Akron Falls at Eastern Michigan, 27-7

Saturday, November 10

Ypsilanti, MI | Rynearson Stadium

Noon

University of Akron

4-5 , 2-4

Eastern Michigan

6-5 , 4-3

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Akron

Eastern Michigan

Photo by: Jeff Harwell

November 10 | Football

Box Score

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YPSILANTI, Mich. – Akron football dropped a 27-7 decision at Eastern Michigan in Mid-American Conference action on a frigid Saturday afternoon at Rynearson Stadium.

The Eagles (6-5 overall, 4-3 MAC) racked up 384 yards of total offense, while the Zips (4-5 overall, 2-4 MAC) struggled offensively, gaining just 90 yards playing without their starting quarterback sophomore Kato Nelson (Hollywood, Fla.).

On the ground, senior RB Van Edwards, Jr. (Cape Coral, Fla.) led UA with 53 rushing yards. In his first collegiate start, redshirt freshman QB Alex Ramart (Richmond, Texas) went 4-of-15 for 29 yards. In the air, senior WR Kwadarrius Smith (Orlando, Fla) was the top receiver with two receptions for 22 yards.

Defensively, senior LB Ulysees Gilbert III (Ocala, Fla.) was the top Zip with 11 tackles, including a TFL.

For the Eagles, RB Ian Eriksen ran for 96 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries. QB Tyler Wiegers went 15-of-23 for 129 yards. Mathew Sexton led the EMU receivers with 55 yards on five catches.

EMU scored on its opening drive, completing a 17-play drive for 83 yards over 7:57. Ian Ericksen rushed one yard for the score, and Chad Ryland tacked on the extra point to take an early 7-0 lead.

The Eagles opened the second quarter with a 35-yard field goal attempt by Ryland that went wide right.

Ryland redeemed himself on EMU's next drive. Ending a 10-play, 54-yard drive, he converted a 25-yard field goal to give Eastern a 10-0 edge with 6:32 to go in the first half.

On their next drive, the Zips finally moved the ball down field, gaining their inaugural first down of the game as Edwards had back-to-back rushes of nine yards and three yards. UA's drive was stunted and EMU regained possession. After a quick three-and-out with a sack from senior DE Jamal Davis II (Canton, Ohio), UA had the ball back. On the punt return, freshman Jeremiah Knight returned the ball 70 yards for his first career touchdown. UA came within three, 10-7, at intermission despite just one first down and 14 yards of total offense.

On the opening kickoff of the third quarter, UA's Jerry Fitschen (Orange Calif.) booted the ball 64 yards to EMU's Isaac Holder who fumbled the ball after a 26-yard return. Akron's Hugh Cade (Akron, Ohio) recovered the fumble on the EMU 25. Akron attempted a 42-yard field goal which was blocked.

Starting on the one-yard line, Akron drove the ball down to the EMU 35 with four first downs, fueled by a a19-yard reception by Kwadarrius Smith (Orland, Fla), and a 19-yard run by Edwards. UA's drive ended with an interception on the EMU 11.

In the opening minutes of the fourth quarter, EMU capitalized on back-to-back interceptions for scores. The first was a pick six by Maxx Crosby returned two yards. On UA's next possession, Vince Calhoun intercepted the ball and ran 39 yards to the six. On the next play, Breck Turner hit paydirt with a score, giving EMU a 24-7 lead.

Ryland capped the game with a 38-yard field goal for the final 27-7 score with 3:32 remaining.

Akron closes out its 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.