The University of Akron Athletics
Wednesday, November 4
Akron, Ohio
6:00 PM
University of Akron
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Western Michigan
Cross-Divisional Showdown Set as Akron Opens 2020 Campaign Hosting Western Michigan
October 31 | Football
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GAME NO. 1 - AKRON VS. WESTERN MICHIGAN GAME NOTES (11/4)
Akron (0-0, 0-0 MAC) vs. Western Michigan (0-0, 0-0 MAC)
Wednesday, Nov. 4
InfoCision Stadium - Summa Field
Akron, Ohio • 6 p.m.
Series History: Western Michigan leads 14-5
Live Stats: www.gozips.com
Live Stream: ESPN3 (subscription may be required)
Television: ESPN3 (Michael Reghi - pxp and Dustin Fox - color)
Radio: 640 WHLO AM (Dave Skoczen - pxp and Joe Dunn - color)
WEEKLY PRESS CONFERENCE WITH HEAD COACH TOM ARTH
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GAME NO. 1 - AKRON VS. WESTERN MICHIGAN GAME NOTES (11/4)
Akron (0-0, 0-0 MAC) vs. Western Michigan (0-0, 0-0 MAC)
Wednesday, Nov. 4
InfoCision Stadium - Summa Field
Akron, Ohio • 6 p.m.
Series History: Western Michigan leads 14-5
Live Stats: www.gozips.com
Live Stream: ESPN3 (subscription may be required)
Television: ESPN3 (Michael Reghi - pxp and Dustin Fox - color)
Radio: 640 WHLO AM (Dave Skoczen - pxp and Joe Dunn - color)
WEEKLY PRESS CONFERENCE WITH HEAD COACH TOM ARTH
WHAT'S AHEAD
The University of Akron football team opens its 120th season with a Mid-American Conference cross-divisional showdown with Western Michigan on Wednesday, Nov. 4. The 6 p.m. tilt will be broadcast on ESPN3 with Michael Reghi and Dustin Fox calling the action with a link on GoZips.com.
HEAD COACHES
Western Michigan: Tim Lester (Western Michigan, 2000), overall record: 60-41 (10th Season)/record at WMU: 20-18 (Fourth Season) Â Â
Akron: Tom Arth (John Carroll, 2003), overall record - 49-33 (8th Season)/record at Akron - 0-12 (Second Season)
SERIES HISTORY
Western Michigan leads, 14-5
Arth vs. WMU: First Meeting
Last Meeting: Akron def. Western Michigan, 14-13 (Kalamazoo, Mich. - Oct. 15, 2017)
Last Meeting in Akron: No. 23 Western Michigan def. Akron, 41-0 (Akron, Ohio - Oct. 15, 2016)
Akron is encountering Western Michigan for the 20th time in program history with the Broncos owning a 14-5 series advantage. In the last meeting between the two schools, after a one-day delay due to flooding at Waldo Stadium in Kalamazoo, Mich., Akron upset the defending Mid-American Conference champion Broncos, 14-13, on Oct. 15, 2017. The Zips and Western Michigan last met in Akron on Oct. 15, 2016, where the 23rd-rated Broncos registered a 41-0 triumph at InfoCision Stadium-Summa Field.
The series between the two schools dates back to the 1938 campaign when Akron earned a 6-0 home victory over Western Michigan. The Zips own 6-0 and 27-7 triumphs past the Broncos at home during the 1938 and 1996 seasons, respectively.
IN OUR LAST MEETING (OCT. 15, 2017 - KALAMAZOO, MICH.)
Rain and flooding postponed the game, but didn't deter the teams, as Akron and Western Michigan took the football field for Mid-American Conference action on Oct. 15, 2017 at Waldo Stadium in Kalamazoo, Mich. On a chilly and rainy afternoon, Akron upset the defending MAC champions, 14-13.
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Manny Morgan led the Zips' rushing efforts with 12 carries for 53 yards, while quarterback Thomas Woodson went 13-of-24 for 127 yards and a touchdown.
