Game 1—Virginia Military Institute Keydets

[UAZippers]

I agree that our defense and special teams left a whole lot to be desired, but I was quite pleased with our passing game. I think Woodson looks like he really is ready to take the next step and be a great MAC quarterback. After his first play fumble, Natson was everything that he was hyped to be and Lane picked up right where he left off. Obviously, the talent on the other side of the ball only goes up from here, but this was a great building block in that phase of the game.

 

Side note, Chapman looked awful in his few attempts at the end. It seemed like every throw was 5-10 yards away from his receiver. We need Woodson to stay healthy.

[LZIp]

Thoughts:

Zipgrad01 is entering a few other posters' territory in terms of negative nancy-ness.

 

Thought the offense skill players were outstanding. Jojo looks everything he has been talked to up to be, though I am worried about all 151 lbs of him staying healthy. Ball is the best RB we've had in the 6+ years I've been a Zips fan. Woody looked better than last year, Lane looked more polished than last year, and Wolf made a few tough grabs. The new o-line seemed to do a good job in pass protection, but I think run blocking could use some work. On Ball's carries for no gain/loss, it seemed the guys who tackled him were untouched. I mean he averaged 6+ yards a carry and he was tackled numerous times  at the LOS or backfield where a block was clearly missed. Not sure how you can be disappointed in his performance.

 

Defense: I like our talent overall. Gave up way too many short passes. Assuming its mostly the LB's to blame. Personally don't think Hauser is good enough to start on D. Predict he will be replaced. Gilbert looked like everything I thought he would.

 

Special teams: no confidence in O'Leary at all. Would have liked to see him get some FG practice in. Liked Edwards returning as well. Feel he will spell Ball nice this season and be a quality RB as an upper classman.

 

Most concerning to me was the amount of penalties. 140+ is way too much. As of right now, I don;t think we can beat Wisconsin next week because we still need to work out some kinks, but I still feel our talent is better than ever since Bowden took over.

[zipsoutsider]

32 minutes ago, UAZippers said:

I agree that our defense and special teams left a whole lot to be desired, but I was quite pleased with our passing game. I think Woodson looks like he really is ready to take the next step and be a great MAC quarterback. After his first play fumble, Natson was everything that he was hyped to be and Lane picked up right where he left off. Obviously, the talent on the other side of the ball only goes up from here, but this was a great building block in that phase of the game.

 

Side note, Chapman looked awful in his few attempts at the end. It seemed like every throw was 5-10 yards away from his receiver. We need Woodson to stay healthy.

I agree with these thoughts. Here are a few additional of my own:

 

1. Woodson had over 400 yards and 6 TDs. He looked more accurate than last year and demonstrated very good decision-making and excellent patience. I was very pleased with his outing. He continues to be a good leader on the field. He makes watching the Zips fun.
2. Natson had a very good outing and I look forward to more of that jet sweep. He is as fast as I had hoped and seems to have soft hands.
3. Lane has taken his game to the next level and I thought he looked a lot more consistent tonight than he ever did last year.
4. Austin Wolf seems to have stepped up his game. 2 amazing catches tonight.
5. Smith and Young are definitely 2nd tier but I could see them improving.
6. I will disagree with a lot of folks on Ball. Although it was not a break-out night, he is, in my mind, better than any RB we have had in the Bowden era. I am excited to see more of him.
7. I thought the OL performed fairly well. There is room for improvement, especially on the run game. but not a bad outing for them, overall.
8. The kicking game has me worried. I am not sure we have a kicker better than O'Leary, so Bowden probably made the right decision letting him try to work out his issues tonight. The kicker from Miami was not dressed to play and appeared injured, to me. I hope Bowden scholarships a quality kicker and punter, early. There were some issues with long snaps. Foster did a nice job handling one snap, but the punter is going to have a rougher time. The punter (Gasser) is shorter than Paul was and Paul had excellent hands. The current punter has average hands. There is less room for error with our snaps, given the differences. Also, we used Zach Paul as an extension of our defense because his placement was so good. Gasser did not do a bad job, but he is not as good as Paul was. The other punter was not nearly good as Gasser. I am still quite worried about Special Teams play. I didn't appreciate the fan hurling personal insults at O'Leary. Did he really think that would help O'Leary kick better? What a jerk.
9. Is there any word on Jelani Hamilton? We could use some help on the defensive line. Overall, the defense seems to be lacking leadership. Jamal Marcus had some nice hits, but overall, the D looked a little lost most of the night, until Q4 and even then was not superb. I think the secondary play was OK, too many passes that were in linebacker space were completed.
10. This is at least the third year with penalty issues. This seemed to be the worst, by far. I heard one person say, "They are playing defense with their hands and not their feet." There might be something to that.
11. I will chalk the ridiculous comments about Bowden on this thread up to the booze.

