Football

In his trek through each Division I-A team, Dan Kadar broke down Indiana — Akron’s third opponent on Sept. 15.

You’ll want to read it for yourself, but in short, the Hoosiers have great receivers and a speedy defense. Luckily for Dennis Kennedy, they can’t stop the run.

Still, a winnable nonconference schedule and Big Ten season devoid of Ohio State and Michigan should make Indiana a bowl team.

Men’s basketball

When I last checked on Lance Jeter’s status, all that was holding him back from being a Zip was some paper work.

Now it appears there is a lot more.

The former University of Cincinnati football player announced recently he is heading to Hutchinson Community College in Kansas. He plans to stay there only one year while he gets in basketball shape. Then he’s probably headed to Kansas State to team with Bill Walker and the rest of Bob Huggins’ excellent recruits.

I think that means the coaching staff will have five, not four, scholarships to grant this year.

Here is a new basketball scholarship offer…

Bryant Irwin, small forward, Bridgeport, W.V.
Height: 6-foot-8
Weight: 205
Offers: Akron, Duquesne, James Madison, Marshall, UNC-Greensboro, Western Carolina and William & Mary
Likelihood: I can’t find any stories about him, so any comment here would be meaningless speculation.

Also this… The ABJ’s Brian Windhorst reports LeBron James is planning an extended vacation with his high school buddies this summer — a reward for finishing four years of college. That should be excellent news for Dru Joyce and Romeo Travis, but also for Cavs fans. Without playing international ball this summer, James should be fresher for the start of next season.

Baseball

After a complete-game four hitter against Miami on Thursday, Frank Turocy is the MAC East Pitcher of the Week.

With a team ERA of 6.08 — nearly a run higher than the opposition — pitching was the team’s weakness this year. The Zips’ rotation should be stronger next season, despite the loss of seniors Billy McKinney and Pat Gliha.

Turocy, Zach Yike and Steven Zemanek – all underclassmen — should be anchors of the rotation for the next two years. Assuming he doesn’t leave for pro baseball, Tom Farmer will return from injury as the team’s ace — and perhaps the MAC’s best pitcher.

As far as the offense goes, Charlie Lenhard is the only senior. Kurt Davidson must be a preseason player of the year candidate.

I’m not very high on Pat Bangston’s first two years as coach, but there’s no arguing the team’s record improved eight games in his second season.

Football

In the aftermath of the Toledo point-shaving scandal, Kent State has banned its football team — and even the support staff — from Facebook.com, the social networking Web site adored by college students nationwide.

At Toledo, shady bookmakers supposedly contacted Scooter McDougal through Facebook. He went on to recruit fellow players to participate in the scandal where they were allegedly paid thousands for sitting out a game.

Several Zips players are still signed up on Facebook, so it does not appear Akron also has restricted its players.

This information comes from a softball teammate of mine. It seems reliable.

Baseball

Miami shelled Pat Gliha in his final career appearance for eight runs in 3.2 innings in a 13-0 blowout.

The Zips’ season concluded with a 23-24 record, as Miami also won 5-4 in game two of the series.

UA sports are almost over for this school year. The track team has several athletes who will compete at Regionals this week.

Baseball

Frank Turocy allowed only four hits and one run in a complete game 2-1 win over Miami Thursday.

The Zips (23-22, 8-14 MAC) will finish their season with two more games against the RedHawks — one today and one tomorrow.

I suppose an above-.500 record would be a decent consolation prize.

Football

“Dandy” Dan Kadar previewed Toledo’s season today.

I know the Zips won’t play the Rockets this year, but it’s interesting to know what they’re up to over in the MAC West (besides point shaving).

Football

Perhaps the Zips coaches are concerned their three current quarterback recruiting targets are out of their league.

Akron extended a fourth recently to New Philadelphia’s Jordan Miller.

Jordan Miller, quarterback, New Philadelphia, Ohio
Offers: Akron
Height: 6-2
Weight: 207
Speed: 4.7
Notes: Miller only completed 47 percent of his passes as a junior. He acknowledges that as an area for improvement. He showed good arm strength and footwork at the Elite Skills Camp in Cleveland earlier this month. Rivals.com called him one of the camp’s greatest surprises.
Likelihood: Miller also has interest in Ohio State, Michigan and Penn State. He has received mail from Big Ten schools for several months. His height and accuracy might keep BCS schools from offering a scholarship, however.

Football

Dan Kadar, formerly of the Buchtelite, previewed Army’s season for NewEraScouting.com.

From the sounds of it, this team is pretty bad.

They have a decent secondary and receiving corps but awful quarterbacks and a shoddy offensive line.

The Zips will play Army to open the season at Cleveland Browns Stadium on Sept. 1.

This looks like a certain win for Akron. There are a few of these, such as Temple, Bowling Green and Buffalo. There also are some sure losses, such as games at Ohio State and Western Michigan.

The important games are versus Indiana, Connecticut, Miami and Central Michigan. They will determine the team’s chances for a MAC Championship and bowl game.

Football

Mike Jones, cornerback, Harrisburg, Pa.
Offers: Akron, Iowa, Syracuse, Virginia and Miami (Ohio)
Height: 6-1
Weight: 200
Speed: 4.42
Notes: Jones has family near Notre Dame, Penn State and West Virginia. He liked the Virginia Tech teams under Marcus Vick. (That must be a typo.)
Likelihood: Luckily for Akron, Jones values academics and wants to be an engineer. That, and his interest in law could provide a boost to the Zips.

Reuben Johnson, cornerback, Atco, N.J.
Offers: Akron, Boston College, Syracuse and Kentucky
Height: 5-9
Weight: 175
Notes: For as good of a program Boston College is, the Eagles are consistently battling Akron for recruits.
Likelihood: Both of these corners look like solid D-I players. If the Zips land either over a handful of BCS schools, I’d be surprised.

Football

Jermaine Reid signed on to play with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League.

With the league’s stipulation that favors Canadians, it’s no wonder Reid, Jason Nedd and Jabari Arthur have long futures playing up north.

Track

Eleven Zips earned all-conference honors this season, the most of any team in the MAC.