Game 1 - UA at UCF

[msopher]

I think he meant UCF vs. NIU in Dekalb.

You're right. Read it wrong

[dre22era]

Absolutely. Best comment of the night. These game one beatdowns have proven to be disastrous. Totally kills all the pre-season excitement. It would be great not to feel this frustrated this quickly.

We can't afford to open up the season playing I-AA cupcakes

Not when big schools are throwing us money to show up and be test dummies.

Not to be harsh but thats reality.

Can't State's Game Attendance tonight was 20,790 and they broke their own record of having more than 7,000 Students in attendance.

Can't State was 7th in the Nation in attendance increase last year going from 11,587 avg per game in 2011 to 17,880 avg per game in 2012.

Thats why they can afford to schedule I-AA cupcakes.

I am a proud Zip Alumn but we have a lot of work to do in regards to getting come positive consistency on & off the field when it comes to this team and fan base

[K92]

We can't afford to open up the season playing I-AA cupcakes Yes we can

Not when big schools are throwing us money to show up and be test dummies. ATM games are fine, just not season openers

Not to be harsh but thats reality. UCF wasn't a ATM game anyway. We got a home date in the deal

Can't State's Game Attendance tonight was 20,790 and they broke their own record of having more than 7,000 Students in attendance.

Can't State was 7th in the Nation in attendance increase last year going from 11,587 avg per game in 2011 to 17,880 avg per game in 2012.

Thats why they can afford to schedule I-AA cupcakes. We have a 1-AA cupcake next week. How many Can't fans show up for their cupcake game if they get thrashed 38-7 in week one?

I am a proud Zip Alumn but we have a lot of work to do in regards to getting come positive consistency on & off the field when it comes to this team and fan base You are right. I am a proud alum too. I try to do everything I can to pimp the Zips, but I feel like Charlie Brown tonight.

[Jalapeño Zippy]

The most concerning thing to me last night was that Chisholm went back to his old ways of running sideline to sideline...never cutting up field. He fell at first touch. I missed the 1st quarter...did he get leveled or something?

[Dr Z]

....Chisholm went back to his old ways of running sideline to sideline...never cutting up field. He fell at first touch. I missed the 1st quarter...did he get leveled or something?

No. It was so obvious even Al Groh figured it out and commented on it.

I felt my small reward for sticking it out to the end was MTB contributing, and the final TD drive in garbage time. MTB needs to get more touches early. He looks like he belongs out there.

[AKSportsFan]

I'm going to go out on a limb and say take Chisholm out and start Hundley. He pounds it and scraps for extra yards every play and youll never see him trying to escape to the sideline. And, if you want the speed guy put D.J. Jones in from Ravenna but I am sick and tired of Chisholm running affraid. Hit somebody dude!

[UA1987]

What - we went back to losing big? My game notes:

1) Akron's defensive line looked very good

2) Akron's linebacker play was poor - over pursuing - missed tackles

3) Defensive backfield was out of position too much and seemed not to know how to work around the targeting rule. Should the Zips look at Donte Williams more at corner as Lartey and Alexander did not play well?

4) Quick throws by UCF were very effective in taking away our pressure

5) Pohl telegraphed to his targeted receivers and looked more like a Lieutenant than a field General

6) Our receivers could not seperate from coverage

7) Special teams need more work lining up correctly and fielding punts

8) Our offensive line pass protected good

Very disappointing opener, yes, but a lot of this can be fixed and some good things happened.

[UAZipster0305]

I can't believe all of the whining on this forum. GP1 is right, there is a huge talent disparity between these teams. UCF will be a top 25 team, if not a top 15 by the end of the year. Good news, we didn't sustain any major injuries to my knowledge. Our secondary needs to step it up, and we need to run block better. Everything else looked pretty good, especially the pass rush (which was nonexistent last year). I do see improvement. Also, we were 1-1 on extra points!!!

We only kicked off to start one half too...progress.

[Dr Z]

1) Akron's defensive line looked very good

2) Akron's linebacker play was poor - over pursuing - missed tackles

3) Defensive backfield was out of position too much and seemed not ot know how to work around the targeting rule.

4) Quick throws by UCF were very effective in taking away our pressure

5) Pohl telegraphed to his targeted receivers and looked more like a Lieutenant than a field General

6) Our receivers could not seperate from coverage

7) Special teams need more work lining up correctly and fielding punts

8) Our offensive line pass protected good

Good notes. I wonder if we rotated too much last night? I guess it's a fine line. I would expect to see a "tighter" rotation in MAC play. I'm impressed the refs held their flags early in the game. The Zips OL could have been called for more holding...especially Zenel. Your note about the receivers makes me think we may see some more youth sooner at that position, rather than later.

For those of you that didn't get to see the telecast. I thought the story of Shaquem Griffin (one handed) UCF player was interesting/inspiring. His twin players for the team also. Shaquem didn't dress for the game last night though.

