Notes & Thoughts

[Dr Z]

Can't lose to a team with the longest current losing streak.

I want some revenge. Last time I went to CF, we got smoked, I'm not going this time, so we should win.

Akron 3 point underdog.

The Golden Knights now possess the longest current losing streak (nine games) in Division I college football. With Army upsetting Cincinnati and East Carolina topping Tulane, the top two teams on the list entering last weekend jumped off their perch. Now the Knights get the headlines.

And to think UCF nearly jumped off the list as well. A late-game comeback at home over MAC kingpin Northern Illinois (4-2, 3-0) had UCF up one point in the final minutes. But Madison High product Josh Haldi shook off a three-interception game to direct the Huskies into field-goal range for the game-winner in the final seconds.

Just about any coach in any sport will tell you the first step toward success is to beat the teams you are supposed to beat. Despite the Zips' overall record (2-4), Akron quarterback Charlie Frye is doing exactly that to keep the Zips in the hunt in the MAC East Division, where they are 2-1.

By knocking off woeful Can't State (1-5) and doormat Buffalo (1-5), the Zips remain in step with the second-place Miami RedHawks and just a game behind division-leading Marshall. Both of those teams are due to visit the Rubber Bowl late in the season.

The schedule breaks Akron's way again this week with a road game at - ta-daa - Central Florida. If Frye can take care of that bit of business, Akron then plays three of its final four games at home, with a bye week between Ball State (1-5) and Marshall.

Jake to get look from other teams (bottom right)

MAC getting some respect (see #7) Frye is next?

Did anybody else notice that Swiger was BOOMING his kickoffs Saturday night? :blink:

[GP1]

I think we are in an excellent position right now. UCF will be down after losing a close game at NIU. While they are busy wondering if they will ever win a game, we will sneak by them (I say that with my fingers crossed.....very difficult to type). All of our games are winable. Marshall looked bad Saturday and if Miami can lose one more between now and when we play them, they may lay down at the Bowl the last game of the year. There is no reason we can't win at least three more games. 5-6 would be a great finish to a VERY poor start.

I hate to jinx us, but our special teams are plaing well this year. Swiger is kicking them high and deep and also into the corner where they want it. 14 is also kicking well. Keep up the good work guys, God knows that is all you have to do. Our punt returner is gauges where the ball is going to come down good and is sure handed. We had a kick returned for a TD Saturday and we never looked back after that.

[Big Zip]

GP1 you can't be serious about the special teams right? They've given up three punt returns for touchdowns. You must have been talking about the kicking -- Swiger was booming them into the end zone all night Saturday night.

I hope I don't sound like John Kerry flip flopping, but I thought the Zips looked good Saturday. The best thing for me from the defense was seeing the DE stay home and stop the option. I swear it seems like we can never stop the option -- in the second half the Zips D came through against the option. That 3rd and 48 looked great on the scoreboard. When the Zips blitzed they got good pressure on the QB -- I hope they keep it up. During the two touchdowns to open the halves -- the defense looked tentative like it was thinking too much instead of playing like they know how to. When they just started playing they looked better.

As for the offense -- GP1 do you still believe Frye has a weak arm. The rocket he threw to Arthur was great and the pass Hixon let go through his finger tips was easily 50 yards. Any word on Arthur -- I guess we always knew that was the risk of JD plahing him As for Hixon-- he had a great game (his parents had a sign that said Happy 20th Birthday -- not a bad birthday), but how good would it have been if he wouldn't have let three or four slip through his hands. My wife pointed out she noticed Mr. Hixon leaving for the concession stand prior to his kick off return -- he missed the whole thing. What a run -- what a hole. My father usually makes it to a couple games a year with me and he hasn't been yet -- I know the one thing that always gets him are the dropped passes. Frye was 13 of 23, but he could have easily been 18 or 19 of 23.

I know this win was against Buffalo, but I think we have good reason to be excited considering where this team began the year. It's going to be interesting over the next three weeks. If the Zips can head into that Marshall game 4-4 and 4-1 in the MAC I have to believe the bowl will be nearly full. Only problem is it's the firs week of High School football playoffs -- good thing is there won't be as many teams playing -- bad thing is those playing will pull big crowds.

[Guest ***GUEST_racer]

im just gald the offense finally puts some points on the board. i still think the offense is capable of putting points 30+ on the board on most of the teams we play except for marshall. i think the marshall and ou games will be difficult to win. it would be nice to win the next two and go into the marshall game. the game would at least build some excitment back into things, and hopefully get some people into the stands.

[Captain Kangaroo]

I liked the fact that we threw only 23 times. Our OL was a good run-blocking group last season. When we went "Frye-centric," we struggled to maintain drives, eat the clock, wear the opponent down, etc.

We were bigger and stronger than Buffalo, and we pushed them all over the field. I liked the game plan.

We will be able to do the same thing against UCF. We did last season, and UCF is probably worse this year than last.

Biggs was awesome. He's got a 2nd gear once he breaks the line of scrimmage. I hope the OL gives him the holes again this week.

The Zips have never won a road game of this (UCF game) magnitude. UCF sucks. They have the longest losing streak in the nation. Buffalo beat them by almost 30 points. They're coming off a heartbreaker. Step on their throat, Zips! Go for the kill!

What BZ said is true. Win here...take care of our home field vs. Ball State...take a week off to heal Frye's finger...and see the full house for Marshall November 5th. How bad does the team and staff want it?? Stay tuned.....