 

It was not the showing any of us hoped for, but it was not apocalyptic, either.

 

Gameday experience:

1. Overall, an improved experience.
2. Lot 9 open to other tailgaters might prove to be controversial, but I think it's a great idea. The whole atmosphere had a better buzz.
3. Attendance seemed slightly higher, but I didn't see the official count.
4. Aramark is the new food vendor. Long lines, not enough windows open, and inconsistent food experience. I was hoping for a better food selection, too.
5. Pyrotechnics as players came on to the field were nice.
6. New uniforms were nice.
7. Zi-PS cheer went well. It needs to happen more than once a game. I still wish the guy starting the, "Let's go Zips" cheer would not say it so slowly. Overall, I like how he MCs the game, however.
8. I hope we don't show the same Potato Bowl footage every game, 2x a game.
9. Earlier tailgating, RVs in the lot, security, and interim president circulating were all good things.
10. Having the AK-Rowdies tailgate closer was nice, too.
11. We need a song to play before the 4th quarter, one that can become a tradition and gets the fans pumped up.

 

 

 

[ZachTheZip]

Attendance didn't break 12k.

 

[zipsoutsider]

7 minutes ago, ZachTheZip said:

Attendance didn't break 12k.

 

It might have seemed higher because people were in their seats, versus under the overhang, avoiding the rain.

[akronzips71]

After suffering through the iCoach years, I can NOT believe you guys are complaining about WINNING.

[AyYo]

8 hours ago, ZachTheZip said:

Attendance didn't break 12k.

 

It was a legit 12k though, not a bunch of tickets given out that were never gonna be used. 

[ZippyRulz]

For those that were there, how good did the Keydets really look? We haven't given them much credit but it sounds like they were no slouch.

[LZIp]

16 minutes ago, ZippyRulz said:

For those that were there, how good did the Keydets really look? We haven't given them much credit but it sounds like they were no slouch.

I'd agree. We were definitely more talented, but the Keydets played hard and were fundamentally sound. About what you'd expect...

[skip-zip]

23 minutes ago, ZippyRulz said:

For those that were there, how good did the Keydets really look? We haven't given them much credit but it sounds like they were no slouch.

 

It was scary the way they could move the football against us.  I wasn't expecting that.  Chuck has his work cut out for him to get this defense to produce. 

 

Hey everyone.  Regarding Wisconsin, we seem to all forget that we didn't take a good team to Michigan a few years ago either.  But we made some big pass plays in that game.  And this team has even more big-play guys in the passing game right now.  I'm not saying we can win up there, but our makeup does put us in a similar situation to win some one-on-one matchups down the field.   And you always have a chance (as slim as it might be) when you are playing a team that can't score points.  

 

Congrats to Western Michigan.  The long string of MAC OOC wins early in the season against Big 10 teams continues.   

[zipsoutsider]

8 minutes ago, LZIp said:

I'd agree. We were definitely more talented, but the Keydets played hard and were fundamentally sound. About what you'd expect...

I think once of the big differences is that you usually start to see more separation at the end of the first half because a weaker opponent get really can't keep up physically. The Keydets were is excellent physical condition and hung tough for 3 1/2 quarters. 

 

It was nice to play a mentally tougher team to help us find where we are weak. 

 

I don't know that it is fair to say that the Zips didn't come ready to play or that we took them for granted. I just think the defense has a long way to go. The good news is that Chuck Amato knows how to help them get there. 

 

The comments  about the offense being plain vanilla might be true, but really something to complain about. Why tip you hand in week 1 against VMI? Putting points up was not a problem. I am glad TB let's score 3 TDS late in the game. It let's us see that we can win games with our offense. 

 

I like Woodson's attitude in this interview.

https://youtu.be/1TTQBzdaOPg

 

 

 

[Blue & Gold]

That game was UGLY.  And kinda boring.  That first half was difficult to sit through.  I hope the 12K return.

