The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
2-9 , 1-6
Northern Illinois
3-9 , 2-6
Zips Roll Huskies, 44-12, Undercuffler Posts Career Day
November 26 | Football
DEKALB, Ill. – The University of Akron football team scored 27 unanswered points en route to a 44-12 win over Northern Illinois behind a career performance by junior QB Jeff Undercuffler, Jr. (Burlington, N.J.) at Huskie Stadium on Saturday.
The victory marked the first for the Zips versus the Huskies since a 48-42 triumph in the Mid-American Conference title game and the initial road win in Dekalb, Ill., since a 34-17 decision in 1996.
The Zips (2-9, 1-6 MAC) generated 512 yards of total offense as Undercuffler threw for a career-best 312 yards and a career-high three touchdown passes on 21-of-32 passing with one Interception. Undercuffler found sophomore WR Alex Adams (Osyka, Miss.) for two touchdowns, including a 61-yard strike for six points. Adams led the receiving corps with 150 yards on seven snags and gained 83 after the catch. Redshirt junior WR Daniel George (Fort Washington, Md.) hauled in seven passes for 96 yards and a touchdown with a 43-yard long reception.
On the ground, redshirt sophomore RB Cam Wiley (Las Vegas, Nev.) averaged 5.3 yards per carry and gained 128 yards on 24 attempts with a 29-yard long run. The Zips registered a total of 200 yards on the ground as redshirt sophomore RB Clyde Price III (Kansas City, Mo.) followed with 45 yards on seven carries with a touchdown, while freshman RB Charles Kellom (Cincinnati, Ohio) had two carries for 27 yards.
The Akron defense denied the Huskies a touchdown, but scored one of their own as sophomore CB Tyson Durant (Copley, Ohio) recorded the pick-6, scampering 76 yards for a touchdown. Akron forced the home team to settle for four field goals. Redshirt junior DB Nate Thompson (Sanford, N.C.) and redshirt senior LB Bubba Arslanian (Aurora, Ohio) led the defense with nine tackles apiece as Thompson had six solo stops with three assisted takedowns and Arslanian posted five solo, four assisted and one tackle for a loss. Victor Jones recorded both of the Zips sacks for 16 yards of loss as part of his five tackles on the day. Collectively, the Zips posted nine pass break-ups and five quarterback hurries on the afternoon.
After the Huskies (3-9, 2-6 MAC) established a 6-0 lead on a pair of field goals, Undercuffler marched the Zips down the field with a seven-play, 59-yard drive that ended on the foot of senior PK Cory Smigel (North Royalton, Ohio) connecting on a field goal from 33 yards out. The Zips followed two touchdown drives as Undercuffler found George for the Zips first touchdown catch and Adams for the second. Smigel connected with a 31-yard field goal and Adams posted a 61-yard touchdown reception for the Zips 27-6 advantage by the 10:45 mark in the third quarter.
Following a 34-yard field goal, Akron added 17 more points on the scoreboard as Price found pay dirt on an eight-yard run, Durant returned an interception for 76 yards and Smigel launched a 31-yard field goal attempt through the uprights.
Akron closes out its season with a 1 p.m. rescheduled contest at Buffalo on Friday, Dec. 2.
Team Stats
ZIPS 0, NIU 3
NIU - Richardson,John 22 yd field goal 13 plays, 53 yards, TOP 5:35
ZIPS 0, NIU 6
NIU - Richardson,John 32 yd field goal 12 plays, 33 yards, TOP 5:33
ZIPS 3, NIU 6
ZIPS - Smigel,Cory 33 yd field goal 7 plays, 59 yards, TOP 2:58
ZIPS 10, NIU 6
ZIPS - George,Daniel 15 yd pass from Undercuffler,Je (Smigel,Cory kick) 10 plays, 84 yards, TOP 4:28
ZIPS 17, NIU 6
ZIPS - Adams,Alex 4 yd pass from Undercuffler,Je (Smigel,Cory kick) 5 plays, 35 yards, TOP 2:19
ZIPS 20, NIU 6
ZIPS - Smigel,Cory 31 yd field goal 11 plays, 78 yards, TOP 1:32
ZIPS 27, NIU 6
ZIPS - Adams,Alex 61 yd pass from Undercuffler,Je (Smigel,Cory kick) 3 plays, 73 yards, TOP 1:17
ZIPS 27, NIU 9
NIU - Richardson,John 34 yd field goal 12 plays, 59 yards, TOP 4:40
ZIPS 34, NIU 9
ZIPS - Price III,Clyde 8 yd run (Smigel,Cory kick), 11 plays, 88 yards, TOP 6:01
ZIPS 41, NIU 9
ZIPS - Durant,Tyson 76 yd interception (Smigel,Cory kick)
ZIPS 44, NIU 9
ZIPS - Smigel,Cory 31 yd field goal 8 plays, 54 yards, TOP 3:43
ZIPS 44, NIU 12
NIU - Richardson,John 24 yd field goal 8 plays, 32 yards, TOP 2:51
