Zips Travel to #10/16 Wisconsin on Sept. 10 for Big Ten Network Showdown

September 06 | Football

Pregame Coverage:
Akron Game Notes in PDF Format
Terry Bowden – Weekly Press Conference Video
Terry Bowden – MAC Weekly Media Teleconference Audio
MAC Weekly – Sept. 6

Gameday Coverage:
Listen to Free Audio Stream (TuneIn.com)
Follow Free Live Statistics

Akron (1-0) at #10/16 Wisconsin (1-0)
Saturday, Sept. 10
Camp Randall Stadium [80,321]
Madison, Wis.
3:30 PM ET | 2:30 PM CT | Big Ten Network

THIS WEEK
Akron travels to No. 10/16 Wisconsin on Saturday, Sept. 10. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET (2:30 p.m. CT) at Camp Randall Stadium.

Former UW offensive line coach and Akron alum (1952-55) Mario Russo (Barberton, Ohio) will participate in the coin toss with the Akron Zips.

The Big Ten Network will televise the game with Matt Delvin (play-by-play) and Stanley Jackson (analyst), calling the game.

The Zips' radio broadcast will air on the Akron-IMG Sports Network [SportsRadio 1350 AM (WARF) in Akron (flagship), 1420 WHK in Cleveland, 1440 WHKZ in Warren/Youngstown] with Steve French calling the action, Brad Detwiler providing analysis, and Joe Dunn with sideline report. The pregame show starts at 6 p.m. ET. A free audio stream is available at SportsRadio1350.com, iHeart Radio, and TuneIn.com/Akron Zips.

Under the guidance of fifth-year head coach Terry Bowden, Akron opened the 2016 season with a decisive 47-24 home win over VMI .The Zips return 48 lettermen, including seven starters. The Zips utilize a spread offense and a 4-3 defense.

After one games, senior RB Warren Ball (Columbus, Ohio) is the team's leading rusher with 110 yards and a touchdown. Under center, junior QB Thomas Woodson (Monroeville, Pa.) is 23-of-32 for 407 yards and a school record six passing touchdowns. Junior WR Jerome Lane (Akron, Ohio) is the top receiver with 196 yards and two touchdowns on 10 receptions. Defensively, sophomore LB Ulysees Gilbert (Ocala, Fla.) and senior S James Turner (Fayette City, Pa.) each have 10 tackles.

In the 2016 national rankings, Akron is ranked among the Top 25 in six categories. The Zips are No. 1 in red zone offense (1.000), No. 1 in tackles for loss (15.0) No. 9 in passing offense (425.0), No. 14 in passing efficiency (206.58), No. 16 total offense (576.0), and No. 25 in kickoff returns (26.67). Individually, junior QB Thomas Woodson leads the nation in passing touchdowns (6), while ranking No. 4 in passing efficiency (234.3) and points responsible for (36.), No. 7 in passing yards (407), and No. 7 total offense (420.0). Senior WR JoJo Natson (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) is No. 1 in receiving touchdowns (3) and in scoring (18.0). Junior WR Jerome Lane is No. 2 in receiving yards (196), No. 2 in receiving yards per game (196), No.4 in receiving touchdowns (2), and No. 6 in receptions (10). Defensively, senior DL Jamal Marcus (Durham, N.C.) is No. 5 in sacks (2.00) and tied with teammate Ulysees Gilbert at No. 10 in tackles for loss (3.0).

Wisconsin, under the guidance of second-year head coach Paul Chryst, is 1-0 on the season after a 16-14 upset of No. 5 LSU. The Badgers return 51 letterwinners, including 12 starters, to their multiple offense and 3-4 defense.

Senior RB Corey Clement is the top rusher with 86 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries. Senior QB Bart Houston guided the offense, going19-of-31 for 205 yards. Junior TE Troy Fumagalli is the top receiver with 100 yards on seven receptions. Defensively, junior LB Jack Cichy leads the defense with eight tackles, 1.0 TFL, and a forced fumble.

In the NCAA stats, Wisconsin is No. 6 in turnovers gained (3), No. 9 in passes intercepted (2.0), No. 12 in kickoff return defense (11.00), and No. 10 in time of possession (36:57). Individually, Rafeal Gaglianone is No. 1 in field goal percentage (1.000) and No. 6 in field goals per game (3.00). Chikwe Obasih is No. 3 in fumbles recovered (1), while D'Cota Dixon and Derrick Tindal are tied at No. 8 in total interceptions (1).

AKRON-WISCONSIN CONNECTIONS
Akron has no players from the state of Wisconsin on its roster.

Wisconsin has five players from the state of Ohio on its roster– freshman S Seth Currens (Pickerington, Ohio | Central HS], sophomore OL Michael Deiter [Curtice, Ohio | Genoa HS], freshman LB Griffin Grady [Dublin, Ohio | Coffman HS], freshman DE Kraig Howe [Dayton, Ohio | Archbishop Alter HS], and senior WR Robert Wheelwright [Columbus, Ohio | Walnut Ridge HS].

Zips' sophomore DB Jordan George (Dayton, Ohio) and UW's Howe went to high school together.

UA senior WR JoJo Natson and Badger junior CB Derrick Tindal went to Fort Lauderdale's Boyd Anderson High School together.

Head coach Terry Bowden has faced Wisconsin head coach Paul Chryst across the sidelines once before. During the 2014 season, the Zips claimed a 21-10 win at Pittsburgh, coached by Chryst.