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Wide receiver A.J. Coney led the receivers with three receptions for 38 yards. Â
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Defensively, Alvin Davis II led the Zips with 12 tackles, while Ulysees Gilbert III had 10 tackles and a sack that sealed the win with 12 seconds remaining.
Jarvion Franklin led WMU with 130 yards rushing on 31 carries. Quarterback Jon Wassink was 17-of-29 for 182 yards and a touchdown. Wideout D'Way Eskridge had seven catches for 93 yards and a touchdown.
 On Western Michigan's opening drive, cornerback Kyron Brown intercepted the ball on the 24-yard-line and returned the ball 70 yards to WMU 24. Two plays later, Woodson hit Kobie Booker with a 13-yard touchdown pass to give Akron an early 7-0 lead.
To open the second quarter, the Broncos were unable to convert in the red zone and were held to a 25-yard field goal attempt by the Akron defense, a kick that went wide left. The Zips took advantage of the opportunity, driving to the one. On back-to-back direct snaps to Morgan ran the ball into the end zone for a one-yard score, giving the Zips a 14-0 edge with 10:07 to go in the half. Josh Grant connected on a 49-yard field goal for Western Michigan with 7:39 left before intermission to cut the Zips' lead to 14-3 at halftime.
Neither team scored in the third quarter. Akron opened the fourth quarter with the ball, before Woodson threw an interception. The Broncos took advantage of UA's first turnover when Wassink threw a long bomb to D-Way Eskridge for a 50-yard touchdown. The extra point brought WMU within four, 14-10, with 10:38 to go in the game.
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On WMU's next possession, Akron kept the Broncos out of the end zone again with a three-yard tackle for loss by Jamal Davis, forcing WMU to kick a field goal. With 5:15 to go, Grant made a 35-yard field goal to pull WMU within one, 14-13.
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But that's as close as the Broncos would get. On the final drive, WMU began on its own 29-yard line with 45 seconds to go. Wassink guided his team to the Akron 39 with 12 seconds to go. On a 3rd-and-10, Gilbert sacked Wassink on the game's final play to seal the Zips' win.
SCOUTING WESTERN MICHIGAN
Western Michigan enters the 2020 campaign on the heels of a 7-6 record, including a 5-3 mark in the Mid-American Conference as season ago en route to a berth in the SERVPRO First Responder Bowl, where the Broncos were edged by Western Kentucky, 23-20.
Quarterback Jon Wassink paced the Western Michigan attack in 2019 throwing for 3,097 yard, including throwing 20 touchdowns and rushing for three more. LeVante Bellamy rushed for 1,546 yards and 23 touchdowns, while Skyy Moore and Giovanni Ricci combined to haul in 102 passes for 1,444 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Defensively, the trio of senior linebackers Treshaun Hayward, Drake Spears and Justin Tranquill combined to record 321 tackles, including combining posting 72, 35 and 44 solo stops, respectively. Senior defensive end Ali Fayad led the Broncos with 6.5 defensive sacks.
As a team, Western Michigan averaged more then 33 (33.08) points per game, while holding their opponents to nearly 26 points per outing. The Broncos threw for 242 yards and rushed for 205 yards per tilt.
As a team, Western Michigan ranked 17th in the NCAA in kickoff returns (24.50), 19th in turnover margin (0.62), 21st in blocked punts (1), 23rd in third-down conversion (0.453), 25th in total offense (445.7), 28th in rushing offense (205.1), 30th in scoring offense (33.1), 33rd in defensive touchdowns (2), 36th in tackles for a loss (6.5) and 39th in first-down offense (293).
ZIP TIDBITS
• Akron started nine freshmen during the season, which ranked third nationally.
• Five of Akron's 2020 opponents were bowl eligible a year ago: Buffalo, Kent State, Miami, Ohio and Western Michigan.
• Akron has 56 student-athletes on its roster from the state of Ohio; 32 of those live within a 30-mile radius to campus.
