catdaddyp Posted October 28 Report Share Posted October 28 (edited) Game thread and preview. QB: CJ Ogbonna is the starter after being used almost exclusively in run packages in 2023. Ogbonna has thrown for 1,317 yards and has completed 56% of his passes this season. He has taken care of the football when passing as he has an 8 TD to 2 INT ratio. However, he is one of the nation’s leaders in fumbles. Ogbonna completes 61% of his passes when kept clean compared to 38% when pressured. RB: Junior Al-Jay Henderson has received the bulk of snaps during conference play and has 455 yards and 3 touchdowns on the year. Redshirt freshman Messiah Burch has become the top backup with 145 yards and 2 touchdowns. Burch has a similar running style to Jordon Simmons. WR: Former Nevada transfer Victor Snow is the top receiving option. Snow has 30 receptions for 375 yards and 3 touchdowns. Columbia transfer JJ Jenkins is second on the team with 17 receptions for 225 yards and a touchdown. TE: Former UMASS transfer Jake Orlando is the starting tight end, but he is mostly used as a blocker. OL: Buffalo’s OL has struggled with consistency. The Bulls have given up 17 sacks this season, with 9 of those coming in conference play. LT - Henry Tabansi (R. Fr.) LG - Trevor Brock (Jr.) C - Dom Polizzi (Grad.) RG - Tyler Doty (Sr.) RT - Caelan Shepard (R. Sr.) DL: Samford transfer Kobe Stewart starts at one end spot and is 2nd the MAC with 5 sacks. He also has 19 tackles. Opposite Stewart will likely be Monmouth transfer Antonio Colclough. Colclough has 10 tackles and a sack. Washington State transfer Tristan Souza and redshirt sophomore Cornell Evans start on the interior. They have combined for 17 tackles. LB: Buffalo boasts one of the best linebacker corps in the MAC. Shaun Dolac transferred back in after a brief stay with Utah State and leads the MAC with 108 tackles. He’s also added 3 sacks and 2 interceptions. Redshirt sophomore Red Murdock is 2nd in the MAC with 96 tackles. Murdock has also collected 2 sacks and 3 forced fumbles. The third backer is sophomore Dion Crawford who has 27 tackles and 1.5 sacks. DB: Sophomore Charles McCartherens starts at one CB spot and has 19 tackles, 4 pass deflections, and 1 interception. Former Colgate transfer Marquis Cooper starts opposite McCartherens and has amassed 41 tackles, 4 pass deflections, and 2 interceptions. Former Minnesota transfer Solomon Brown is one starter at safety and has 41 tackles and 3 pass deflections. Opposite Brown is senior Jalen McNair. McNair has 39 tackles, 1 pass deflection, and 1 interception. K: Alabama transfer Upton Bellenfant is 13 for 13 on extra points and 10 of 11 on field goals. P: Old Dominion transfer Ethan Duane is 2nd in the MAC in punting. He is averaging 43.3 yards per punt with a long of 63 yards. Breakdown: Offense - Buffalo wants to run the football and will force the issue on the ground. Buffalo isn’t any better upfront than who the Zips have already faced and Akron has been decent at stopping the run during conference play. Defense - Buffalo has oddly struggled to rush the passer and defend the pass in MAC play. The defensive backs are aggressive and can get beat for big plays due to often being over aggressive. The Bulls strength is in their linebackers and against the run. The LBs rarely miss tackles. Summary: This is another winnable game. At times, Buffalo has looked liked one of the best teams in the MAC and at other times they have looked like one of the worst teams in the MAC. Buffalo will attempt to assert their will in the run game and if Akron can stuff that early, it’ll force Buffalo into an uncomfortable situation. The Zips have yet to amass any interceptions during MAC play, but have been excellent (sans WMU game) at creating fumbles. I imagine Zips defenders will be punching at the ball every time they make contact with Ogbonna. Special teams play should be excellent from both sides. Edited October 29 by catdaddyp 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MangoZip Posted October 29 Report Share Posted October 29 Buffalo only a 1.5 point favorite. I think the Zips have a good shot again this week. The last two years they’ve given wins away to Buffalo, hopefully that ends Saturday. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Let'sGoZips94 Posted October 29 Report Share Posted October 29 Don't love that Buffalo is coming off a beat down from Ohio, but I don't believe there is a single team in the MAC that truly outclasses anyone. If we can somehow cut out the errors/mistakes/discipline issues, we should be able to be in every game. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catdaddyp Posted October 29 Author Report Share Posted October 29 (edited) Lembo gushes about Akron for about 7 straight minutes starting around the 3 minute mark. He talks more about Moorhead and the MAC later on too. Entertaining presser. Edited October 29 by catdaddyp 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Kangaroo Posted October 29 Report Share Posted October 29 It would be great to see the Zips play a clean game. No stupid celebration penalties after a score or a sack. No shanked kickoffs or punts No surrendering 95+ yard drives No muffed kickoff or punt returns No letting the opponent drive the length of the field in the closing seconds of the half or game. i can dream, can’t I? 4 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZippyRulz Posted October 30 Report Share Posted October 30 6 hours ago, Captain Kangaroo said: It would be great to see the Zips play a clean game. No stupid celebration penalties after a score or a sack. No shanked kickoffs or punts No surrendering 95+ yard drives No muffed kickoff or punt returns No letting the opponent drive the length of the field in the closing seconds of the half or game. i can dream, can’t I? Look at Mr. "I don't mind an occasional interception" over there... 😄 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Adams Posted October 30 Report Share Posted October 30 Commit to the run again.Try to send a message that this team has gained some toughness that it hasn't had for weeks. Send a message to the O line that this is their game to win or lose. They had a 100 yd rusher last week so it can be done. The offense has to keep that defense on the sidelines as long as possible. Giving up too many 'chunk' plays. I realize that UB may defend the run better than the pass. So make them defend the run then throw it over their heads. If UB likes to run they will gouge the Akron D. Bullock may figure more prominently if they can put him on the field with Finley in some RPO situations. And, the first guy who gets an unsportsmanlike sits for a while. