Thank you........

[Big Zip]

to Can't's place kicker. We couldn't have won this game without you.

I was out of town for the Virginia game and couldn't offer any real comments, but if the play calling at Virginia was anything like the play calling last night we certainly know where part of the problem lies. For all that Owens was and wasn't -- the offense was potent and got the job done. Owens would still be coaching here if he ever figured out how to hire a coach that new defense.

I'm not sure I saw the positives other Zips fans including Coach Brookhart saw in the defense. I saw a team that still can't tackle -- Diontre Earl doesn't have the first clue (still) about wrapping his arms around a player -- he thinks they should just fall down when he hits them. They over pursue -- can't grasp the concept of stopping the option. (By the way Can't would have won this game going away if they woudl have stuck with the option.) They are extremely slow to the ball and the guy on defense with the biggest heart, the most will to get in the middle in a mix it up and isn't afraid of anyone is the smallest guy on defense Chevin Pace. Man is he fun to watch. The defense did have a nice stop at the 2 yard line, but lets face it what was Can't's coach thinking going up the middle twice -- the option worked all night long. How about a naked boot where Cribbs had the option to run or pass. The bend and don't break defense worked because Can't's PK missed two field goals and had an extra point blocked, period.

As far as the offense goes -- get an imagination. What the hell -- run on first 90% of the time - of course you aren't going to go anywhere. Isn't it interesting that the only time we move the ball Frye threw the ball. (Aside from Biggs last run.) I still love Biggs at the RB spot -- Ringer is terrible and if he plays and we throw Frye is going to get killed. He has no idea how to pick up a blitz. To top it off he is running very hesitantly. While Ringer is moving his way to the bench please grab Morris Ellington and take him with you. Do you think Frye goes home after last night's game and says -- He Morris do you think you could have caugh one of those f*%king balls I hit you in the hands with tonight. Wow -- how come Jabari Arthur wasn't playing as much last night? Ellington must catch passes in practice because I can't figure out why he wasn't playing. Hixson is solid and Frye -- although running for his life most of the night -- looked solid (not his best performance) tonight. The OL had a hard time of it in the first half and got mildly better in the second half, but then again Frye was throwing more in the second half and Akron was moving the pocket more -- so maybe they didn't get better at all.

Special Team -- punt coverage

When you give up two special teams touchdowns to two lower level Div. 1 teams in the first four weeks of the year -- maybe you are in a job over your head. Yeah -- yeah the special teams blocked a extra point and recovered a fumble -- they didn't cause the fumble they just recovered it and when your special teams is giving up TDs -- you are really in trouble.

Cap'n looking at your original response last night -- I'll look forward to your follow up, but I have to agree with ZIP listening on the radio -- ugly game game with the prettier of the ugly girls going home with a win.

[zipboy]

Good post BZ, I agree with a lot of what you say although you say it more directly than I do. Was the play calling changed because of Frye's injury or is that the normal offense? Biggs has cleary supplanted Ringer and played 80% of the time. Why is Arthur not starting? The O line was horrible in the 1st half and better in the 2nd. At least they started holding rather than having Frye take another shot. Special teams, except for kick off coverage and the sure hands of Hixon returning punts worries me.

That said, Zips beat Can't last night! I am still on a high. And I disagree about the D. They played a very good game last night. I have never seen Akron get that much pressure on a QB. They attacked and were aggressive. The secondary stepped up big time. And the D hit people. How many times did Cribbs run the option, and a guy just nailed him as he pitched out unlike Penn State? That had to take a toll on him. Earl is helped off the field, I think that he is done for the year, and he limps back out 15 minutes later. Gonzalez who played a nice game gets thrown out, someone else steps up. When the Zips need a stop with 2 minutes left, they actually get a stop, and sack Cribbs to boot. I thought they played really well. They had an attitude that they actually were going to make a stop. I don't remember them playng that way in a long time.

We now have 8 days to get healthy for NIU. A win at NIU and the Zips can still lose 1 before Marshall and be playing for 1st place. Can't is better than everyone the Zips play from here on out except NIU, Marshall, and Miami. Let's see if the offense can get straightened out next week.

