Akron Falls to Miami, 41-17, in MAC Opener

Saturday, October 6

Akron, Ohio

3:30 PM

University of Akron

Miami

October 06 | Football

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AKRON, Ohio – Akron football opened Mid-American Conference play with a 41-17 loss to Miami (Ohio) on Saturday afternoon at InfoCision Stadium–Summa Field.

The loss snapped Akron's (2-2 overall, 0-1 MAC) five-game home win streak.

Miami (2-4 overall, 2-1 MAC) forced five turnovers throughout the game.

"There's not much you can say, we just got whipped and when things started to snowball it just got rolling," Akron head coach Terry Bowden said. "Everything that could have gone wrong, went wrong. We couldn't get anything to go our way, and we didn't respond to it as well as we should. We just got beat. Miami is a good football team, and they just played better football than us."

For the Zips, sophomore QB Kato Nelson (Hollywood, Fla.) led the rushing efforts with 30 yards on 14 carries. Under center, he went 19-of-35 for 203 yards and a touchdown. He also threw three interceptions in the second half. Sophomore WR Andre Williams (Orlando, Fla.) was the top receiver with seven catches for 66 yards. Defensively, senior S Jordan George (Dayton, Ohio) had seven tackles, including six solo stops, and a break-up.

For the RedHawks who amassed 422 total offensive yards, RB Kenny Young had 78 yards and two touchdowns rushing. QB Gus Ragland went 24-of-33 for 214 yards and a touchdown.

In a scoreless first quarter, Akron held Miami to just 19 total yards.

Miami struck first with 10 minutes remaining in the second quarter, converting a 17-play, 71-yard scoring drive over 7:02 as RB Alonzo Smith rushed three yards into the endzone to put Miami ahead 7-0.

Five minutes later, the RedHawks scored again. This time MU drove the field as QB Gus Ragland connected with WR Maurice Thomas on a three-yard reception. Sam Sloman made the PAT to give Miami a 14-0 edge with 4:51 to go in the first half.

On the next drive, Nelson connected with senior WR Kwadarrius Smith (Orlando, Fla) on back-to-back passed for first downs. The drive ended in a 17-yard touchdown pass from Nelson to sophomore WR Nate Stewart (Bethlehem, Pa.) that capped an eight-play, 75-yard drive over 3:13. The TD was the first of Stewart's collegiate career.

On Miami's next play from scrimmage, DB Alvin Davis, Jr. (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) grabbed his fourth interception of the season, giving the Zips the ball back with 1:31 to go in the first half. Akron added three points on a 40-yard field goal by PK Nick Gasser (Liberty Township, Ohio) with 0:50 to go. Miami held a 14-10 advantage at halftime.

In the third quarter, Akron finally went ahead for the first time. On the punting unit, Gilbert recovered a fumble and returned it 46 yards for his second touchdown on the year. The Zips moved ahead, 17-14, after Gasser tacked on an extra point.

But Miami responded on the next drive. RB Kenny Young completed a 57-yard drive with a three-yard rushing touchdown to retake the lead, 21-17.

Sloman added a 27-yard field goal to finish the third quarter, giving Miami a 24-17 edge.

Miami opened the fourth quarter with a 74-yard touchdown run by Young, moving ahead 31-17. On their next drive, the RedHawks added a 36-yard field goal by Sloman for a 34-17 lead. Miami closed out the game scoring with a fumble recovery for a touchdown by Davion Johnson for the final 41-17 score.

Akron travels to Buffalo on Saturday, Oct. 13, for a Noon game at UB Stadium. The CBS Sports Network will televise the game.