Norrils, Nelson Leads Akron’s Offense in Season Finale

Saturday, November 27

Toledo, Ohio

12:00 PM

University of Akron

2-10 , 1-7

Toledo

7-5 , 5-3

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Akron

Toledo

Norrils, Nelson Leads Akron’s Offense in Season Finale

November 27 | Football

Box Score

Norrils, Nelson Leads Akron's Offense in Season Finale
Follow Zips Football on Twitter (@ZipsFB), Facebook and Instagram

BOXSCORE (PDF) | BOXSCORE | POSTGAME COMMENTS

TOLEDO, Ohio – Akron freshman RB Jonzell Norrils (Toledo, Ohio) and senior QB Kato Nelson (Hollywood, Fla.) led the Zips' offense in a 49-14 season finale loss to Toledo at the Glass Bowl on Saturday afternoon.

Norrils registered 90 yards rushing and 80 yards receiving for 170 total yards with two touchdowns to lead Akron's offense. Norrils' return to his hometown was highlighted by 72-yard career-long reception and a 50-yard run. Nelson tossed the 72-yard pass, collecting 164 yards passing with a pair of touchdowns.

Leading the Akron's defensive efforts was junior DB Charles Amankwaa (Hillsborough, N.J.) with a career-best 1.5 tackles for loss, including first-career sack, two pass break-ups and a forced fumble. He recorded seven total tackles while freshman LB Andrew Behm (Appleton, Wis.) led the squad with 11 takedowns.

Akron was staring at a 7-0 deficit by the end of the first quarter despite holding a 131-69 edge in yards on the ground and 141-98 in total offense. The Zips (2-10, 1-7 MAC) opened the second quarter with a three-yard touchdown reception from Nelson to Norrils to tie the game seven-all with 14:03 remaining in the quarter. Toledo responded with 14-straight points for a 21-7 halftime advantage. At the break, Akron led 232-213 in total offensive yards, including a 155-88 advantage on the ground.

In the second half, the Rockets (7-5, 5-3 MAC) registered a pair of touchdowns in the third and fourth quarters, including 21-unanswered points for a 42-7 advantage before Nelson found Norrils for a 72-yard TD reception and the Zips' final score of the game. Toledo finished the game with 582 yards of total offense with 301 yards passing and 281 yards rushing.

Akron is scheduled to open its 2022 campaign hosting Saint Francis (Pa.) on Sept. 3, 2022 at InfoCision Stadium-Summa Field.

How it Happened

• Toledo scored first using an 11-play, 76-yard drive that lasted 3:52, capped by a two-yard TD rush by Bryant Koback. (9:27 | 1Q)

• Akron QB Nelson breaks 51-yard run, but the Zips drive stalled on the Toledo 24-yard line (3:52 | 1Q)

• Zips received another big gain on the ground as Jonzell Norrils registered a career-long 50-yard yard to spark first scoring drive. At the end of the first quarter Akron held a 141-69 advantage in rushing yards. Akron outgained Toledo 141-98 in total yards.

• The Zips opened the second quarter with a touchdown, tying the game 7-7 with a 3-yard pass to Norrils and completing a 7-play, 72-yard drive lasting 3:18. (14:03 | 2Q)

• Toledo added two touchdowns before the first half ended for a 21-7 lead as Akron led in total yards (232-213) and rushing yards (155-88).

• The Rockets registered 14 points in the third quarter and another TD in the fourth for a 35-point advantage (42-7) before Akron touched scoreboard again.

• The Zips followed with a 3-play, 75-yard drive that lasted only 54-seconds as Nelson hit Norrils for a 72-yard TD reception. It marks the longest TD reception for Norrils career (42-14 | 13:53 | 4Q).

• With 24-seconds left to play, Toledo completed a 13-play, 92-yard drive for the final touchdown of the game (49-14 | 4Q).