AKRON IN SEASON OPENERS
The Zips own a 59-55-5 mark all-time in season openers, including a 41-24-4 mark when opening the season at home.
Tom Arth has seen his team's post a 4-3 overall mark in season openers as a head coach, including a 2-0 record in home games. Â
2019 SEASON SUMMARY
Under the guidance of first-year head coach Tom Arth, Akron finished 0-12 overall (0-8 in MAC play) after a 52-3 loss to Ohio. The Zips returned 57 letterwinners, including 10 starters, to their pro style offense and multiple defensive schemes.
Brandon Lee was the team's top rusher with 179 yards on 61 carries. Under center, redshirt senior QB Kato Nelson (Hollywood, Fla.) finished 151-of-280 for 1,820 yards and 11 touchdowns in 10 starts, while redshirt freshman QB Zach Gibson (Alpharetta, Ga.) went 41-of-81 for 425 yards and a touchdown in four games. Redshirt senior WR Nate Stewart (Bethlehem, Pa.) was the top receiver with 37 receptions for 529 yards and three touchdowns. Defensively, John Lako was the top Zip with 138 tackles, including a team-best 60 solo stops, 9.5 TFL, two hurries, two break-ups, a 64-yard interception return for a touchdown, and a 25-yard fumble recovery.
In the final NCAA stats, Akron was ranked No. 1 in kickoff return defense (14.87). Individually, Lako was No. 3 total tackles (11.5) and No. 33 in solo tackles (5.0). Redshirt junior LB Bubba Arslanian (Aurora, Ohio) was No. 9 in total tackles (10.4). Sophomore WR Michael Mathison (Covington, Ga.) was No. 20 in kickoff returns (25.6).
MAC PRESEASON POLL
The Akron Zips were tabbed to finish sixth in the East Division in a pair of 2020 Mid-American Conference Football Preseason Polls by the members of the MAC coaches and media, the league announced.
The Zips earned 26 points and were selected sixth by a 24-person media panel. Buffalo was picked to finish first in the East Division standings, followed by Miami, Ohio, Kent State, and Bowling Green.
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In the West Division, Central Michigan was tabbed to claim the top spot, followed by Toledo, Ball State, Western Michigan, Eastern Michigan and Northern Illinois.
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The Buffalo Bulls were also predicted to win the 2020 MAC Championship Game which will be held on Friday, Dec. 18, at Ford Field in Detroit. Game time is to be announced.
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In the MAC Coaches' Preseason Poll, Akron accumulated 17 points and one first-place vote. Miami was selected to win the East Division followed by Buffalo, Ohio, Kent State and Bowling Green.
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The coaches chose Toledo to finish atop the West Division followed by Western Michigan, Central Michigan, Ball State, Eastern Michigan and Northern Illinois.
PRESEASON HONORS
Five University of Akron football players were named to Phil Steele's 2020 preseason All-Mid-American Conference teams. Earning preseason first-team All-MAC was sophomore KR Michael Mathison. Named to the preseason second-team All-MAC was redshirt junior LB Bubba Arslanian. Senior C Bryce Petersen (McKinleyville, Calif.) were preseason third-team All-MAC honorees. Sophomore S Randy Cochran, Jr. (Doralville, Ga.), and junior PR Jeremiah Knight (Jefferson, Ohio) were preseason fourth-team All-MAC honorees. Â
Five Zips were named to Athlon Sports' 2020 preseason All-MAC teams. Earning preseason first-team All-MAC was Mathison. Named to the preseason third-team All-MAC was Arslanian. Petersen, Cochran, and Knight were preseason fourth-team All-MAC honorees. Â
Lindy's Sports honored three Zips on its preseason All-MAC teams. Earning preseason first-team All-MAC was Petersen, while Mathison and Cochran were second-team selections.
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ZIPS IN THE COMMUNITY
Winner of the 2020 Zippy Cup for the most community service hours of any Akron team, the Zips' football completed 554 community service hours in just seven weeks (prior to quarantine) as the team was on track to fulfill 1,100 hours for the spring semester. While participation included 100 percent of the team members, the Zips completed a total of 1,300 community service hours for the academic year (while on track to exceed 2,000 hours).
