Akron Beats Morgan State in Home Opener, 41-7

Saturday, September 8

Akron, Ohio

3:30 PM

University of Akron

1-0

Morgan State

0-2

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

MORGAN STATE

Akron

Photo by: Jeff Harwell

September 08 | Football

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AKRON, Ohio – The Akron Zips football team recorded its first win of the 2018 campaign, defeating the Morgan State Bears 41-7 at InfoCision Stadium-Summa Field on Saturday.

The Zips' offense exploded for five touchdowns, three in the air and two on the ground, while the defense limited the Bears to 192 yards of total offense with two interceptions, two forced fumbles, one sack, and one fumble recovery.

Akron's offense was paced by sophomore QB Kato Nelson (Hollywood, Fla.) and senior RB Van Edwards, Jr. (Cape Coral, Fla.). Nelson connected on 16-of-26 pass attempts for 232 yards and three touchdowns, including a 35-yard strike to senior WR Kwadarrius Smith (Orlando, Fla.). Edwards finished the game with 109 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 17 attempts. It was his second career 100-yard rushing game.

Defensively, the Zips caused three turnovers as junior CB Alvin Davis (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) and senior DE Jamal Davis II (Canton, Ohio) each recorded interceptions. Alvin Davis added a forced fumble, while junior DL Andy Jean-Baptiste (Miami, Fla.) recovered the loose ball. Senior LB Ulysees Gilbert III (Ocala, Fla.) led the squad with seven tackles.

Akron's first drive started at the Morgan State 37-yard line after heavy defense pressure by the Zips and a muffed punt. With Nelson behind center, Akron traveled 30 yards to set up a 24-yard field goal by senior P Nick Gasser (Liberty Township, Ohio). Gasser split the uprights to put the first crooked number on the scoreboard this season. Akron led 3-0.

Three plays later, an interception by Alvin Davis set up the Zips second score. Davis grabbed his second career-interception and first of the season on the Morgan State 37-yard line and traveled two yards allowing the Zips' offense to takeover at the 35-yard line. Akron used five plays and went 35 yards in 2:35 for the first touchdown of the season capped by a 21-yard rush by Edwards.

The Zips found paydirt a second time in the opening stanza as Nelson found Smith for the 35-yard touchdown pass. The drive only lasted 39-seconds with a total of three plays for 36 yards. At the 3:56 Akron led 17-0.

With 3:03 remaining in the opening frame, Davis stripped the ball from Morgan State RB Dion Golatt. Jean-Baptiste recovered the loose ball for the Zips at the Morgan State 37-yard line, but Akron was unable to capitalize on the turnover.

The Zips opened the second quarter with an interception by Jamal Davis II, but did not convert until their second possession of the quarter. On the ensuing possession, Akron used an 11-play, 72-yard drive that ended with a 30-yard field goal by Gasser. With 4:09 remaining in the half, the Zips held a 20-0 advantage.

Akron increased the lead to 27-0 with 33-seconds remaining in the half as Nelson recorded his second touchdown toss of the game to sophomore WR Andre Williams (Orlando, Fla.). The 32-yard reception was Williams first touchdown as a Zip. At the break, Akron led 27-0.

In the second half, Akron only needed 1:44 to put seven more points on the board as Nelson threw a 34-yard strike to sophomore WR Jonah Morris (Akron, Ohio). It marked the first TD reception of Morris' career. Akron led 34-0.

The Zips continued to put points on the scoreboard as Edwards crossed the goal line for a second time with a 20-yard run.

Morgan State's lone touchdown came with 11-seconds left in regulation. It was a one-yard touchdown run by QB DeAndre Harris, capping a 3:16 drive that featured nine plays for 66 yards, 41-7.

For the Bears, Harris finished the game 73 yards on 7-of-14 passing with one rushing touchdown, while RB Jordan Riggins rushed for 55 yards on 16 carries and WR Manasseh Bailey totaled 24 yards on three receptions.

Akron will be back in action on Saturday, Sept. 15, visiting Northwestern for a 7:30 p.m. ET contest that will air on the Big Ten Network.