NIU Game

[Captain Kangaroo]

Tough to get up for this one after seeing how horrible we've fared against quality competition on the road this year.

One thought: Should we win, it would be the greatest road victory in the history of Akron 1-A football. Navy was a good one, but Navy's lost to just about everyone. Winning this one would be the equivalent to beating Marshall in Huntington. I think NIU is THAT good.

Funny...when Lee took over the Zips in 1995 I remember beating a Novak-coached NIU soundly...something like 34-17 in DeKalb. We went 2-9 that year. Where NIU is today is where we all hoped Lee would have taken us. Novak's first several years were ugly, but he's built a hell of a program.

I want to win, but I would be heartend to see improvement. I'd like to see the D continue to be aggressive. I want to see the O convert some decent drives into 7 points.

GO ZIPS!

[Zipsrifle]

Well put as always Cap'n.

From looking at the NIU board, they are still a little wary of us. I'm not sure how good Southern Ill was, but they gave them a run for their money. I think in that game though NIU was probably looking past SIU to the Iowa State Game. Unfortunately for us, NIU plays FUC next and I don't think that makes them want to overlook anybody. Still, I think with continued improvement and some more luck, we could make it interesting. I agree that a win away at NIU would be HUGE! I expect to keep it reasonable (within 20 points), if we get blown out, I'll be disappointed.

From what I saw of the NIU BG game last week, NIU has a hell of a Line and a stable of Backs. That spells trouble for us. But, last weeks Can't State game was encouraging...I honestly thought Cribbs would light us up for more yards. If there is any game for Frye and the Receivers to have a breakout game, this would be a good week. I'm not sure how good their pass defense is? It's too bad that the game is televised, but not in Michigan. Well, I guess the car will get cleaned again this weekend.

It's amazing what a win, no matter how close, can make you feel a little better.

[Guest fellowzip]

on Comcast. game picked up local NE OHIO on Channel 29/35

Akron-Northern Illinois Game To Be Televised Locally

Cleveland Akron Television to carry Saturday's Comcast SportsNet telecast

Sept. 29, 2004

AKRON, Ohio - University of Akron football fans will have the opportunity to see the Zips' Mid-American Conference matchup with Northern Illinois University Saturday at 4 p.m. (EST) as the game will be broadcast locally by the Cleveland Akron Television Network (CAT).

Comcast SportsNet of Chicago, which owns the rights to the game, will originate the broadcast from Huskie Stadium in DeKalb, Ill. Dave Kaplan (play-by-play), Tom Waddle (color) and Mitch Robinson (sidelines) will call the action.

The CAT, which is broadcast on Channel 29 (WAOH) in Akron and Channel 35 (WAX) in Cleveland, reaches 1.1 million homes in northeast Ohio with its over-the-air signal, including nearly 267,000 households on its cable affiliates. A complete list of the cable systems televising the Zips-Huskies broadcast is below.

Other than in the Akron-Cleveland region, the game can only be seen in the Chicago area on Comcast SportsNet, a new regional cable outlet.

Akron enters the weekend 1-3 after picking up its first win of the season Thursday with a 24-19 victory over Can't State. Northern Illinois downed Bowling Green, 34-17, Friday to even its record at 2-2 on the season. The Huskies received votes this week in the ESPN/USA Today coaches poll.

Cable Systems Carrying the CAT:

Wide Open West (WOW) in Cuyahoga County-28,500-Ch. 99

North Olmsted, Middleburg Heights, Brook Park, Berea, Strongsville, North Royalton, Fairview Park, Westlake, Brooklyn, Shaker Heights, Linndale, Valley View, Garfield Heights, Independence, Cuyahoga Heights and Maple Heights.

Time Warner Cable in Summit & Portage Counties-156,500-Ch. 14

Barberton, Norton, Cuyahoga Falls, Stow, Silver Lake, Lakemore, Mogadore, Munroe Falls, Tallmadge, Akron, Bath, Fairlawn, Uniontown, Suffield, Coventry, Green, Lake Twp, Franklin Twp, Wadsworth, Randolph, Atwater, Can't, Can't State University, Streetsboro, Ravenna, Rootstown, Brimfield, Deerfield, Palmyra and Marlboro.

Adelphia in Summit & Portage Counties-30,000-Ch. 29

Macedonia, Northfield Center, Sagamore Hills, Twinsburg, Aurora, Reminderville, Hiram, Boston Heights, Hudson, Mantua and Shalersville.

Wadsworth Cable in Medina County-2600 Homes-Ch. 21

Wadsworth

Armstrong Cable in Wayne County-4000 Homes-Ch. 29

Dalton, Marshallville, Orrville and Kidron

Doylestown Cable in Wayne County-1400 Homes-Ch. 8

Doylestown

Massillon Cable in Stark County-30,000 Homes-Ch. 21

Massillon

Clear Picture Cable in Wayne County-14,000 Homes-Ch. 21

[Guest Guest]

Looking forward to a good game on Saturday. Just to give you a little history of our past opponent SIU, they are currenlty the #1 ranked 1-AA team in the nation. Furman, which is the #2 ranked 1-AA team gave Pitt more than they wanted. The SIU victory was nice, but could have easily been a loss.

We had a respectable performance at Maryland and we basically gave the Iowa St. game away. The ISU game has become a nice match up for both schools...we play them at their place again next year.

This saturday, I expect the same type of gameplan as BGSU. Run the ball and keep Frye off the field. Best of luck.

Go NIU

[zipboy]

This will be a good test to see where the Zips stand. NIU plays smash mouth football at its best. JD had a great comment, something like "good players, in a good system, with good coaching, who execute."

Nothing spectacular but the sum of the parts are greater together. The backup RB looked tough last week. I think the Zips will play tough. NIU also does not blow many people out so it should be a tighter game than people expect. I look for the D to step up big again. The running game needs to produce as well. Any word on Frye's finger? How much will it hold him back? Go Zips!