The University of Akron Athletics
Saturday, October 28
Akron, OH
11:30 AM
University of Akron
vs
Buffalo
Photo by: Jeff Harwell
Akron Football Hosts Buffalo at 11:30 AM on Saturday
October 23 | Football
Pregame Coverage:
Akron Game Notes in PDF Format
Bowden's Weekly Press Conference Video
MAC Weekly Media Teleconference Audio (Bowden)
MAC Weekly Release – Oct. 24
Gameday Coverage:
Buy Single-Game Tickets
Listen to Free Audio Stream (TuneIn.com)
Follow Free Live Statistics
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THIS WEEK
Akron returns home for its final Saturday contest. The Zips entertain Buffalo on Saturday, Oct. 28, in an 11:30 a.m. ET contest at InfoCision Stadium– Summa Field. Children are invited to participate in Trunk or Treat in the tailgate lots around the stadium from 10-11 a.m.
The CBS Sports Network will televise the game with Jason Horowitz (play-by-play), Jay Feely (analyst), and Erik Coleman (sideline) calling the game. Â
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 one hour prior to kickoff. A free audio stream is available at SportsRadio1350.com, iHeart Radio, and TuneIn.com/Akron Zips.
Under the guidance of sixth-year head coach Terry Bowden, Akron stands 4-4 overall and 3-1 in MAC play after a 48-21 loss at Toledo. UA returns 57 lettermen, including 15 starters. The Zips utilize a spread offense and a 4-3 defense.
Junior RB Van Edwards (Cape Coral, Fla.) is the team's leading active rusher with 215 yards and two touchdowns on 63 carries. Under center, senior QB Thomas Woodson (Monroeville, Pa.) is 133-of-235 for 1,456 yards and 11 touchdowns. Redshirt senior WR Tra'Von Chapman (Cincinnati, Ohio) is the top receiver with 32 receptions for 278 yards and a touchdown. Defensively, junior LB Ulysees Gilbert III (Ocala, Fla.) leads the Zips with 76 tackles, four sacks, three hurries, two break-ups, and two interceptions.
In the NCAA stats, Akron is No. 5 in defensive touchdowns (3), No. 17 in red zone defense (0.724), and No. 33 in third down conversions (0.442). Individually, junior LB Ulysees Gilbert III is ranked No. 19 in total tackles (9.5).
The Bulls, under the guidance of third-year head coach Lance Leipold, stand 3-5 overall and 1-3 in MAC play after a 24-14 loss at Miami (Ohio). Buffalo returns 46 letterwinners, including 16 starters, to its multiple offensive and 4-3 defensive schemes.
Sophomore RB Emmanuel Reed is Buffalo's top rusher with 495 yards and five touchdowns on 122 carries. Junior QB Drew Anderson is 66-of-106 for 1,039 yards and 10 touchdowns. . Junior WR Anthony Johnson is the leading receiver with 827 yards and six touchdowns on 49 receptions. Defensively, junior LB Khalil Hodge has 115 tackles, two sacks, and a forced fumble.
In the NCAA stats, Buffalo is ranked No. 4 in blocked kicks (3), No. 13 in passing yards per completion (14.98), and No. 28 in red zone defense (0.759). Junior CB Cameron Lewis is No. 3 in forced fumbles (0.50). Junior WR Anthony Johnson is No. 4 in receiving yards (827), No. 9 in receiving yards per game (103.4), and No. 16 in receiving touchdowns (6). Junior LB Khalil Hodge is No. 1 in total tackles (14.4) and No. 8 in solo tackles (6.4).
AKRON-BUFFALO CONNECTIONS
Akron has one player from the state of New York on its roster, but not from the Buffalo area.
Buffalo has nine players from Ohio on its roster, including locals – senior DT Chris Ford (Medina, Ohio |Medina HS), senior LB Ishmael Hargrove (Cleveland, Ohio | Gilmour Academy), freshman DE Jaylin Nolden (Euclid, Ohio | Euclid HS), and freshman Kyle Vantrease (Stow, Ohio | Stow-Munroe Falls HS).
