The University of Akron Athletics
Saturday, October 15
Akron, Ohio
12:00 PM
University of Akron
vs
Central Michigan
Akron Hosts Central Michigan
October 13 | Football
DIGITAL TICKETING INFORMATION | CLEAR BAG POLICY
Akron (1-5, 0-2 MAC) vs. Central Michigan (1-5, 0-2 MAC)
Saturday, Oct. 15
InfoCision Stadium
Akron, Ohio • 12 p.m.
Series History: Central Michigan leads 17-10-1
Live Stats:Â www.GoZips.com
Live Stream: www.GoZips.com (subscription may be required) and ESPN App
Television:Â www.GoZips.com (subscription may be required) and ESPN App
Radio:Â 640 WHLO AM (Dave Skoczen - pxp and Joe Dunn - color)
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DIGITAL TICKETING
As part of our ongoing effort to enhance our fan experience and improve safety at all of our venues, we are excited to deliver a convenient way for fans to access tickets and parking passes for every Akron home event directly on their smartphone.
GoZips.com/Tickets will be the easiest and most convenient way for fans to access their Zips ticket account. To save time at the venue, fans are encouraged to save tickets and parking to their Apple Wallet or Google Pay apps prior to arrival on game day.
GoZips.com/Tickets is the easiest way for a fan to access their tickets and parking on their mobile browser and log in with their email or Zips tickets account number and password. At that point fans will be able to manage their online account from their smartphone.
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WHAT'S AHEAD
The University of Akron football team continues Mid-American Conference play on Saturday, Oct. 15, welcoming Central Michigan to InfoCision Stadium. The 12 p.m. tilt will be broadcast on the ESPN+ with Anthony Lima and Ryan Shazier calling the action with a link on GoZips.com.
HEAD COACHES
Central Michigan: Jim McElwain (Eastern Washington, 1984), overall record: 65-47 (10th Season)/record at Central Michigan: 21-18 (Fourth Season)
Akron: Joe Moorhead (Fordham, 1996), overall record - 53-30 (Seventh Season)/record at Akron - 1-5 (First Season)
SERIES HISTORY
Akron is meeting Central Michigan for the 29th time in program history with the Chippewas owning a 17-10-1 series advantage. In the last meeting between the two schools, Central Michigan registered a 45-24 triumph past the Zips on Sept. 14, 2019 in Mount Pleasant, Mich. Akron and Central Michigan last met in Akron on Oct. 27, 2018 as the Zips posted a 17-10 victory.
The series between the two schools dates back to the 1969 campaign when Akron earned a 9-7 road victory over Central Michigan. The Zips and Chippewas are playing for the fifth time at InfoCision Stadium.
SCOUTING CENTRAL MICHIGAN
Central Michigan enters action this week against Akron at 1-5 on the campaign, including 0-2 in the Mid-American Conference, following a 17-16 setback versus Ball State on Saturday, Oct. 8.
Sophomore QB Daniel Richardson directs the Chippewas' attack passing for 1,576 yards, including throwing for 12 touchdowns. Sophomore RB Lew Nichols has rushed for 460 yards, while running for six touchdowns. The trio of senior WR Carlos Carriere, junior TE Joel Wilson and sophomore WR Jalen McGaughy have pulled down a combined 74 passes for 379, 319 and 206 yards, respectively, and eight touchdowns.
Defensively, the trio of sophomore LB Kyle Moretti, sophomore DB Trey Jones and sophomore LB Justin Whiteside have combined to record 43, 36 and 33 tackles, including posting 29, 22 and 15 solo stops, respectively. Central Michigan has tallied 10 sacks and 46 tackles for a loss.
As a team, the Chippewas average 26.0 points per game, while their opponents net 30.7 points per outing. Central Michigan has thrown for 278.3 yards and rushed for 124.5 yards per tilt.
