Tag: Akron

Aug 28, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers defensive back Malcolm Hartzog Jr. (7) celebrates with linebacker Vincent Shavers Jr. (9) and defensive back Marques Buford Jr. (3) after an interception against the Cincinnati Bearcats during the fourth quarter at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

Nebraska excited to return home for game with Akron

Posted on | by Field Level Media

After playing a neutral site game in front of a partisan crowd in Kansas City, Nebraska gets to return to an even more favorable environment when it hosts Akron in a nonconference game Saturday in Lincoln, Neb.

The Cornhuskers (1-0) have sold out 403 consecutive games at home, by far the longest streak in college football.

“I can’t wait,” Nebraska coach Matt Rhule said. “I don’t know if there’s anything better that I’ve been a part of in my life than a night game at Memorial Stadium, it’s amazing.”

Nebraska is coming off a 20-17 win over Cincinnati at Arrowhead Stadium, home of the Kansas City Chiefs, marking the first time it has opened a season with a win away from home since 1999. It did so behind a stellar performance from quarterback Dylan Raiola, who was 33 of 42 for 243 yards and two touchdowns, and a 108-yard rushing effort from Emmett Johnson.

Rhule was not happy with his defense against Cincinnati, particularly in allowing more than 200 rushing yards, though the Cornhuskers did snap a streak of 12 straight losses when giving up 200-plus on the ground.

“I think they played hard, I think we have to play faster,” he said.

Akron (0-1) opened play with a 10-0 home loss to Wyoming, managing only 228 yards. Quarterback Ben Finley, a sixth-year senior who has also played at North Carolina State and Cal, was 16 of 38 for 139 yards and an interception.

“I know Ben is his toughest critic,” Akron coach Joe Moorhead said of his quarterback. “He and I share the same thought process. As a senior and a captain and a guy who has played some really good football for us, he’ll look at it and say there’s a bunch of things that need to do better.”

The Zips are 2-35 against current Big Ten teams, most recently beating Northwestern in 2018, but since then have lost 11 in a row against power-conference opponents. They’re trying to avoid a second consecutive 0-2 start after doing so last season en route to a 4-8 record.

“You’ve got to look at it as a series of 12 one-game seasons,” Moorhead said. “You can’t get too high, can’t get too low.”

Nebraska has an 8-1 record against Mid American Conference opponents, the only loss coming to Northern Illinois in 2017.

–Field Level Media

Aug 31, 2024; Columbus, OH, USA; Akron Zips head coach Joe Moorhead talks to tight end Jake Newell (88) and tight end Conner Cravaack (85) during the second half of the NCAA football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State won 52-6.

Akron ineligible for postseason due to low Academic Progress Rate

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Akron football hasn’t played in a bowl game since 2017, and the Zips will enter the 2025 season knowing the postseason won’t happen this year, either.

Akron failed to meet NCAA-imposed academic standards last season, falling below the organization’s minimum Academic Progress Rate score of 930. According to statistics released this week by the NCAA, Akron was last in the nation at the Division I level at 914 and is ineligible to compete in an FBS bowl.

Falling below the 930 benchmark can lead to penalties ranging from reductions in practice time to a bowl ban. If a program falls below 900, it could lose its Division I status.

After the 2022-23 academic year, Akron scored 925 and lost 20 percent of its weekly practice hours for 2024.

Being below the mark for two straight years leaves the Zips unable to compete in the Mid-American Conference title game, too.

With a 1,000 score, national champion Ohio State led the nation in Academic Progress Rate.

Akron is coached by former Mississippi State head coach Joe Moorhead, who has an 8-28 record in three seasons there.

–Field Level Media

Sep 21, 2024; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks tight end Brady Hunt (87) runs after a catch against the Akron Zips in the second quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images

South Carolina jumps out early in lopsided win over Akron

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Robby Ashford passed for 243 yards and two touchdowns in a fill-in start to help South Carolina roll to a 50-7 nonconference victory over Akron on Saturday night in Columbia, S.C.

Ashford completed 15 of 21 passes and rushed for a career-high 133 yards and one score on 16 attempts for the Gamecocks (3-1). Oscar Adaway III rushed for two touchdowns, and Mazeo Bennett Jr., Juju McDowell and Connor Cox each had a touchdown reception.

Ben Finley was 14-of-27 passing for 110 yards with one touchdown and one interception for the Zips (1-3). Adrian Norton caught a touchdown pass for Akron.

South Carolina played without starting quarterback LaNorris Sellers (ankle) and then lost standout running back Raheim “Rocket” Sanders on his first carry. Sanders was sporting a boot on his left foot as he walked off the field at halftime.

Still, the Gamecocks outgained the Zips 549-154 and controlled the ball for 36 minutes, 3 seconds.

South Carolina scored the game’s first 22 points.

