Football

Here is something annoying from DenverBroncos.com…

Like first-day picks Cutler and Scheffler, Marshall and Hixon know what it’s like to be on teams that struggle.

Regardless of that, having something so good happen to such a truly good guy puts a smile on my face. If you have ever talked to Domenik Hixon, you will get the impression that he truly cares about you. He is just one of those engaging, smiling people who is impossible to dislike.

I will try to contact him tomorrow to see how he feels about everything.

Golf

Akron took seventh in their home FirstEnergy Intercollegiate at Firestone C.C.

Ryan Gutowski led the Zips at three-over.

Softball

Akron lost for the second-straight day to Western Michigan, 1-0.

With the Canadian flag flying behind home plate, British Columbia-native Megan MacKenzie allowed only one run on five hits. Unfortunately, the Zips couldn’t score.

Akron will play at home Wednesday at 3 p.m. against Youngstown State.

Baseball

Akron beat Buffalo, 9-8, with a game-ending balk in the 10th inning.

Football

Congratulations are an order for Domenik Hixon, who the Broncos drafted 130 overall in the fourth round.

The Broncos were at Pro Day in Akron. Also, Zips coach J.D. Brookhart worked under Broncos coach Mike Shanahan.

Going to Denver probably wasn’t a surprise for Hixon. Going this early probably was.

Football

The Plain Dealer’s Roger Brown said the Browns should draft Domenik Hixon in his column today.

This is the first time I have ever agreed with Brown.

I consider him the worst columnist in the state, hands down. He writes his column like a blog, with all kinds of hearsay and rumors.

I think he only has a job because everyone reads him to see what level of verbal circus he will conduct each column.

• Prepare for earth-shattering news. If you read Saturday’s ABJ, you probably saw a story about how the Browns won’t take Ohio State’s Santonio Holmes with the 12th pick. You’re telling me that the Browns won’t take a wide receiver in the first round, after doing so last year? And that Holmes is cocky? And that Buckeyes coach Jim Tressel said Holmes will be special? Stunning.
• Just my two cents, but maybe a story about Hixon would’ve been more appropriate, given there’s a chance the Browns actually draft him.

Football

With the Browns drafting a receiver in the third round (Travis Wilson from Oklahoma), Domenik Hixon might be off their radar.

But who knows? The Browns have seven picks remaining on Sunday.

Track

As I wrote yesterday, the Zips are involved in three different events this weekend.

Of the Saturday’s highlights…

• Natalie Sako won the high jump at the Drake Relays. That is a pretty big deal as the Drake event is quite prominent.
• Howard Harris won the 200-meter sprint at the Gina Relays.
• Deanna Caldwell-Edwards won the women’s 200 at the Gina Relays.
• Rachel Zubricky took second in the 1,500 at the Gina Relays with a time that was six seconds below her career best.

Akron will compete in the MAC Championships on May 12 and 13. Before that, however, the Zips will host their final home meet with the Campbell/Wright Open at Lee Jackson Field which starts Saturday.

Football

It’s 2 p.m and the Browns just traded their 12 overall pick for Baltimore’s 13 and 181 overall picks.

That is just about the area I project for Zips wide receiver Domenik Hixon. The Browns now have picks 181 and 182 in the sixth round.

Track

Coach Dennis Mitchell’s team will be in Des Moines, Iowa this weekend. They also will be in Jackson, Mich. They also will be in Philadelphia.

So far, Ashley Kaufman has taken third in the javelin at the famous Drake Relays. Akron won the four-man 800-meter relay at the Gina Relays. A foursome of runners is ready at the Penn Relays.

Football

It’s just a message board, but someone believes an oft-injured Zips player may be headed for Liberty.

Softball

Freshman Julie Boyes pitched all 14 innings of a doubleheader which the Zips sweeped against Northern Illinois. The scores were 1-0 and 8-2.

The Zips are now 23-18 and 12-4 in the MAC, which is good for first in the MAC East

Baseball

The Zips came back to beat Buffalo, 7-5. Akron is now 11-26 and 5-11 in the MAC with 11 conference games to play.

Men’s basketball

Donald Garth, a 6-foot-2 swing man from Buchtel, will be a preferred walk-on at Akron, the Beacon Journal reports. He averaged 16 points and 10 rebounds a game, which was good enough to make the All-Ohio Honorable Mention team.

Garth’s teammate, Rydell Brooks, had interest in Akron, but he chose Niagara.

Volleyball

GoZips.com published a story about the team’s four recruits.

Akron graduated five players after last season, so some of the recruits may have to play this year.

Baseball

Akron starter Ross Liersemann was named to the 2006 Roger Clemens Award watch list.

Liersemann was one of 78 pitchers who will have a chance to win the award that goes to college baseball’s best pitcher.

Tennis

No. 9 Northen Illinois beat No. 8 Akron today in the first round of the MAC Tournament, 8-0, to end the Zips season.

If you want a silver lining, Tanya Gombera won the sportsmanship award.

Football

Without yet playing a game in 2006, the Zips bowl chances have improved.

The NCAA approved four new bowls for next season, with a possible fifth. Two of these games could include MAC teams.

As VanDelaySports.com reported about a month ago, the Birmingham Bowl and International Bowl could have MAC representatives.

Men’s basketball

GoZips.com talked to coach Keith Dambrot about Steve McNees. Dambrot said his final recruit is a good passer, ball handler and scorer.

• Dambrot also said he hired new assistant Jeff Boals because Boals knows MAC basketball and has recruiting ties to the area.