Yardbarker: Akron Zips

Column 'A,' 'B,' or 'C' for next Akron Zips football coach?

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 13:18:36 -0500

Akron athletic director Tom Wistrcill has a lot of options to consider in his search for the Zips next head football coach.

Akron Zips ride a sensational second half to power victory over Niagara, 80-68

Sun, 29 Nov 2009 17:47:48 -0500

The Akron Zips snapped out of an early season slumber with a strong second half Sunday afternoon to take down Niagara.

Akron Zips fire football coach J.D. Brookhart: Press conference at noon today

Sat, 28 Nov 2009 11:06:30 -0500

The University of Akron has fired head football coach J.D. Brookhart and will announce the news at a press conference today at noon. Brookhart has coached the Zips since 2004, compiling a 30-42 record. He previously served as an assistant...

While We’re Waiting… Brady Quinn’s Future, Roberto Alomar and Akron Zips Soccer

Sat, 28 Nov 2009 09:00:03 -0500

Hope you are fully recovered from your overdose of turkey from the past two days. Thanks for stopping by the site today, as While We’re Waiting always serves up an early morning plate of goodies for our readers. Here we usually share things pertinent to Cleveland sports and the greater Ohio area. Have something else [...]

While We’re Waiting… Brady Quinn’s Future, Roberto Alomar and Akron Zips Soccer

Sat, 28 Nov 2009 09:00:03 -0500

Akron Zips men's basketball team sees big lead evaporate, falls to Austin Peay

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:11:43 -0500

After looking solid for most of the game, the Zips falter at the end and drop their home opener.

Afternoon Frowndup: Golden Tate > Taylor Mays; Akron Zips > Everybody

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:16:00 -0500

Just a quickie this afternoon. First, since it's Golden Tate day here at Frowns, here's a video where you can see him truck USC safety and consensus top ten draft pick Taylor Mays at the 4:05 mark. Note also that he takes Mays for a nice little ride at the 2-minute mark as well. Finally, we're late to congratulate the Akron Zips men's soccer team for earning the number one seed in the 48-team NCAA championship tournament, in which they'll kick off at home ...

Akron Zips men's soccer team top seed for NCAA Tournament

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 08:00:36 -0500

It is the highest seed ever obtained by an Akron team and the fifth time overall the men's soccer team has been seeded.

Owls run all over hapless Zips; Akron coughs up early 10-point advantage

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 02:57:42 -0500

The Temple Owls prepared for a stretch run to a Mid- American Conference East Division title with a resounding 56-17 victory over the Akron Zips on Friday night before a meager announced crowd of 10,927 at InfoCision Stadium.

Akron Zips counting on Jimmy Conyers to give them a lift

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:41:52 -0500

It's easy to understand why Akron senior basketball player Jimmy Conyers slides next to the Zips' highly-touted freshman, center Zeke Marshall, and offers a bit of advice.

Akron Zips men's soccer team to host MAC tournament; NCAA events coming to Cleveland

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 09:00:31 -0500

Akron's Lee Jackson Field will be the site of semifinal games on Nov. 13 and the championship game on Nov. 15.

Mid-American Conference has 52-game TV hoops package; Akron-Kent State on the air 11 times

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 10:54:12 -0500

For Northeast Ohio fans anxious to see the overwhelming Mid-American Conference hoops favorite Akron Zips on television there will be several opportunities this season as the Zips, as well as rival Kent State, figure prominently in the Mid-American Conference's 52-game men's and women's basketball league television package announced Thursday.

Akron basketball dominates Mid-American Conference preseason polls

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 08:33:33 -0500

The Akron Zips dominate the voting for the Mid-American Conferece preseason basketball media polls with the Zips being the overwhelming pick to finish first in the MAC's East Division,

Akron Zips land another hoops recruit

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 21:08:02 -0500

5-10 Dylan Ennis has given a verbal committment to the Zips for 2011, according to hoopmasters.com. Ennis is a product of Toronto who played last season at Wings Academy in N.Y. and this season has transferred to Lake Forest Academy outside of Chicago.

Frownie Fotos: Zips vs. Hoosiers at Infocision Stadium

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 10:53:00 -0500

What follows is what the brand new college football game day at The University of Akron looks like, as well as conclusive proof that The Good Life is, in fact, in Akron, OH: There it is, the new Infocision Stadium, looming as we approach. We parked free of charge on Union St. just north of Market, and walked approximately one mile across campus. Because Vince got himself caught up in the noon action at B-dubs in Medina...

Game Day Open Thread - Akron Zips

Sat, 05 Sep 2009 07:00:20 -0500

You know what to do. If you're new to BSD, you'll figure it out.

Akron Blogger Q&A

Thu, 03 Sep 2009 07:00:16 -0500

As further evidence that there is no niche too small for a blog, the prosecution submits Exhibit A: an Akron Zips Blogger. Mike Rasor from Rason on the Zips was kind enough to answer a few questions about the Zips in preview of the game this weekend. BSD: What strengths do the Zips have on offense? What do you think they need to do on offense to be successful? The offensive line is a definite strength, and it has been for a couple years. They keep a great mix of underclassmen and seni...

