Akron Hosts UAB in Home Opener on Sept. 7

Saturday, September 7

Akron, Ohio

Noon

University of Akron

Alabama at Birmingham

September 02 | Football

Pregame Coverage:
Akron Game Notes in PDF Format
Arth's Weekly Press Conference Video
MAC Weekly Media Teleconference Audio
MAC Weekly Release

Gameday Coverage:
Buy Tickets
Listen to Free Audio Stream (TuneIn.com)
Follow Free Live Statistics
CBS Sports Network

~ HOME OPENER ~

UAB [1-0] at AKRON [0-1]
Saturday, Sept. 7
InfoCision Stadium-Summa Field [30,000]
Akron, Ohio
Noon | CBS Sports Network
HOMETOWN HEROES DAY

THIS WEEK
Akron opens its 2019 home slate with UAB for the Hometown Heroes Day on Saturday, Sept. 7, at Noon at InfoCision Stadium-Summa Field.

CBS Sports Network will televise the contest with John Sadak (play-by-play) and Randy Cross (analyst) calling the game.

The Zips' radio broadcast will air on the Akron Sports Network [SportsRadio 1350 AM (WARF) in Akron (flagship), 1420 WHK in Cleveland, 1440 WHKZ in Warren/Youngstown] with Steve French calling the action, David Skoczen 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 first-year head coach Tom Arth, Akron stands 0-1 after a 42-3 decision at Illinois. The Zips return 57 letterwinners, including 10 starters, to their pro style offense and multiple defensive schemes.

Redshirt senior RB Deltron Sands (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) is the team's top rusher with 47 yards on 14 carries. Under center, redshirt junior Kato Nelson (Hollywood, Fla.) stands 10-of-24 for 122 yards. Redshirt junior WR Nate Stewart (Bethlehem, Pa.) is the top receiver with 79 yards on five receptions. Defensively, redshirt sophomore LB Bubba Arslanian (Aurora, Ohio) is the top Zip with 11 tackles, 1.0 TFL, and a sack.

In the first NCAA stats of the season, Akron is tied as the national leader for red zone offense (100.0). The Zips also rank No. 30 in punt returns (11.50) and No. 28 in fewest penalties (5.00). Individually, sophomore Jeremiah Knight (Jefferson, Ohio) is No. 22 in kick returns (11.5) and No. 30 in punt returns (21.5). Redshirt sophomore LB Bubba Arslanian is No. 34 in tackles (11.0).

The Blazers, under the guidance of fourth-year head coach Bill Clark, stand 1-0 after a 24-19 win over Alabama State. Defending Conference USA champion UAB returns 45 letterwinners, including nine starters, to its multiple offensive and 4-3 defensive schemes.

Junior RB Spencer Brown is the team's top rusher with 77 yards on 23 carries. Under center, redshirt sophomore QB Tyler Johnston III is 8-of-19 for 114 yards and one touchdown. At wide receiver, redshirt junior Austin Watkins, Jr. has two receptions for 51 yards. Defensively, redshirt senior DL Garrett Marino is the top defender with nine solo tackles, including a TFL.

In the NCAA stats, UAB is No. 2 in kickoff returns (38.50), No. 29 in sacks (3.00), No. 34 in red zone defense (0.667), and No. 35 in total defense (260.0). Junior WR Myron Mitchell is No. 1 in kickoff return touchdowns (1), No. 3 in kickoff returns (46.0), and No. 21 in punt returns (12.0). Redshirt sophomore RB Larry Wooden is No. 7 in fumbles recovered (1.00), while sophomore S Will Boler is No. 8 in total interceptions (1). Garrett Marino is No. 11 in solo tackles (9.0).

AKRON-UAB CONNECTIONS
Akron has no players from the state of Alabama on its roster.

UAB has no players from the state of Ohio either.

AKRON-UAB: THE SERIES
Saturday's game is the first meeting between the teams on the gridiron. Akron will visit UAB on Sept. 13, 2025.

LAST GAME
Akron football opened the Tom Arth Era on the road against Big Ten Conference opponent Illinois at Memorial Stadium where the Fighting Illini posted a 42-3 win on August 31.

The new look Zips played 15 freshmen throughout the 60-minute contest, while junior QB Kato Nelson led Akron's offense with 122 yards passing on a 10-of-24 effort. Nelson found junior WR Nate Stewart five times for 79 yards, including a 28-yard strike. Freshman WR Michael Mathison (Covington, Ga.) was also a familiar target in his collegiate debut. Mathison corralled three passes for 22 yards and a career-long 15-yard reception on his first catch.

