The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Central Michigan
Zips Drop 14-6 Decision to Central Michigan
October 31 | Football
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POSTGAME NOTES | POSTGAME QUOTES
AKRON, Ohio– In a game where defense dominated, the Akron Zips fell to Central Michigan, 14-6, in Mid-American Conference play at InfoCision Stadium-Summa Field on Saturday afternoon.
Akron fell to 3-5 overall (1-3 MAC), while the Chippewas improved to 5-4 overall (4-1 MAC).
The Zips led in passing yards and total offense. Sophomore QB Thomas Woodson (Monroeville, Pa.) went 22-of-36for 252 yards and 57-yard touchdown pass to sophomore WR Jerome Lane (Akron, Ohio).
Senior RB Conor Hundley (Hamilton, Ohio) was the top Zip rusher with 34 yards on 12 carries, while senior WR Imani Davis (Miami, Fla.) was the top receiver with 86 yards on eight receptions.
Defensively, senior LB Jatavis Brown (Belle Grade, Fla.) and Darryl Monroe (Orlando, Fla.) led the Zips with six tackles each. Brown added a sack for a loss of nine yards.
UA's defensive strength showed on the Chippewas' opening drive as Brown recorded his sack on a third-and-seven, forcing CMU to punt.
On their next drive, the Zips had the first scoring opportunity. However, on a third-and-six on the 13, CMU had the first of its four sacks on the afternoon, dropping Woodson back nine yards. On fourth down, senior PK Robert Stein (Cincinnati, Ohio) was brought in to attempt a 48-yard field that went wide right.
After a scoreless first quarter, the Chippewas struck first with a two-yard touchdown reception from QB Cooper Rush to FB Joe Bacci. CMU utilized a nine-play, 69-yard drive to go ahead 7-0.
The Zips returned fire on their next possession as Woodson hit Lane on a 57-yard pass play to put Akron on the scoreboard following a four-play, 76-yard drive. A bad snap made the extra point fail as the Zips trailed, 7-6, with 11:49 to go in the first half.
Neither team scored again. Akron finished the half with a 10-yard sack by senior DT Rodney Coe (Fulton, Mo.), entering the locker room at halftime with a 7-6 score.
In the opening drive of the third quarter, Central Michigan pulled ahead 14-6 with a 14-yard pass play as Rush connected with WR Anthony Rice.
The Zips saw momentum change as redshirt freshman CB Jordan George (Ketering, Ohio) had his first career interception, picking off Rush on CMU's next drive. UA had back-to-back first downs before punting to end the quarter.
The fourth quarter was a defensive standoff. Coe had a six-yard sack to stop a CMU drive on third-and 16.
On their final drive of the game with just 45 seconds remaining in the game, the Zips didn't give up. Woodson completed four passes, before throwing an interception that ended the game.
Akron opens November with back-to-back MAC road trips. The Zips visit Massachusetts on Nov. 7, at Gillette Stadium. Kickoff on the CBS Sports Network is set for Noon.