As a team, the Chippewas rank first in the NCAA in blocked kicks (5), second in blocked punts (4), 11th in tackles for a loss (7.7), 21st in third down conversion defense (.300), 25th in fourth down conversion defense (.375), 26th in red zone defense (.750), 29th in passing offense (278.3), 33rd in punt return defense (4.38), 36th in first down offense (136), 42nd in net punting (40.39), 47th in fumble recoveries (4) and 48th in fourth down conversions (.560).
Individually, Richardson is ranked 18th in the NCAA in completions per game (24.00), 22nd in passing yards (1,576), 27th in passing yards per outing (262.7), 31st in passing touchdowns (12) and 40th in points responsible for (82). Additionally, Carriere is rated 19th in the NCAA in receptions per game (6.6), while redshirt freshman LB Dakota Cochran ranks second in blocked kicks (2). Additionally, Nichols is 24th in rushing touchdowns (6) and 44th in rushing yards (460), senior DL Thomas Incoom is 13th in sacks (0.83), sophomore P Luke Elzinga is 33rd in punting (43.8) and redshirt freshman WR Jordyn Williams is 33rd in punt returns (7.3).
IN OUR LAST MEETING (SEPT. 14, 2019 - MOUNT PLEASANT, MICH.)
Akron opened Mid-American Conference play on the road at Central Michigan as the Zips fell 45-24 at Kelly/Shorts Stadium on Sept. 14, 2019 in Mount Pleasant, Mich.
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Akron fell behind early as the Zips generated 329 yards of total offense. QB Kato Nelson led the Zips with 241 yards in the air and 33 yards on the ground. Nelson completed 26-of-42 passes with three touchdowns, finding TE Maverick Wolfley, TE Brandon Junk and WR Nate Stewart.
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Stewart led the receiving corps with five receptions for 78 yards and a long of 22 yards. WR Andre Williams followed with 58 yards and a long of 23 yards while corralling five passes. Also, recording five receptions for 36 yards was WR Michael Mathison.
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Defensively, LB John Lako led the way with 11 tackles, including two sacks for three yards of loss. Lako added a fumble recovery and returned it 25 yards as a result of DB Alvin Davis, Jr., and LB Michael Scott breaking the ball loose. LB Bubba Arslanian added 10 tackles and a sack, while DL John Mitchell had a sack for a two yards of loss.
ZIP TIDBITS
• QB DJ Irons connected on a school-record 43 completions against Ohio finishing the game 43-of-54 for a career-high 418 yards passing. His 43 completions stand as a single-game high for Division I this season and best the previous school-record mark of 37 set by Dalton Williams in 2012. Additionally, his 54 pass attempts ranks as the fifth-best single-game performance in program history.
• For the first time this season the Zips had a pair of receivers break the 100-yard plateau as WR Shocky Jacques-Louis and WR Daniel George posted career-high totals of 152 and 108 yards, respectively, as the duo each pulled in 11 catches versus the Bobcats.
• Twenty different Zips recorded a tackle versus Ohio, including eight newcomers.
• Five different Zips posted five or more tackles against the Bobcats, led by a team-high nine tackles two solo and seven assists) from LB Bubba Arslanian and seven tackles from DB Nate Thompson.
• Six Zips recorded career-high marks for tackles against Ohio.
• RB Clyde Price III rushed for a career-high three touchdowns on 39 yards versus the Bobcats, while TE Tristian Brank posted a career-best 69 yards on a career-high six catches.
• PK Noah Perez struck a pair of field goals, including a career-long 42-yard attempt at Ohio, while going a perfect 4-for-4 in extra-point attempts.
• The Zips have posted an interception in four of Akron's six games this season.
• WR Shocky Jacques-Louis has registered three 100-yard receiving games this season pulling in eight catches for 122 yards against Saint Francis (Sept. 1), nine receptions for 103 yards at Tennessee (Sept. 17) and 11 catches for 152 yards at Ohio (Oct. 8). He enters play against Ohio rated 24th in the NCAA in receiving yards (509), 27th in receiving yards per game (84.8) and 32nd in receptions per outing (6.2).