Buffalo associate head coach and wide receivers coach Rob Ianello was the Zips' head coach for two seasons (2010-11), recording a 2-22 record.
AKRON-BUFFALO:Â THE SERIES
Saturday's game is the 17th meeting between Akron and Buffalo in series history, which began in 1999. The Zips lead, 10-6, all in MAC play.
Last fall Buffalo senior RB Jordan Johnson rushed for a school record 282 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Bulls to a 41-20 win over Akron in Mid-American Conference action on a rainy Thursday evening at UB Stadium. Despite two touchdowns from senior WR JoJo Natson and two field goals from redshirt sophomore PK Tom O'Leary, the Zips committed three turnovers and could not catch up to the Bulls on the scoreboard.
Natson led the Zips' receiving efforts with five catches for 53 yards and a touchdown. Sophomore RB Van Edwards was the top rusher with 56 yards on 14 carries. Junior QB Thomas Woodson was 18-of-42 for 178 yards and one touchdown.
Defensively, freshman CB Alvin Davis led the Zips with eight tackles, including six solo stops.
The last time at InfoCision Stadium, the Akron Zips posted their sixth win of the 2015 season, becoming bowl eligible for just the second time in school history (as an FBS program) and first time since 2005, with a 42-21 Mid-American Conference win.
Sophomore QB Thomas Woodson went 17-of-30 for 258 yards and a career-high four touchdowns. Senior RB Donnell Alexander led all rushers with a career-high 143 yards and a career-best two touchdowns as a Zip. In the air, senior WR Imani Davis had seven receptions for a career-high 118 yards and a touchdown. It marked the first 100-yard receiving game of Davis' collegiate career. Defensively, senior LB Jatavis Brown led all defenders with 12 tackles and two hurries.
In the teams' meeting at UB Stadium on Nov. 11, 2014, Buffalo QB Joe Licata threw four touchdown passes en route to a 55-24 win over Akron in MAC play.
SERIES INFORMATION
Akron all-time vs. Buffalo:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 10-6
Akron in games at Akron:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 6-1
Akron in games at Buffalo:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 4-5
Akron in games at a neutral site:Â Â Â 0-0
First meeting in series:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 1999, at Buffalo, W, 17-10
Last meeting in series:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 2016, at UB Stadium, L, 20-41
BEST MAC START
Opening the 2017 season with three consecutive wins in Mid-American Conference play was a first for Akron. While the Zips had opened MAC play with two wins seven times ['92, 93, 01, 07, 08, 14, 16] since joining the league in 1992, winning three consecutive MAC games to open this season was a first in program history. Â
OPENING DRIVE SUCCESS
In the first eight games, Akron has scored on its opening drive five times. Conversely, Akron's defense has kept its opponents from scoring in all but one contest while forcing four turnovers.
LAST GAME
The Toledo Rockets utilized 626 yards of total offense en route to a 48-21 win over Akron in Mid-American Conference action on Saturday afternoon at the Glass Bowl.
Senior QB Thomas Woodson led under center for Akron, going 18-of-33 for 205 yards and two touchdowns. Senior WR Tra'Von Chapman led the receivers with 70 yards and a touchdown on six receptions, while senior RB Manny Morgan was the top rusher with 25 yards on nine carries.
Defensively, LB Ulysees Gilbert, DL Ibrahima Camara (Reynoldsberg, Ohio), and DE Jamal Davis (Canton, Ohio) led the Zips with eight tackles each.
POSTGAME NOTES
UP NEXT
Akron switches to Tuesday night action for all of November. The Zips visit Miami (Ohio) on Nov. 7 at 7:30 p.m. The next home game is Nov. 14, against Ohio at 7 p.m. at InfoCision Stadium– Summa Field.