A few side notes, I took 10 people to the game, a few casual fans with no ties to the Zips or Can't. They could not get over the Zip band. Great job again zipsbandsman. We stayed for the fireworks and it was great hearing the band play after the game. It was all great to see the team bring the Wagon Wheel over and sing the fight song with you. It was also great to see the 7K+ Zips fans as CK predicted. Goaline stand into the Zips endzone with Akron fans going crazy. How could anyone not get chills watching that?

A few other notes, I saw Lebron at the game with his entourage. I must have seen about 20-30 coeds come up to Lebron throughout the game. Man, I should have been an NBA player. Romeo had a Tarver 00 throwback jersey on. 3 female Can't student were in front of the Akron bench taunting the Zips. They had several signs one which read Cribbs is the true Heisman with a line through Frye's name. Zips go up 24-13, she is still waiving her sign, Charlie looks up and says with a smile, "Do you want me to sign that for you?"

Great pre game as I drove to Can't. Jason Taylor bobblehead night for the Marshall game will be awesome. Rece Davis asking for a piece of the Wagon Wheel to be sent to ESPN studios if the Zips win was cool too.

And finally, I always knew that Can't could not count. Gotta have at least 4 guys lined up on each side of the kicker for on side kicks. GO ZIPS!

[GP1]

Would all of you Lee Owens jock sniffers please stop posting on this sight. Last night's game was EXACTLY the type of game that Owens would have lost you freaking idiots. For Christ's sake, he only won 40 games in nine years (some of those wins were against 1-AA teams). Oh, I'm sorry, he would have at least scored against Virginia and we could have lost 51-7........I feel much better. If Owens had ANY coaching ability, he would be somewhere other than Ashland. My God, you people are dumb!!!

For all the sane people out there, Akron won a hard fought game last night against a good team. Road games are not easy to win, especially against a rival. Any time a team scores 24 points in a game, they should win the game........and they did.

For all the Owens jock sniffers, I'm sorry the Zips ran the ball so much last night. It only helped them control the clock and wear down a Can't defense that allowed a long touchdown run late in the fourth quarter. In fact, I don't know what game you guys were watching, but the running game was excellent in the second half. Owens could have never made the adjustments with that hight school offense that he runs that the current coaching staff did. I'm sorry that that strategy is beyond the mental capacity of some of you on this site. Coaching won that game!!!! Great job JD. You deserve better than the first two posts.

To all the jock sniffers, I'm also sorry the defense played so poorly. Holding a team to 19 points while blocking an extra point and forcing long field goals that were missed. Holding them on the two yard line was also a disaster. Should we have let them score so we could really have something to bitch about? It forced us to use that horrible running game of ours to run the clock down late in the game giving Can't no chance to win and we could kneel the clock out to win. Attention Owens jock sniffers, when a defense holds a team to less points than their own team scores, they win the game!!!

One last time, if you are going to write this site with stupid comments about how Owens would have done this or that, please don't. You are all making asses out of yourselves. We now have a big time coach who wants to take the progam to the next level. Winning close games is a sign of a good coach. In the recent past, close games became disasters, Middle Tennessee included. The coaches got the team over the hump last night. I think it is a sign of good things to come.

[Guest Hey Big Zip]

Too bad the good lord couldn'tstuff any brains inside that big bald head of yours.

The Akron defense holds Can't's offense scoreless for 3+ quarters and you bitch. Last year's defense gave up 41 points.

Charlie Frye dislocates his throwing hand pinky 9 times during the game and you bitch about running the ball instead of passing. Note to Big AL - you use the pinky to guide the ball and to apply spin and velocity - that means speed dumbass. Did you wonder why #5's touchdown pass was a wobbling duck... You are such a bitch.

Can't wait to see your next post and see what else is wrong with the world from your rose colored seat on the bench.

[Guest ***GUEST_ZIPPER]

No worries folks - your tempers are up way too much.

I've been surfing this board since it logged on and there are a few certainties.

ZIPMAN types in all caps.

Z-P makes greate references to tv shows andwhat is like to work on the assembly line.