Adaway capped a 13-play, 89-yard drive with a 2-yard run to take a 7-0 lead with 5:19 left in the first quarter.

Ashford tossed a 30-yard touchdown pass to Bennett with 53 seconds left in the period. Holder Kai Kroeger ran in the two-point conversion to give the Gamecocks a 15-0 lead.
South Carolina increased the margin to 22 on Ashford’s 12-yard scoring pass to McDowell with 4:28 left in the half.

Akron got on the board when Finley and Norton teamed up on a 42-yard scoring pass with 1:53 left in the half.

The Gamecocks added on when Adaway scored from the 2 with 5:02 left in the third quarter.

Ashford broke free on a 36-yard touchdown run to make it 36-7 with 13:14 left in the contest. That was Ashford’s last snap of the night.

Five minutes later, Davis Beville threw a 9-yard scoring pass to Cox to increase the lead to 43-7.

Jawarn Howell later scored on a 23-yard run to cap the scoring with 4:03 left.

–Field Level Media

Aug 29, 2024; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights running back Kyle Monangai (5) celebrates after a touchdown during the second half against the Howard Bison at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Kyle Monangai’s 3 TDs lead Rutgers past Akron

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Kyle Monangai rushed for a career-high 208 yards and three touchdowns to lead Rutgers to a 49-17 victory over Akron on Saturday afternoon in Piscataway, N.J.

Monangai eclipsed his previous career high of 165 yards, set in a 36-7 romp over Temple last season and matched on Aug. 29 in a 44-7 win over FCS foe Howard. Last year’s Big Ten Conference rushing champion highlighted his day on Saturday by scoring on touchdown runs of 3, 1 and 2 yards.

Minnesota transfer Athan Kaliakmanis completed 14 of 23 passes for 230 yards and three touchdowns.

Chris Long highlighted his four-catch, 87-yard performance by reeling in a 58-yard scoring strike. Kenny Fletcher had a 9-yard touchdown reception and tight end KJ Duff hauled in his first career TD pass for the Scarlet Knights (2-0).

Antwan Raymond rushed for 77 yards and a touchdown.

Akron’s Ben Finley completed 14 of 31 passes for 138 yards and a touchdown. Adrian Norton had a 32-yard touchdown reception early in the third quarter for the Zips (0-2).

Monangai rolled off a 45-yard run to set up Rutgers’ first touchdown of the day. He was brought down at the 3-yard line but he would not be denied as he bulled his way into the end zone on the next play.

Akron answered with a 41-yard field goal by Garrison Smith before Rutgers responded with a seven-play, 75-yard scoring drive. Duff kept his concentration and reeled in a pass by Kaliakmanis that deflected off the hands of Zips defensive lineman Bennett Adler for his first career touchdown reception to give the Scarlet Knights a 14-3 lead with 1:54 to play.

The Zips didn’t muster much on their ensuing drive and Monangai made them pay, capping a nine-pay, 80-yard sequence by scoring from 1 yard out with 9 seconds left in the second quarter.

Norton’s touchdown reception trimmed Rutgers’ lead to 21-10 early in the third quarter before the Scarlet Knights responded with another long drive. Monangai capped the 12-play, 75-yard drive by scoring from 2 yards out.

–Field Level Media

Sep 23, 2023; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Tayven Jackson (2) throws a pass during the first quarter of the game against the Akron Zips at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports

Indiana escapes with 4-overtime win over Akron

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Quarterback Tayven Jackson found an open DeQuece Carter for a two-point conversion in the fourth overtime as Indiana staved off an upset with a sloppy 29-27 victory over Akron on Saturday night in Bloomington, Ind.

The Hoosiers (2-2) won their fifth straight overtime game despite a rocky performance in which they were outgained in total yards 474-282.

Jackson’s clutch flip to Carter came just moments before the Indiana defense turned away Akron in the same situation when quarterback DJ Irons’ last-gasp pass fell incomplete.

Irons rushed 18 times for a game-high 141 yards and two touchdowns, including a 10-yard touchdown run that gave the Zips a short-lived 24-17 lead in the first overtime.

Akron (1-3) had a chance to win the game in regulation after marching 45 yards in 1:25, but kicker Dante Jackson missed a 32-yard field goal wide left as time expired.

Tayven Jackson, who connected on just 11 of 26 passes for 190 yards, one touchdown and an interception, found Cam Camper for a 12-yard score to knot the game at 24-all at the end of the first overtime.

Indiana took a three-point lead in the second overtime when Chris Freeman drilled a 39-yard field goal. Akron stayed alive on Dante Jackson’s 23-yard chip shot to tie it at 27.

Akron’s Lorenzo Lingard had 14 carries for 113 yards. His 71-yard touchdown burst with three and a half minutes remaining in the fourth quarter tied the game at 17-all.