 

I thought Ball looked amazing.  When he wasn't being hit as soon as he touched the ball, he's got a very real burst and strength.  Honestly, what a crying shame he sat the bench for 4 years @ OSU.  Frenchy mentioned on postgame his score tonight was his 1st career TD.  What a waste of talent.  He could have been a 3-year starter for 100 other D-1 programs.

 

As someone mentioned, the D needs leadership.  We miss Cody Grice.  I saw him at the game.  Maybe get him back on the sideline?

 

Frenchy mentioned during postgame that the D POTG was DeAndre Scott precisely because he gathered both the D & O on the sideline (when the Zips were only up by 2 in the 3rd Q.).  I guess he chewed some butt & the Zips immediately went on to score 21 unanswered.  Maybe that's precisely the development the D needed going forward.  Maybe the D has found it's leader.

 

And those were the best looking Zips uniforms I've ever seen.  To my dying day I'll maintain that the gold helmets are my favorite... but not really.  Those uni's we wore tonight are the absolute best in all of college football.  I take that back... in all of football. Period.  (With the lone possible exception being the San Diego Chargers.)

 

Where's Jelani Hamilton?

Edited September 4, 2016 by Blue & Gold

[zipsoutsider]

14 hours ago, akzipper said:

VMI's coach must have been mad about the Zips throwing deep late. To be honest they didn't even deserve to be in the game. If you don't want Akron to score, stop them. 

He might have been mad about going for it on fourth down, twice. He ought to take a look at the OSU-BG score  efore he opens his mouth. We won by less than 30 points and we could have scored, again. Had we left Woodson and out starting receivers in the game. I watched the replay this AM and thought that the VMI players totally out classed their coach. Bowden responded, like a gentleman. A coach like that will never make it beyond 1-AA and he won't keep players.

 

Also, the penalty on Lane for excessive celebration was a joke. ESPN announcers could not believe it was called.  I was more bothered that Lane seemed to trot into the end zone nonchalantly. 

 

 

Edited September 4, 2016 by zipsoutsider

[Buckzip]

1 hour ago, zipsoutsider said:

He might have been mad about going for it on fourth down, twice. He ought to take a look at the OSU-BG score  efore he opens his mouth. We won by less than 30 points and we could have scored, again. Had we left Woodson and out starting receivers in the game. I watched the replay this AM and thought that the VMI players totally out classed their coach. Bowden responded, like a gentleman. A coach like that will never make it beyond 1-AA and he won't keep players.

 

Also, the penalty on Lane for excessive celebration was a joke. ESPN announcers could not believe it was called.  I was more bothered that Lane seemed to trot into the end zone nonchalantly. 

 

 

 

Did you watch the BG-OSU game?

 

if you did, you would know OSU had mostly reserves in from the middle of the 3rd quarter on. OSU was not throwing deep passes after halftime even with their freshman QB in the game trying to get experience. When a true freshman RB takes a screen pass and runs over 30 yards for a TD, is he supposed to fall down? When a true freshman CB intercepts a pass and has a straight shot into the end zone for a pick 6 is he supposed to fall down? When a true freshman RB runs up the middle untouched into the endzone with the 2nd team o-line blocking for him, is he supposed to fall down? They played 30 true and redshirt freshman yesterday, are they supposed to tell those guys to not try and play well?

 

I know I will get the typical bashing for this because of the typical bias by some here and not wanting to know the truth, but it is apparent that you didn't watch the game. OSU could have scored over 100 if they wanted to. Instead of bashing me, answer the questions I asked first. TIA

 

As for Wisci, I think UA has a better chance because this will be a huge letdown after a huge win over LSU. This is a trap game for Wisci. I hope UA can take advantage of it. The most improvement is between the first game and the second game. If the o-line can run block, this team can go far. Any word on Jelani?

[wadszip]

1 hour ago, zipsoutsider said:

He might have been mad about going for it on fourth down, twice. He ought to take a look at the OSU-BG score  efore he opens his mouth. We won by less than 30 points and we could have scored, again. Had we left Woodson and out starting receivers in the game. I watched the replay this AM and thought that the VMI players totally out classed their coach. Bowden responded, like a gentleman. A coach like that will never make it beyond 1-AA and he won't keep players.

 

Also, the penalty on Lane for excessive celebration was a joke. ESPN announcers could not believe it was called.  I was more bothered that Lane seemed to trot into the end zone nonchalantly. 