ZIPS IN THE CLASSROOM
Following a volatile spring semester at the University of Akron due to the COVID-19 pandemic, head football coach Tom Arth announced that his players continued to make strides in the classroom and in the community.
With the conclusion of the spring semester, the Zips overcame obstacles to show further improvement. As a team, the 110 players on the spring roster combined for a 3.091 grade-point average (GPA), the highest team semester GPA in program history.
UP NEXT
Akron continues its 2020 campaign traveling to Athens, Ohio, for a 7 p.m. showdown at Ohio on Nov. 10. The game will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network as well as on the Akron Radio Network 640 WHLO AM with Dave Skoczen and Joe Dunn calling the action.
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The University of Akron football team opens its 120th season with a Mid-American Conference cross-divisional showdown with Western Michigan on Wednesday, Nov. 4. The 6 p.m. tilt will be broadcast on ESPN3 with Michael Reghi and Dustin Fox calling the action with a link on GoZips.com.
HEAD COACHES
Western Michigan: Tim Lester (Western Michigan, 2000), overall record: 60-41 (10th Season)/record at WMU: 20-18 (Fourth Season) Â Â
Akron: Tom Arth (John Carroll, 2003), overall record - 49-33 (8th Season)/record at Akron - 0-12 (Second Season)
SERIES HISTORY
Western Michigan leads, 14-5
Arth vs. WMU: First Meeting
Last Meeting: Akron def. Western Michigan, 14-13 (Kalamazoo, Mich. - Oct. 15, 2017)
Last Meeting in Akron: No. 23 Western Michigan def. Akron, 41-0 (Akron, Ohio - Oct. 15, 2016)
Akron is encountering Western Michigan for the 20th time in program history with the Broncos owning a 14-5 series advantage. In the last meeting between the two schools, after a one-day delay due to flooding at Waldo Stadium in Kalamazoo, Mich., Akron upset the defending Mid-American Conference champion Broncos, 14-13, on Oct. 15, 2017. The Zips and Western Michigan last met in Akron on Oct. 15, 2016, where the 23rd-rated Broncos registered a 41-0 triumph at InfoCision Stadium-Summa Field.
The series between the two schools dates back to the 1938 campaign when Akron earned a 6-0 home victory over Western Michigan. The Zips own 6-0 and 27-7 triumphs past the Broncos at home during the 1938 and 1996 seasons, respectively.
IN OUR LAST MEETING (OCT. 15, 2017 - KALAMAZOO, MICH.)
Rain and flooding postponed the game, but didn't deter the teams, as Akron and Western Michigan took the football field for Mid-American Conference action on Oct. 15, 2017 at Waldo Stadium in Kalamazoo, Mich. On a chilly and rainy afternoon, Akron upset the defending MAC champions, 14-13.
Â
Manny Morgan led the Zips' rushing efforts with 12 carries for 53 yards, while quarterback Thomas Woodson went 13-of-24 for 127 yards and a touchdown.
Â
Wide receiver A.J. Coney led the receivers with three receptions for 38 yards. Â
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Defensively, Alvin Davis II led the Zips with 12 tackles, while Ulysees Gilbert III had 10 tackles and a sack that sealed the win with 12 seconds remaining.
Jarvion Franklin led WMU with 130 yards rushing on 31 carries. Quarterback Jon Wassink was 17-of-29 for 182 yards and a touchdown. Wideout D'Way Eskridge had seven catches for 93 yards and a touchdown.
 On Western Michigan's opening drive, cornerback Kyron Brown intercepted the ball on the 24-yard-line and returned the ball 70 yards to WMU 24. Two plays later, Woodson hit Kobie Booker with a 13-yard touchdown pass to give Akron an early 7-0 lead.