[Guest UCFKnight04]

Akron,

Greetings from UCF and the City Beautiful. I hope those of you who make the trip to Orlando have a great stay. If you need any ideas on things to do (there's more than the mouse), stop by UCFSports.com and just ask.

As far as this game goes, most UCF fans won't dare predict a win or a loss. This team is unpredictable. We fell to #9 West Virginia and to Buffalo by just about the same score. Then we went on to have a chance to beat NIU (possibly the best team in the MAC this year) only to lose in the final seconds.

Many UCF fans do see steady improvement from game to game as far as ability and an understanding of the new coaching regimes methods. The inconsistancies in performance may be due to the number of injuries we've had this season, particularly on defense in the secondary. Two of our defensive players, Mike Walker and Brandon Marshall are converted wide recievers after the Penn State game. Walker seems to be enjoying the role, already recording 3 INTs.

If the 2nd half of the NIU game was any indictation, we have finally found a quarterback. Steven Moffet had an incredible 2nd half. 17 for 19 with no ints incredible. This is a 180 from the first half where the only time we got into FG range he was picked off and returned for an interception.

Our weakness is on the line of scrimmage. We are extremely young there. They are improving every game.

I will leave you with this. You should be able to win this game if you come to play. However, if UCF plays to its potential, and catches a few breaks, we could open it up. If that happens, don't lose faith in your team. UCF is the best 0-5 team in the nation

Take care

[Dr Z]

Bottom 10, Yikes! We can't lose to a bottom 10 feeder.

Too many MAC teams on this list.

UCF is going to come in and dominate the MAC and then move...ooops forgot the dominate part

[zipper]

UCFKnight04, thanks for the post and welcome. Your comments about UCF reminded me of us in many ways (except that we, of course, already have a quarterback Ain't it fun implementing new systems?)

I believe as Charlie goes, there goes the team, and right now Charlie's head appears to be on pretty damn straight. He is one tough mother. But as you have said, no one here dares try to predict at this point in the season.

Should be a good game. Fellow Zips, is this one on tv anywhere??

[Dr Z]

Fellow Zips, is this one on tv anywhere??

Doesn't look good right now. Looks like French and Stams.

Sunshine network is showing "Ballroom Boxing" instead of UCF football

ESPN Gameplan is showing the "red hot" Buckeyes going for 3 straight....Go Hawkeyes!

[Guest Guest]

Dr.,

Don't look at week 3 under the Bottom 10. I will have the computer tuned to Web Radio, if I can find a link.

[Guest UCFKnights04]

Dr Z,

We got rid of the loudmouth...but of the many teams to rub that in the face of UCF and their fans, Akron isn't on the list.

After all, you guys gave us a "brass knuckles entrance" into the MAC, right?

51-0 at the half if I recall...before we called off the dogs and ended 57-17.

Anyway, fast forward to 2004 - should be a great game!

[Zipsrifle]

OK, here is my first shot at trying to figure out what happened during the UCF vs. NIU game. UCF 28 - NIU 30 They are a confusing team. Lets hope the bad UCF team shows up this Saturday.

Like I said before, after UB Smoked UCF, I thought this week battle against UCF would be one for us to lose. Well, after what happend at UCF vs. NIU, I'm taking another look.

First of all, UCF's attack was almost all passing. They had 272 yds through the air and only 51 on the ground. They have, for the most part, been stuffed with the run this season with their best game of just over 200 yds against Buffalo. They did have 170 yds against WV though. They have put up over 270 yards through the air for the past 2 weeks. I would guess that their passing attack has taken hold and I expect that they will be strong in this area. I seems to me that we've been challenged by mostly running attacks this season. I think that this weekend we'll be looking at an attack that consists mainly of passing, but with enough running to keep us honest. Could be the first BIG test for the Zips defensive backfield.

My next thought is: did NIU call off the dogs after being up 21-0 after the first half? They were so kind against us, but did it give momentum to UCF last week? UCF's first score was an almost 70 yard pass play. Was this against 2nd team NIU defensive backs?

Turnovers were a key in this (NIU) game. UCF held the advantage with 3 INT's and one was their 2nd TD. They (UCF) have averaged about 2 turnovers a game, but that includes an abysmal 6 turnovers against PSU. I'd say the two teams are probably pretty even here, and I think the Zips will have to win this battle to come away with a win against UCF.

Finally, Novak said that NIU played a bad game. I don't know how much this accounts for but I guess we'll find out this Saturday.

On the Zips side, I think that we might have another good rushing night this Saturday. UCF has consistently give up over 200 ypg in rushing. UCF did have their best Defensive outing against the rush against NIU though....and that is scary! I think that when we become one dimensional, we are in for a rough night. UCF is also giving up about 200 ypg through the air. I know that both of our wins have been with Frye injured. I'm hoping that he heals well this week, along with Jabari, and we can be more effective through the air.

So, Right now, I think that UCF is going to be airing it out for most of the game. We need to continue to stiffen up against the rush. We had a good outing last week and need to keep the momentum up. We 've got to win the turnover battle and keep them from getting too many big plays throught he air. I'm looking for the Zips to come out with another balanced attack and hopefully a healthy Frye. He has yet to have a breakout game and it would be nice for one this week.

Anyway, in the event anyone is interested, here are the main links I used to compare the stats. Looks like everyone in the MAC uses a common format.

Akron Stats

UCF Stats

[Guest ucf guest]

In reply to your Novak quote. I found the article. He said they played a bad game and much of that could be attributed to UCF. Kind of like saying we played bad because they did a good job stopping us. Just an FYI. The performance was bona fide good stuff. However, will that same type of effort be present for the next game? Dunno. But I sure hope so.