Game Eight (Wagon Wheel) Thoughts - 2026

[catdaddyp]

QB:

Roggow is what he is at this point. Yes, it’s true that he was originally the third string quarterback, but that excuse needs to be put to bed. I maintain he is good enough to give this offense a chance to be successful when paired with a run game. We saw that for most of the contest, until he was asked to air it out in the last few minutes. The interception was not his fault as Roggow put the ball on the money and the receiver couldn’t bring it in.

 

RB:

I thought the offensive staff had an excellent game plan until the first drive where we went down. The plan seemed to be lean on the run game and pick our spots in the passing game where Roggow could have success. Then, for whatever reason, we decided not to give the ball to the best player on the field and instead pass for three consecutive downs. That led to a failed fake punt and the game crashing down on us. Gant had 162 yards and should have been given the opportunity to keep carving up a Kent defense that simply could not contain him. Instead, call it coaches outsmarting themselves or whatever phrase is suitable here and we handed the game away.

 

WR:

Despite our wideouts having a decent day, they needed to have a great day. Mason dropped one that should have been a touchdown, and Williams batted one in the air that led to an interception. Both of those plays needed to be made, and they weren’t. There was also a false start on a wideout that had nothing to do with the play that was being run. We have a quarterback who desperately needs his receivers’ help, and they need to play up to their potential. 

 

TE:

Alexander and Cravaack set some crushing blocks this game. They may not have been utilized much in the passing game, but they were vital reasons why Gant often had massive holes to run through.

 

OL:

I know I’ve said it a number of times already, but this OL is not built to be a one-dimensional passing team. They were strong in the run game throughout the contest but fell apart at the end when Kent was allowed to tee off on Roggow. I know Lyons had a holding penalty, but I also want to point out he has been playing his tail off and is having what should eventually be recognized as an all-conference season.

 

DL:

The defensive line was solid. They did give up a few short-yardage situations, but some of that also falls on the back seven filling and finishing tackles. My biggest gripe with this group was the inability to get DeSheilds down in the backfield. There were times when the DL had him on the run or were able to get a hand on him but just couldn’t finish the play. Their pressure certainly bothered DeShields, and Kent’s two running backs were held to a combined 54 yards.

 

LB:

Outside of a missed tackle leading to a long touchdown, linebacker play was actually pretty good. In fact, the trio of Johnson, Nunoo, and Curtis have been bright spots on a defense that has struggled to stop explosive plays throughout the year.

 

DB:

In most games this season, passing coverage could be excused - to an extent - due to the lack of a pass rush. This game, however, DeSheilds was pressured plenty throughout the contest, and our secondary flat out stunk. The number of times our defensive backs did not get their heads around on passes is inexcusable. That falls directly on coaching. The PIs calls were legitimate penalties. The only positive I have to say is the DBs were mostly solid in run support, but that was also against one of the worst rushing offenses in college football.

 

ST:

Kickoff and punt coverage were actually pretty good. However, the fumble on kickoff return and the confusion on how to fair catch were difficult to watch. The missed chip-shot field goal was yet another addition to the special teams woes we’ve unfortunately come to expect. I will say, however, that the 50 yard make by Stire and the 56 yard punt by Castle was nice to see.

 

Final Thoughts:

15 penalties for 165 yards and two turnovers. We’re an undisciplined team that won’t beat anyone playing like that, including a less talented Kent squad. 422 yards of total offense can’t undo consistent self-inflicted wounds. Yes, we’ve had some injuries to some important players, but it’s the staff’s job to get the best out of the players that are available, and that isn’t happening.