To open the second quarter, the Broncos were unable to convert in the red zone and were held to a 25-yard field goal attempt by the Akron defense, a kick that went wide left. The Zips took advantage of the opportunity, driving to the one. On back-to-back direct snaps to Morgan ran the ball into the end zone for a one-yard score, giving the Zips a 14-0 edge with 10:07 to go in the half. Josh Grant connected on a 49-yard field goal for Western Michigan with 7:39 left before intermission to cut the Zips' lead to 14-3 at halftime.
Neither team scored in the third quarter. Akron opened the fourth quarter with the ball, before Woodson threw an interception. The Broncos took advantage of UA's first turnover when Wassink threw a long bomb to D-Way Eskridge for a 50-yard touchdown. The extra point brought WMU within four, 14-10, with 10:38 to go in the game.
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On WMU's next possession, Akron kept the Broncos out of the end zone again with a three-yard tackle for loss by Jamal Davis, forcing WMU to kick a field goal. With 5:15 to go, Grant made a 35-yard field goal to pull WMU within one, 14-13.
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But that's as close as the Broncos would get. On the final drive, WMU began on its own 29-yard line with 45 seconds to go. Wassink guided his team to the Akron 39 with 12 seconds to go. On a 3rd-and-10, Gilbert sacked Wassink on the game's final play to seal the Zips' win.
SCOUTING WESTERN MICHIGAN
Western Michigan enters the 2020 campaign on the heels of a 7-6 record, including a 5-3 mark in the Mid-American Conference as season ago en route to a berth in the SERVPRO First Responder Bowl, where the Broncos were edged by Western Kentucky, 23-20.
Quarterback Jon Wassink paced the Western Michigan attack in 2019 throwing for 3,097 yard, including throwing 20 touchdowns and rushing for three more. LeVante Bellamy rushed for 1,546 yards and 23 touchdowns, while Skyy Moore and Giovanni Ricci combined to haul in 102 passes for 1,444 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Defensively, the trio of senior linebackers Treshaun Hayward, Drake Spears and Justin Tranquill combined to record 321 tackles, including combining posting 72, 35 and 44 solo stops, respectively. Senior defensive end Ali Fayad led the Broncos with 6.5 defensive sacks.
As a team, Western Michigan averaged more then 33 (33.08) points per game, while holding their opponents to nearly 26 points per outing. The Broncos threw for 242 yards and rushed for 205 yards per tilt.
As a team, Western Michigan ranked 17th in the NCAA in kickoff returns (24.50), 19th in turnover margin (0.62), 21st in blocked punts (1), 23rd in third-down conversion (0.453), 25th in total offense (445.7), 28th in rushing offense (205.1), 30th in scoring offense (33.1), 33rd in defensive touchdowns (2), 36th in tackles for a loss (6.5) and 39th in first-down offense (293).
ZIP TIDBITS
• Akron started nine freshmen during the season, which ranked third nationally.
• Five of Akron's 2020 opponents were bowl eligible a year ago: Buffalo, Kent State, Miami, Ohio and Western Michigan.
• Akron has 56 student-athletes on its roster from the state of Ohio; 32 of those live within a 30-mile radius to campus.
AKRON IN SEASON OPENERS
The Zips own a 59-55-5 mark all-time in season openers, including a 41-24-4 mark when opening the season at home.
Tom Arth has seen his team's post a 4-3 overall mark in season openers as a head coach, including a 2-0 record in home games. Â
2019 SEASON SUMMARY
Under the guidance of first-year head coach Tom Arth, Akron finished 0-12 overall (0-8 in MAC play) after a 52-3 loss to Ohio. The Zips returned 57 letterwinners, including 10 starters, to their pro style offense and multiple defensive schemes.