[GP1]

I'm not going to complain about playing ucf or when we play them. They are one game out of cusa so it is a program a mac school should be able to compete against. If you want to get somewhere, you first have to know where you are. We learned a lot last night. It is incredibly difficult for any team to go to a city in FL and play in August. If Columbia, SC is "The Screen Door to Hell", Florida is Hell. Those people live in such heat and humidity during the summer that anyone with any money flees to the North Carolina mountains for a few months to get away from it. Truly a horrible place...with the exception of Miami Beach and Key West.

One stat that sticks out to me is turnovers. The Zips were -2 in turnovers (Zips 2, UCF 0). I know this isn't the nfl, but I would bet the numbers are similar...In the NFL, if a team is -2 in turnovers, there is an approximately 20% chance that team will win the game. Momentum and Confidence...If a team creates turnovers, they have a lot of it. Without turnovers, a team spins it's wheels. Compound that with being deficient in the talent column, and a blowout happens. If Vegas knew it was going to happen, we should have as well.

The bottom line for me is this. The Zips have much more talent than last year. I think once they get back in their element, things will change for the better.

Go Zips!

[dre22era]

darren rovell ‏@darrenrovell

Week 1 payouts: Ohio St paying Buffalo $1M, Miami paying FAU $500K, Oregon paying Nicholls St $450K, Kansas St paying NDSU $350K

Wisconsin paying UMass $900K, Florida paying Toledo $800K, Oregon St paying E. Washington $450K.

[Zips Win!]

What - we went back to losing big? My game notes:

1) Akron's defensive line looked very good

2) Akron's linebacker play was poor - over pursuing - missed tackles

3) Defensive backfield was out of position too much and seemed not to know how to work around the targeting rule. Should the Zips look at Donte Williams more at corner as Lartey and Alexander did not play well?

4) Quick throws by UCF were very effective in taking away our pressure

5) Pohl telegraphed to his targeted receivers and looked more like a Lieutenant than a field General

6) Our receivers could not seperate from coverage

7) Special teams need more work lining up correctly and fielding punts

8) Our offensive line pass protected good

Very disappointing opener, yes, but a lot of this can be fixed and some good things happened.

Really? If I turned on the radio and did not know who the coach was, I would have had a hard time deciding if Ownes, Brookhart, Ianello or "other" was coaching. The game was a carbon copy of dozens of Zips games I've seen before.

Very disappointing doesn't really sum up how I felt yesterday.

[johnnyzip84]

I couldn’t watch the game and I could only join Frenchy’s call after the Zips were already down 14-0, so I have a hard time making any definitive statements particularly about individual play. Nevertheless, here are my “feelings” about the game.

1. I didn’t expect to win, but I really thought it would be far more competitive. It didn’t seem much different than last year’s opener. Some of this, I agree with others, is due to the conservative approach. This was hard to figure out. I thought one of the benefits from having depth (and I think the depth is real) was the ability to play high-tempo, attacking offense without the fear of wearing out your defense. If AJ is primarily responsible for the offensive game plan/play calling, TB needs to get more involved. If TB was primarily responsible, he needs to refrain from making statements like “We are coming down here to win”.

2. I’ve been a staunch defender of JC7, but the numbers (and the accounts of those who watched) don’t lie. I’m just about ready to see a change at RB, and while Hundley is a nice option I think DJ Jones may have more upside. Jones just might have a little Brett Biggs (or is that a big Brett Littles?) in him.

3. I didn’t hear either Mizell’s or McCray’s name called (except when Joe Dunn likened the former to a “caged lion” wanting to be unleashed on the field). What gives?

4. The D-Line pressure is encouraging.

5. Zac Paul may be the difference in a game this season.

6. I’ve never been a fan of “protecting” players from anything. If Bickley and MTB are your best, they should be on the field as much as possible.

7. 4-8 is still possible, but it looks harder today than yesterday.

[legendofzippy]

7. 4-8 is still possible, but it looks harder today than yesterday.

4-8 what? Wins? We have one of the hardest MAC schedules coming up, plus a Michigan team that - on paper - is well ahead of UCF.

Last night was not what we expected, but no one could have actually expected a win. Sad it is, 3 MAC wins would still be a huge year for us. We're not the only team that improved.

Bowden still needs to prove himself here, but the coach who should not be named left him nothing. Going to take a while.

[GP1]

The Zips need to do a better job on first and second downs. From my quick calculations, the Zips had seven third down plays in the first half last night. In those seven plays, the Zips were in a situation of 6 yards or less for the first down twice. Very difficult to make first downs at those distances and build some confidence and momentum.

Plenty of opportunities for improvement for the Zips.

[Dr Z]

The Zips need to do a better job on first and second downs.

Agreed. First couple of series they had 3rd and long and converted. Can't keep leaving yourself that. If you can strike downfield on 3rd down, do it more often on first and second. BTW is Kyle given the option to change the play at the line? I'm guessing no. Multiple times the play was called right into the teeth of defense. It was obvious before the snap of the ball, yet we run the play for negative yards anyway.

