Ohio Preview (Game Nine)

[catdaddyp]

QB:

Ohio has utilized several quarterbacks throughout the 2026 season due to injuries, and unfortunately for the Zips, they are now healthy at the position and will be rolling out their original starter, Nick Poulos. Poulos has thrown for 781 yards, completed 59% of his passes, and recorded 6 touchdowns compared to zero interceptions. He is excellent when kept clean, but can struggle under pressure, completing only 27% of his passes in those situations. However, he is rarely under pressure, as Poulos has the mobility to escape the pocket when needed and also plays behind one of the better offensive lines in the MAC.

 

RB:

The Bobcats primarily rotate two running backs in UConn transfer Victor Rosa and German native Duncan Brune. The duo has combined for 716 yards and 8 touchdowns. Although neither back has the breakaway top-end gear, they are both excellent at grinding opponents down. The most explosive back is redshirt freshman Irving Brown, but he did not play in the last game. Brown has rushed for 219 yards on just 23 carries.

 

WR:

Redshirt sophomores Riley Neer, Dom Dorwart, and Kentucky transfer Preston Bowman have been almost the exclusive options at wide receiver in 2026. The trio has combined for 1046 yards and 11 touchdowns.

 

TE:

Ohio will rotate several different tight ends in its offense. Redshirt sophomore Jake Furtney is the primary pass catcher, while redshirt sophomore AJ Miller and Kansas State transfer Andrew Metzger are mostly utilized as blockers. 

 

OL:

This offensive line has only allowed 13 sacks and is also a big reason for the Bobcats effectiveness in the run game.

LT - Jarian Shelby (6’4 295) (R. Sr.)

LG - Tigana Cisse (6’3 314) (Gr.)

C - Bryce Parson (6’3 308) (R. So.)

RG - Seth Anstead (6’3 310) (R. So.)

RT - Trumain Lawson (6’5 295) (R. Fr.) - Transfer from Long Island

 

DL:

Redshirt freshman Ike Ackerman and Michigan State transfer Tyler Gillison are the starters at edge. They have combined for 5.5 sacks. Redshirt freshman Ty Neubert and former Youngstown State transfer Nehemiah Dukes start on the interior. 

 

LB:

Redshirt seniors Michael Molnar and Jack Fries handle the majority of snaps at linebacker. Both are likely in line for all-conference seasons as they’ve collected 138 total tackles and 7.5 sacks.

 

DB:

Incarnate Word transfer Barry Dillon and redshirt junior Kendall Bannister are the starting cornerbacks. Redshirt sophomore JT Haskins starts at nickleback, with former Zip Ronald Jackson rotating in. Elon transfer Darren James-Hamilton and redshirt junior DJ Walker are the starting safeties. 

 

ST:

Kent State transfer Will Hryszko is 10 of 13 on fields goals and perfect on 26 extra point attempts. Magnus Haines is averaging nearly 44 yards per punt, with a long of 53 yards. Safety James-Hamilton is also the primary kick returner and has already taken two back for touchdowns.

 

Keys on Offense:

Run the ball as much as possible. The best path to success is keeping the ball on the ground, grinding out the clock, and limiting possessions for this physical Ohio offense.

 

Keys on Defense:

The phrase "Bend, But Don't Break" truly applies to this game. The Bobcats will likely look to run the ball early and often. Akron will need to commit an extra defender to the box to slow down Ohio's offense. It goes without saying, but the Zips' secondary cannot afford to have another performance like it did last week.

 

Final Thoughts:

Ohio is yet again one of the better teams in the MAC, and the odds are definitely in their favor. However, Akron has nothing left to play for but pride at this point, and sometimes the lack of pressure can allow a team to play more freely. I’m not calling for a Zips win, but I am interested to see how this program responds given the way this season has unfolded.

[exit322]

Run the ball as much as possible?

 

Ok take the over on Roggow throws.  Offensive genius incoming.

 

I am interested to see if Ohio brings more fans than Akron to this empty stadium game (I mean we're talking which one breaks 500 here, yes), given how thoroughly Akron's season flew off the rails.

Edited Sunday at 01:48 PM by exit322

[MangoZip]

Once again, same old question: Will Broughton play? I believe last week was the first week that he dressed since the injury in Minnesota, does that mean he might actually hit the field this week? The lack of information from this program is so frustrating (among other things!)

[exit322]

On 11/1/2026 at 8:53 AM, MangoZip said:

Once again, same old question: Will Broughton play? I believe last week was the first week that he dressed since the injury in Minnesota, does that mean he might actually hit the field this week? The lack of information from this program is so frustrating (among other things!)

