The University of Akron Athletics
Saturday, October 27
Akron, Ohio
Noon ET
University of Akron
vs
Central Michigan
Akron Hosts Central Michigan in Hometown Heroes Game
October 22 | Football
Pregame Coverage:
Akron Game Notes in PDF Format
Bowden's Weekly Press Conference Video
MAC Weekly Media Teleconference Audio
MAC Weekly Release
WATCH ESPN
Gameday Coverage:
Buy Tickets
Listen to Free Audio Stream (TuneIn.com)
Follow Free Live Statistics
THIS WEEK
Akron returns home to InfoCision Stadium–Summa Field to host Central Michigan on Saturday, Oct. 27, at Noon on ESPN3 in its Hometown Heroes recognition game. Any military member or first responder, which includes police, firefighters, and paramedics, will get a FREE ticket with a work I.D. The Zips will also host Trunk-or-Treat in the tailgate lots prior to the game for young children.
ESPN3 will televise the contest with Michael Reghi (play-by-play) and Dustin Fox (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 seventh-year head coach Terry Bowden, Akron stands 3-3 overall and 1-2 in MAC play after a thrilling 24-23 overtime win at rival Kent State in the Crystal Clinic Wagon Wheel Challenge game on Oct. 20. UA returns 58 letterwinners, including 15 starters, to its spread offense and 4-3 defense.
Sophomore QB Kato Nelson (Hollywood, Fla.) is the Zips' top rusher, gaining 292 yards and a touchdown on 84 carries. Under center, Nelson is 95-of-181 for 1,199 yards and eight touchdowns. Sophomore WR Andre Williams (Orlando, Fla.) is the top receiver with 361 yards and four touchdowns on 23 receptions. Defensively, junior LB John Lako (Monroe, Mich.) is the top Zip with 55 tackles, 3.0 TFL, and two break-ups.
In the NCAA statistics, Akron is the national leader in red zone offense (1.000). The Zips also rank No. 2 in defensive touchdowns (4).
Individually, junior CB Alvin Davis, Jr. (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) is No. 1 in interceptions per game (0.8) and No. 2 in total interceptions (4). Senior LB Ulysees Gilbert III (Ocala, Fla.) is No. 10 in fumbles recovered (2). Senior PK Nick Gasser (Liberty Township, Ohio) is No. 9 in field goals (1.67).
The Chippewas, under the guidance of fourth-year head coach John Bonamego stand 1-7 overall and 0-4 in MAC play after 35-10 loss to Western Michigan on Oct. 20. Central Michigan returns 35 letterwinners, including 10 starters, to its spread/multiple offensive and 4-3 defensive schemes.
Junior QB Tommy Lazzaro is Central Michigan's top rusher with 381 yards and three touchdowns on 97 carries. Under center, Lazzaro is 68-of-141 for 711 yards and five touchdowns. Redshirt freshman WR Julian Hicks is the leading receiver with 211 yards and three touchdowns on 20 receptions. Defensively, senior LB Malik Fountain has 98 tackles, 4.0 TFL, two hurries, a sack, and a break-up.
In the NCAA stats, Central Michigan ranks No. 34 in passes intercepted (7) and No. 39 in total defense (352.4). Individually, senior LB Malik Fountain is ranked No. 3 in solo tackles (7.0) and No. 9 in total tackles (12.3). Junior PK/P Ryan Tice is No. 9 in field goal percentage (0.900).
AKRON-CENTRAL MICHIGAN CONNECTIONS
The Akron has five players from the state of Michigan on its roster– sophomore LS Peyton Coffman [Grand Blanc, Mich. | Fenton HS], redshirt freshman RB Jerome Cooper [Stevenson, Mich. | Stevenson HS], junior LB John Lako [Monroe, Mich. | St. Mary Catholic HS], junior DL Michael Stuhldreer [Grosse Point, Mich. | Grosse Point South HS], and junior RB Chuck Turfe [Canton, Mich. | Canton HS].
Central Michigan has just two players from Ohio– freshman WR Ty Henderson [Columbus, Ohio | Dublin Jerome HS] and redshirt freshman WR Julian Hicks [Cleveland, Ohio | Mayfield HS].
AKRON-CENTRAL MICHIGAN: THE SERIES
Saturday's game is the 27th meeting between Akron and Central Michigan in series history, which began in 1969. The Chippewas lead, 16-9-1. In MAC games only (since 1992), the cross-division rivals have met 16 times with CMU holding a 11-5 edge. Central Michigan has won the last six outings against the Zips.