• Akron is rated 28th in the NCAA in kickoff returns (23.21), 29th in red zone offense (.895), 32nd in blocked kicks (1), 33rd in passing offense (273.5) and 48th in first down offense (132).
• Individually, QB DJ Irons is rated 26th in passing yards (1,561), 29th in total offense (289.3) and 35th in passing yards per game (260.2), while WR Shocky Jacques-Louis is ranked 17th in kickoff returns (24.5), 23rd in combined kick returns (264) and 24th in all purpose yards (128.83). LB Bubba Arslanian is rated ninth total tackles (10.7) and 26th in solo tackles (5.2).
• LB Bubba Arslanian has sparked Akron's defensive efforts over the course of his decorated career having recorded 158 solo tackles, including 31 this season, and 161 career assisted tackles. He is ranked 18th among active career leaders across all divisions in total tackles (319), 24th in assisted tackles (161), 44th in solo tackles (158) and 61st in total tackles per game (7.98). Additionally, he is rated eighth in Division I in total tackles (319), ninth in total tackles per contest (7.98), 10th in assisted tackles (161), 20th in solo tackles (158) and 21st in solo tackles per tilt (3.95). Arslanian has had 10 or more total tackles in 20 of the last 28 games he has played in overall. Arslanian surpassed the 300-tackle plateau for his career against Bowling Green on Oct. 1, 2022.
• Junior QB Jeff Undercuffler, Jr. (Delran, N.J.), is rated 27th among active career D1 leaders in touchdown passes (59), 33rd in passes per game (28.64), 35th in total plays (6,099) and in total touchdowns responsible for (60), 42nd in passing yards (6,483), 43rd in passing yards per game (196.5), 50th in total offense (6,099) and 57th in completion percentage (.548).
• P Noah Gettman is ranked fifth among active career leaders in punting yards (9,386) and 14th in punts per game (5.13).
UP NEXT
Akron renews its rivalry with Kent State as the Zips travel to Dix Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 22 for a 12 p.m. showdown.
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Akron (1-5, 0-2 MAC) vs. Central Michigan (1-5, 0-2 MAC)
Saturday, Oct. 15
InfoCision Stadium
Akron, Ohio • 12 p.m.
Series History: Central Michigan leads 17-10-1
Live Stats:Â www.GoZips.com
Live Stream: www.GoZips.com (subscription may be required) and ESPN App
Television:Â www.GoZips.com (subscription may be required) and ESPN App
Radio:Â 640 WHLO AM (Dave Skoczen - pxp and Joe Dunn - color)
Â
DIGITAL TICKETING
As part of our ongoing effort to enhance our fan experience and improve safety at all of our venues, we are excited to deliver a convenient way for fans to access tickets and parking passes for every Akron home event directly on their smartphone.
GoZips.com/Tickets will be the easiest and most convenient way for fans to access their Zips ticket account. To save time at the venue, fans are encouraged to save tickets and parking to their Apple Wallet or Google Pay apps prior to arrival on game day.
GoZips.com/Tickets is the easiest way for a fan to access their tickets and parking on their mobile browser and log in with their email or Zips tickets account number and password. At that point fans will be able to manage their online account from their smartphone.
Â
WHAT'S AHEAD
The University of Akron football team continues Mid-American Conference play on Saturday, Oct. 15, welcoming Central Michigan to InfoCision Stadium. The 12 p.m. tilt will be broadcast on the ESPN+ with Anthony Lima and Ryan Shazier calling the action with a link on GoZips.com.