 

 

QB:

Roggow

 

HB:

Gant

Patrick 

Williams

 

WR:

Williams

 

WR:

Burris

 

WR:

Mason

 

TE:

Alexander

Cravaack

Hook

 

LT:

Slayden

 

LG:

Smith

 

C

Lyons

 

RG:

Jones

 

RT:

Gould

Mann

 

 

DE:

Frazier

Abor

 

DE:

Durham

Waye

 

DT:

Hull

Williams

Brown-Demery

 

DT:

Mixon

Kavals

 

LB:

Johnson

Jones

 

LB:

Nunoo

Curtis 

 

NB:

Branch

Moss

 

CB:

Thomas

Hobson

 

CB:

Newsome 

Hobson

 

S:

Davis

Branch 

 

S:

Hunter

Flowers

 

 

Top Rated Offense:

HB - Gant

WR - Mason

QB - Roggow

WR - Burris

LG - Smith

 

Top Rated Defense:

LB - Johnson

DT - Williams

DE - Abor

LB - Curtis

S - Hunter

 

Edited Sunday at 04:45 PM by catdaddyp

[exit322]

Roggow has been good enough to win games if he got any effing help from his coaches.  This team has holes, no doubt, but they don't have 1-7 talent.

 

They're lucky Robert Morris used its good game on Buffalo, because we'd be 0-8 if not.

[ZippyDoo]

i hate to sound like i'm giving up on the players because i'm not.! 

 

i've given up on the coaches. Never in a million years would i have predicted this team to be 1-11 before the season started but honestly don't think these coaches are capable of winning another game this season.

 

Why would i think anything will change and even if it is close in the first half they will be out coached in the second half. 

 

Every team that we have played and is going to play have now seen the same thing done every week..

 

rinse spit repeat

 

if any player can jump ship come portal time I hope they do if this staff is still here... if joe moe wants to use it as an excuse then really give him an excuse. 

 

shame on the program if they can't find away out of this mess

Edited Sunday at 02:40 PM by ZippyDoo

[GP1]

Getting back to attendance because I don't really care about the game itself. Doesn't seem worth talking about. 

 

I have the nicest yard on my street. People might think Hank Hill himself lives in it. My neighbors ask me, "GP1, how do you get your yard so nice". I always respond with the same three reasons:

1. TruGreen 

2. Sunlight 

3. Water

 

It isn't overly difficult to get people to a football game in NE Ohio. 

1. Play on a weekend day.

2. Play when the sun is up.

3. Clean bathrooms and parking lots. 

 

Can the MAC start to get this part right?

[ZippyDoo]

i will tell you what i think increase attendance since you brought it up...

 

A good product.

 

I could care less about anything else, if the product is worth seeing and is something the community and fans can get behind they will.  

 

Simple as that.  If the product isn't any good you can put it on whatever day you want and have whatever gimmicks you want the people aren't going to come.

[exit322]

25 minutes ago, GP1 said:

Getting back to attendance because I don't really care about the game itself. Doesn't seem worth talking about. 

 

I have the nicest yard on my street. People might think Hank Hill himself lives in it. My neighbors ask me, "GP1, how do you get your yard so nice". I always respond with the same three reasons:

1. TruGreen 

2. Sunlight 

3. Water

 

It isn't overly difficult to get people to a football game in NE Ohio. 

1. Play on a weekend day.

2. Play when the sun is up.

3. Clean bathrooms and parking lots. 

 

Can the MAC start to get this part right?

 

I truly think things like BG and Toledo blowing things up when they put their game originally on a Wednesday is the start to it.

 

Kent easily had a good 6000 more people buying tickets for just yesterday's game than would have on a Tuesday.  At their $30 general admission prices, that in of itself is $180K.  Now add some people that may get more tickets throughout the year if ALL games are accessible, and add more ticket sales for the empty stadium games, and you're starting to get fairly close to the TV money "lost" with these nonsense games.

 

Never mind long term exposure to the market because every game is reachable.

[kreed5120]

23 minutes ago, ZippyDoo said:

 

A good product.

 

I could care less about anything else, if the product is worth seeing and is something the community and fans can get behind they will.  

 

Simple as that.  If the product isn't any good you can put it on whatever day you want and have whatever gimmicks you want the people aren't going to come.

 

This is the correct answer. There is a reason I've been to 1 Akron football game in ~10 years, but am a consistent season ticket holder for Akron basketball. I want to be able to watch a quality product, which Akron football has failed to deliver on.

