The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Kent State
Akron Re-Claims Wagon Wheel With 20-0 Shutout of Kent State on Senior Day
November 27 | Football
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AKRON, Ohio– The Akron Zips re-claimed the coveted Wagon Wheel from cross-town rival Kent State with a 20-0 shutout in Mid-American Conference action at InfoCision Stadium-Summa Field on a rainy Friday afternoon.
Riding a four-game winning streak, Akron improved to 7-5 overall (5-3 MAC), while the Golden Flashes finished the season at 5-7 overall (3-5 MAC). The seven wins are the most for a Zips' team since 2005, tying the program's FBS record of wins in a season.
The shutout was the Zips' first over the Golden flashes since 1985 and first over any team since 1992.
Akron held Kent to just 10 yards rushing.
Sophomore QB Thomas Woodson (Monroeville, Pa.) went 11-of-19 for 140 yards and a touchdown.
In his final home game, senior RB Conor Hundley (Hamilton, Ohio) rushed for 98 yards and touchdown on 22 carries. Sophomore WR Jerome Lane (Akron, Ohio) had four catches for 75 yards.
Defensively, senior LB Jatavis Brown (Belle Glade, Fla.) led the Zips with eight tackles and forced fumble.
Akron struck first with 30 seconds remaining in the first quarter, completing a 14-play, 77-yard drive as Hundley rushed for a seven-yard touchdowns. Senior PK Robert Stein (Cincinnati, Ohio) added the extra point to give the Zips a 7-0 lead.
The Zips had an opportunity to add three more points in the second quarter, but Stein's 37-yard field goal attempt went wide right.
Senior LB Darryl Monroe (Orlando, Fla.) forced the first fumble of his career, recovered by junior DE Se'Von Pittman (Canton, Ohio), which led to a Zips' touchdown on the very next play.
Akron closed the first half with an 11-yard touchdown pass from Woodson to redshirt freshman TE Newman Williams (Akron, Ohio) and entered the locker room with a 14-0 lead.
The Zips dominated the third quarter, utilizing 12:44 for their opening drive which ended with a 24-yard field goal by Stein. The Zips' WR Andrew Pratt ((North Canton, Ohio) recovered a fumble on the ensuing kickoff and ended the stanza with a 17-0 advantage.
Stein booted a 20-yard field goal for the 20-0 final score to open the fourth quarter.
Akron now awaits a postseason bowl invitation.
