The University of Akron Athletics
Saturday, September 16
Akron, OH
Noon
University of Akron
vs
Iowa State
Photo by: Jeff Harwell
Zips Host Iowa State on Sept. 16 at Noon
September 12 | Football
Pregame Coverage:
Akron Game Notes in PDF Format
Bowden's Weekly Press Conference Video
MAC Weekly Media Teleconference Audio (Bowden)
MAC Weekly Release – Sept. 11
Gameday Coverage:
Buy Single-Game Tickets
Listen to Free Audio Stream (TuneIn.com)
Follow Free Live Statistics
Iowa State (1-1) at Akron (1-1)
Saturday, Sept. 16
InfoCision Stadium– Summa Field [30,000] | Akron, OH
Noon PM ET | CBS Sports Network
THIS WEEK
Akron continues its home stand with Iowa State on Saturday, Sept. 16. Kickoff is set for Noon ET at InfoCision Stadium – Summa Field.
The CBS Sports Network will televise the game with John Sadak (play-by-play), Randy Cross (analyst), and Cassie McKinney (sideline) 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 1-1 on the season after a 52-3 victory over Arkansas Pine Bluff in the home opener. UA returns 57 lettermen, including 15 starters. The Zips utilize a spread offense and a 4-3 defense.
Senior RB Warren Ball (Columbus, Ohio) is the team's leading rusher with 173 yards and three touchdowns on 33 carries. Under center, senior QB Thomas Woodson (Monroeville, Pa.) is 27-of-44 for 237 yards. Senior WR Tra'Von Chapman (Cincinnati, Ohio) is the top receiver with eight receptions for 65 yards. Defensively, junior LB Ulysees Gilbert III (Ocala, Fla.) leads the defense with 15 tackles and an interception.
In the NCAA stats, Akron is tied as the national leader in red zone offense with a perfect 100 percent (7-for-7). The Zips are No. 19 in tackles for loss (8.5). Individually, redshirt senior RB Warren Ball is ranked No. 15 in rushing touchdowns (3), while junior LB Ulysees Gilbert III, senior S Zach Guiser (Fayette City, Pa.), and sophomore LB John Lako (Monroe, Mich.) are tied at No. 21in total interceptions (1).
The Cyclones, under the guidance of second-year head coach Matt Campbell, stand 1-1 on the season after a 44-41 overtime loss to Iowa. Iowa State returns 43 letterwinners, including 20 starters, to its multiple offensive and base 4-3-4 defensive schemes.
Sophomore RB David Montgomery is ISU's top rusher with 194 yards and three touchdowns on 34 carries. Redshirt junior QB Jacob Park is 52-of-81 for 618 yards and six touchdowns. Senior WR Allen Lazard is the leading receiver with 131 yards and two touchdowns on 14 receptions. Defensively, sophomore LB Marcel Spears has 23 tackles and a forced fumble.
In the NCAA stats, Iowa State is tied with Akron as the national leader in red zone offense (1.000). the Cyclones also rank No. 11 in net punting (45.20) and No. 22 in passing offense (309.0). Individually, QB Jacob Park is No. 9 in passing touchdowns (6), No. 18 in passing yards (618), and No. 18 in passing yards per game (309.0). Sophomore WR Hakeem Butler in No. 6 in receiving TDs (3).
AKRON-IOWA STATE CONNECTIONS
Akron has one player from Iowa on its roster– senior OL Xavier Quigley [Ankeny, Iowa | Ankeny HS].
Iowa State has seven players from Ohio on its roster– redshirt freshman DB Jatairis Grant [Akron, Ohio | Garfield HS], sophomore WR Deshaunte Jones [Cincinnati, Ohio | Colerain HS], freshman DB Keontae Jones [Cincinnati, Ohio | Colerain HS], redshirt senior QB Kyle Kempt [Massillon, Ohio | Washington HS], sophomore RB David Montgomery [Cincinnati, Ohio | Mount Healthy HS], freshman OL Jeff Nogaj [Johnstown, Ohio | Johnstown-Monroe HS], and redshirt freshman LB Zach Silbermann [Chagrin Falls, Ohio | Kenston HS].
Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell is a familiar face. The former Toledo head coach grew up in Massillon, Ohio, and attended Perry High School. Campbell earned his degree at Mount Union (2002) while helping the Purple Raiders to the NCAA Division III national titles in 2000, 2001, and 2002. Campbell and Terry Bowden faced each other twice when Toledo and Akron met, going 1-1.