 

Quality doesn't mean having to go 10-2 every year. Hell I watch the Browns every Sunday. Quality means regardless of outcome I actually enjoyed the time I spent consuming the game. Not look back and think damn wish I spent those 4 hours of my life cleaning out my garage/basement and doing yardwork. That's how I felt when I shut off the Akron-Kent game.

 

We've already played 3 Saturday home games this year. Even our homecoming game, which by Akron standards drew well, was poorly attended when compared to most other G5 schools. Akron has no fanbase because it's put out a sh** product for the last 15-20 years.

Edited Sunday at 03:32 PM by kreed5120

[MangoZip]

4 hours ago, catdaddyp said:

TE:

Alexander and Cravaack set some crushing blocks this game. They may not have been utilized much in the passing game, but they were vital reasons why Gant often had massive holes to run through.

This continues to baffle me. Alexander and Cravaack have proven to be very sure handed, reliable, receivers but they always seem to be the third or fourth read in the passing game. Very rarely are they a primary receiver. This passing game seems to only focus on the deep outs or crossing patterns deep over the middle. I think an intermediate passing game would certainly help Roggow and make his life easier. Roggow has done his best in a tough situation but accuracy on his long throws isn’t his strength and he hasn’t been helped with numerous drops by the wide outs. 

[GP1]

9 hours ago, ZippyDoo said:

i will tell you what i think increase attendance since you brought it up...

 

A good product.

 

I could care less about anything else, if the product is worth seeing and is something the community and fans can get behind they will.  

 

Simple as that.  If the product isn't any good you can put it on whatever day you want and have whatever gimmicks you want the people aren't going to come.

A better product always helps. It's not the only thing that draws people to games. 

[Let'sGoZips94]

Is JoeMo fired yet?

[ZippyRulz]

7 hours ago, Let'sGoZips94 said:

Is JoeMo fired yet?

 

IDK but we have the perfect interim in J.D. Brookhart. 

 

Edited Monday at 10:53 PM by ZippyRulz

[exit322]

2 hours ago, Let'sGoZips94 said:

Is JoeMo fired yet?

 

Still not.

[ZippyDoo]

the fact that moorehead still has an office today shows me that Goodrich is not serious about the football program.  

 

As smart as he is, he would find a way to make it work. If THE ONLY solution is to go through this embarrassment for another year because you can't figure out how to get out of a contract with one year and four games left then you either don't care about the football program or you don't deserve to be the athletic director.  there colleges firing their coaches all over that care about their teams and they are trying to make their programs right.

 

If you are telling me that IF this team goes 1-11 which i am betting they do at this point because moorehead is intentionally trying to lose, that they will bring him back just because they can't buy him out, then akron doesn't deserve a football program. Blow it all up and sink all your money in the other sports

[exit322]

1 hour ago, ZippyDoo said:

the fact that moorehead still has an office today shows me that Goodrich is not serious about the football program.  

 

As smart as he is, he would find a way to make it work. If THE ONLY solution is to go through this embarrassment for another year because you can't figure out how to get out of a contract with one year and four games left then you either don't care about the football program or you don't deserve to be the athletic director.  there colleges firing their coaches all over that care about their teams and they are trying to make their programs right.

 

If you are telling me that IF this team goes 1-11 which i am betting they do at this point because moorehead is intentionally trying to lose, that they will bring him back just because they can't buy him out, then akron doesn't deserve a football program. Blow it all up and sink all your money in the other sports

 

I get the anger, and I want Moorhead out as much as anyone (if you don't believe me, you must be new here).  But Goodrich can't just up and pay a guy to not coach, and the $800K he's still owed (give or take) is a lot at Akron.

 

Do I think he's trying?  100% I do.  But this season's already lost, so it's not gonna get more lost by getting four more games out of Joe.

[ZippyDoo]

out of curiosity i googled what Akron would owe Moorehead if they fired him today.  This was the response (i know it's not always accurate.). 

 

If the University of Akron were to fire head coach Joe Moorhead without cause today, they would owe him a buyout of $650,000.