Irons, who left the game in the third quarter but later returned, finished with 194 yards and two interceptions on 22-of-35 passing.

The Indiana defense registered three interceptions, including two by Louis Moore. He also ran back a 22-yard pick-six off Akron backup Jeff Undercuffler Jr. to provide Indiana with a 14-10 lead late in the third quarter.

–Field Level Media

Sep 16, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Tayven Jackson (2) reacts after being stopped short of the end zone against the Louisville Cardinals in the second half at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Indiana focuses on self-improvement against Akron

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Indiana head coach Tom Allen expects more from his defense.

The Hoosiers (1-2) had one takeaway in a 21-14 loss to Louisville last week, which is short of the ask from Allen. He wants three per game to help Indiana protect its young quarterback from being overburdened in tight games.

“Still not enough takeaways. Got a goal of three every game,” Allen said. “Needed another one; and three, it would be ideal to get what we need to get to be able to set up our offense in a better way.”

Quarterback Tayven Jackson does benefit from dynamic running back Jaylin Lucas, the team’s leading rusher (141 yards, two TDs) and second on the team in receiving (15-138-1). Still, Allen noted teams are loading the box with eight defenders and forcing Jackson to make decisions and plays off-script. The only route to wins from this point forward is better blocking up front, he said.

“To me, it’s about executing and executing at a high level of confidence, and being able to play at the speed I want us to play at from the opening quarter on,” Allen said. “That’s going to be the emphasis, and like I said, we’ll know more next weekend where we feel after the first few games.”

Akron (1-2) hasn’t found much to like offensively this season, ranking 129th in total offense (262.7 per game) and 130th in rushing offense (42.3).

Akron is coached by former Penn State offensive coordinator Joe Moorhead, with whom Indiana has familiarity, and vice versa. The Zips were in the game last week at Kentucky despite 77 total yards in the first half.

Akron trailed only 14-3 in the third quarter before the Wildcats rattled off 21 consecutive points to close it out.

“I thought it was a much better performance from the inside to the 20s,” Moorhead said of his quarterbacks.

Zips quarterbacks DJ Irons and Jeff Undercuffler Jr. have combined for 661 yards passing, three touchdowns and four interceptions.

“(Indiana) is tough, physical, blue collar. They’ve got a scheme that makes you really have to prepare. It’s going to be another really big challenge,” Moorhead said.

Indiana is 3-0 all-time in the series and meets Akron for the first time since a 35-20 victory in 2010 behind four touchdown passes from Ben Chappell.

–Field Level Media

Kentucky Wildcats wide receiver Tayvion Robinson (9) makes a late second quarter touchdown catch over Akron Zips cornerback Darrian Lewis (24) to put the Cats up by two touchdowns in the first half in Saturday's game at Kroger Field in Lexington. Sept. 16, 2023

Devin Leary (3 TDs) leads Kentucky to blowout of Akron

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Devin Leary tossed three touchdowns in his best showing with Kentucky, helping the Wildcats remain unbeaten with a 35-3 win over the Akron Zips on Saturday night in Lexington, Ky.

Leary finished 16 of 26 for 315 yards with one interception to help Kentucky (3-0) remain perfect through its first three games for the third straight season.

Ray Davis rushed for 72 yards a score and caught three passes for 97 yards as he amassed 169 all-purpose yards.

Josh Kattus and Tayvion Robinson each caught scores from Leary. Demie Sumo-Karngbaye rushed for one.

Over their past 20 home games, the Wildcats have won 16 times and are 17-4 over the past 21 home contests under the lights. They have won both all-time meetings with Akron.

DJ Irons was 23 of 34 for 130 yards for the Zips (1-2), a 25-point underdog. Cornerback Tyson Durant recorded an interception.

A transfer from North Carolina State, Leary capped the game’s first drive by finding Kattus on the right side for a short 6-yard score at 10:34.

Akron’s best opportunity occurred near the end of the half when the Zips went 50 yards in 14 plays. However, Noah Perez’s attempt on a career-long 47-yard boot fell short.

On the ensuing drive, after a big loss on a bad snap eventually left UK in a third-and-goal from the Akron 22, Leary fired a ball that Robinson pulled down in the back of the end zone with eight seconds left for a 14-0 halftime lead.

In a sharp showing, Leary connected on all but four of his 16 first-half passes and totaled 208 yards.

Meanwhile, the Zips found it very tough to generate any offense. They totaled 77 yards of total offense on just 22 plays run in the half.

In the second half, Perez finally put Akron on the board with 3:27 left in the third quarter when he nailed a field goal from 36 yards.

Leary produced the most spectacular play of the game when he shook off a pair of tacklers in the backfield and flipped a pass to Davis, who reversed field and took it 58 yards for a score with 1:38 left in the third.

