Game Five (CMU) Thoughts - 2026

[catdaddyp]

QB:

Someone on staff thought it would be a good idea to ask a “third string quarterback” - Moorhead’s words - to come out slinging the ball, on the road. Someone else - or maybe even the same person - upped the ante and decided we should come out not only throwing the ball with our third string quarterback, but to go five wide, with no threat of an RPO, on the very first play. I rarely question this staff’s ability to design plays, but there were some drives that left me completely lost today. When I said earlier this year I thought Roggow would keep us competitive, that was under the assumption he would be accompanied by the run game. Such was often not the case. Roggow was in over his head, and it showed.

 

RB:

I had flashbacks of frustration today when the staff would waste Lingard for portions of the game. Or when a back would make a great run, then rush again for only a handful of yards, followed up by no rushing attempts for a number of plays later. Yes, Gant and Patrick combined for 133 yards, but much of that came when the game was already getting out of reach. Why we don’t lean on those two more, regardless of the opponent, is beyond me. I know we had a lot of one-on-one matchups with the receivers today, but our backs are too good to not involve early and often.

 

WR/TE:

I believe there was only one drop. There were several plays where I noticed multiple receivers open around the same area, and Roggow basically split the difference and didn’t get the ball to either one of them. On one of the sacks, it looked like the receiver who was the main target was still talking to the sideline as the ball was snapped, leading to the play being fouled up. Those types of things cannot happen.

 

OL:

Plainly put, this line struggles when we become one dimensional. They opened some lanes for the backs and gave Roggow time for portions of the game. At other times, it wasn’t so pretty. The false starts are inexcusable, especially for centers. 

 

DL:

Our lowest rated defensive lineman - according to PFF, and I don’t disagree with their take - continues to play the most snaps. I don’t understand the rotation, or lack thereof. We started off fine in the first quarter and then things gradually got worse as the game wore on. We have more bodies on the roster, it seems like some other guys should get a shot, and some of the backups like Williams and Kavals should also play a bit more, especially in a game like this. 56 snaps for our worst performing lineman is….something.

 

LB:

I thought one of the few bright spots on defense was linebacker play. Johnson and Nunoo seemed to be everywhere. Curtis also had a couple standout plays. Unfortunately, they can’t do it all.

 

DB:

I’m not sure if our defensive backs can play much worse. The cornerbacks were fine in coverage, but they didn’t help enough against the run. I remember one of the CBs just bumping shoulders with the ball carrier, who then ran for I don’t know how many yards into the endzone. Our safety play was flat out horrendous against the run. In a game like this, angles and gap filling are so important and we did both poorly. I’m not sure how we’ve gotten to this point, as these guys saw significant action last season and we also have the same defensive back coaches. If things don’t get cleaned up soon, we won’t win another game because we simply won’t be able to outscore anyone.

 

ST:

Outside of the blocked field goal, it was a solid day for the special teams.

 

 

QB:

Roggow

 

RB:

Gant

Patrick

Williams

Curry

 

WR:

Williams

Myers

 

WR:

Mason

Hilburn

Louis

 

WR:

Burris

Hills

 

TE:

Alexander

Cravaack

Hook

DeReese

 

LT:

Slayden

Gould

 

LG:

Smith

Archer

 

C

Lyons

Mobley

 

RG:

Hampton

 

RT:

Jones

Gould

 

 

DE:

Frazier

Waye

 

DE:

Durham

Kavals

 

DT:

Hull

Kavals

Brown-Demery

 

DT:

Mixon

Williams

 

LB:

Johnson 

Jones

 

LB:

Nunoo

Curtis

Hocker

 

CB:

Newsome

 

CB:

Thomas

 

NB:

Branch

Moss

 

S:

Davis

Flowers

 

S:

Hunter

Flowers

 

 

Highest Rated Offense (20 snap min.)

RB - Gant

WR - Burris

LT - Slayden

LG - Smith

RT - Jones

 

Highest Rated Defense (20 snap min.)

LB - Johnson

LB - Curtis

LB - Nunoo

CB - Thomas

DT - Hull

 

Edited Sunday at 08:43 AM by catdaddyp

[ZippyDoo]

it falls solely on the coaching... rewatch the game... i can tell you watching it live players are tired it's natural and probably has a lot to do with why the run game of CMU continued to improve after the first quarter. Playing two edge rushers every snap an entire snap is as dumb as can be. they were alternate choices. Frazier could barely move at halftime. Not his fault, Mixon played EVERY snap the entire first half, again not his fault... i don't think he came out until near the end of the third for a snap...

