Zips Host Kent State on Tuesday for Wagon Wheel, MAC East Title

Zips Host Kent State on Tuesday for Wagon Wheel, MAC East Title

November 16 | Football

Pregame Coverage:
Akron Game Notes in PDF Format
Bowden's Weekly Press Conference Video
MAC Weekly Media Teleconference Audio
MAC Weekly Release

Gameday Coverage:
Buy Single-Game Tickets
Listen to Free Audio Stream (TuneIn.com)
Follow Free Live Statistics
Watch ESPN

Kent State (2-9, 1-6 MAC)
at Akron (6-5, 5-2 MAC)
Tuesday, Nov. 21
InfoCision Stadium– Summa Field [30,000] | Akron, OH
7 PM ET | ESPNU

CRYSTAL CLINIC WAGON WHEEL CHALLENGE GAME
SENIOR NIGHT

THIS WEEK
Akron closes out the regular season with the Crystal Clinic Wagon Wheel Challenge game against rival Kent State on Tuesday, Nov. 21, at 7 p.m. at InfoCision Stadium– Summa Field. The Senior Class will be honored prior to the game.

ESPNU will televise the game with Mike Corey (play-by-play) and Tom Luginbill (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 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 6-5 overall and 5-2 in MAC play after a 37-34 win over Ohio. UA returns 57 lettermen, including 15 starters. The Zips utilize a spread offense and a 4-3 defense.

Senior RB Manny Morgan (Naples, Fla.) is the team's leading active rusher with 296 yards and two touchdowns on 77 carries. Under center, senior QB Thomas Woodson (Monroeville, Pa.) is 154-of-264 for 1,742 yards and 14 touchdowns, while redshirt freshman Kato Nelson (Hollywood, Fla.) is 47-of-87 for 663 yards and five touchdowns. Redshirt senior WR Tra'Von Chapman (Cincinnati, Ohio) is the top receiver with 48 receptions for 442 yards and two touchdowns. Defensively, junior LB Ulysees Gilbert III (Ocala, Fla.) leads the Zips with 104 tackles, four sacks, three hurries, two break-ups, and two interceptions.

In the NCAA stats, Akron is No. 10 in defensive touchdowns (3), No. 30 in red zone defense (0.780), and No. 34 in third down conversions (0.437). Individually, junior DB Jordan George (Dayton, Ohio) is No. 9 in interceptions (4), while junior LB Ulysees Gilbert III is ranked No. 245 in total tackles (9.4).

The Golden Flashes, under the guidance of fifth-year head coach Paul Haynes, stand 2-9 overall and 1-6 in MAC play after a 42-23 loss to Central Michigan. Kent State returns 53 letterwinners, including 18 starters, to its multiple offensive and 4-3 defensive schemes.

Sophomore RB Justin Rankin is Kent's top rusher with 417 yards and two touchdowns on 102 carries. Junior QB George Bollas is 84-of-169 for 1,089 yards and four touchdowns. Rankin is also the leading receiver with 286 yards and two touchdowns on 38 receptions. Defensively, junior LB Jim Jones has 85 tackles, 4.5 sacks, two hurries, two break-ups, and a fumble recovery.

In the NCAA stats, Kent State is ranked No. 33 in time of possession (31:37) and No. 35 in net punting (39.40). Senior CB Demetrius Monday is No. 9 in total interceptions (4) and No. 11 in interceptions per game (0.4). Sophomore P Derek Adams is No. 21 in punting (44.0).

CRYSTAL CLINIC WAGON WHEEL CHALLENGE
Akron hosts Kent State in the Crystal Clinic Orthopaedic Center Wagon Wheel Challenge. The 14-sport rivalry series between Akron and Kent State is based on a time-honored competition for an historic wooden wagon wheel trophy awarded originally in 1945 to the winner of the annual Akron-Kent State football game.

Since the 2011-12 academic year, the rivalry was broadened to include 14 NCAA varsity sports, with victories in each sport adding one point to the challenge standings. To learn more about the rivalry and follow the results and standings, visit:

www.WagonWheelChallenge.com

AKRON TO APPEAR ON SPORTS CENTER ON SATURDAY
The Zips' gameday uniform for Tuesday's game against Kent State will be featured on Saturday's SportCenter "Gear Up" segment. For the third consecutive season on Senior Night, the Akron players will wear the full kangaroo decal on their helmets. While defending the Wagon Wheel, the Zips will wear navy jerseys, gold pants, and navy helmets with a Vegas gold face mask.

SENIOR STATUS
Prior to the home finale with Kent State, Akron will honor the 24 members of its Senior Class– RB Warren Ball, WR Fransohn Bickley, LS Michael Buddenberg, DL Ibrahima Camara, WR Tra'Von Chapman, WR A.J. Coney, OL Stephen Ericksen, OL LaVonne Gauthney, P/K Zach Gingerich, WR Kevin Gladney, LS Hayden Grover, S Zach Guiser, LB Andrew Hauser, CB Mikee Hayes, LB Tony Jones, DE Michael Kish, OL Jovann Letuli, OL Cedric McCoy, DE Deon'Tae Moore, RB Manny Morgan, OL Xavier Quigley, WR Austin Wolf, QB Thomas Woodson, and WR Anthony Young.

