The University of Akron Athletics
Akron vs. Ohio State Postgame Notes
September 08 | Football
Akron at Ohio State
Saturday, Sept. 8 •
Ohio Stadium • Columbus,
Ohio
Team Notes:
• Today's safety was the first recorded by UA since Oct. 20, 2001 when the Bowling Green quarterback was sacked in the endzone by the "UA TEAM" at the Rubber Bowl. Akron lost the game 16-11.
• Akron improved to 2-0 on review-contested plays this season. Last week against Army, QB Chris Jacquemain hooked up with WR Jabari Arthur on a touchdown pass that was originally ruled incomplete and later overturned. Today, the Zips recorded the first points of the game with a safety when LB Brion Stokes stopped RB Chris Wells in the Buckeyes' end zone after a review overturned the original spot of the ball on the one-yard line.
• Through the first two games of the season, the Akron defense has allowed just 10 first-half points including the OSU field goal in the second quarter today. The Zips have yet to allow any points in the first quarter this year.
• In addition to the safety, the UA defense had a big day with a pair of interceptions and three fumble recoveries, matching its most turnovers forced since Nov. 13, 2004 against Ohio. The Zips defeated the Bobcats 31-19 that day thanks in part to three fumble recoveries and two picks.
• Today's game was the seventh all-time meeting between Akron and Ohio State. Ironically, the last time the teams meet was exactly six years ago on Sept. 8, 2001, which was also coach Jim Tressel's first game as head coach at OSU.
• The last time Akron beat Ohio State, which leads the all-time series 1-6, was on Sept. 5, 1894, which was Akron's only football contest played that season. The score was 12-6 and the coach for Akron, then known as Buchtel College, was college football icon John W. Heisman, who played quarterback for the team in the game.
Player Notes:
• P John Stec set a dubious school record with 14 punts, surpassing the previous mark of 13 set by Bill Rudison at Virginia Tech on Sept. 2, 1989. Stec, who made eight kicks in the first half alone, finished with 575 total punting yards. The total was 38 yards short of another school record (613) also set by Rudison against the Hokies.
• Stec was a major factor in the first quarter with a pair of perfectly-placed kicks. His first was a 40-yarder that was downed on the Buckeyes' 2-yard line and set up UA's safety. His second punt went for 49 yards and was downed on the OSU 7.
• With a first-quarter interception, CB Reggie Corner moved into sole possession of ninth place on the school's career list with 10. Gary Tyler (1985-87) is UA's all-time leader with 18.
• Corner played a part in another UA pick in the second quarter by deflecting a deep pass to DB John Mackey. It was the first time the Zips recorded two picks in a game since Corner and DB Brandon Anderson each recorded an interception against North Texas on Sept. 30, 2006 at the Rubber Bowl.
• Stec started the second quarter with a booming 52-yard kick out of the Zips end zone; five yards shy of his career best. It was the his first 50-plus yard kick of the season after eclipsing that mark five times last year.
• LB Parris McNeal and LB Doug Williams played superbly for the Zips' defense. Each forced and recovered fumbles against the Buckeyes.
• Senior WR Jabari Arthur, who is sixth on the school's career receptions list, recorded four catches for 32 yards. He trails the fifth-place holder, Dan Ruff (1967-70), by 15 receptions and the all-time leader, Matt Cherry (2000-03), by 37.