 

williams kavals brown, ross graves all available ... ross graves didn't play a snap ... but mixon played damn near every snap ... again NOT his fault why against a running team would you NOT want to keep your players fresh????  

 

stopiak is 6'7 320 your telling me that kid can't help on goal line defense with williams and brown??? 

 

335 yards rushing... in basically 3 quarters ... nothing will change

Edited Sunday at 02:22 AM by ZippyDoo

[exit322]

After a coaching performance like today while the entire Athletic department is doing excellent work in creating a great gameday atmosphere...

 

They can't afford to fire Joe, but they certainly are having discussions to see if it's somehow possible anyways.

[kreed5120]

24 minutes ago, exit322 said:

After a coaching performance like today while the entire Athletic department is doing excellent work in creating a great gameday atmosphere...

 

They can't afford to fire Joe, but they certainly are having discussions to see if it's somehow possible anyways.

 

I'll settle for replacing defensive play calling duties. At least the offense has some sort of reason for the regression we've seen and there is chance for improvement once CB returns. 

 

I haven't seen anything from the defense, outside of Robert Morris game where opponent was clearly over matched, that leads me to believe we'll see any improvement there this season.

Edited Sunday at 03:01 AM by kreed5120

[exit322]

1 hour ago, kreed5120 said:

 

I'll settle for replacing defensive play calling duties. At least the offense has some sort of reason for the regression we've seen and there is chance for improvement once CB returns. 

 

I haven't seen anything from the defense, outside of Robert Morris game where opponent was clearly over matched, that leads me to believe we'll see any improvement there this season.

 

Both.  I'll settle for playcalling duties replaced for both.  What was done to Roggow today was reprehensible.  What in the DeShone Kizer Browns was that?

[ZipForNow]

Akron Zipped Up recap is here: https://akronzippedup.substack.com/p/game-5-recap-central-michigan-41?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=2970576&post_id=218201656&utm_campaign=email-post-title&isFreemail=true&r=1oisov&triedRedirect=true&utm_medium=email

[exit322]

Nice recap.  They're certainly discussing if the money to make a move can be found.  I don't think they're going to find it.  MAYBE this time next year when he's only got a few games left.  But what's the point then?  That season's already lost by then, because all you have left are the empty stadium games anyways.

 

Akron will always have significant disadvantages because of the NIL situation.  As a result, Akron desperately needs a coach who can get his undermanned team to believe, while also having a coaching staff that can coach guys up.  We don't have either of those right now.

Edited Sunday at 03:29 PM by exit322

[catdaddyp]

I’m not against a move being made. However, I don’t think this is the time to do it. Maybe once bowl contention is officially taken off the table.

 

College football has changed so much even since Moorhead was hired. At first, he was able to take advantage of the portal with all of his, and the staff’s, connections to immediately upgrade the roster talent. He was also able to scrap the terrible incoming prep class that was in place and add some quality high-level prospects.

 

Since then, NIL has come into the picture and changed the landscape even more. So not only are we at a disadvantage in athletic funds—including lowly paid assistants—but we are also at a disadvantage when it comes to the portal.

 

I was talking to someone the other day who turned down a job at EMU a few years back, and he was raving about a few of our coaches—RB and TE in particular. He mentioned that those are the types of coaches who could have easily left and gotten P4 gigs, but they’ve chosen to stay for personal reasons.

 

He also brought up one of our former CB coaches—Bell—as an example of how so many coaches are taking internal athletic jobs, like analysts at bigger programs, because the pay here is so poor. Moorhead hasn’t nailed all the assistant spots, but he’s done a pretty good job over his tenure. Whoever the next hire is will have an extremely difficult job filling out a worthwhile staff while also keeping those coaches in place.

 

My biggest issue with Moorhead is that his teams at Akron have seemed to underperform their talent level every year. Looking just across the way at Kent, there is a coach who has a roster with substantially less talent and generally puts them in a place to be competitive. That, however, does not seem to be the norm these days, and while that could happen here, the odds are against it.

 

All that said, something needs to change to make this a competitive program year in and year out.