Brandon Lee was the team's top rusher with 179 yards on 61 carries. Under center, redshirt senior QB Kato Nelson (Hollywood, Fla.) finished 151-of-280 for 1,820 yards and 11 touchdowns in 10 starts, while redshirt freshman QB Zach Gibson (Alpharetta, Ga.) went 41-of-81 for 425 yards and a touchdown in four games. Redshirt senior WR Nate Stewart (Bethlehem, Pa.) was the top receiver with 37 receptions for 529 yards and three touchdowns. Defensively, John Lako was the top Zip with 138 tackles, including a team-best 60 solo stops, 9.5 TFL, two hurries, two break-ups, a 64-yard interception return for a touchdown, and a 25-yard fumble recovery.
In the final NCAA stats, Akron was ranked No. 1 in kickoff return defense (14.87). Individually, Lako was No. 3 total tackles (11.5) and No. 33 in solo tackles (5.0). Redshirt junior LB Bubba Arslanian (Aurora, Ohio) was No. 9 in total tackles (10.4). Sophomore WR Michael Mathison (Covington, Ga.) was No. 20 in kickoff returns (25.6).
MAC PRESEASON POLL
The Akron Zips were tabbed to finish sixth in the East Division in a pair of 2020 Mid-American Conference Football Preseason Polls by the members of the MAC coaches and media, the league announced.
The Zips earned 26 points and were selected sixth by a 24-person media panel. Buffalo was picked to finish first in the East Division standings, followed by Miami, Ohio, Kent State, and Bowling Green.
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In the West Division, Central Michigan was tabbed to claim the top spot, followed by Toledo, Ball State, Western Michigan, Eastern Michigan and Northern Illinois.
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The Buffalo Bulls were also predicted to win the 2020 MAC Championship Game which will be held on Friday, Dec. 18, at Ford Field in Detroit. Game time is to be announced.
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In the MAC Coaches' Preseason Poll, Akron accumulated 17 points and one first-place vote. Miami was selected to win the East Division followed by Buffalo, Ohio, Kent State and Bowling Green.
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The coaches chose Toledo to finish atop the West Division followed by Western Michigan, Central Michigan, Ball State, Eastern Michigan and Northern Illinois.
PRESEASON HONORS
Five University of Akron football players were named to Phil Steele's 2020 preseason All-Mid-American Conference teams. Earning preseason first-team All-MAC was sophomore KR Michael Mathison. Named to the preseason second-team All-MAC was redshirt junior LB Bubba Arslanian. Senior C Bryce Petersen (McKinleyville, Calif.) were preseason third-team All-MAC honorees. Sophomore S Randy Cochran, Jr. (Doralville, Ga.), and junior PR Jeremiah Knight (Jefferson, Ohio) were preseason fourth-team All-MAC honorees. Â
Five Zips were named to Athlon Sports' 2020 preseason All-MAC teams. Earning preseason first-team All-MAC was Mathison. Named to the preseason third-team All-MAC was Arslanian. Petersen, Cochran, and Knight were preseason fourth-team All-MAC honorees. Â
Lindy's Sports honored three Zips on its preseason All-MAC teams. Earning preseason first-team All-MAC was Petersen, while Mathison and Cochran were second-team selections.
     Â
ZIPS IN THE COMMUNITY
Winner of the 2020 Zippy Cup for the most community service hours of any Akron team, the Zips' football completed 554 community service hours in just seven weeks (prior to quarantine) as the team was on track to fulfill 1,100 hours for the spring semester. While participation included 100 percent of the team members, the Zips completed a total of 1,300 community service hours for the academic year (while on track to exceed 2,000 hours).
ZIPS IN THE CLASSROOM
Following a volatile spring semester at the University of Akron due to the COVID-19 pandemic, head football coach Tom Arth announced that his players continued to make strides in the classroom and in the community.
With the conclusion of the spring semester, the Zips overcame obstacles to show further improvement. As a team, the 110 players on the spring roster combined for a 3.091 grade-point average (GPA), the highest team semester GPA in program history.
UP NEXT
Akron continues its 2020 campaign traveling to Athens, Ohio, for a 7 p.m. showdown at Ohio on Nov. 10. The game will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network as well as on the Akron Radio Network 640 WHLO AM with Dave Skoczen and Joe Dunn calling the action.
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Players Mentioned
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