HEAD COACHES
Central Michigan: Jim McElwain (Eastern Washington, 1984), overall record: 65-47 (10th Season)/record at Central Michigan: 21-18 (Fourth Season)
Akron: Joe Moorhead (Fordham, 1996), overall record - 53-30 (Seventh Season)/record at Akron - 1-5 (First Season)
SERIES HISTORY
Akron is meeting Central Michigan for the 29th time in program history with the Chippewas owning a 17-10-1 series advantage. In the last meeting between the two schools, Central Michigan registered a 45-24 triumph past the Zips on Sept. 14, 2019 in Mount Pleasant, Mich. Akron and Central Michigan last met in Akron on Oct. 27, 2018 as the Zips posted a 17-10 victory.
The series between the two schools dates back to the 1969 campaign when Akron earned a 9-7 road victory over Central Michigan. The Zips and Chippewas are playing for the fifth time at InfoCision Stadium.
SCOUTING CENTRAL MICHIGAN
Central Michigan enters action this week against Akron at 1-5 on the campaign, including 0-2 in the Mid-American Conference, following a 17-16 setback versus Ball State on Saturday, Oct. 8.
Sophomore QB Daniel Richardson directs the Chippewas' attack passing for 1,576 yards, including throwing for 12 touchdowns. Sophomore RB Lew Nichols has rushed for 460 yards, while running for six touchdowns. The trio of senior WR Carlos Carriere, junior TE Joel Wilson and sophomore WR Jalen McGaughy have pulled down a combined 74 passes for 379, 319 and 206 yards, respectively, and eight touchdowns.
Defensively, the trio of sophomore LB Kyle Moretti, sophomore DB Trey Jones and sophomore LB Justin Whiteside have combined to record 43, 36 and 33 tackles, including posting 29, 22 and 15 solo stops, respectively. Central Michigan has tallied 10 sacks and 46 tackles for a loss.
As a team, the Chippewas average 26.0 points per game, while their opponents net 30.7 points per outing. Central Michigan has thrown for 278.3 yards and rushed for 124.5 yards per tilt.
As a team, the Chippewas rank first in the NCAA in blocked kicks (5), second in blocked punts (4), 11th in tackles for a loss (7.7), 21st in third down conversion defense (.300), 25th in fourth down conversion defense (.375), 26th in red zone defense (.750), 29th in passing offense (278.3), 33rd in punt return defense (4.38), 36th in first down offense (136), 42nd in net punting (40.39), 47th in fumble recoveries (4) and 48th in fourth down conversions (.560).
Individually, Richardson is ranked 18th in the NCAA in completions per game (24.00), 22nd in passing yards (1,576), 27th in passing yards per outing (262.7), 31st in passing touchdowns (12) and 40th in points responsible for (82). Additionally, Carriere is rated 19th in the NCAA in receptions per game (6.6), while redshirt freshman LB Dakota Cochran ranks second in blocked kicks (2). Additionally, Nichols is 24th in rushing touchdowns (6) and 44th in rushing yards (460), senior DL Thomas Incoom is 13th in sacks (0.83), sophomore P Luke Elzinga is 33rd in punting (43.8) and redshirt freshman WR Jordyn Williams is 33rd in punt returns (7.3).
IN OUR LAST MEETING (SEPT. 14, 2019 - MOUNT PLEASANT, MICH.)
Akron opened Mid-American Conference play on the road at Central Michigan as the Zips fell 45-24 at Kelly/Shorts Stadium on Sept. 14, 2019 in Mount Pleasant, Mich.
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Akron fell behind early as the Zips generated 329 yards of total offense. QB Kato Nelson led the Zips with 241 yards in the air and 33 yards on the ground. Nelson completed 26-of-42 passes with three touchdowns, finding TE Maverick Wolfley, TE Brandon Junk and WR Nate Stewart.
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Stewart led the receiving corps with five receptions for 78 yards and a long of 22 yards. WR Andre Williams followed with 58 yards and a long of 23 yards while corralling five passes. Also, recording five receptions for 36 yards was WR Michael Mathison.
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Defensively, LB John Lako led the way with 11 tackles, including two sacks for three yards of loss. Lako added a fumble recovery and returned it 25 yards as a result of DB Alvin Davis, Jr., and LB Michael Scott breaking the ball loose. LB Bubba Arslanian added 10 tackles and a sack, while DL John Mitchell had a sack for a two yards of loss.
