The wait for the 2018 Akron Zips football season is nearly over. After a 7-7 finish, a MAC East title, and their 2nd bowl appearance in 3 years, our Zips look to “finish the climb” and build open a solid season. The first hurdle comes in the form of the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Led by former (National Champion) UCF Head Coach Scott Frost, the Huskers are looking to make a statement after a very disappointing 4-8 2017 campaign, which included a loss to fellow MAC member, NIU. Quick Hits: Nebraska Scott Frost returns to his alma mater with a coaching record of only 19-7. Frost was also the OC/QB/WR coach at Oregon from 2009-2015 and was the LB coach at Nothern Iowa from 2007-2008. True Freshman Adrian Martinez will be the Huskers’ starting QB Saturday. Martinez is the only scholarship QB on Nebraska’s roster. Nebraska hasn’t started a true freshman at QB since 2009. Quick Hits: Akron Sophomore QB Kato Nelson gets the week 1 nod. Nelson came on for the suspended Tommy Woodso...

In late March of 2017, longtime Zips head coach Keith Dambrot announced he was leaving Akron for Duquesne.  Soon-after, Tavian Dunn-Martin, Michael Hughes, Antino Jackson, Aaron Jackson, and Noah Robotham would transfer from the Zips.  Josh Williams had also previously announced his transfer, and both Kwan Cheatham and Isaiah Johnson had graduated.  This left Akron with only four returning players (Ivey, Utomi, Olojakpoke, and Eubanks).  Newly-hired Zips coach John Groce did his best to fill in the gaps left, but finding players who could make an immediate impact that late in the game was tough.  He did, however, add several transfers - Eric Hester, Loren Jackson, and Deng Riak - that had promise to elevate the program back to its previous championship level - and maybe beyond.  After a year's wait, we'll finally see if they can deliver on that potential. Joining them as new Zips are LePear Toles, Channel Banks, Jeremy Roscoe, and Tyler Cheese....

Another Spring Game has come and gone in beautiful Akron, Ohio. Zips fans were treated to a solid defensive game with a few big time plays from, hopefully, future big time players. The Blue defeated the White 17-6. Sophmore QB Kato Nelson showed flashes of what Zips fans can expect for the next couple of seasons and the defense looked to be in mid-season form already. This piece will dive a bit into the big positions and the big question marks heading into the 2018 season. Quarterback There isn't a question as to who will be the Zips starting QB heading into week one, that job belongs to Kato Nelson. Nelson, who started the last 3 games of the regular season last year, lead the Zips past OU and Kent State en route to a MAC East title. During the Spring Game, the sophomore from Hollywood, Florida connected with another Floridian in Redshirt Senior Kwadarrius Smith for his only touchdown pass of the day. While the QB1 spot isn't in much doubt, the Blue squad got a solid...

One of the hottest Lacrosse teams in the nation right now calls Akron, Ohio their home.  The Zips Lacrosse team is currently undefeated and ranked in the Top 5 nationally.  We discussed that ranking and much more with Head Coach Nick Lopez, Assistant Coach Bill Samilson, Vice-President Tyler Skoloda, and President Nick Poghen.  Enjoy! Q: For those who haven't always followed the team, can you tell us a little about the history of the program? Poghen: The team was officially established in 1989 as a club program much like many other universities across the country without an NCAA program. After a few years of development, it became a team of interest for league consideration while remaining independent from 2007-2009. We ended up joining the National College Lacrosse League (NCLL) in 2010 and have competed in it since. Throughout its time, the program has grown in numbers each season and has made multiple playoff and tournament appearances. Q: Where does the tea...

It's been 30 years since the last Akron Zips player who an Honored Jersey took the court for our storied program.  Today, we present to you 24 reasons why Romeo Travis' #24 should join then in receiving that honor. 1. Travis is 7th all-time in scoring with 1,491 points scored. 2. Travis is 9th all-time in rebounding with 783 career boards. 3. Romeo is 2nd all-time in blocked shots with 165 swats in his four years.  Only Zeke Marshall blocked more. 4. Upon graduation, Romeo was also 10th all-time in steals. 5. As a Senior, Travis was named an Associated Press All-American. 6. Travis is one of only 13 Zips players to ever receive that honor. 7. Romeo was one of only four Akron players to be named an AP All-American while the Zips were a Division I program. 8. As a Senior, Travis was named Mid-American Conference Player of the Year. 9. Romeo was named to the All-MAC 1st Team twice in his career, while being selected All-MAC 2nd Team once as well. 10. T...

Q: Growing up, who were the players you admired most? A: The players I admired the most were Scottie Pippen, Shawn Kemp, and Rasheed Wallace. Q: When you decided to commit to the University of Akron, you had a few other reported offers.  Was anyone else close?  What was your recruitment like, given you already had a relationship with Coach Dambrot? A: I was close but once Coach Dambrot told me to “sign the damn papers” I knew that’s where I wanted to be, with someone who wanted me. Q: You played for Coach Dambrot both in high school and in college.  What was it like to play for Coach D?  Were you surprised to see him go to Duquesne? A: I was surprised to see him leave. But playing for Coach D was a great experience.  He made you want to play for him and your teammates the right way. Q: 2007 MAC Championship.  Doug Penno.  A questionable clock operator.  How hard was it to get past that game, especially since it was your senior year...

Starting Lineup Romeo Travis - Travis is seventh on the all-time scoring list, ninth all-time in rebounding, 10th in steals, and 2nd in blocks.  He was an honorable mention All-American by the AP in 2007 along with the MAC Player of the Year and has put together a solid professional career overseas.  Travis should have his #24 added to the school's honored jerseys that hang in the rafters at James A. Rhodes Arena. Bill Turner - Turner is 5th all-time in scoring and 4th all-time in rebounds.  He led the Zips to three postseason appearances and was named an All-American for the 1966-1967 season.  He played eight seasons in the NBA for San Francisco, Cincinnati, Portland, and the Los Angeles Lakers. Zeke Marshall  - Marshall is the Zips' all-time leader in blocked shots and the 17th leading scorer in school history.  The Zips reached the MAC Championship game each of the four years Zeke manned the middle, winning two of them.  He has played for...