First Look '09: Akron Zips

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 06:00:00 -0500

Penn State kicks off 2009 with a familiar opening day foe, the Akron Zips. The Lions have hosted the Zips three times since 1999, winning by an average score of 51-17. But what do we know about the 2009 Akron Zips? Let's find out, in today's First Look. Akron @ PSU 2004:Click HERE for more Penn State football photo galleries from Zombie Nation. "Hart" of the Zips – A 27-33 record as head coach doesn't usually earn you an "underrated" title in college football. ...

Dynasty 2009 NFL Prospect: Kevin Grant

Tue, 27 Jan 2009 14:02:43 -0500

Kevin Grant

Kevin Grant #30 Akron University

Dynasty Football 2009 NFL Draft Prospect

Kevin Grant is a 6?2 250-pound senior inside linebacker for the Akron Zips. He led the Zips' in tackles this past season and possesses an uncanny ability to find the football. Kevin's extreme dedication and leadership allowed him to play and start in ALL forty-nine Akron football games over the past four years. Kevin truly is half man, half machine.

Growing up in Herndon, Virginia, Kevin attended Herndon High School, where he was a two-sport athlete playing football and basketball. As a senior, Grant Earned first-team all-district, all-region and All-?State. He was also named to the 2003 George Michael "Golden 11? and ?honored as the Defensive Player of the Year for his district and region. Upon leaving high school, Grant ?broke the Herndon single-season tackle record with 139 stops in ?2003.

He decided to take his studies and athletics to the University of Akron Zips. While Virginia Tech and many other great institutions were looking at Kevin's talents, he ultimately chose Akron.

He took a redshirt the 2004 season, until his redshirt freshman season in 2005, when he started in all 13 games at the bandit ?position in the Zips tough defense. By the end of the season Kevin was fourth on the team in tackles with 73 and ranked third in ?sacks with 4.5. He recorded a season-high seven solo tackles at Middle ?Tennessee State, and finished with eight total stops on the night. He was honored as a third team CollegeFootballNews.com Freshman All-?American and The Sporting News Honorable Mention Freshman All-?American team and ended the season earning the Harry "Doc" Smith Award as the top freshman on the ?Zips squad.

After an impressive redshirt freshman season, Kevin The Machine Grant did only better in his 2006 sophomore campaign. He started all 12 games at middle linebacker and ranked second ?on the team with 87 tackles overall, one shy of team leader John Mackey's ?88. He was tied for second on the team with eight tackles ?for losses. The Machine continued his consistency in tackling and ranked 22nd in the MAC with an average of 7.2 ?tackles per game. He had an impressive day at Kent State, earning a career high 15 tackles, including career-high eight solo stops. KG ended the season as the defense's Most Valuable Back ?(Linebackers and Secondary) by the Akron coaching staff for the 2006 ?season.

The following season Kevin showed his toughness and dedication all year long, leading the team on defense starting and playing in all 12 games. He ranked third on the team with 74 stops. The machine recorded 11 tackles at Indiana, and had double digit stops with 10 at Bowling Green, leading all Zips. Kevin anchored the defense and had at least six tackles in a game ?eight times and at least one tackle for loss in four of Akron's last ?six games, including two each at Buffalo, at Bowling Green and at ?Miami. After the end of the 2007 season he was rewarded for his hard work and leadership by earning third team All-MAC from the league's ?coaches.

Prior to the Zips 2008 season Kevin was tabbed preseason second team All-Mid-American Conference ?by Athlon and was nominated as a captain on defense. When the season got underway the true terminator came out in Kevin as he continued to lead the team playing and starting in every game and recorded a team leading 85 tackles including 50 solo stops. Kevin additionally led the squad with 8.5 tackles for loss and with 4.0 sacks. Grant amassed 319 tackles in his career, making him 18th-best among active NCAA players. He earned 36.0 career tackles for losses putting him 21st among active NCAA players. The machine ranks in the Top 25 in tackles and tackles for loss in the NCAA.

The Machine amazingly started and played in ALL 49 games during his collegiate career and was donned captain during his senior season. This shows that he has a lot of leadership abilities and is mentally tough to play throughout the entire year. At the NFL level, the seasons are longer and the games are much tougher. Kevin's stats show that he has what it takes to stay healthy for an entire season, physically and mentally; something that many amazing college players cannot claim (Knowshon Moreno, Chris Wells, Percy Harvin). With the assets he already has along with his continued drive to improve his speed and overall abilities, Grant has tremendous upside. Kevin's consistency and determination on and off the field will make him an asset to any NFL team.

We are extremely excited about the addition of Kevin to the Dynasty family. Go ahead and check out his new website: http://dynastyreps.com/grant/

Please direct all media/interview inquiries to: press@dynastyreps.com