The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Toledo
Football Closes Season with 31-29 Victory Over Toledo, Wins Third Straight
November 29 | Football
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AKRON, Ohio – The Akron defense made several big plays in the fourth quarter as the Zips won their third-straight game, defeating the Toledo Rockets 31-29 on Friday at InfoCision Stadium – Summa Field, to finish the season with a Mid-American Conference record of .500 or better for the first time since 2005.
Akron (5-7, 4-4 MAC) also closed out the year by winning four of its last five games and posted a 3-3 mark at home.
The defense came through with 59 seconds left in the game as Bryce Cheek broke up a two-point conversion attempt after Toledo (7-5, 5-3 MAC) scored on a 3-yard TD run by Mark Remy to pull to within 31-29. The Rockets were forced to go for two after Cody Grice blocked the point-after attempt on their previous scoring drive.
It was the last in a series of big plays for the UA defense, as Johnny Robinson intercepted a Terrance Owens pass in the end zone to thwart a potential game-tying drive early in the fourth quarter and keep the Zips ahead 24-17.
Special teams also played a big role late as Andrew Pratt made a key tackle on a fake punt with 6:41 left in the game, giving the Zips the ball at the Toledo 35. One play later, quarterback Kyle Pohl (18-of-29 passing, 259 yards, 3 TDs) found Tyrell Goodman on the end a 35-yard TD pass that pushed Akron's lead to 31-17.
Pratt also recovered the Rockets' onside-kick attempt after their final score to seal the win.
Toledo entered the game averaging more than 452 yards a game on offense, but the Akron defense stiffened for the middle portion of the game after allowing a touchdown on the Rockets' first drive of the day and conversions on just 4-of-13 third downs.
On offense, the Zips registered several long scoring drives, including a nine-play, 91-yard touchdown march late in the first half to take their first lead of the day. Pohl completed passes of 13, 26 and 27 yards on the drive and Jawon Chisholm ran untouched into the end zone from 2 yards out to give Akron a 17-10 lead at intermission.
The Zips took control with a touchdown drive on their second possession after the half. Head coach Terry Bowden elected to go for it on fourth down and Pohl validated that decision with a 5-yard scoring strike to senior tight end Jon Root, Root's first career touchdown.
For Akron, the win came after an ominous start.
The Rockets got on the scoreboard first, taking advantage of the short field afforded them by an Akron fumble, with a 9-yard TD pass from Owens to Dwight Macon to cap a five-play, 43-yard drive.
Akron responded quickly, executing a reverse on the ensuing kickoff return and setting up shop at their own 42.
From there, the Zips needed eight plays to reach the end zone on a 19-yard scoring play from Pohl to L.T. Smith. Pohl rolled right, waited for Smith to work his way open in the back of the end zone and fired a line drive to the junior receiver for the tying TD.
Toledo retook the lead early in the second quarter with a 30-yard field goal by Jeremiah Detmer, but the Zips once again had the answer, tying the game on a 22-yard field goal by Robert Stein that sparked a run of 17 unanswered points for Akron.
Jatavis Brown led UA with 15 tackles and Malachi Freeman added four tackles and three pass break-ups.
Announced earlier today, the Zips will start the 2014 season with a home game against Howard.
Zips Notebook: Prior to the game Akron honored the 21 student-athletes in its graduating class ... WR L.T. Smith's touchdown catch was his third of the season and sixth of his career ... TE Jon Root had his first career TD catch in his final collegiate game ... Root is the 16th Zips' player with at least one reception and the 10th to catch at least one touchdown pass this year ... PK Robert Stein closed the season making four-straight field goals and five of his last six ... LB Jatavis Brown finish with 107 tackles for the season ... he is the first sophomore to post 100-plus tackles since Brian Wagner in 2010 (130) ... Cody Grice's PAT block in the fourth quarter was the first for the Zips since the Kent State game on Nov. 12, 2011 (Oren Wilson) ... QB Kyle Pohl did not throw an interception in the final three games of the season (81-straight completions) ... the Zips' 91-yard scoring drive in the second quarter was their longest of the season ... the victory was the first for Akron over Toledo since 2008 (47-30 on Nov. 5) and evened the all-time series between the programs at 9-all ... the Zips and Rockets were meeting in the regular-season finale for the second-straight year.