 

My ONLY counter to keeping him around for the last four games is 1-11 with him and then going into next year sends a horrible to current players and any potential players.  at least if they replace the staff and bring in new coaches then they are at least trying and they at least care

[kreed5120]

We've paid upper 6-figure buyouts to 3 coaches so far since Infocision has opened. I'm sure whoever has been helping fund those at some point would grow fatigue fronting the cash. I certainly know I would if I was in their position. Especially since the prospects for improvement aren't great given our financial position.

[exit322]

9 minutes ago, kreed5120 said:

We've paid upper 6-figure buyouts to 3 coaches so far since Infocision has opened. I'm sure whoever has been helping fund those at some point would grow fatigue fronting the cash. I certainly know I would if I was in their position. Especially since the prospects for improvement aren't great given our financial position.

 

That's the thought.  And frankly, there's a possibility he leaves on his own for an OC job of some sort.  He has to also know this isn't working...

[ZippyDoo]

i didn't know that was the case @kreed. then it really looks bad on the former AD for signing this contract then and great for moorehead cause he has Akron by the balls.

 

But i'm telling you, if moorehead comes back next year the program is finished. i honestly don't see how it recovers from a 1-11 season the pee poor coaching and the non stop bitching and whining about everything from the NIL and the transfer portal to the lack of ice in the ice machines. just his bitching and moaning is an embarrassment to the university and he takes shots every time he is in front of a microphone. saturday is a perfect example. his decisions and horrible coaching cost the game yet he would rather cry about the transfer portal.  

 

he can't come back next year. there won't be any coming back for this program if he is back. 

[MangoZip]

Getting ahead of ourselves here but here’s a Google answer to what up and coming coach would take the job at Akron. I know that Ferris State has been dominant for several years in D2, but would a guy like this take this job? On one hand, I could see him taking it as a step up to D1,  but on the other hand, I could see him not wanting it because it could be career suicide. 
 

——————————————————-
 

An up-and-coming lower-division football coaching prospect who fits the profile of a program like the University of Akron is Tony Annese, the head coach at Division II powerhouse Ferris State Bulldogs. [1]

Why Tony Annese Fits the Akron Profile:

Lower-Division Track Record: Similar to how Curt Cignetti made the jump from lower divisions (IUP, Elon, James Madison) to major success, Annese has built a dominant culture at Ferris State with massive win-loss totals, multiple deep playoff runs, and national championship pedigree.

Developmental Mindset: He has a long history of turning around programs at the high school, junior college, and Division II levels, making him an ideal candidate for a Mid-American Conference (MAC) program like Akron that relies heavily on scouting, development, and maximizing limited resources.

Readiness for an FBS Step: After establishing a premier D-II dynasty, coaches with Annese's offensive innovation and leadership track record frequently surface as realistic targets for group-of-five openings looking for proven culture-builders rather than recycled coordinators. [1]

Edited Tuesday at 02:59 AM by MangoZip

[exit322]

Only problem is that Annese is 65.  BUT if he wanted to for a few years, I'm fairly open to trying new things.

Edited Tuesday at 02:22 AM by exit322

[72 Roo]

Very interesting search you did Mango. Annese seems perfect for our situation. He will have to be patient and wait at least five years to build the program and re-establish the resources necessary to compete in the upper half of the MAC. But that being said he seems a good candidate. I hope Goodrich finds a way to begin that search as soon as the season is over, preferably before it is over.

[kreed5120]

45 minutes ago, ZippyDoo said:

i didn't know that was the case @kreed. then it really looks bad on the former AD for signing this contract then and great for moorehead cause he has Akron by the balls.

 

To be fair I don't know if that's the case either. We did pay massive buyouts to the previous 3 coaches. That's a fact. Whether or not someone is willing to pay $650K to fire Joe I have no way of knowing.

 

If they did have that money laying around and were willing I would find it puzzling they wouldn't be spending it buying a training table, better assistants, or NIL. The toughest selling point to the next coach regardless if they're hired this offseason or next is Akron is a dead end job. The deck is literally stacked against you. That eliminates most candidates that this board would be hopeful about.

Edited Tuesday at 02:42 AM by kreed5120