ZIP TIDBITS
• QB DJ Irons connected on a school-record 43 completions against Ohio finishing the game 43-of-54 for a career-high 418 yards passing. His 43 completions stand as a single-game high for Division I this season and best the previous school-record mark of 37 set by Dalton Williams in 2012. Additionally, his 54 pass attempts ranks as the fifth-best single-game performance in program history.
• For the first time this season the Zips had a pair of receivers break the 100-yard plateau as WR Shocky Jacques-Louis and WR Daniel George posted career-high totals of 152 and 108 yards, respectively, as the duo each pulled in 11 catches versus the Bobcats.
• Twenty different Zips recorded a tackle versus Ohio, including eight newcomers.
• Five different Zips posted five or more tackles against the Bobcats, led by a team-high nine tackles two solo and seven assists) from LB Bubba Arslanian and seven tackles from DB Nate Thompson.
• Six Zips recorded career-high marks for tackles against Ohio.
• RB Clyde Price III rushed for a career-high three touchdowns on 39 yards versus the Bobcats, while TE Tristian Brank posted a career-best 69 yards on a career-high six catches.
• PK Noah Perez struck a pair of field goals, including a career-long 42-yard attempt at Ohio, while going a perfect 4-for-4 in extra-point attempts.
• The Zips have posted an interception in four of Akron's six games this season.
• WR Shocky Jacques-Louis has registered three 100-yard receiving games this season pulling in eight catches for 122 yards against Saint Francis (Sept. 1), nine receptions for 103 yards at Tennessee (Sept. 17) and 11 catches for 152 yards at Ohio (Oct. 8). He enters play against Ohio rated 24th in the NCAA in receiving yards (509), 27th in receiving yards per game (84.8) and 32nd in receptions per outing (6.2).
• Akron is rated 28th in the NCAA in kickoff returns (23.21), 29th in red zone offense (.895), 32nd in blocked kicks (1), 33rd in passing offense (273.5) and 48th in first down offense (132).
• Individually, QB DJ Irons is rated 26th in passing yards (1,561), 29th in total offense (289.3) and 35th in passing yards per game (260.2), while WR Shocky Jacques-Louis is ranked 17th in kickoff returns (24.5), 23rd in combined kick returns (264) and 24th in all purpose yards (128.83). LB Bubba Arslanian is rated ninth total tackles (10.7) and 26th in solo tackles (5.2).
• LB Bubba Arslanian has sparked Akron's defensive efforts over the course of his decorated career having recorded 158 solo tackles, including 31 this season, and 161 career assisted tackles. He is ranked 18th among active career leaders across all divisions in total tackles (319), 24th in assisted tackles (161), 44th in solo tackles (158) and 61st in total tackles per game (7.98). Additionally, he is rated eighth in Division I in total tackles (319), ninth in total tackles per contest (7.98), 10th in assisted tackles (161), 20th in solo tackles (158) and 21st in solo tackles per tilt (3.95). Arslanian has had 10 or more total tackles in 20 of the last 28 games he has played in overall. Arslanian surpassed the 300-tackle plateau for his career against Bowling Green on Oct. 1, 2022.
• Junior QB Jeff Undercuffler, Jr. (Delran, N.J.), is rated 27th among active career D1 leaders in touchdown passes (59), 33rd in passes per game (28.64), 35th in total plays (6,099) and in total touchdowns responsible for (60), 42nd in passing yards (6,483), 43rd in passing yards per game (196.5), 50th in total offense (6,099) and 57th in completion percentage (.548).
• P Noah Gettman is ranked fifth among active career leaders in punting yards (9,386) and 14th in punts per game (5.13).
UP NEXT
Akron renews its rivalry with Kent State as the Zips travel to Dix Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 22 for a 12 p.m. showdown.
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Players Mentioned
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