Akron Battles NIU to 36-26 Decision

Thursday, November 1

Akron, Ohio

7 PM

University of Akron

4-4 , 2-3

Northern Illinois

6-3 , 5-0

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

NORTHERN ILLINOIS

Akron

Photo by: Jeff Harwell

November 01 | Football

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AKRON, Ohio – The Akron Zips football team (4-4 overall, 2-3 MAC) hosted the Mid-American Conference West leader Northern Illinois (6-3 overall, 5-0 MAC) for a Thursday night football game on CBS Sports Network as the Huskies remained undefeated in league play with a 36-26 win at InfoCision Stadium-Summa Field.

For the first time since 2016, two Akron receivers surpassed the century mark as sophomore WR Andre Williams (Orlando, Fla.) and senior WR Kwadarrius Smith (Orlando, Fla) each recorded 100-yard efforts. Williams collected 129 yards on eight catches with a touchdown and a 29-yard long reception. Meanwhile, Smith grabbed four passes for 115 yards and two touchdowns with catches worth 51 yards and 45 yards. Williams' performance marked his first game over 100 yards receiving as a Zip.

Sophomore QB Kato Nelson (Hollywood, Fla.) started under center and completed 18-of-26 passes for a season-high 299 yards and two touchdowns. Senior RB Van Edwards, Jr. (Cape Coral, Fla.) led Akron's ground attack with 38 yards on 12 carries.

On the defensive side of the ball, four players reached double-digits in tackles, while the Zips collected four sacks with 34 yards of loss. Junior CB Alvin Davis, Jr. (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) led the squad with a career-high 15 tackles, including six solo takedowns. Senior LB Brian Bell (Valdosta, Ga.) and junior LB John Lako (Monroe, Mich.) collected 14 tackles apiece and both recorded sacks, while senior DE Jamal Davis II (Canton, Ohio) had 12 tackles and a sack.

Akron opened the game with the ball, but only pushed the ball to midfield before Northern Illinois used its first possession to put points on the scoreboard. The Huskies traveled 85 yards in 2:45 as NIU's QB Marcus Childers found TE Corey Lersch for a 19-yard touchdown pass to cap the eight-play drive for a 7-0 advantage with 9:27 left to play in the first quarter.

Akron quickly moved the ball into Northern Illinois territory after Nelson found Smith for a 51-yard pass, but the drive stalled on the Huskies 32-yard line as the Zips 49-yard field goal attempt sailed wide right.

Six-minutes later, Akron tied the game 7-7 with a seven-play, 77-yard drive that lasted 2:57. Again, Akron attacked the Huskies secondary as Nelson found Williams three-consecutive times for a total of 59 yards. Initially, Nelson found Williams for a 13-yard gain, taking the ball to the NIU 46-yard line. The following play, Williams received a 24-yard pass from Nelson to take the ball to the NIU 22-yard line. The duo finished the drive as Williams broke loose on the far sideline and Nelson found the wide-open Williams for a 22-yard touchdown pass. Gasser completed the extra point attempt to deadlock the game with 3:10 remaining in the first quarter.

Northern Illinois controlled the rest of the quarter and completed a second scoring drive in the opening minutes of the second frame. The Huskies gained 45 yards on the ground of the 10-play, 75-yard drive that ended in a two-yard rush by RB Tre Harbison. With 14:11 remaining in the half, NIU led 14-7.

The Zips cut into the NIU lead with a 27-yard field goal by Gasser. Akron melted 5:17 off the clock, using 10 plays to travel 65 yards for a 14-10 score at the 8:54 mark. Nelson and Smith hooked up for a 45-yard pass play to get deep into NIU territory.

Northern Illinois tacked 10 more points on the scoreboard before halftime, connecting with a 30-yard field goal for a 17-10 lead and adding a touchdown to push the advantage to 24-10 at halftime.

In the second half, the Huskies wasted no time putting points on the board, increasing the lead to 27-10 with a 40-yard field goal. NIU needed 3:05 to travel 53 yards on 10 plays.

The Zips responded with three points as Gasser split the uprights from 25-yards away, and Akron was just getting started. The Zips continued to narrow the Huskies lead by scoring 13 unanswered points as Nelson found Smith for a 13-yard touchdown pass to cap a five-play, 70-yard drive. Also during the drive, Nelson hit Williams for 20 yards in the air.

On the ensuing possession, the Zips forced the first turnover of the game as NIU's Childers was under duress and fumbled while attempting a pass. Akron's junior DL Devon'te Jest (Ocala, Fla.) recovered the loose ball, giving the Zips prime field position at the NIU eight-yard line.

With redshirt freshman QB Alex Ramart (Richmond, Texas) under center, Akron wasted no time collecting pay dirt. Edwards carried the ball for two yards, and Ramart hit Smith on a quick slant in the middle of the endzone for six points. Akron cut the deficit to one point, 27-26, and needed the point after attempt to tie the game. However, NIU's DT Ben Leroy had alternate plans as he blocked Gasser's kick and the Huskies' CB Jalen McKie picked the ball off the turf and returned it 65 yards for two points and a 29-26 NIU advantage with 2:54 left in the third quarter.

The second turnover of the game proved to be detrimental to the Zips as Ramart was intercepted by McKie. Again, McKie went the distance, returning the errant pass 23 yards for a 36-26 lead with 9:05 left to play in the game.

After an Akron three-and-out, NIU chewed 6:05 off the clock and cruised to a 36-26 victory.

Akron travels to Eastern Michigan on Nov. 10 for a Noon game on ESPN3. The Zips close out their home slate with Bowling Green on Saturday, Nov. 17, at 3:30 p.m. on ESPN3. The Senior Class will be honored in a pregame ceremony.