Captain Kangaroo makes great home brew.

and BIG ZIP is a 24/7/365 bitch and moan guy. Brother you have not made a positive post about anything for 2 years. You really need to wake your old lady up and steal a piece and let some of your aggression go because your bad vibes are stinking up the joint.

[zff]

Boy the Zips play hard for 60 mins put a W on the board and people still bitch.

Was it pretty no but guess what a win is a win.

Coach Brookhart said after the game the play calling was changed after Frye hurt his finger. So I think that means all the running was because Charlie had a hard time throwing the ball.

The D gave up some yards but did not break. Cribbs was running around bacj there almost the whole game the Zips got great pressure on him. Most of there big plays was due to him being a great player. Did they look a little sloopy at times yes but trust me thaey are getting better. Every game you are goign to see improvement from the Defense.

This was a great win and I tip my hat to the player, coaches and administration for a job well done!!!!!

BTW Can't you are still the Zips Bitch!!!!!!

[Guest ZipperRoo]

Great Win.

Big Zip is an ass clown? Have not heard that term in while but it does seem to fit.

[Big Zip]

By all estimations you idiots make -- the Zips are ready to win the MAC this year. Why is it you have referrred to Can't as a tough team? I'm not an Owens fan either -- not sure if you pay that much attention to what I write, but the fact is I called for Owens to be gone long before -- why people told me I was an idiot for that. I now mention Owens being more creative than JD and I'm an idiot for that -- make up your mind.

Lets look at the stats assholes -- 390 yards -- oh yeah that is a great defensive effort. I wasn't bitching about them stopping Can't on the two -- I said it was stupid play calling by Can't's coach. Elton Alexander pointed out how Can't ran all over Akron and couldn't figure out why they passed too, but you're right -- I'm wrong. Akron averaged 3.2 yard per carry -- memo to idiots -- that isn't too good. Can't averaged 4.6 pretty good.

Morris Ellington -- 1 catch -4 yards -- 4 drops that hit him in the hands. No reason to bitch there -- you're right. I was unaware of Frye's finger problems, but they didn't seem to cause any problems with the passes he threw to Ellington.

Are you sure you guys know what football is - this team has a long way to go. A win is a win I'm HAPPY with a win -- right it down HAPPY. But I'm certainly not going to go as far as saying they played well.

Oh yeah by the way -- I was one of the lone positive posts after the MTSU loss -- so if you're going to call me out -- get your facts straight. I'm sorry I'd like to root for a team that plays well and wins games -- if you all feel good about this win that's great. I hope they are back in the saddle today working on game film for the NIU game.

[Guest ***GUEST_Zipper]

Big Zip - you are an idiot.

How can a coach be creative with an offense less 5 skill player starters, a sorry offensive line and in one game a gimp quarterback. You must be a Democrat - you twist things so. Just like Dan Rather.

If you use Ellen Alexander as a quality source you really purge any minimal intelligence others have credited you with.

Yeah, no problem with a dislocated finger x11. How about you come over to the plant and I can kick you in the ass so I can dislocate your thumb jerk.

[Dr Z]

I think...

Great night for football. Nice event. Good showing by Zips fans. Love those thundersticks (still think they should be french fries)

Offensive line stunk up the joint. Get it together boyz. Everybody else is improving, your turn.

#10 was all over the place, again, he is a player

Cribs was tough last night. Gotta let that guy throw and not run. Slippery good.

I watched special teams return close last night, NOBODY was hitting anybody on our returns.

Hixon needs some help. I'll even call out #10, twice I saw him back pedal to Hixon and not hit anyone.

Frye is fun to watch. Runs for his life most of the game and still looks good.

That defensive stand on 4th was AWESOME, yep I just wrote defensive stand. Wow.

I watched Can't play Iowa, even though the score was lopsided, I thought Can't played well, they are not a bad team.

1-0 in the MAC baby, I feel much better about going to the Bowl now. Not HAVING to go, wanting to go.

Keep improving guys.