[zvillezip]

I am not happy with the lack of progress in the program as a season ticket holder. However, Akron cannot afford a buyout. Let him coach next season on his last year and see if he does anything to deserve a new deal.

 

I think Moorehead is a good offensive coordinator, but not a head coach who is skilled enough to do both duties. He needs to bring in someone or promote someone to OC so he can dedicate time to the entire program.  His teams continue to make the same mistakes year after year. The same stupid penalties. The same undisciplined mistakes.  He either needs to be the OC or the head coach, not both.

 

[exit322]

1 hour ago, zvillezip said:

I am not happy with the lack of progress in the program as a season ticket holder. However, Akron cannot afford a buyout. Let him coach next season on his last year and see if he does anything to deserve a new deal.

 

I think Moorehead is a good offensive coordinator, but not a head coach who is skilled enough to do both duties. He needs to bring in someone or promote someone to OC so he can dedicate time to the entire program.  His teams continue to make the same mistakes year after year. The same stupid penalties. The same undisciplined mistakes.  He either needs to be the OC or the head coach, not both.

 

 

Moorhead is a good offensive coordinator if he has elite talent that can do exactly what he wants.  Beyond that, we have limited evidence.

 

Agree, Akron can't afford to fire him.  The best they can do is see if there's a way in the contract to make him annoyed enough to leave.

 

Maybe 10 "OC of the game" each week, one for each game, and the winners can veto Joe?

[GP1]

1 hour ago, exit322 said:

Agree, Akron can't afford to fire him.  The best they can do is see if there's a way in the contract to make him annoyed enough to leave.

This management technique doesn't work on wealth people who don't care if they get fired. It's bush league management for people who don't have the balls to just fire someone. 

Edited yesterday at 12:26 AM by GP1

[exit322]

1 hour ago, GP1 said:

This management technique doesn't work on wealth people who don't care if they get fired. It's bush league management for people who don't have the balls to just fire someone. 

 

Well in this case, they don't have the dollars.  We also don't know if they actually have the desire...

[kreed5120]

2 minutes ago, exit322 said:

 

Well in this case, they don't have the dollars.  We also don't know if they actually have the desire...

 

It's honestly a tough job to sell. I was thrilled when Moorhead took it as even though Moorhead had question marks, he was more accomplished than any candidate I would have expected. Obviously that didn't materialize into on the field success.

 

If you're an up and coming assistant you're probably just better off working your way up the chain wherever you are and bide your time until an opportunity opens up somewhere that sustained success is achievable. Akron is where coaching careers go to die.

[exit322]

43 minutes ago, kreed5120 said:

If you're an up and coming assistant you're probably just better off working your way up the chain wherever you are and bide your time until an opportunity opens up somewhere that sustained success is achievable. Akron is where coaching careers go to die.

 

There's absolutely zero evidence to refute what you're saying here.

[GP1]

11 hours ago, kreed5120 said:

 

It's honestly a tough job to sell. I was thrilled when Moorhead took it as even though Moorhead had question marks, he was more accomplished than any candidate I would have expected. Obviously that didn't materialize into on the field success.

 

If you're an up and coming assistant you're probably just better off working your way up the chain wherever you are and bide your time until an opportunity opens up somewhere that sustained success is achievable. Akron is where coaching careers go to die.

I don't want this to come out out the wrong way because it will sound like I'm slamming the basketball coach, but here it goes. It's not intended to do that. We have the best basketball coach possible. 

 

Akron has the premier basketball program in the MAC. We had a highly accomplished coach leave and the best we could do was promote an assistant. I'm not sure if that last sentence should end with a period, question mark or exclamation point. I am going to assume that the leadership looked at the possible options and said yes. 

 

Joe was the best possible option a few years ago. Nobody was applying for the job. Those who yearn for a high school coach taking over the program might have gotten their wish. All things considered, he may still be the best option. It's a horrible program at a school that is putting limited effort into it. What coach is going to want the job? If their vision for making Akron successful is so good, wouldn't that person want to apply at a place actually trying to win? Given the current circumstances, only pure luck gets someone better than Joe hired. 

[blueandgold]

After watching that pathetic performance by both the coaching staff and players, primarily on the defensive side regarding players, all I can say is...is it basketball season yet???