This is the second five-year graduating class to play under head coach Terry Bowden at Akron. During their collegiate careers, they've been a part of the re-building process, helping the Zips to at least five wins each of the last four seasons. The 2017 seniors may become just the second class to graduate with a winning record in FBS play. They currently stand 24-24 over the last three-plus season [2014: 5-7; 2015: 8-5, 2016: 5-7; 2017: 6-5].

Four of the seniors have already earned their undergraduate degrees and are pursuing master's degrees.

With last week's win over Ohio, the Zips became bowl eligible for the second time in three seasons, a program first. A win over Kent State will give the Zips their third MAC East title and their first since 2005, as well a third consecutive Wagon Wheel victory.

Individually, the Zips have re-written the record books and climbed the career charts while racking up weekly honors. Off the field, they've represented UA in the community with several activities, including game week visits to Akron Children's Hospital. Congratulations, Seniors!

AKRON-KENT STATE CONNECTIONS
The Akron and Kent State campuses are just 11 miles apart.

Redshirt senior WR Tra'Von Chapman (Roosevelt HS) is the only Zip from Kent, Ohio.

Kent State has three players from the city of Akron– redshirt freshman OL Zach Corrigall [St. Vincent-St. Mary HS], sophomore CB Jae'Vante Ray [Ellet HS], and freshman QB Pyrce Taylor [Buchtel HS].

AKRON-KENT STATE: THE SERIES
Tuesday night's game is th 60th meeting between Akron and Kent State in series history, which began in 1923. The Zips lead, 33-24-2. Since the coveted wooden Wagon Wheel trophy has been at stake (dating to 1946), Kent State holds a 23-22-1 edge. The Zips are 24-9-2 in the series when playing at home (3-1 at InfoCision Stadium).

In a wild finish at Dix Stadium last fall, the Akron Zips traveled 57 yards with 1:02 left on the clock as TE Mykel Traylor-Bennett ran three yards into the endzone to secure a 31-27 victory over cross-town rival Kent State to keep control of the Crystal Clinic Wagon Wheel.

The thrilling victory marked the first time since 2004 that Akron won a Mid-American Conference opener on the road (at Kent State, 24-19) and the first win at Dix Stadium since the 30-27 double overtime win in 2008.

After Kent State scored a touchdown to take a 27-24 lead with 1:02 left on the clock, the Zips didn't let the lack of time on the clock phase them, as Akron used four plays to travel 57 yards for what proved to be the game-winning touchdown.

At 2015 at InfoCision Stadium on Black FryeDay, Akron re-claimed the coveted Wagon Wheel with a 20-0 shutout of Kent State. 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.

Zips' QB Thomas Woodson went 11-of-19 for 140 yards and a touchdown. In his final home game, senior RB Conor Hundley rushed for 98 yards and touchdown on 22 carries, while WR Jerome Lane had four catches for 75 yards. Defensively, senior LB Jatavis Brown led the Zips with eight tackles
and forced fumble.

SERIES INFORMATION
Akron all-time vs. Kent State:            33-24-2
Akron in games at Akron:                  24-9-2
Akron in games at Kent State:           9-15
Akron in games at a neutral site:       0-0
First meeting in series:                    1923, at Akron, W, 32-0
Last meeting in series:                    2016, at Dix Stadium, W, 31-27

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.

The win over Ohio gave Akron the tie-breaker for the top spot in the MAC East. A win over Kent State will give Akron the 2017 MAC East title and a spot in the 2017 MAC championship game. Since joining the MAC in 1992, Akron has only won the MAC East twice (2000, 2005). Ua has only played in the MAC Championship game once (2005).

ZIPS EARN BOWL ELIGIBILITY
With the victory over Ohio, the Zips became bowl eligible for the second time in three seasons– a feat that had never been reached in program history.

UA, which played in the 1968 Grantland Rice Bowl as a part of the College Division as well as three post-season games in 1976 as a Division II member, has only earned bowl eligibility twice since joining the Football Subdivision (FBS) in 1987. Under Terry Bowden, the Zips won the 2015 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl and finished the season with an 8-5 record, the most wins as an FBS participant.

LAST GAME
The Akron football team earned bowl eligibility for the second time in three years with a 37-34 win over Ohio on Nov. 14 at InfoCision Stadium-Summa Field.

With the win, Akron moved to 6-5 overall and 5-2 in Mid-American Conference play. In addition, the Zips are one win away from securing the MAC East title for the first time since 2005.