Senior RB Deltron Sands and sophomore RB Brandon Lee (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) collected the bulk of rushing yards. Sands gained 47 yards on 14 carries, while Lee had 34 yards on 10 carries.

Sophomore LB Bubba Arslanian led the defensive unit with a career-high 11 tackles for five yards of loss, including his first career sack. Senior LB John Lako (Monroe, Mich.) followed with eight stops, while freshman DL Eric Bentley (Akron, Ohio) and senior DB Shawn Featherstone (Pittsburgh, Pa.) had six stops each. Featherstone recorded a sack along with freshman LB Quevan Lawson (Ashburn, Ga.).

POSTGAME NOTES

Making their first appearances in the starting line-up were 11 Zips: DL Eric Bentley, WR Dustin Burkhart, S Adetutu Daranijo, OL Landon Forman, DL Logan Hawkins, CB Jalen Hooks, TE Darryl Long, DL Dylan Meeks, CB Tyson McDonald, OL Austin Sample, and LB Demetrick Watts.
Akron played 15 freshmen (11 true and four redshirt) in the season opener.
In the first quarter, junior PK Jerry Fitschen (Orange, Calif.) put Akron on the scoreboard with his first career field goal, a 42-yarder. He also kicked off twice for 103 yards (51.5 average).

PRESEASON HONORS
Six Zips were named to Athlon Sports' 2019 preseason All-Mid-American Conference teams. Earning preseason first-team All-MAC were seniors DB Alvin Davis, Jr., and LB John Lako. Sophomore punt returner Jeremiah Knight was a second-team honoree. Named to the preseason third-team was junior WR Andre Williams. Seniors OL Brandon Council and DL Josh Ward were fourth-team honorees.

Phil Steele recognized seven University of Akron football players on his 2019 preseason All-Mid-American Conference teams. Earning preseason first-team All-MAC were Davis, Lako, and Knight. Williams was a second-team honoree. Named to the preseason fourth-team were senior OL Trevor Brown, junior WR Jonah Morris, and Ward.

Redshirt junior QB Kato Nelson was honored by the Touchdown Club of Columbus during the 64th awards dinner as a Player to Watch in 2019.

2019 WATCH LISTS
Senior DB Alvin Davis, Jr. was named to the 2019 Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Preseason Watch List, while senior LB John Lako is a nominee for the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team.

POMP & CIRCUMSTANCE
Five Zips competing this fall already have their bachelor's degrees: TE Brandon Junk (sports management), QB Robbie Kelley (business management), LB John Lako (human resources management), LB DeMarcus Lloyd (organizational supervision), and TE Darryl Long (sport management). Kansas State and SMU lead the nation with 21 graduates each.

WHAT'S IN A NAME?
Several Zips frequently use their nicknames versus their formal, given names– LB Bubba (Alan) Arslanian, WR Dustin "Dusty" Burkhart, QB (Tyler) T.J. DeShields, WR Jeremiah "Boogie" Knight, DL Tank (Jordan) McClendon, WR (Lumuria) M.J. McGriff, QB (Kalyn) Kato Nelson, and DB (Anthony) A.J. Watts. Freshman LB Tiger Burkes' given first name is actually Tiger.

CFB150: COLLEGE FOOTBALL CELEBRATES 150 YEARS IN 2019
A year-long celebration began in January 2019 as college football celebrates 150 years and the anniversary of the first college football game [between Princeton and Rutgers on Nov. 6, 1869]. Programs around the country, including Akron, are sharing their histories and stories through the CFB150 pillars of education, leadership, and community. Follow Akron's celebration on social media. #CFB150

ZIPS QUICK HITS

Seven of Akron's 2019 opponents were bowl eligible last fall: UAB (Boca Raton), Troy (Dollar General), Buffalo (Dollar General), Northern Illinois (Boca Raton), Miami (not selected), Eastern Michigan (Camillia), and Ohio (Frisco).
Akron has 52 student-athletes on its roster from the state of Ohio; 44 of those live within a 30-mile radius to campus.

HOMECOMING & FAMILY WEEKEND SET FOR OCT. 11-13
Homecoming and Family Weekend at the University of Akron have been set for Oct. 11-13, 2019. In the annual Homecoming football game, the Zips will host rival Kent State on Saturday, Oct. 12, at 3:30 p.m. The 2019 Hall of Fame Class will be introduced during the game.

UP NEXT
Akron travels to Central Michigan on Saturday, Sept. 14, for its Mid-American Conference opener. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. on ESPN+. The Zips' next home game is Saturday, Sept. 21, against Troy.