[exit322]

44 minutes ago, GP1 said:

Akron has the premier basketball program in the MAC. We had a highly accomplished coach leave and the best we could do was promote an assistant. I'm not sure if that last sentence should end with a period, question mark or exclamation point. I am going to assume that the leadership looked at the possible options and said yes. 

 

I'm not sure I agree with this sentiment.  We have the premier basketball program in the MAC...our coach leaves for a better job, and we have a top assistant from said premier program to try and keep things moving in the same direction.  I'm not sure they seriously looked outside the program, and I don't think that's a bad thing.  I don't think this correlates to the football program struggles.

[kreed5120]

49 minutes ago, GP1 said:

Given the current circumstances, only pure luck gets someone better than Joe hired. 

 

Once we get CB back I'm hoping the offense shows signs of life that we saw earlier in the year. Really any MAC offense is going to look terrible when you're playing your 3rd string QB. You can look at Miami (OH) and their $8 million roster vs. BG this past Saturday as a prime example. 

 

I don't know how the Zips defensive coaches whiffed on players, scheme, development, or whatever you want to blame the poor performance we've seen the first 5 weeks of the season on. Bring Joe back for the last year of his contract, but we need to switch up something defensively. We can't stop the pass, can't stop the run, and can't even limit opponents to field goals.

Edited yesterday at 02:09 PM by kreed5120

[MarkWiley]

The main issue with Moorhead and his offense is he expects the players to adapt to his plans and themes, rather than he himself adapting to his talent pool.  He coaches like he's at a p4 school with p4 talent.

[ZippyDoo]

My coaching experience is limited to youth baseball, basketball, and football.  I stopped when my kids got to middle school.  My job was done at that point. So my expertise is zero or very minimal. But IF I were a coach that wanted to coach at a Division 1 program and dreams of being successful being the next Cignetti, starting lower level and climbing to the national championship, would Akron be the place?  They have no money to attract transfer/portal players.  The ones that they do get say that the conditions are often times worse than the JUCO schools that they left, and we have upper class transfer students, seniors and juniors, that cannot get on the field when they do come and couldn't last year, that talk to future prospects.  Future coaching staffs are going to be limited to trying to convince high schoolers to come here while other schools are going for the older more physically mature students.  Players are going to be given the "car salesman" speeches and pipe dream routines to come here and then rot into oblivion and for what?   I think it was Villanova but I saw a coach openly admit the other day that they will not be offering any scholarships to high school kids now.  They are simply going to transfer/portal players and they are going for the more mature players to win now.  I think it is the Indiana mentality.

 

Of course the committee that interviews the next potential hire is going to hear wonderful plans and visions on how they are going to change the program around and what their plan is.  But from listening to what you guys have been saying on here for the last almost two seasons and from what I have witnessed, the school is not committed to financially supporting a winning program or they cannot support a winning program or a combination of both.  Whichever the case is, no matter who they brought it is going to be extremely difficult to compete even in the MAC.  

 

There may be that diamond in the rough that nobody knows about that can come in and maybe motivate the players to get that upset win, and play above their level for a game or maybe two, but the money is going to talk and the truly talented players are going to go elsewhere.  

 

Whenever the time comes, the replacement is going to be some jagoff that nobody else wanted and had nowhere else to go, or someone that is trying to start from ground zero but unfortunately just wont have the financial backing to get the talent to be successful and this program is going to continue to slide worse and worse.  It truly is a shame.  

 

This team currently has the talent.  They are certainly hurting at some positions for sure.  At this point, I'm actually very curious about Beals, but then I'm not sure about throwing him to the wolves to early and ruining him.  (I know it isn't all Roggow's fault and I'm not saying that at all, but I have seen highlights and Beals is similar to CB and he has a canon also.  This team with this O line needs a running threat qb in my opinion.)  This weekend showed me three things,  Toledo probably is the strongest team in the MAC after Western barely survived Buffalo, I think any team in this conference can beat any week so the conference is really up for grabs or at least getting to the championship is, and most importantly after being at the game this weekend--- I have zero faith in this coaching staff can prepare to beat a 0-10 high school team anymore.

 

This staff had no answers for anything at any facet of the game.  I suffered through watching the game again and truly was as bad as it could possibly be.  It was like every coach that I admired for the last season and four games just handed their whistles off to someone in the stands and said here you go.  Even Rod...  CMU was often rushing FOUR guys... FOUR and our offensive line had no idea how to stop them.. NONE... It was like our offensive line had never lined up against anyone in their entire lives.  

