enigma was a good choice of words in describing the Zips this year. Frye is statically around the middle of the pack among MAC QBs this season and the offense is near the bottom in total yards and scoring. The culprit? lets try the new "west coast" offense brought in by Brookhart which features shorter possession type routs run by the receivers. Perhaps he felt the need to do so after the graduation of three really good receivers last year. I have heard exactly nobody say how much those guys are missed this season, but I'm here to tell you that it was a tremendous loss to Charlie and the Zips. All three of them could beat you deep on any down last year. This season it seems that they have abandoned the deep ball altogether. The running attack is non existent at 69 yds per game.
I can't speak for the mood of the team as I am not close to anybody in the program this year. This is homecoming week and I'm sure the team will see the Buffalo game as being a softer spot on the schedule and a very winnable game, however I think that this squad should not be laying 10 to anybody. I'm on the Bulls. and in fact will be on 5 MAC dogs saturday. Very large on Ohio U.
As far as the hoops team goes I'll reserve judgment until I see who starts at the point. I see this team being very strong at all other spots. Peterson will be back from the red shirt season last year, and I really like this guy, very blue collar.He does not do anything great but does everything well. He will not get the assists that Andy dished out, but will exceed Andy's boards and PPG. They will be deep with big bodys and have plenty of fouls to give. Freshmen guards Middleton and Walther are supposed to be blue-chippers with great jumpers and good ball handling ability. Both will provide a much greater defensive presence than the departed one dimensional scorer Tarver.
Also brought in was transfer guard Nicky Dials from Ohio State who must sit out this season but will join the team for the'05-06 season. I know that you have seen Dials play and I love the kid. He's got a great jumper and plays solid D. Interestingly Keith told me that they had one open spot, and it came down to Dials and Drew Shifino who was suspended from WVa last year. I believe(correct me if I am wrong) that Shifino was a top ten scorer in the big east, but Keith went with the better kid. I guess it's not too surprising after all the problems they went through with Johnny Hollingsworth last season.
The kids love Dambrot and with his St V ties and
all and I hear that Labron is even showing up now and then to run a bit. Local interest should be on the upswing and the team should be better, but I still maintain that Drew Joyce is not ready to run the point effectively until he can fearlessly penetrate the middle. something that he has yet to demonstrate. If the Zips find some better play from the point this could be a great season.
Ah... Ncaa hoops , its just around the corner. my true sports love.