 

 

VMI's coach was complaining all game long, even though Akron was flagged for nearly 200 yards in penalties. So, who cares about what somebody who complains about everything, thinks. The Lane celebration was a joke, too. He might as well have done the "Info Leap" if he knew a flag was coming out, lol.

[wadszip]

11 minutes ago, Buckzip said:

 

Did you watch the BG-OSU game?

 

if you did, you would know OSU had mostly reserves in from the middle of the 3rd quarter on. OSU was not throwing deep passes after halftime even with their freshman QB in the game trying to get experience. When a true freshman RB takes a screen pass and runs over 30 yards for a TD, is he supposed to fall down? When a true freshman CB intercepts a pass and has a straight shot into the end zone for a pick 6 is he supposed to fall down? When a true freshman RB runs up the middle untouched into the endzone with the 2nd team o-line blocking for him, is he supposed to fall down? They played 30 true and redshirt freshman yesterday, are they supposed to tell those guys to not try and play well?

 

I know I will get the typical bashing for this because of the typical bias by some here and not wanting to know the truth, but it is apparent that you didn't watch the game. OSU could have scored over 100 if they wanted to. Instead of bashing me, answer the questions I asked first. TIA

 

As for Wisci, I think UA has a better chance because this will be a huge letdown after a huge win over LSU. This is a trap game for Wisci. I hope UA can take advantage of it. The most improvement is between the first game and the second game. If the o-line can run block, this team can go far. Any word on Jelani?

 

Even though I agree with you, why don't you just let it slide? You just can't help it but to defend OSU anytime something perceived as negative is posted here ... and I don't think that comment was negative, the poster was just pointing out that OSU poured it on BG ... which they did. J.T. Barrett was still tossing TDs well into the third quarter in a 49-10 game.

 

As for Akron, the Zips also played a bunch of young guys, too. I noticed true freshmen Alvin Davis, Davonte Jest and Trevor Brown out there. Any others? Akron only has about 12 true freshman on scholarship (with QB Kato Nelson being one), so seems like TB isn't holding back on playing young guys.

[zipsoutsider]

46 minutes ago, Buckzip said:

 

Did you watch the BG-OSU game?

 

if you did, you would know OSU had mostly reserves in from the middle of the 3rd quarter on. OSU was not throwing deep passes after halftime even with their freshman QB in the game trying to get experience. When a true freshman RB takes a screen pass and runs over 30 yards for a TD, is he supposed to fall down? When a true freshman CB intercepts a pass and has a straight shot into the end zone for a pick 6 is he supposed to fall down? When a true freshman RB runs up the middle untouched into the endzone with the 2nd team o-line blocking for him, is he supposed to fall down? They played 30 true and redshirt freshman yesterday, are they supposed to tell those guys to not try and play well?

 

I know I will get the typical bashing for this because of the typical bias by some here and not wanting to know the truth, but it is apparent that you didn't watch the game. OSU could have scored over 100 if they wanted to. Instead of bashing me, answer the questions I asked first. TIA

 

As for Wisci, I think UA has a better chance because this will be a huge letdown after a huge win over LSU. This is a trap game for Wisci. I hope UA can take advantage of it. The most improvement is between the first game and the second game. If the o-line can run block, this team can go far. Any word on Jelani?

Wow, did you assume a lot in that response. I have no issue with what OSU, did. I was merely pointing out that we were far from running up a score and that there were teams getting beat up, far worse.

 

With the role that stats play in helping to determine bowl bids, coaches can no longer totally take their foot off of the gas. I also believe the reserves have the right to compete when they get into the game.

[skip-zip]

46 minutes ago, wadszip said:

 

You just can't help it but to defend OSU anytime something perceived as negative is posted here ... and I don't think that comment was negative, the poster was just pointing out that OSU poured it on BG ... which they did. J.T. Barrett was still tossing TDs well into the third quarter in a 49-10 game.

 

Perfect.  As I always say, if you come to this board spewing multiple paragraphs to defend the behavior of a competing school, expect what you get.  

 

But beware, Wadszip, you'll likely soon get several more paragraphs from the same poster that will likely be more and more vehement than the last, which might even venture into speculation about your personal life.    