[zipsbandman]

Where is the love on this board? We get a win and the joint goes haywire. The bottom line is we have the wagon wheel. I have been a tough critic these past few weeks, but the defense won this game for us. Who ever could have predicted this? The fact that we were able to keep Cribbs and Alston in check for much of the game says a lot. The thing we have to realize is these guys are hard to tackle. They make guys miss. However, the defense flew to the ball just like JD promised. If we can get an offensive line, maybe we can get something going.

Its a great day being a zip today. We have a great rivalry with Can't, and we they drew almost as much as we did last year when ours was the first game of the season. We showed them off at halftime and gametme, and I discovered that we actually do have fans.

We beat Can't! Lets enjoy this!

[Big Zip]

I agree -- we beat Can't and I'm enjoying it.

Folks just don't want you to be critical -- so be careful.

By the way Guest Zip -- this wasn't the first game the play calling looked like this.

[Guest Zip88]

Random Thoughts...

The Zips finally did to someone else what other teams have done to us for years.

We were patient, somewhat conservative, and ran the ball whether it worked right away or not. Don't care why -- whether because Charlie was hurt or not. The end result was we did not beat ourselves. :rofl:

Instead we actually put pressure on Can't State to perform and they imploded. We capitalized on their mistakes -- we won. Usually, we hang some huge offensive numbers on the board -- ydg etc, but mistakes cost us the game -- not this time... I hope that's a positive sign.

No INT's for TD's, no turnovers in Red Zone. (unless ypu want to count INT thrown from 40 yd line and caught at Can't State 3 yd line).

No blocked kicks.

No fumbles inside our 10.

Better effort. Zips played with emotion -- and determination. :

Winning sure beats losing!!

Who designed the flushes Uni's this year?? UGGGLEEE.... Whoa Nellie...

NIU looked good tonite... hopefully, they are looking past us. With the confidence gained vs Can't State.. maybe we catch them at the right time -- a little Huskie surpeise ??

Let's get on a roll...

GO ZIPS!!!

[zipboy]

Wow, I actually thought my post was positive, not a Owens jock sniffer type post. The D played great, I am excited the Zips won, and I like JD. However, I still think BZ made some good points about the offense. Penn State we threw 2 yard dinks. MTSU, every 1st down play was a run. Also, 3rd and 8 play actions don't fake anyone out either. Hopefully JD was planning to open things up until Frye got hurt. He did a lot better this week getting the play in on time as well. I know it is a learning process, but the Zips are too conservative right now.

The running game needs a lot of work as well. I hope you are right GP1, but I don't see a strong running game as you are. The Zips have tried for 4 games to establish something on the ground and have not been able to. That worries me.

[Captain Kangaroo]

Wow, I actually thought my post was positive, not a Owens jock sniffer type post. The D played great, I am excited the Zips won, and I like JD. However, I still think BZ made some good points about the offense. Penn State we threw 2 yard dinks. MTSU, every 1st down play was a run. Also, 3rd and 8 play actions don't fake anyone out either. Hopefully JD was planning to open things up until Frye got hurt. He did a lot better this week getting the play in on time as well. I know it is a learning process, but the Zips are too conservative right now.

The running game needs a lot of work as well. I hope you are right GP1, but I don't see a strong running game as you are. The Zips have tried for 4 games to establish something on the ground and have not been able to. That worries me.

I just think a lot of the conservatism stems from the lack of an offensive line. Frye can't go deep too often because he's getting no protection. Remember our pass-blocking last season was pretty bad...and we lost Cummins and Hendry...replacing them with Ringer/Crouch...so I think we got a little worse. Maybe a lot worse...

[Zipsrifle]

WOW, what a great game! Just got back to the homestead in Michigan after an AWESOME weekend. Read through everyones posts, here are my 2 cents.

First of all, I love the fact that all the Can't State fans predicting a Zips stomping are eating their words. Two years, two huge crowds, two close battles with the visiting team winning. Glad to see that the kicking that beat us last year beat Can't this year. Was Mayleis the kicker last season? I tell you what, this rivalry is back in a big way and I wouldn't be at all suprised if the Bowl sells out next year.