AKRON-WISCONSIN: THE SERIES
This is the third meeting on the gridiron between the Zips and the Badgers with UW holding a 2-0 series edge. Both games were played at Camp Randall Stadium.
The teams first met in 2003 with No. 18 Wisconsin claiming a 48-31 win.

In 2008, the 12th-ranked Wisconsin Badgers rolled up 404 yards rushing, using their imposing offensive line and talented backs, to power past the Akron Zips, 38-17, in the teams' season opener, played before 80,910 at Camp Randall Stadium.

The Badgers went to tailback P.J. Hill early and often. The junior had 16 carries for 150 yards in the first half alone and ended with 210 yards on 26 carries. He put Wisconsin in position for its first score on its first drive, rushing for 32 yards on the first series. Badger quarterback Evridge Allen completed the drive with a three-yard pass to Garrett Graham.

SERIES INFORMATION
Akron all-time vs. Wisconsin: 0-2
Akron in games at Akron: 0-0
Akron in games at Wisconsin: 0-2
Akron in games at a neutral site: 0-0
First meeting in series: 2003, at Camp Randall Stadium, L, 31-48
Last meeting in series: 2008, at Camp Randall Stadium, L, 17-38

SERIES HIGHS
Akron Zips
Rushing: Bobby Kennedy, 24-101, 1 TD (2003)
Passing: Charlie Frye, 31-49-2-372, 1 TD (2003)
Receiving: Derwyn Bowser, 5-76, 0 TDs (2008)

Wisconsin Badgers
Rushing: Anthony Davis, 29-252, 3 TDs (2003)
Passing: Jim Sorgi, 14-25-1-281, 2 TDs (2003)
Receiving: Lee Evans, 9-214, 2 TDs (2003)

HEAD COACH TERRY BOWDEN
In his fifth season at Akron, head coach Terry Bowden is the dean of the Mid-American Conference coaches with the most career wins (160). Nationally, Bowden ranks sixth among active coaches in career wins. [see chart on page 5]

WOODSON NAMED MAC OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Junior QB Thomas Woodson was tabbed the first Mid-American Conference Offensive Player of the Week of the season for the East Division on Sept. 5. Additionally, Woodson was named the Zips' Student-Athlete of the Week, presented by The University of Akron.

Woodson led Akron to a 47-24 win over VMI in the season opener. In his 11th consecutive starting nod at quarterback, Woodson went 23-of-32 for a career-high 407 yards and a career-best and school record six touchdowns. The former record was five TD passes by Dalton Williams, vs. Morgan State, 9-15-12.

ZIPS QUICK HITS

Seven of Akron's 2016 opponents— Wisconsin (Holiday), Marshall (St. Petersburg), Appalachian State (Camellia), Western Michigan (Bahamas), Toledo (Boca Raton), Bowling Green (GoDaddy), and Ohio (Camellia)— participated in bowls in 2015.
Since 1979, Akron has faced 25 nationally ranked teams, going 1-24. The Zips' sole victory was a 34-20 win over No. 25 Marshall at the Rubber Bowl on Nov. 2, 2002.
The 2016 season marks the 40th Anniversary of the 1976 team which finished the season as the national runner-up during the Division II playoffs. Under coach Jim Dennison, UA defeated UNLV, 27-6, in the quarterfinal round at the Rubber Bowl. The Zips beat Northern Michigan, 29-26 OT, in the first overtime game in NCAA playoff history. In the national championship game, called the Pioneer Bowl in Wichita Falls, Texas, Akron lost to Montana State, 24-13. The 1976 team will be honored as the Team of Distinction during Homecoming/Hall of Fame weekend (Oct. 7-9).
The players elected seniors WR JoJo Natson, CB DeAndre Scott, and S James Turner as team captains for the 2016 season.
Akron has 43 student-athletes on its roster from the state of Ohio; 30 of those live within a 30-mile radius to campus.
The Zips featured experienced players on the roster, including 21 transfers– r-senior RB Warren Ball (Ohio State), r-senior DB Michael Butler (Western Michigan), r-junior QB Tra'Von Chapman (Pittsburgh), r-junior WR A.J. Coney (Weber State), r-sophomore LB Jamal Davis (Pittsburgh), r-freshman CB Mark Ellis (West Virginia), sophomore OL Nick Fazio (Chalreston), r-junior WR Kevin Gladney (Nebraska), r-senior Jelani Hamilton (Miami [Fla.]), senior DB Larry Hope (Miami [Fla.]), r-senior DB Bryce Jones (Boston College), sophomore LB James King (Miami [Fla.]), r-senior DL Jamal Marcus (Ohio State), r-senior WR JoJo Natson (Utah State), senior DL Se'Von Pittman (Ohio State), junior PK/P Jon Semerene (Miami [Fla.]), sophomore ATH Kwaddarius Smith (Missouri), r-junior OL Logan Tuley-Tillman (Michigan), r-junior QB Clayton Uecker (Ave Maria), r-senior DE Daumantas Venckus (Iowa), and junior ATH Anthony Young (Indiana). Fifth-year transfers include Ball and Hamilton.

UP NEXT
Akron continues its two-game road trip. The next stop is Marshall on Saturday, Sept. 17, for a Noon ET game on the CBS Sports Network. The Zips return home to InfoCision Stadium– Summa Field on Saturday, Sept. 24, to host Appalachian State. Please check GoZips.com for kickoff time.