ISU offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Tom Manning coached Akron OL coach Brett Ekkens and UA director of strength & conditioning Matt Gildersleeve at Mount Union in 2011.
AKRON-IOWA STATE: THE SERIES
Saturday's game is the first meeting between the schools on the gridiron.
JASON TAYLOR CELEBRATION
NOTE: Due to complications from Hurricane Irma, the Jason Taylor Celebration has been postponed.
Former University of Akron defensive end Jason Taylor (1993-96) was one of seven honorees inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017. He will be honored during Saturday's game.
Taylor joined kicker Morten Andersen, running back Terrell Davis, safety Kenny Easley, running back LaDainian Tomlinson, quarterback Kurt Warner, and Cowboys' owner Jerry Jones.
Taylor was one of the NFL's top pass-rushers for 15 seasons. Drafted in the third round by the Miami Dolphins in 1997, he played 13 seasons with Miami, and one season each with the Washington Redskins, and the New York Jets. A six-time Pro Bowl selection and four time 1st or 2nd team All-Pro, Taylor was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2006, and also named the Walter Peyton Man of the Year in 2007.
Taylor holds the sixth all-time career sacks record with 139.5 sacks, is the all-time leader in fumble return touchdowns with six, while his 246 fumble return yards are the second highest total in NFL history. With nine career defensive touchdowns scored, he is also the all-time leader in that category for defensive linemen.
As a Zip, Taylor earned first-team All-MAC honors as a senior in 1996. He was named the team's defensive MVP as a junior. In 1996, he was awarded the team's Harry "Doc" Smith Award and the Akron Touchdown Club trophy as the outstanding lineman. Taylor is Akron's all-time career leader in sacks (21) and stands second on the Zips' charts for career tackles for loss (41.0) and sacks in a season (10). Taylor was inducted into Akron's Ring of Honor in 2004 and the UA Sports Hall of Fame in 2007.
GILBERT NAMED MAC DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Junior LB Ulysees Gilbert III was tabbed the Mid-American Conference Defensive Player of the Week for the East Division on Sept. 11. Additionally, Gilbert was named the Zips' Summa Health Student-Athlete of the Week.
Gilbert led the defense with 10 tackles, a sack, and an interception in Akron's 52-3 win over Arkansas Pine Bluff. He also scored a touchdown on his first career interception, returning the ball 30 yards to put UA ahead, 24-0. It was the linebacker's second career touchdown. In 2016 at Marshall, he blocked a punt and returned it 30 yards for a score. The last time Akron scored a touchdown on an interception was in 2016 in the win at Marshall.
LAST GAME
Akron used 464 yards of total offense en route to a 52-3 home opening win over Arkansas Pine Bluff at InfoCision Stadium- Summa Field on Sept. 9.
Seniors RB Warren Ball and QB Thomas Woodson did most of the heavy lifting on offense. Ball found pay dirt three times on his way to 146 rushing yards on 20 carries. It was Ball's second 100-plus yard performance and the first multi-touchdown game of his career at Akron. Ball averaged 7.3 yards per carry with 32- and 21-yard long runs.
Woodson completed 15-of-21 passes for 166 yards and a touchdown with no interceptions. Woodson shared the ball evenly with his receiving corps. Senior WR Tra'Von Chapman led the way with five receptions for 55 yards, while junior WR Kwadarrius Smith (Orlando, Fla.) caught four passes for 38 yards. Woodson found senior WR A.J. Coney (Orlando, Fla.) twice for 39 yards, including a 15-yard touchdown pass. Senior WR Anthony Young (Medina, Ohio) rounded out the Zips' multiple target receivers with three receptions for 26 yards.
On the other side of the ball, the Zips' defensive efforts were highlighted by a pick-six by junior LB Ulysees Gilbert III. It was Gilbert's first career interception and first touchdown. Gilbert also led Akron with 10 tackles, including one for a five-yard loss.
Akron limited the Golden Lions to 168 yards of total offense, 127 passing yards and 41 rushing. Akron also tallied four sacks and a total of 10 tackles for 53 yards of loss with two takeaways. Sophomore LB John Lako (Monroe, Mich.) also grabbed his first-career interception.
POSTGAME NOTES
UP NEXT
Akron travels to Troy (Ala.) for its final non-conference contest on Saturday, Sept. 23. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. ET (5 p.m. CT) on ESPN3.