Second, Kudos to the D. They stepped up when they needed to. GREAT goal line stand. I was so F#@! suprised when they stopped them, I thought for sure they would score. Cribbs is a very slippery guy and he makes some amazing plays. I still don't know how he found a receiver AND completed the pass with about 4 Zips pulling him down. There were so many times I thought we had him and he slides out of it. I honestly thought he would burn us for more and if we can clean a few things up we would have won that game convincingly with the D.

They took a big step forward Trs. night, but, IMO, there is still a lot of work to do. Can someone explain to me why we are diving at peoples feet? Common sense tells me that once you leave your feet diving, your direction can't change and you're done for the rest of the play. Cribbs would just jog around, and when our guys would dive, he'd jump over them and keep running. If you can't catch him, keep chasing him...if he turns around, there you are! PLEASE wrap up! Way too many times where we just ran into the guys. If we can't wrap up, Wolfe and NIU will Destory us. PLEASE TURN AROUND AND LOOK FOR THE BALL! WTF! I'm glad Can't couldn't catch cause we sure weren't going to try to intercept it. Finally, though we did actually win a close game, it was still WAY too reminicent of past games. When everyone was celebrating after Biggs TD, I told them that this was Akron and I won't celebrate till the clock says 0:00. The Can't kicker did an AWESOME job on the onside kicks, and everyone looked at me like I was psychic after they recovered the first one. JD did make his first move in breaking the last minute losing traditon, but we really need to learn to put a team away with less than 3:00 remaining.

For the OL, I have to give them credit for making adjustments after halftime. I think that is the first time Biggs has seen green in front of him all year. Made some adjustments to the blocking too, at least they would actually get in front of someone blitzing instead of ignoring them. It's a step in the right direction, but we'll need a big improvement if we're going to hang with NIU. Frye still can't let plays develop and we're forced to do quick, short passes. Man I miss Cherry, Sparks & Irvin...I was spoiled with their hands the last few years. You just expect the receivers to come down with the ball 99% of the time. Biggs is the man, Ringer is on the bench. Glad to see him get the TD. Frye, Didn't know he hurt his hand, he's a trooper. I don't think his decision making as been up to par these past 2 games though. He's going to need some big games to beat the MAC records.

Coaching staff, like I said before, took the first huge step in breaking the last minute losing tradition. I still don't understand the very predictable first down run up the middle though. I guess it's supposed to lull the D into playing the run on first down for later in the game. I just don't think 2nd and 10+ is where you want to be on every series. Enough with the nagging. Congrats on your first win. I think there will be many more to come. I'm very impressed with how prepared the team was for the game. You went into your arch rivals house, in front of a huge crowd as the underdog and came out on top. What a first win! We've got a long week to prepare to play a very impressive NIU team that looks to be the team to beat in the West. We're atop the East right now! I hope that we're still in contention by the time Miami and Marshall come into town and we're ready for them. Nice job guys, VERY important win. Way to keep Can't our BIAAAATCH!

[Zips Win!]

Easy does it GP1! This entire post is an example of why I prefer to argue in person versus a message board.

While I disagree with Big Zips analysis of the defense in the Can't game--I thought the D was outstanding for 3 quarters, especially taking into account that Can't went to the option. This offense takes days to prepare for and so the discrepancy in yards and per carry average is bound to happen. Cribbs got away several times, but the pressure was excellent most of the day.

On the other hand, I for one, did not interpret the mere mention of Owens' name and reference of his offense as being a jock sniffer type post either. (Yours either, zipboy) Most of the posts on this board wanted Owens fired years ago.......I took it purely as a reference.

That being said, it looks like JD is going to be a very conservative play-caller as long as he is NOT losing. In the Can't game, we were never down so he was and will continue to try to establish the run, even if it's getting only a yard or two. This approach takes time off the clock and of course, shortens the game. If 8-10 of the first half running plays weren't called, there could have been 2-4 more minutes on the clock and then maybe we have a replay of last year at the end of the game. Add in the fact that the protection of Charlie is lacking, to say the least, and you will continue to see conservative play calling.

If any, or all, of the components to our offense get going--blocking, pass catching, running--- I'm sure the offense and play-calling will open up.