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ewbrooman1 Posted October 31 Report Share Posted October 31 (edited) Anybody know what "Salute to Service" means? Ticket deal? Edited October 31 by ewbrooman1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lance99 Posted October 31 Report Share Posted October 31 9 hours ago, Lee Adams said: Commit to the run again.Try to send a message that this team has gained some toughness that it hasn't had for weeks. Send a message to the O line that this is their game to win or lose. They had a 100 yd rusher last week so it can be done. The offense has to keep that defense on the sidelines as long as possible. Giving up too many 'chunk' plays. I realize that UB may defend the run better than the pass. So make them defend the run then throw it over their heads. If UB likes to run they will gouge the Akron D. Bullock may figure more prominently if they can put him on the field with Finley in some RPO situations. And, the first guy who gets an unsportsmanlike sits for a while. Do you want to commit, or sell out for the run? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZippyRulz Posted October 31 Report Share Posted October 31 On 10/29/2024 at 10:47 AM, MangoZip said: Buffalo only a 1.5 point favorite. I think the Zips have a good shot again this week. The last two years they’ve given wins away to Buffalo, hopefully that ends Saturday. It's a winnable game. Let's go win it. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Adams Posted November 1 Report Share Posted November 1 On 10/30/2024 at 9:41 PM, lance99 said: Do you want to commit, or sell out for the run? Run effectively. Make UB respect the run. Show them that the O line can block for the run. Akron doesn't have to get 150 yds. on the ground. But, they do need to be able to get 3-4 yds. a pop consistently. Can't just run on 1st down then pass, pass, pass. Might involve some 3 and outs but might chew up clock and keep Akron's D off the field. Still think Akron's O line is a key. Get some yds. on the ground and protect the QB's. Sounds simple but hasn't been done consistently all season. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GP1 Posted November 1 Report Share Posted November 1 27 minutes ago, Lee Adams said: Run effectively. Make UB respect the run. Show them that the O line can block for the run. Akron doesn't have to get 150 yds. on the ground. But, they do need to be able to get 3-4 yds. a pop consistently. Can't just run on 1st down then pass, pass, pass. Might involve some 3 and outs but might chew up clock and keep Akron's D off the field. Still think Akron's O line is a key. Get some yds. on the ground and protect the QB's. Sounds simple but hasn't been done consistently all season. Effectively indeed. Create options. To me, second down is the most important down to be able to run on. Maybe not every second down, but the ability needs to be there. First down has to produce something other than a negative play. The option to run on second down keeps the defense honest. It opens up the field because the defense has to defend everything and that's very hard to do. I'd rather have the running backs rush for 90 yards on 20 carries and a TD with the longest being 10 yards than rushing for 110 yards on 20 carries with a TD with the longest being 70 yards. The second makes for 19 very unproductive plays. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Kangaroo Posted November 1 Report Share Posted November 1 2 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zipsrule Posted November 1 Report Share Posted November 1 2 hours ago, Captain Kangaroo said: That's a nice touch giving Lucy the "A". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hilltopper Posted November 1 Report Share Posted November 1 (edited) Looks like I'm not making it to this one. 4 club seats to whoever wants them. Send me a PM. Edited November 1 by Hilltopper Tickets are gone! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sergeant Zip Posted November 1 Report Share Posted November 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Kangaroo Posted November 1 Report Share Posted November 1 31 minutes ago, Hilltopper said: Looks like I'm not making it to this one. 4 club seats to whoever wants them. Send me a PM. Missing a Zips game to hang out at the Portage Lakes?! 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lance99 Posted November 1 Report Share Posted November 1 1 hour ago, Hilltopper said: Looks like I'm not making it to this one. 4 club seats to whoever wants them. Send me a PM. This is a GREAT reason NOT to be at the Game! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MangoZip Posted November 1 Report Share Posted November 1 2 hours ago, Hilltopper said: Looks like I'm not making it to this one. 4 club seats to whoever wants them. Send me a PM. I’ll take them for the Toledo game! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hilltopper Posted November 1 Report Share Posted November 1 21 minutes ago, MangoZip said: I’ll take them for the Toledo game! I'll be back in town for that one! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MangoZip Posted November 2 Report Share Posted November 2 Beautiful day for a Zips win! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GP1 Posted November 2 Report Share Posted November 2 16 hours ago, Hilltopper said: Looks like I'm not making it to this one. 4 club seats to whoever wants them. Send me a PM. The lady you're with has hairy legs. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roopride Posted November 2 Report Share Posted November 2 Go ZIPS!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1981 grad Posted November 2 Report Share Posted November 2 It has been 8 years since we have won 2 games in a row. Could this be the day? 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LZIp Posted November 2 Report Share Posted November 2 Let’s effing go!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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