Eastern Michigan Preview (Game Six)

[clarkwgriswold]

1 minute ago, Captain Kangaroo said:

Nice show put on by UA yesterday. The lots were full, lots of beers drank, and good times were had in Lots 9, 10, and in the grass lots along Spicer. Any UA alum that attended had to leave feeling like they'd want to return for Homecoming 2027. 

 

Ruggow played well yet again. For a Redshirt Sophomore with Zero experience, or expectations, coming into the season he's been a revelation. I can't imagine many G5 programs with a better 3rd stringer on their roster.

 

OL blocked well enough to win the game. RB had a good push to run behind, and Ruggow usually had time to scan the field. They aren't perfect...especially with the untimely, borderline crippling penalties, but for hastily assembled patchwork crew they have done a nice job. 

 

WR's still drop too many balls.  Marcel was great.

 

TE position is a strength. Good hands when called upon, and excellent edge blocking.

 

RB was fine. The mix of 70% Gant and 30% Patrick is effective. Surprised to see Marquisse get a chance in non garbage time, and he delivered a TD!?

 

The defense is what it is. The lack of a pass rush hurt yesterday, as it has on most Saturdays. But they played well enough for the Zips to win the game.

 

The LB's are servicable. Again, I expected that crew to be much worse than they are in 2026.

 

DB's are bad.  But yesterday...could you really complain? After watching UNLV WR's run free 20 yards behind them two weeks ago, they were much more effective vs EMU. It was maddening to watch them in all follow the WR's and forget about the QB in successive goal line situations. 

 

Special teams hurt. Missed game winning field goal and a blocked punt hurt in a 2-point loss.

 

It was fun to see the Zips defensive players urging-on the crowd to make some noise in key defensive situations. Usually there's no use doing so in the cavernous InfoCision. Last night, there was.

 

If Schramm's kick had sailed through the uprights it would have been huge. The fans were cheering, the players were bouncing up and down, ready to storm the field...and instead I picked up my folding stadium seal and walked back to my truck on the losing end once again. 

 

The Zips team represented UA nicely on a big stage (by Zips standards) Saturday. Hope they keep fighting. I heard Miami lost their QB (who was awesome against Cincinnati a few weeks ago), so that'll help our cause next week. And a revenge win against Kent in 2 weeks can set the table for an interesting November.

 

If Broughton is healthy next week, do you start him? He looked pretty spry on the sideline yesterday. 

 

All good points.

 

I think you start Broughton as he gives you more options on offense.

[kreed5120]

22 minutes ago, clarkwgriswold said:

 

All good points.

 

I think you start Broughton as he gives you more options on offense.

 

I agree, with Akron's defense the offense needs to put up points to win. Roggow, while not bad, I just don't see being able to run a high octane offense. Broughton with his legs adds the extra dimension that Roggow can't provide. 

 

If the defense was better we wouldn't have to ask so much of Roggow.

Edited Sunday at 07:57 PM by kreed5120

[roopride]

I was hoping for a kick line the Toledo game at the RB many years ago. 

[exit322]

5 hours ago, Captain Kangaroo said:

The Zips team represented UA nicely on a big stage (by Zips standards) Saturday. Hope they keep fighting. I heard Miami lost their QB (who was awesome against Cincinnati a few weeks ago), so that'll help our cause next week. And a revenge win against Kent in 2 weeks can set the table for an interesting November.

 

Miami losing their QB should help Akron stay within 20 or so, yeah.

 

Unfortunately, they'll be out of bowl contention by the start of the empty stadium games.  Which, probably better that they're empty with the beatings Akron's very possibly going to get against Ohio and Western Michigan.

[phil]

Happy endings are in fairytales, not Zips football games.  However, it was an entertaining game.  Reminds me of the game in Northwestern.  If my memory is correct, I think our kicker missed a chip shot and we lost the game in OT.

[roopride]

You are remembering Indiana. 

[phil]

2 hours ago, roopride said:

You are remembering Indiana. 

Thanks,  I knew it was a big ten team.  

[csims0917]

I think Roggow is fine just not good enough to overcome a talent gap. I think Broughton would’ve done better on the drives where we got sacked early and killed all momentum (especially after we got those turnovers). His mobility would’ve made a huge difference