Akron Game Notes in PDF Format
Bowden's Weekly Press Conference Video
MAC Weekly Media Teleconference Audio (Bowden)
MAC Weekly Release – Sept. 11
Gameday Coverage:
Buy Single-Game Tickets
Listen to Free Audio Stream (TuneIn.com)
Follow Free Live Statistics
Iowa State (1-1) at Akron (1-1)
Saturday, Sept. 16
InfoCision Stadium– Summa Field [30,000] | Akron, OH
Noon PM ET | CBS Sports Network
THIS WEEK
Akron continues its home stand with Iowa State on Saturday, Sept. 16. Kickoff is set for Noon ET at InfoCision Stadium – Summa Field.
The CBS Sports Network will televise the game with John Sadak (play-by-play), Randy Cross (analyst), and Cassie McKinney (sideline) 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 1-1 on the season after a 52-3 victory over Arkansas Pine Bluff in the home opener. UA returns 57 lettermen, including 15 starters. The Zips utilize a spread offense and a 4-3 defense.
Senior RB Warren Ball (Columbus, Ohio) is the team's leading rusher with 173 yards and three touchdowns on 33 carries. Under center, senior QB Thomas Woodson (Monroeville, Pa.) is 27-of-44 for 237 yards. Senior WR Tra'Von Chapman (Cincinnati, Ohio) is the top receiver with eight receptions for 65 yards. Defensively, junior LB Ulysees Gilbert III (Ocala, Fla.) leads the defense with 15 tackles and an interception.
In the NCAA stats, Akron is tied as the national leader in red zone offense with a perfect 100 percent (7-for-7). The Zips are No. 19 in tackles for loss (8.5). Individually, redshirt senior RB Warren Ball is ranked No. 15 in rushing touchdowns (3), while junior LB Ulysees Gilbert III, senior S Zach Guiser (Fayette City, Pa.), and sophomore LB John Lako (Monroe, Mich.) are tied at No. 21in total interceptions (1).
The Cyclones, under the guidance of second-year head coach Matt Campbell, stand 1-1 on the season after a 44-41 overtime loss to Iowa. Iowa State returns 43 letterwinners, including 20 starters, to its multiple offensive and base 4-3-4 defensive schemes.
Sophomore RB David Montgomery is ISU's top rusher with 194 yards and three touchdowns on 34 carries. Redshirt junior QB Jacob Park is 52-of-81 for 618 yards and six touchdowns. Senior WR Allen Lazard is the leading receiver with 131 yards and two touchdowns on 14 receptions. Defensively, sophomore LB Marcel Spears has 23 tackles and a forced fumble.
In the NCAA stats, Iowa State is tied with Akron as the national leader in red zone offense (1.000). the Cyclones also rank No. 11 in net punting (45.20) and No. 22 in passing offense (309.0). Individually, QB Jacob Park is No. 9 in passing touchdowns (6), No. 18 in passing yards (618), and No. 18 in passing yards per game (309.0). Sophomore WR Hakeem Butler in No. 6 in receiving TDs (3).
AKRON-IOWA STATE CONNECTIONS
Akron has one player from Iowa on its roster– senior OL Xavier Quigley [Ankeny, Iowa | Ankeny HS].
Iowa State has seven players from Ohio on its roster– redshirt freshman DB Jatairis Grant [Akron, Ohio | Garfield HS], sophomore WR Deshaunte Jones [Cincinnati, Ohio | Colerain HS], freshman DB Keontae Jones [Cincinnati, Ohio | Colerain HS], redshirt senior QB Kyle Kempt [Massillon, Ohio | Washington HS], sophomore RB David Montgomery [Cincinnati, Ohio | Mount Healthy HS], freshman OL Jeff Nogaj [Johnstown, Ohio | Johnstown-Monroe HS], and redshirt freshman LB Zach Silbermann [Chagrin Falls, Ohio | Kenston HS].
Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell is a familiar face. The former Toledo head coach grew up in Massillon, Ohio, and attended Perry High School. Campbell earned his degree at Mount Union (2002) while helping the Purple Raiders to the NCAA Division III national titles in 2000, 2001, and 2002. Campbell and Terry Bowden faced each other twice when Toledo and Akron met, going 1-1.
ISU offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Tom Manning coached Akron OL coach Brett Ekkens and UA director of strength & conditioning Matt Gildersleeve at Mount Union in 2011.
AKRON-IOWA STATE: THE SERIES
Saturday's game is the first meeting between the schools on the gridiron.
JASON TAYLOR CELEBRATION
NOTE: Due to complications from Hurricane Irma, the Jason Taylor Celebration has been postponed.