[Dave in Green]

@Dr Z, good point about the QB calls at the line of scrimmage. Last season the Zips had a cool, calculating veteran QB (Dalton Williams) who was better equipped to handle those situations. Pohl is talented and has a stronger arm than Williams, but still lacks experience.

[johnnyzip84]

4-8 what? Wins?

A record of 4-8.

Dr Z, something Detwiler said on the radio after the 3 and 1 that was stuffed for a 4-yard loss makes me think KP16 does have the authority to audible. He (Detwiler) mentioned that Milwee was going ballistic in the booth next to him (and Frenchy), and he (Detwiler) thought that meant Milwee wanted KP16 to check out of that play. Frenchy wanted them to call a timeout, but that’s another story.

[ZachTheZip]

Was hoping to see some post game thoughts published somewhere.

My postgame thoughts: The team I saw on Thursday would have won three or four games last season.

[Zipgrad01]

My postgame thoughts: The team I saw on Thursday would have won three or four games last season.

You must have watched a different team than I did on Thursday night.

[zestycoyote]

You must have watched a different team than I did on Thursday night.

You have to look beyond the blowout headline.

Did you honestly expect the Zips to compete in the UCF game? They lost 56-14 last year with similar talent, while UCF has as good or better this year. Blake Bortles is an experienced QB that will be playing NFL football in some capacity in a year or two.

Overall, we allowed fewer points this season to a more experienced offense and were about as inept against their defense (325 yards with 4 turnovers in 2012, 250 yards with 2 turnovers in 2013). Add in the fact that the team had to travel to fairly hostile environment (heat and 35,115 fans) and I would say they fulfilled expectations.

The Zips got pressure with their defensive line, something that will translate to MAC play. They didn't commit a million turnovers, so that on its own is an improvement. I think it is reasonable to expect 3-4 wins this season.

[ZachTheZip]

You must have watched a different team than I did on Thursday night.

You must not have watched the team that lost to UCF last year.

[gozips19]

Just got back in from FL. A little tired from a great weekend but I'll try to share some quick thoughts for now.

The tailgating scene was unlike any I can remember and I've been to plenty of stadiums. The Campus has a multiple ring design making the larger parking decks outside of the general tailgating. The non-student tailgating lots were for passes only making it hard to find people to tailgate with although I did have a beer with Ms. MTB1 who was very nice. As for the tailgating for the students...they have access to the entire campus to tailgate where ever for the most part. They also have a grass area that seemed to be just for the students. They were in full force and were all very nice. They also showed up for the game packing a third of the stadium. Most stayed till the end of the third. I applaud the students at UCF.

For the game: I really wasn't sure what to expect going into the game. I didn't think we had much a shot to win and thought the point spread was about right. That being said, the things that worry me far outweigh the things that excited me on the field.

KP16 looked lost the entire game. He had happy feet from the first snap. Never looked comfortable and had problems going through his reads. The O line didn't do him any favors as they had trouble pushing the line on running plays forcing bad down and distance. I will also say the play calling was a bit conservative. Another Zip fan said it reminded him of the Browns the past 2 years. I won't go that far but UCF, who runs pretty basic packages, was never forced to adjust what they do all game. As bad as the O looked the secondary takes the prize for most dissapointing. It didn't matter who Akron put in at safety they got beat. That was a concern of mine heading into the game and it looks worse that what I thought. They'll look better against MAC schools due to the pressure the D-Line will generate but that is fools gold. The starting WR's also had trouble getting open. I was very happy to see the two Frosh get in towards half time.

Speaking of the two Frosh they were some of the positive things that I saw. Brickley and MTB1 looked very good. Their speed showed up the second they got on the field. I liked what I saw out of CJ. It took 2 series for Rossi to get pulled. Once CJ figures it out he'll be a force. I also liked what I saw out of Evans. Hope he'll get a few more snaps in the LB rotation. The D-Line is going to pile up sacks this year. UCF may have the biggest line Akron will face all year and they were able to apply pressure from a base package.

I still don't know what to expect from this team. KP16 needs to take a big step forward against lesser competition this Saturday. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone in lot 9 for some fantastic food! I'll add more if I can think of anything.

One side note.....the start of the game made me laugh out loud as it started like the movie Major League. Hayes gets on....the press box gives the thumbs up! Hayes is then picked off the very next play and the press box makes a hand gesture not suitable for the board. In Akron's case...first play is a sack followed by a bomb for a touchdown. Only an Akron fan can find humor in that.

[johnnyzip84]

I appreciate the honest assessment, gz19

It'll be interesting to see what, if any, personnel changes are made for JMU.

Looking forward, as always, to the tailgating. I'm going with a "colonial" theme:

1) Buttermilk Biscuits

2) Virginia Ham

3) Corn Chowder

[Captain Kangaroo]

I'm going with a "colonial" theme:

1) Buttermilk Biscuits

2) Virginia Ham

3) Corn Chowder

Me too. Bet you can't wait for CK's hardtack and rum!

Also - Thanks for the write up, gozips19!