 

I think there's a combo of "he could use more tape" and "why risk getting hurt for this"

[UAZipster0305]

On 11/1/2026 at 8:06 AM, catdaddyp said:

QB:

Ohio has utilized several quarterbacks throughout the 2026 season due to injuries, and unfortunately for the Zips, they are now healthy at the position and will be rolling out their original starter, Nick Poulos. Poulos has thrown for 781 yards, completed 59% of his passes, and recorded 6 touchdowns compared to zero interceptions. He is excellent when kept clean, but can struggle under pressure, completing only 27% of his passes in those situations. However, he is rarely under pressure, as Poulos has the mobility to escape the pocket when needed and also plays behind one of the better offensive lines in the MAC.

 

RB:

The Bobcats primarily rotate two running backs in UConn transfer Victor Rosa and German native Duncan Brune. The duo has combined for 716 yards and 8 touchdowns. Although neither back has the breakaway top-end gear, they are both excellent at grinding opponents down. The most explosive back is redshirt freshman Irving Brown, but he did not play in the last game. Brown has rushed for 219 yards on just 23 carries.

 

WR:

Redshirt sophomores Riley Neer, Dom Dorwart, and Kentucky transfer Preston Bowman have been almost the exclusive options at wide receiver in 2026. The trio has combined for 1046 yards and 11 touchdowns.

 

TE:

Ohio will rotate several different tight ends in its offense. Redshirt sophomore Jake Furtney is the primary pass catcher, while redshirt sophomore AJ Miller and Kansas State transfer Andrew Metzger are mostly utilized as blockers. 

 

OL:

This offensive line has only allowed 13 sacks and is also a big reason for the Bobcats effectiveness in the run game.

LT - Jarian Shelby (6’4 295) (R. Sr.)

LG - Tigana Cisse (6’3 314) (Gr.)

C - Bryce Parson (6’3 308) (R. So.)

RG - Seth Anstead (6’3 310) (R. So.)

RT - Trumain Lawson (6’5 295) (R. Fr.) - Transfer from Long Island

 

DL:

Redshirt freshman Ike Ackerman and Michigan State transfer Tyler Gillison are the starters at edge. They have combined for 5.5 sacks. Redshirt freshman Ty Neubert and former Youngstown State transfer Nehemiah Dukes start on the interior. 

 

LB:

Redshirt seniors Michael Molnar and Jack Fries handle the majority of snaps at linebacker. Both are likely in line for all-conference seasons as they’ve collected 138 total tackles and 7.5 sacks.

 

DB:

Incarnate Word transfer Barry Dillon and redshirt junior Kendall Bannister are the starting cornerbacks. Redshirt sophomore JT Haskins starts at nickleback, with former Zip Ronald Jackson rotating in. Elon transfer Darren James-Hamilton and redshirt junior DJ Walker are the starting safeties. 

 

ST:

Kent State transfer Will Hryszko is 10 of 13 on fields goals and perfect on 26 extra point attempts. Magnus Haines is averaging nearly 44 yards per punt, with a long of 53 yards. Safety James-Hamilton is also the primary kick returner and has already taken two back for touchdowns.

 

Keys on Offense:

Run the ball as much as possible. The best path to success is keeping the ball on the ground, grinding out the clock, and limiting possessions for this physical Ohio offense.

 

Keys on Defense:

The phrase "Bend, But Don't Break" truly applies to this game. The Bobcats will likely look to run the ball early and often. Akron will need to commit an extra defender to the box to slow down Ohio's offense. It goes without saying, but the Zips' secondary cannot afford to have another performance like it did last week.

 

Final Thoughts:

Ohio is yet again one of the better teams in the MAC, and the odds are definitely in their favor. However, Akron has nothing left to play for but pride at this point, and sometimes the lack of pressure can allow a team to play more freely. I’m not calling for a Zips win, but I am interested to see how this program responds given the way this season has unfolded.

My only thought on this game is that your ongoing enthusiasm is heroic, especially given the state of the program.

[blueandgold]

On 11/1/2026 at 8:53 AM, MangoZip said:

Once again, same old question: Will Broughton play? I believe last week was the first week that he dressed since the injury in Minnesota, does that mean he might actually hit the field this week? The lack of information from this program is so frustrating (among other things!)

At this point, would he be eligible for a medical redshirt if he doesn't play again this season? If so, might as well do that...what's the point of playing now? Then the question is, will he even come back here next season?