In the teams' last meeting at InfoCision Stadium-Summa Field on Oct. 31, 2015, the Akron Zips fell to Central Michigan, 14-6, in Mid-American Conference play on Saturday afternoon in a game where defense dominated.
The Zips led in passing yards and total offense. Sophomore QB Thomas Woodson went 22-of-36 for 252 yards and 57-yard touchdown pass to sophomore WR Jerome Lane.
Senior RB Conor Hundley was the top Zip rusher with 34 yards on 12 carries, while senior WR Imani Davis was the top receiver with 86 yards on eight receptions.
Defensively, senior LB Jatavis Brown and Darryl Monroe led the Zips with six tackles each. Brown added a sack for a loss of nine yards.
On Oct. 27, 2012, Akron lost 35-14 to Central Michigan at Kelly/Shorts Stadium. Despite posting 492 yards of total offense, Akron had a chance to pull to within a touchdown with about nine minutes to play but its 10-play, 76-yard drive fell short.
On fourth and goal from the 4-yard line quarterback Dalton Williams faced a heavy Central Michigan blitz and overthrew the endzone.
The Zips made the margin 28-14 with 14:30 left when Jerrod Dillard caught a 10-yard pass from Williams to complete an eight-play, 76-yard drive, but the squad's scoring ended there and the Chippewas posted an insurance TD when Zurlon Tipton rushed six yards to the endzone with 1:26 remaining.
Tipton, who finished with 243 yards rushing on 37 carries and three TDs, scored from five yards out on the ground with 13:04 in the third quarter to give CMU a 21-7 advantage. A 36-yard pass from Ryan Radcliff to Titus Davis gave the home side a 28-7 edge with 10:51 left in the third period.
Williams completed 31-of-51 passes for 329 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions for UA. His favorite target for the day was Dee Frieson, who had eight catches for 65 yards.
SERIES INFORMATION
Akron all-time vs. Central Michigan: 9-16-1
Akron in games at Akron: 6-7-1
Akron in games at Central Michigan: 3-9
Akron in games at a neutral site: 0-0
First meeting in series: 1969, at Central Michigan, W, 9-6
Last meeting in series: 2015, at InfoCision Stadium, L, 6-14
LAST GAME
In an ending fitting of the storied football rivalry between the University of Akron and Kent State, a bobbled snap on an extra-point conversion in overtime proved to be the difference in the ballgame as the Zips captured a 24-23 overtime victory in the Crystal Clinic Wagon Wheel Challenge on Saturday at Dix Stadium. The victory marked the fourth consecutive win for the Zips in the series, the second-longest streak in the history of the rivalry.
Sophomore QB Kato Nelson hit sophomore WR Andre Williams for what proved to be the game-winning touchdown on a 3rd-and-7 play from the eight-yard line to give the Zips a 24-17 lead.
After senior DE Jamal Davis II (Canton, Ohio) dropped Justin Rankin for a four-yard loss on the opening play of overtime for Kent State, Woody Barrett hit Rankin for a 29-yard touchdown pass to move the Golden Flashes within one, 24-23.
On the extra-point conversion, Kent State holder Dustin Crum was unable to cleanly handle the snap before Davis secured the triumph with the tackle.
Nelson finished the contest for Akron throwing for 219 yards and one touchdown on 19-of-35 passing, while Williams led the Zips with four catches for 72 yards. Nelson also led all players with a game-high 121 yards rushing, including a 55-yard touchdown scamper.
POSTGAME NOTES
SENIOR STATUS
Akron's 31 members of the 2018 Senior Class may leave campus as the all-time most productive class in program history. In the past three-plus seasons, they were a part of the re-building process, helping the Zips to at least five wins [2015 (8), 2016 (5), 2017 (7), 2018 (3) = 23 total] each year. The Zips became bowl eligible twice in three seasons, a program first. They claimed the 2017 MAC East title and four consecutive Wagon Wheel trophies.
UP NEXT
Akron has a short five-day window before hosting Northern Illinois on Thursday, Nov. 1, at 7 p.m. at InfoCision Stadium–Summa Field.