Davis added a second tally on a 55-yard run before Sumo-Karngbaye rounded out the scoring with a 4-yard run with 3:04 to play.

–Field Level Media

The National Weather Service said the snow could paralyze the hardest-hit communities, including Buffalo, with periods of near-zero visibility. Snow3 3

Snow postponement puts Akron-Buffalo game in question

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Officials with the Mid-American Conference will decide in the coming week whether the football game between Buffalo and Akron will be rescheduled.

The game had been scheduled for Saturday but was postponed to the forecast of major snowfall in western New York. As of early Saturday, 66 inches of snow had piled up in Orchard Park, the home of the Buffalo Bills, since Thursday.

When the game was postponed initially, there were hopes it might be played on Sunday.

“Despite the best efforts of all involved, it is not feasible to play the football game between Akron and Buffalo on Sunday,” MAC commissioner Jon Steinbrecher said Saturday. “The game has been postponed indefinitely. The safety of the student-athletes and fans is paramount. We want to be respectful of the efforts of the emergency service personnel in the Buffalo area who are working to assist those in need.”

With league play winding down, the conference will use its tiebreaker policy that addresses an uneven number of games played, if necessary, to determine which teams will advance to the MAC championship.

–Field Level Media

Buffalo Bulls running back Ron Cook Jr. (2) catches a pass in the second quarter against the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers at Brooks Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Yeazell-USA TODAY Sports

MAC postpones Akron at Buffalo due to blizzard conditions

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Blizzard conditions in Buffalo caused the postponement of Saturday’s Mid-American Conference game between the Bulls and Akron Zips.

The league is considering playing the game at the same location on Sunday, but conference and university officials are leaning on the on-site assessment of Erie County and University at Buffalo management to guide the plan for rescheduling.

“The conference will consider opportunities to play the game on Sunday should weather and travel conditions permit,” the MAC said in a statement.

Travel to Buffalo will be difficult until Sunday at least with record snowfall projected and heavy accumulation counted already on Friday. Snow will fall at a rate of four inches per hour over parts of Friday and Saturday, the Weather Channel reported.

Buffalo canceled a women’s basketball game against Princeton scheduled for Saturday.

On Thursday, the NFL changed the site of the Bills-Browns game to Detroit’s Ford Field. The kickoff remains at 1 p.m. ET and means the Bills play in Detroit twice in five days, including the Thanksgiving Day early kickoff against the Lions.

–Field Level Media

Tennessee running back Jaylen Wright (20) runs between Akron defenders during Tennessee s football game against Akron in Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022. Kns Ut Akron Football

No. 15 Tennessee cruises past Akron, 63-6

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Hendon Hooker tossed two touchdown passes to Jalin Hyatt, and Dylan Sampson and Jaylen Wright each rushed for a pair of scores to lift No. 15 Tennessee to a 63-6 victory over visiting Akron on Saturday in Knoxville, Tenn.

Hooker completed 14 of 18 passes for 298 yards, and Hyatt reeled in five catches for a career-high 166 yards.

Joe Milton III relieved Hooker and connected on a 57-yard touchdown pass to Ramel Keyton and a 38-yard scoring strike to Walker Merrill.

Tayven Jackson added a rushing touchdown for the Volunteers, who have started the season 3-0 for the first time since winning their first five contests in 2016.

Tennessee held a decisive 676-276 edge in total yards, including a 238-35 advantage on the ground. The Volunteers also converted all four of their fourth-down attempts.

All was not rosy for Tennessee, however, as running back Jabari Small (knee) and wide receiver Cedric Tillman (knee) sustained injuries in the first half.

DJ Irons completed 32 of 44 passes for 241 yards for the Zips (1-2), who have been outscored 115-6 in their last two games. Akron dropped a 52-0 decision to then-No. 14 Michigan State on Sept. 10.

Tennessee overcame a missed field goal on its first possession to quickly take control of the contest.

The Volunteers forced a three-and-out before Wright rushed for a 2-yard touchdown to cap a seven-play, 74-yard drive.

Another three-and-out for Akron was followed up by Sampson taking a pitch from Hooker and extending the ball just inside the pylon to score from 9 yards out on a fourth-down play. Sampson completed a five-play, 79-yard drive and gave Tennessee a 14-0 lead with 5:52 remaining in the first quarter.

The Zips mustered six plays for just 11 yards on their next possession before Hooker connected with a wide-open Hyatt down the right sideline on a 57-yard score early in the second quarter.

Sampson added his second touchdown of the night midway into the quarter following an 11-yard rush off an option.

Hooker connected on a 48-yard strike to Hyatt to stake Tennessee to a 35-0 lead just before halftime.

Hyatt reeled in a 47-yard reception to set up Wright’s 1-yard score on the Volunteers’ first drive of the third quarter.

The rest was academic.

–Field Level Media