 

Enjoy 

[Buckzip]

1 hour ago, wadszip said:

 

Even though I agree with you, why don't you just let it slide? You just can't help it but to defend OSU anytime something perceived as negative is posted here ... and I don't think that comment was negative, the poster was just pointing out that OSU poured it on BG ... which they did. J.T. Barrett was still tossing TDs well into the third quarter in a 49-10 game.

 

As for Akron, the Zips also played a bunch of young guys, too. I noticed true freshmen Alvin Davis, Davonte Jest and Trevor Brown out there. Any others? Akron only has about 12 true freshman on scholarship (with QB Kato Nelson being one), so seems like TB isn't holding back on playing young guys.

Actually I let about 90% slide. Obviously you miss those.

Skippy, down below whom is weirdly obsessed with OSU and never misses a chance to attack as shown here, posts about them quite often in the same way an 8 year old would . I just laugh at his insecurity and let them slide. So yes, I can let them slide most of the time. But certain things I do respond to. Especially when something that is implied is 100% false. And no, "J.T. Barrett was NOT still tossing TDs well into the third quarter in a 49-10 game"

 

Back to UA, which is what this board is supposed to be about, it's great that UA was playing young  guys. I don't know what the VMI coach was whining about. Obviously he's a sore loser and I hope it doesn't rub off on his team.

 

Short enough for ya skipster? "COMPETING SCHOOL"  

Edited September 4, 2016 by Buckzip

[Buckzip]

49 minutes ago, zipsoutsider said:

Wow, did you assume a lot in that response. I have no issue with what OSU, did. I was merely pointing out that we were far from running up a score and that there were teams getting beat up, far worse.

 

With the role that stats play in helping to determine bowl bids, coaches can no longer totally take their foot off of the gas. I also believe the reserves have the right to compete when they get into the game.

Well said...

[ZachTheZip]

VMI's coach complaining reminds me of Ianello complaining to Luke Fickell

[72 Roo]

In an effort to excise the demons of last night's game I'm offering these opinions on the VMI Game:

1) We are not as prepared or as disciplined as we need to be. Our enthusiasm for this year's team needs to be tempered with the time needed to correct mistakes. Too many of the penalties were caused by mental lapses.

2) Amato got out-coached. His defense did not stop VMI when needed. It was VMI mistakes and the offense who turned the game around.

3) Our offense was predictable, VMI just could not stop us. Wisconsin can and will if we don't become more creative. All Milwee called for was going deep and running Ball. That's not going to cut it. BTW, we do have a TE. Is AJ trying not to show too much to Wisconsin? Don't know.

4) The uni's look good, but they can be great if we go with the chrome gold helmets. Now that's a great look.

5) The field looked faded, almost washed out. there has got to be money to repaint the grass, numbers and lines.

6) I disagree with others in that I feel our DT's did not do their job. That middle has got to be clogged up. They were knocked back repeatedly for 3-4 yards on runs.

7) The people of Akron missed a good evening. True the game was not well played, but we had a chance to get to see a wealth of talent that bodes well for the future. The weather was great and the post game fireworks were a joy. We have to grow our attendence. I for one believe it will grow but until it does people are missing a good event.

8) Bowden will fix things. He is too smart not to. He is better than we deserve. All we need to do is get out of his way and let him do the job. he will and we will win.

[roopride]

A few more comments:

  Offense very bland. I think I saw one screen and one QB draw.  They seemed to be showing some kind of option with Bell/Woodson, but Woodson never kept the ball. There is talent on the O side of the ball.

 

I thought VMI seemed to have some talent on the offense. That said we gave up way to many passing yards.  The D seemed overhyped.

[zipsoutsider]

31 minutes ago, roopride said:

 A few more comments:

  Offense very bland. I think I saw one screen and one QB draw.  They seemed to be showing some kind of option with Bell/Woodson, but Woodson never kept the ball. There is talent on the O side of the ball.

 

I thought VMI seemed to have some talent on the offense. That said we gave up way to many passing yards.  The D seemed overhyped.

Cobb is a solid QB. He already holds several school records and was conference Freshman of the Year, 2 years, ago. His bio is impressive.

Edited September 5, 2016 by zipsoutsider

[ZippyRulz]

12 hours ago, 72 Roo said:

 

2) Amato got out-coached. His defense did not stop VMI when needed. It was VMI mistakes and the offense who turned the game around.

 

 

The ESPN announcers were calling out the Zips defensive coaching for not using a zone scheme to take away their big plays to the outside.