Akron Game Notes in PDF Format
Bowden's Weekly Press Conference Video
MAC Weekly Media Teleconference Audio
MAC Weekly Release
WATCH ESPN
Gameday Coverage:
Buy Tickets
Listen to Free Audio Stream (TuneIn.com)
Follow Free Live Statistics
CENTRAL MICHIGAN (1-7, 0-4 MAC) at AKRON (3-3, 1-2 MAC)
Saturday, Oct. 27
InfoCision Stadium–Summa Field [30,000] | Akron, OH
Noon ET | ESPN3
THIS WEEK
Akron returns home to InfoCision Stadium–Summa Field to host Central Michigan on Saturday, Oct. 27, at Noon on ESPN3 in its Hometown Heroes recognition game. Any military member or first responder, which includes police, firefighters, and paramedics, will get a FREE ticket with a work I.D. The Zips will also host Trunk-or-Treat in the tailgate lots prior to the game for young children.
ESPN3 will televise the contest with Michael Reghi (play-by-play) and Dustin Fox (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 seventh-year head coach Terry Bowden, Akron stands 3-3 overall and 1-2 in MAC play after a thrilling 24-23 overtime win at rival Kent State in the Crystal Clinic Wagon Wheel Challenge game on Oct. 20. UA returns 58 letterwinners, including 15 starters, to its spread offense and 4-3 defense.
Sophomore QB Kato Nelson (Hollywood, Fla.) is the Zips' top rusher, gaining 292 yards and a touchdown on 84 carries. Under center, Nelson is 95-of-181 for 1,199 yards and eight touchdowns. Sophomore WR Andre Williams (Orlando, Fla.) is the top receiver with 361 yards and four touchdowns on 23 receptions. Defensively, junior LB John Lako (Monroe, Mich.) is the top Zip with 55 tackles, 3.0 TFL, and two break-ups.
In the NCAA statistics, Akron is the national leader in red zone offense (1.000). The Zips also rank No. 2 in defensive touchdowns (4).
Individually, junior CB Alvin Davis, Jr. (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) is No. 1 in interceptions per game (0.8) and No. 2 in total interceptions (4). Senior LB Ulysees Gilbert III (Ocala, Fla.) is No. 10 in fumbles recovered (2). Senior PK Nick Gasser (Liberty Township, Ohio) is No. 9 in field goals (1.67).
The Chippewas, under the guidance of fourth-year head coach John Bonamego stand 1-7 overall and 0-4 in MAC play after 35-10 loss to Western Michigan on Oct. 20. Central Michigan returns 35 letterwinners, including 10 starters, to its spread/multiple offensive and 4-3 defensive schemes.
Junior QB Tommy Lazzaro is Central Michigan's top rusher with 381 yards and three touchdowns on 97 carries. Under center, Lazzaro is 68-of-141 for 711 yards and five touchdowns. Redshirt freshman WR Julian Hicks is the leading receiver with 211 yards and three touchdowns on 20 receptions. Defensively, senior LB Malik Fountain has 98 tackles, 4.0 TFL, two hurries, a sack, and a break-up.
In the NCAA stats, Central Michigan ranks No. 34 in passes intercepted (7) and No. 39 in total defense (352.4). Individually, senior LB Malik Fountain is ranked No. 3 in solo tackles (7.0) and No. 9 in total tackles (12.3). Junior PK/P Ryan Tice is No. 9 in field goal percentage (0.900).
AKRON-CENTRAL MICHIGAN CONNECTIONS
The Akron has five players from the state of Michigan on its roster– sophomore LS Peyton Coffman [Grand Blanc, Mich. | Fenton HS], redshirt freshman RB Jerome Cooper [Stevenson, Mich. | Stevenson HS], junior LB John Lako [Monroe, Mich. | St. Mary Catholic HS], junior DL Michael Stuhldreer [Grosse Point, Mich. | Grosse Point South HS], and junior RB Chuck Turfe [Canton, Mich. | Canton HS].
Central Michigan has just two players from Ohio– freshman WR Ty Henderson [Columbus, Ohio | Dublin Jerome HS] and redshirt freshman WR Julian Hicks [Cleveland, Ohio | Mayfield HS].
AKRON-CENTRAL MICHIGAN: THE SERIES
Saturday's game is the 27th meeting between Akron and Central Michigan in series history, which began in 1969. The Chippewas lead, 16-9-1. In MAC games only (since 1992), the cross-division rivals have met 16 times with CMU holding a 11-5 edge. Central Michigan has won the last six outings against the Zips.
In the teams' last meeting at InfoCision Stadium-Summa Field on Oct. 31, 2015, the Akron Zips fell to Central Michigan, 14-6, in Mid-American Conference play on Saturday afternoon in a game where defense dominated.