Redshirt freshman QB Kato Nelson and junior WR Kwadarrius Smith (Orlando, Fla.) led the Zips' offense with career-high numbers. Nelson tossed a career-best 322 yards in the air with a career-high four touchdowns, while Smith led the receiving corps with 132 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Seniors WR A.J. Coney (Orlando, Fla.) and WR Austin Wolf (Lebanon, Ohio) also added touchdown receptions.

Senior RB Manny Morgan led the ground attack 55 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries, while Nelson followed with 45 yards on 14 rushes.

Defensively, the Zips picked-off two passes, while junior LB Ulysees Gilbert III paced the defense with 11 tackles.

POSTGAME NOTES

In his second career start in as many weeks, redshirt freshman QB Kato Nelson went 22-of-38 for a career-high 322 yards and career-best four touchdowns.
Junior PK Nick Gasser (Liberty Township, Ohio) nailed his first field goal, a 19-yard chip-shot to put Akron on the scoreboard in the first quarter.
Junior DB Shawn Featherstone (Pittsburgh, Pa.) had an interception in the first quarter and returned it 45 yards. It was his second interception this season and in his career. In the second quarter, Featherstone recovered a fumble, the first of his career. He finished with seven tackles.
Akron's 15-play, 75-yard scoring drive for Gasser's field goal marked the most plays in a scoring drive for the Zips this fall.
Junior WR Kwadarrius Smith had 71-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter, the longer reception of his collegiate career. In the second quarter, Smith had a 54-yard TD reception, marking his first multi-touchdown game. He finished the game with three receptions for 132 yards, marking his second 100-yard receiving performance, and two touchdowns.
For the third consecutive game, junior CB Jordan George's (Dayton, Ohio) had an interception. This time he snatched the ball in the fourth quarter and returned it 28 yards.

ZIPS QUICK HITS

The players elected seniors RB Warren Ball, WR A.J. Coney, and S Zach Guiser as team captains for the 2017 season.
Six of Akron's 2017 opponents— Penn State (Rose), Troy (Dollar General), Western Michigan (Cotton), Toledo (Camelia), Miami (St. Petersburg), and Ohio (Dollar General)— participated in bowls in 2016.
Six of Akron's 2017 opponents— Penn State, Iowa State, Troy, Western Michigan, Toledo, and Ohio— are bowl eligible this fall.
Since 1979, Akron has faced 29 nationally ranked teams, going 1-28. The Zips' sole victory was a 34-20 win over No. 25 Marshall at the Rubber Bowl on Nov. 2, 2002.
Akron has 46 student-athletes on its roster from the state of Ohio; 33 of those live within a 30-mile radius to campus.

THE ZIPS ARE UNDEFEATED
This season, Akron has an undefeated record in games when leading at the half (6-0), when scoring 30+ points (4-0), in games decided by 3 points of less (2-0), when holding the opponent to nine points or less (2-0). The Zips are also undefeated when wearing blue jerseys (4-0) and gold helmets (2-0). Conversely, Akron has not won a game when trailing at the half (0-5).

MAC PREDICTIONS
Akron was selected to finish fourth in the Mid-American Conference East Division this fall by both the media and the head coaches. Defending East champion Ohio was picked first, followed by Miami and Bowling Green. Akron, Buffalo, and Kent State rounded out the picks.

In the West Division, Toledo was selected first, followed by Western Michigan and Northern Illinois. Eastern Michigan, Central Michigan, and Ball State rounded out the predictions.

The Toledo Rockets were also predicted to win the 2017 MAC Championship Game which will be held on Saturday, Dec. 2, at Ford Field in Detroit.

POMP & CIRCUMSTANCE
Seven Zips competing this fall already have their bachelor's degrees: RB Warren Ball (sports industry), WR Tra'Von Chapman (sport management), OL Nick Fazio (mechanical engineering), OL LaVonne Gauthney (sport management), LB Andrew Hauser (sport management), QB Robbie Kelley (business management), and TE Mykel Traylor-Bennett (organizational supervision). The seven Zips ranked 10th nationally with players with degrees. Northwestern leads the country with 18 graduated players on its roster.

SEASON-ENDING INJURIES
While the Zips have been relatively healthy this season (compared to last fall), Akron has lost five players to season-ending injuries: senior RB Warren Ball (broken leg), redshirt freshman LB DeMarkus Glover (shoulder), senior S Zach Guiser (concussion), sophomore RB Deltron Sands (broken leg), and senior WR Anthony Young (shoulder). Senior TE/WR Mykel Traylor-Bennett suffered a knee injury in the spring game and missed action this fall. He plans to return next season.

UP NEXT
Akron controls its own destiny. A win against Kent State will give the Zips the 2017 MAC East title and a spot in the MAC Championship game on Saturday, Dec. 2, at Noon on ESPN at Ford Field in Detroit. Bowl bids will be announced after the MAC Championship game. Stay tuned to www.GoZips.com for information.