Former University of Akron defensive end Jason Taylor (1993-96) was one of seven honorees inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017. He will be honored during Saturday's game.
Taylor joined kicker Morten Andersen, running back Terrell Davis, safety Kenny Easley, running back LaDainian Tomlinson, quarterback Kurt Warner, and Cowboys' owner Jerry Jones.
Taylor was one of the NFL's top pass-rushers for 15 seasons. Drafted in the third round by the Miami Dolphins in 1997, he played 13 seasons with Miami, and one season each with the Washington Redskins, and the New York Jets. A six-time Pro Bowl selection and four time 1st or 2nd team All-Pro, Taylor was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2006, and also named the Walter Peyton Man of the Year in 2007.
Taylor holds the sixth all-time career sacks record with 139.5 sacks, is the all-time leader in fumble return touchdowns with six, while his 246 fumble return yards are the second highest total in NFL history. With nine career defensive touchdowns scored, he is also the all-time leader in that category for defensive linemen.
As a Zip, Taylor earned first-team All-MAC honors as a senior in 1996. He was named the team's defensive MVP as a junior. In 1996, he was awarded the team's Harry "Doc" Smith Award and the Akron Touchdown Club trophy as the outstanding lineman. Taylor is Akron's all-time career leader in sacks (21) and stands second on the Zips' charts for career tackles for loss (41.0) and sacks in a season (10). Taylor was inducted into Akron's Ring of Honor in 2004 and the UA Sports Hall of Fame in 2007.
GILBERT NAMED MAC DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Junior LB Ulysees Gilbert III was tabbed the Mid-American Conference Defensive Player of the Week for the East Division on Sept. 11. Additionally, Gilbert was named the Zips' Summa Health Student-Athlete of the Week.
Gilbert led the defense with 10 tackles, a sack, and an interception in Akron's 52-3 win over Arkansas Pine Bluff. He also scored a touchdown on his first career interception, returning the ball 30 yards to put UA ahead, 24-0. It was the linebacker's second career touchdown. In 2016 at Marshall, he blocked a punt and returned it 30 yards for a score. The last time Akron scored a touchdown on an interception was in 2016 in the win at Marshall.
LAST GAME
Akron used 464 yards of total offense en route to a 52-3 home opening win over Arkansas Pine Bluff at InfoCision Stadium- Summa Field on Sept. 9.
Seniors RB Warren Ball and QB Thomas Woodson did most of the heavy lifting on offense. Ball found pay dirt three times on his way to 146 rushing yards on 20 carries. It was Ball's second 100-plus yard performance and the first multi-touchdown game of his career at Akron. Ball averaged 7.3 yards per carry with 32- and 21-yard long runs.
Woodson completed 15-of-21 passes for 166 yards and a touchdown with no interceptions. Woodson shared the ball evenly with his receiving corps. Senior WR Tra'Von Chapman led the way with five receptions for 55 yards, while junior WR Kwadarrius Smith (Orlando, Fla.) caught four passes for 38 yards. Woodson found senior WR A.J. Coney (Orlando, Fla.) twice for 39 yards, including a 15-yard touchdown pass. Senior WR Anthony Young (Medina, Ohio) rounded out the Zips' multiple target receivers with three receptions for 26 yards.
On the other side of the ball, the Zips' defensive efforts were highlighted by a pick-six by junior LB Ulysees Gilbert III. It was Gilbert's first career interception and first touchdown. Gilbert also led Akron with 10 tackles, including one for a five-yard loss.
Akron limited the Golden Lions to 168 yards of total offense, 127 passing yards and 41 rushing. Akron also tallied four sacks and a total of 10 tackles for 53 yards of loss with two takeaways. Sophomore LB John Lako (Monroe, Mich.) also grabbed his first-career interception.
POSTGAME NOTES
- Redshirt junior PK Tom O'Leary (Tucker, Ga.) had a busy night. He went 6-for-6 on extra points and nailed a 34-yard field goal in the second quarter.
- The Zips' defense combined for four sacks for a loss of 34 yards.
- In his second game, redshirt sophomore RB Deltron Sands (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) saw significant action. He finished third in rushing with seven carries for 38 yards and his first collegiate touchdown.
- Junior PK Nick Gasser (Liberty Township, Ohio) kicked off a career-high nine times for a career-high 551 yards. He averaged 61.2 yards per kickoff.
UP NEXT
Akron travels to Troy (Ala.) for its final non-conference contest on Saturday, Sept. 23. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. ET (5 p.m. CT) on ESPN3.
Players Mentioned
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