The Zips led in passing yards and total offense. Sophomore QB Thomas Woodson went 22-of-36 for 252 yards and 57-yard touchdown pass to sophomore WR Jerome Lane.
Senior RB Conor Hundley was the top Zip rusher with 34 yards on 12 carries, while senior WR Imani Davis was the top receiver with 86 yards on eight receptions.
Defensively, senior LB Jatavis Brown and Darryl Monroe led the Zips with six tackles each. Brown added a sack for a loss of nine yards.
On Oct. 27, 2012, Akron lost 35-14 to Central Michigan at Kelly/Shorts Stadium. Despite posting 492 yards of total offense, Akron had a chance to pull to within a touchdown with about nine minutes to play but its 10-play, 76-yard drive fell short.
On fourth and goal from the 4-yard line quarterback Dalton Williams faced a heavy Central Michigan blitz and overthrew the endzone.
The Zips made the margin 28-14 with 14:30 left when Jerrod Dillard caught a 10-yard pass from Williams to complete an eight-play, 76-yard drive, but the squad's scoring ended there and the Chippewas posted an insurance TD when Zurlon Tipton rushed six yards to the endzone with 1:26 remaining.
Tipton, who finished with 243 yards rushing on 37 carries and three TDs, scored from five yards out on the ground with 13:04 in the third quarter to give CMU a 21-7 advantage. A 36-yard pass from Ryan Radcliff to Titus Davis gave the home side a 28-7 edge with 10:51 left in the third period.
Williams completed 31-of-51 passes for 329 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions for UA. His favorite target for the day was Dee Frieson, who had eight catches for 65 yards.
SERIES INFORMATION
Akron all-time vs. Central Michigan: 9-16-1
Akron in games at Akron: 6-7-1
Akron in games at Central Michigan: 3-9
Akron in games at a neutral site: 0-0
First meeting in series: 1969, at Central Michigan, W, 9-6
Last meeting in series: 2015, at InfoCision Stadium, L, 6-14
LAST GAME
In an ending fitting of the storied football rivalry between the University of Akron and Kent State, a bobbled snap on an extra-point conversion in overtime proved to be the difference in the ballgame as the Zips captured a 24-23 overtime victory in the Crystal Clinic Wagon Wheel Challenge on Saturday at Dix Stadium. The victory marked the fourth consecutive win for the Zips in the series, the second-longest streak in the history of the rivalry.
Sophomore QB Kato Nelson hit sophomore WR Andre Williams for what proved to be the game-winning touchdown on a 3rd-and-7 play from the eight-yard line to give the Zips a 24-17 lead.
After senior DE Jamal Davis II (Canton, Ohio) dropped Justin Rankin for a four-yard loss on the opening play of overtime for Kent State, Woody Barrett hit Rankin for a 29-yard touchdown pass to move the Golden Flashes within one, 24-23.
On the extra-point conversion, Kent State holder Dustin Crum was unable to cleanly handle the snap before Davis secured the triumph with the tackle.
Nelson finished the contest for Akron throwing for 219 yards and one touchdown on 19-of-35 passing, while Williams led the Zips with four catches for 72 yards. Nelson also led all players with a game-high 121 yards rushing, including a 55-yard touchdown scamper.
POSTGAME NOTES
- Akron's Senior Class has never lost a game to Kent State (4-0).
- Akron's four-game win streak over Kent is the second longest since Wagon Wheel competition began in 1946. The longest Akron win streak is six games (1997 to 2002).
- The overtime contest was the ninth in program history and UA's first since 2012. The Zips stand 5-4 in overtime contests and 2-0 against Kent in OT. Both overtime games against Kent were on the road.
- Redshirt junior DB Denzel Butler (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) made his first appearance in the starting line-up this fall, his third start of his collegiate career.
- Freshman RB Keyondre White (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) put UA on the scoreboard with a one-yard rushing touchdown in the first quarter. It was the first touchdown on his collegiate career.
SENIOR STATUS
Akron's 31 members of the 2018 Senior Class may leave campus as the all-time most productive class in program history. In the past three-plus seasons, they were a part of the re-building process, helping the Zips to at least five wins [2015 (8), 2016 (5), 2017 (7), 2018 (3) = 23 total] each year. The Zips became bowl eligible twice in three seasons, a program first. They claimed the 2017 MAC East title and four consecutive Wagon Wheel trophies.
UP NEXT
Akron has a short five-day window before hosting Northern Illinois on Thursday, Nov. 1, at 7 p.m. at InfoCision Stadium–Summa Field.
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