[ZippyDoo]

2 hours ago, blueandgold said:

At this point, would he be eligible for a medical redshirt if he doesn't play again this season? If so, might as well do that...what's the point of playing now? Then the question is, will he even come back here next season?

According to Google:

 

Under the NCAA's Division I 5-in-5 age-based eligibility model, a player cannot receive a medical redshirt or medical hardship waiver to keep an extra year of eligibility due to an injury. [1, 2, 3]

Key Rules

5 Seasons in 5 Years: Division I student-athletes are granted five years of eligibility to play up to five seasons.

Elimination of Redshirts and Waivers: Traditional redshirts, medical redshirts, and season-of-competition/hardship waivers have been eliminated for Division I.

 

The exceptions are military service, religious missions, and maternity leave.  Medical injuries no longer qualify.

 

Then again, the NCAA does do whatever they want....

 

Again... Straight from Google.... (I wonder if the season would have been different with Reese) 

Because of these legacy medical waivers and legal loopholes, rosters this season feature an unprecedented core of "super-seniors". For instance, prominent FBS programs like Virginia, Ohio State, Washington, and Colorado are currently starting documented 6th, 7th, and even 8th-year players like Noah Josey, Jake Renfro, and Geirean Hatchett.

[MangoZip]

I’m not sure but I think the new 5 for 5 rule starts with the new enrollees in Class of 27’ so none of those changes would apply to any players currently in college. 

[exit322]

Weather can't be much nicer for the empty stadium games.  That should help bring a few dozen more people to the stadium tonight.

[Zips1991]

I really wish the season was over already 😅 but I'll be there, mostly because the weather is too good (for a November game) to miss it.

[ZippyDoo]

the weather is supposed to be great.....  who knows maybe we will see an incredible upset...

 

I actually saw something the other day that said the Zips are not mathematically out of it yet and could still finish in a 10 way tie for second, if they run it out with wins and some other things happen.... Maybe Joe Moe will coach to win????

[clarkwgriswold]

1 hour ago, ZippyDoo said:

the weather is supposed to be great.....  who knows maybe we will see an incredible upset...

 

I actually saw something the other day that said the Zips are not mathematically out of it yet and could still finish in a 10 way tie for second, if they run it out with wins and some other things happen.... Maybe Joe Moe will coach to win????

 

That will be the sign of the end of the good weather because it will obviously be a very cold day in hell.

[exit322]

1 hour ago, ZippyDoo said:

I actually saw something the other day that said the Zips are not mathematically out of it yet and could still finish in a 10 way tie for second, if they run it out with wins and some other things happen.... Maybe Joe Moe will coach to win????

 

OK please find that and share it.  That would be comical to have something to cheer for if the Zips shock the world...

[Sergeant Zip]

Broughton might play?

 

https://x.com/UAZippedUp/status/2117737222069735863?a=lOoNvdbRk4T_qwZJjfE&s=20

 

Edited Tuesday at 10:44 PM by Sergeant Zip

[exit322]

Not sure it helps.  Roggow isn't why they're 1-7

[kreed5120]

11 minutes ago, exit322 said:

Not sure it helps.  Roggow isn't why they're 1-7

 

He's not the reason for the losses, but I don't think he has the same ability to put the offense on his back like CB is capable. He very well could have been the difference in both the EMU and Kent games.

Edited Tuesday at 11:04 PM by kreed5120

[exit322]

There aren't 2000 people here, 22 minutes from kickoff

 

Even as bad as Akron is, if it were a Saturday with 67 and no precipitation, there would be a decent crowd.  Midweek garbage kills fan support 

[kreed5120]

7 minutes ago, exit322 said:

There aren't 2000 people here, 22 minutes from kickoff

 

Even as bad as Akron is, if it were a Saturday with 67 and no precipitation, there would be a decent crowd.  Midweek garbage kills fan support 

 

Playing on election night probably doesn't help either.

[exit322]

5 minutes ago, kreed5120 said:

 

Playing on election night probably doesn't help either.

Whatever the midweek event is, that it's on a Tuesday kills fan support.

[exit322]

Broughton is warming up and Roggow doesn't have a helmet on.

 

Edit he's starting

Edited yesterday at 12:06 AM by exit322

[ZippyDoo]

CB is back....  and certainly Roggow was not the reason!!!!  

 

im just excited to see CB  back. 

[MDZip]

When is Poffenbarger back? 

[MDZip]

Don't love designed running plays for our 175 lb QB. 

[exit322]

Ok so that drive ended badly 

[exit322]

Just now, MDZip said:

Don't love designed running plays for our 175 lb QB. 

I think they're options, but point remains the same