whole team is fighting every game till the last minute. They are still disciplined and motivated. I am fully aware that this team is 2-18 since Ianello took over, I don't like it. I don't enjoy watching my team loose every Saturday with 500 people watching in the stands. My question to you remains, why do you think that firing the coach and starting a new "process" will suddenly make things better?

I hope cm8 PLAYED BETTER,, HE SURELY CANT PLAY MUCH WORSE,,and with him getting ALL the snaps,, he bettero be,,but hey we still are terrible..so are we to assume RI goes and gets another juco qb to bring in NEXT spring,,so he can say it was the QBS fault we are doing so bad,,oops,,he tried to use that this year with Nicely,,and id hasnt worked,,,coaching is still terrible,, PN7 got bounced after aseason so hey im all about treating RI the same he treated pn7 ,,time for you to go RI,,can we start a collection to buy you out? can we go find a juco COACH to run this team?

Is this your first season watching Zips football? Our QB last year had an 85 rating, and had about 8 or 9 previous starts under his belt. Moore's rating just hit 110 after yesterday's performance, in his first season, with far less experience around him. And he has the ability to run. Are you possibly related to the person who posts here as Akron Football?

Good question...a better question would be: are you two the same person? Moderators can probably help us out by checking IP addresses.