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Akron Game Notes in PDF Format
Bowden's Weekly Press Conference Video
MAC Weekly Media Teleconference Audio (Bowden)
MAC Weekly Release – Oct. 24
Gameday Coverage:
Buy Single-Game Tickets
Listen to Free Audio Stream (TuneIn.com)
Follow Free Live Statistics
Â
Buffalo (3-5, 1-3 MAC) at Akron (4-4, 3-1 MAC)Â Â
Saturday, Oct. 28
InfoCision Stadium– Summa Field [30,000] | Akron, OH
11:30 AM ET | CBS Sports Network
Saturday, Oct. 28
InfoCision Stadium– Summa Field [30,000] | Akron, OH
11:30 AM ET | CBS Sports Network
THIS WEEK
Akron returns home for its final Saturday contest. The Zips entertain Buffalo on Saturday, Oct. 28, in an 11:30 a.m. ET contest at InfoCision Stadium– Summa Field. Children are invited to participate in Trunk or Treat in the tailgate lots around the stadium from 10-11 a.m.
The CBS Sports Network will televise the game with Jason Horowitz (play-by-play), Jay Feely (analyst), and Erik Coleman (sideline) calling the game. Â
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 one hour prior to kickoff. A free audio stream is available at SportsRadio1350.com, iHeart Radio, and TuneIn.com/Akron Zips.
Under the guidance of sixth-year head coach Terry Bowden, Akron stands 4-4 overall and 3-1 in MAC play after a 48-21 loss at Toledo. UA returns 57 lettermen, including 15 starters. The Zips utilize a spread offense and a 4-3 defense.
Junior RB Van Edwards (Cape Coral, Fla.) is the team's leading active rusher with 215 yards and two touchdowns on 63 carries. Under center, senior QB Thomas Woodson (Monroeville, Pa.) is 133-of-235 for 1,456 yards and 11 touchdowns. Redshirt senior WR Tra'Von Chapman (Cincinnati, Ohio) is the top receiver with 32 receptions for 278 yards and a touchdown. Defensively, junior LB Ulysees Gilbert III (Ocala, Fla.) leads the Zips with 76 tackles, four sacks, three hurries, two break-ups, and two interceptions.
In the NCAA stats, Akron is No. 5 in defensive touchdowns (3), No. 17 in red zone defense (0.724), and No. 33 in third down conversions (0.442). Individually, junior LB Ulysees Gilbert III is ranked No. 19 in total tackles (9.5).
The Bulls, under the guidance of third-year head coach Lance Leipold, stand 3-5 overall and 1-3 in MAC play after a 24-14 loss at Miami (Ohio). Buffalo returns 46 letterwinners, including 16 starters, to its multiple offensive and 4-3 defensive schemes.
Sophomore RB Emmanuel Reed is Buffalo's top rusher with 495 yards and five touchdowns on 122 carries. Junior QB Drew Anderson is 66-of-106 for 1,039 yards and 10 touchdowns. . Junior WR Anthony Johnson is the leading receiver with 827 yards and six touchdowns on 49 receptions. Defensively, junior LB Khalil Hodge has 115 tackles, two sacks, and a forced fumble.
In the NCAA stats, Buffalo is ranked No. 4 in blocked kicks (3), No. 13 in passing yards per completion (14.98), and No. 28 in red zone defense (0.759). Junior CB Cameron Lewis is No. 3 in forced fumbles (0.50). Junior WR Anthony Johnson is No. 4 in receiving yards (827), No. 9 in receiving yards per game (103.4), and No. 16 in receiving touchdowns (6). Junior LB Khalil Hodge is No. 1 in total tackles (14.4) and No. 8 in solo tackles (6.4).
AKRON-BUFFALO CONNECTIONS
Akron has one player from the state of New York on its roster, but not from the Buffalo area.
Buffalo has nine players from Ohio on its roster, including locals – senior DT Chris Ford (Medina, Ohio |Medina HS), senior LB Ishmael Hargrove (Cleveland, Ohio | Gilmour Academy), freshman DE Jaylin Nolden (Euclid, Ohio | Euclid HS), and freshman Kyle Vantrease (Stow, Ohio | Stow-Munroe Falls HS).
Buffalo associate head coach and wide receivers coach Rob Ianello was the Zips' head coach for two seasons (2010-11), recording a 2-22 record.
AKRON-BUFFALO:Â THE SERIES
Saturday's game is the 17th meeting between Akron and Buffalo in series history, which began in 1999. The Zips lead, 10-6, all in MAC play.
