FirstMerit's $1 million gift boosts stadium effort

Football
Akron received $1 million for the naming rights to the press tower.
The FirstMerit Foundation's gift coincided with the final steel beam's attachment to the seventh story of the structure.
Picture this: Akron will play at a brand new stadium in 11 months. It still seems surreal to me. But let me share one concern -- Will someone provide a cheap, grassy place to tailgate?

Notes...
Temple beat Ohio last night, 14-10. Ohio's passing game looked pretty good. I can see them running up 20 to 30 points on Akron. Temple scares me because of its ability to come back, as it did with 14 points in the fourth quarter against Ohio. Despite all that, Akron should win one, if not both, games.
That result gives Ohio its third loss. That is one less team on Akron's doorstep. Here are the games to watch on Saturday: Kent State @ Miami, Bowling Green @ Northern Illinois. Miami is favored by a touchdown. NIU is favored by eight. Zips fans should root for the Huskies and -- gulp -- the Flashes.
In his weekly press conference, J.D. Brookhart said the offense is in good shape, but has been hampered by the occasional brain fart. The defense has been inconsistent. Brookhart hopes the bye weeks will help heal some players, namely Evan Laube and Aaron Williams.