 

On the defensive side it was like the defense never saw an RPO offense before when all week long every predictor including the great CAT told everyone this team's quarterback is GOING TO RUN THE BALL!!! Yet time and time again, man in motion, ball snapped, man in motion goes through the hole, followed by the rb, followed by the qb and nobody gets touched, not a linebacker or safety in site....

 

It is just sad.   I feel duped, snake bitten.  Came into this season with such high hopes.  Dreams of a six or seven win season.  Defended Joe Moe and the staff for a season plus now feel completely foolish...

[MangoZip]

1 hour ago, GP1 said:

I don't want this to come out out the wrong way because it will sound like I'm slamming the basketball coach, but here it goes. It's not intended to do that. We have the best basketball coach possible. 

 

Akron has the premier basketball program in the MAC. We had a highly accomplished coach leave and the best we could do was promote an assistant. I'm not sure if that last sentence should end with a period, question mark or exclamation point. I am going to assume that the leadership looked at the possible options and said yes. 

 

Joe was the best possible option a few years ago. Nobody was applying for the job. Those who yearn for a high school coach taking over the program might have gotten their wish. All things considered, he may still be the best option. It's a horrible program at a school that is putting limited effort into it. What coach is going to want the job? If their vision for making Akron successful is so good, wouldn't that person want to apply at a place actually trying to win? Given the current circumstances, only pure luck gets someone better than Joe hired. 

I disagree, it obviously would not be a highly coveted job but it is still a D1 coaching job in a conference that has a pretty good reputation for sending successful coaches onto bigger and better programs. You would have coaches wanting this job - despite all of its insufficiencies. Look at Toledo’s recent hire. He was very successful at FCS Mercer. Would he have applied for an open Akron job? Not sure, but I think he might have, and I think others would as well. 

[exit322]

44 minutes ago, MangoZip said:

I disagree, it obviously would not be a highly coveted job but it is still a D1 coaching job in a conference that has a pretty good reputation for sending successful coaches onto bigger and better programs. You would have coaches wanting this job - despite all of its insufficiencies. Look at Toledo’s recent hire. He was very successful at FCS Mercer. Would he have applied for an open Akron job? Not sure, but I think he might have, and I think others would as well. 

 

Given the program success, I don't think Akron was looking outside the building.  And I don't disagree with it.  It might not work, but "run it back with next man up" isn't unreasonable.

[Lee Adams]

On 10/3/2026 at 10:54 PM, kreed5120 said:

 

I'll settle for replacing defensive play calling duties. At least the offense has some sort of reason for the regression we've seen and there is chance for improvement once CB returns. 

 

I haven't seen anything from the defense, outside of Robert Morris game where opponent was clearly over matched, that leads me to believe we'll see any improvement there this season.

Did Akron really have a 1st and goal and end up punting???!!! These guys are a hot mess on both sides of the ball and on the sideline. Offensively 15-33 passing?? 180 yards??

160 on the ground in 36 rushes??. Broughton may have made some difference...not that much. Moorehead's offense doesn't work with what he puts on the field. Roggow unfortunately isn't the answer. He can't make the throws and he doesn't run. And, he doesn't get much help from the O-line. But what has really changed over the past several years?

 

The defense is just silly. They played a 1 dimensional team that only completed 8 passes. CMU said we are going to run all over you, and did for 332 yards. UNLV ran them into the ground also. There is a serious lack of talent all over the defense. But the coaching staff isn't apparently making any corrections week to week. The secondary still looks lost. The D-line just gets gashed.

I still think its going to take more than a coaching change to get this program consistently competitive. The AD really needs to look if the program is actually capable of competing at the current.

[exit322]

4 minutes ago, Lee Adams said:

Did Akron really have a 1st and goal and end up punting???!!! These guys are a hot mess on both sides of the ball and on the sideline. Offensively 15-33 passing?? 180 yards??

 

Yes, they punted on 4th and goal from the 38.  Long sack followed by an offensive personal foul.

[ZippyDoo]

Lee Adams, yes they did.  They first and goal from the 9 ended up being a fourth and goal from the 38 and they punted.  It was actually worse than their first and ten from Minnesota's 11 yard line and they had back to back 15 yard penalties that drove them back to Minnesota's 41 and they turned it over on downs....  That was pretty sad too...