Last fall Buffalo senior RB Jordan Johnson rushed for a school record 282 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Bulls to a 41-20 win over Akron in Mid-American Conference action on a rainy Thursday evening at UB Stadium. Despite two touchdowns from senior WR JoJo Natson and two field goals from redshirt sophomore PK Tom O'Leary, the Zips committed three turnovers and could not catch up to the Bulls on the scoreboard.
Natson led the Zips' receiving efforts with five catches for 53 yards and a touchdown. Sophomore RB Van Edwards was the top rusher with 56 yards on 14 carries. Junior QB Thomas Woodson was 18-of-42 for 178 yards and one touchdown.
Defensively, freshman CB Alvin Davis led the Zips with eight tackles, including six solo stops.
The last time at InfoCision Stadium, the Akron Zips posted their sixth win of the 2015 season, becoming bowl eligible for just the second time in school history (as an FBS program) and first time since 2005, with a 42-21 Mid-American Conference win.
Sophomore QB Thomas Woodson went 17-of-30 for 258 yards and a career-high four touchdowns. Senior RB Donnell Alexander led all rushers with a career-high 143 yards and a career-best two touchdowns as a Zip. In the air, senior WR Imani Davis had seven receptions for a career-high 118 yards and a touchdown. It marked the first 100-yard receiving game of Davis' collegiate career. Defensively, senior LB Jatavis Brown led all defenders with 12 tackles and two hurries.
In the teams' meeting at UB Stadium on Nov. 11, 2014, Buffalo QB Joe Licata threw four touchdown passes en route to a 55-24 win over Akron in MAC play.
SERIES INFORMATION
Akron all-time vs. Buffalo:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 10-6
Akron in games at Akron:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 6-1
Akron in games at Buffalo:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 4-5
Akron in games at a neutral site:Â Â Â 0-0
First meeting in series:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 1999, at Buffalo, W, 17-10
Last meeting in series:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 2016, at UB Stadium, L, 20-41
BEST MAC START
Opening the 2017 season with three consecutive wins in Mid-American Conference play was a first for Akron. While the Zips had opened MAC play with two wins seven times ['92, 93, 01, 07, 08, 14, 16] since joining the league in 1992, winning three consecutive MAC games to open this season was a first in program history. Â
OPENING DRIVE SUCCESS
In the first eight games, Akron has scored on its opening drive five times. Conversely, Akron's defense has kept its opponents from scoring in all but one contest while forcing four turnovers.
LAST GAME
The Toledo Rockets utilized 626 yards of total offense en route to a 48-21 win over Akron in Mid-American Conference action on Saturday afternoon at the Glass Bowl.
Senior QB Thomas Woodson led under center for Akron, going 18-of-33 for 205 yards and two touchdowns. Senior WR Tra'Von Chapman led the receivers with 70 yards and a touchdown on six receptions, while senior RB Manny Morgan was the top rusher with 25 yards on nine carries.
Defensively, LB Ulysees Gilbert, DL Ibrahima Camara (Reynoldsberg, Ohio), and DE Jamal Davis (Canton, Ohio) led the Zips with eight tackles each.
POSTGAME NOTES
- Junior LB Ulysees Gilbert III had an interception in the first quarter. It marked the second interception of his career and second this season.
- Freshman TE Kobie Booker (Barberton, Ohio) put Akron on the scoreboard in the second quarter with his second career touchdown, a 25-yard pass from Thomas Woodson.
- Senior WR Tra'Von Chapman caught a 17-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter. The TD is Chapman's first as a receiver (this season). He led the Zips with a career-high 70 yards on six receptions.
- Junior QB Robbie Kelley (Springfield, Ill.) threw his first touchdown pass as a Zip, a career-long 47-yard pass to WR Kwadarrius Smith in the fourth quarter.
UP NEXT
Akron switches to Tuesday night action for all of November. The Zips visit Miami (Ohio) on Nov. 7 at 7:30 p.m. The next home game is Nov. 14, against Ohio at 7 p.m. at InfoCision Stadium– Summa Field.
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Players Mentioned
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