Late Drive Propels Buffalo to 23-22 Triumph Over Akron

Friday, December 2

Buffalo, N.Y.

1:00 PM

University of Akron

2-10 , 1-7

Buffalo

6-6 , 5-3

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Akron

Buffalo

Late Drive Propels Buffalo to 23-22 Triumph Over Akron

December 02 | Football

Box Score

BOXSCORE (PDF)

BUFFALO, N.Y. – A late fourth-quarter touchdown lifted Buffalo to a come-from-behind 23-22 triumph past The University of Akron football team in the season finale for the Zips on Friday, Dec. 2 at UB Stadium.

Akron under the direction of first-year head coach Joe Moorhead displayed tenacity and strength in earning an early lead and forcing the Bulls to play from behind en route to placing the Zips in position to garner their second consecutive road victory.

Redshirt junior QB Jeff Undercuffler, Jr. (Delran, N.J.), directed Akron's offensive efforts throwing for 254 yards on 29-of-46 passing, including a pair of touchdown strikes.

Redshirt sophomore RB Clyde Price III (Kansas City, Mo.) led Akron's rushing efforts with 79 yards on 19 carries.

Redshirt junior WR Daniel George (Fort Washington, Md.) hauled in a team-high seven catches for a game-best 100 yards, including a 16-yard touchdown reception. Redshirt senior WR Shocky Jacques-Louis (Fort Myers, Fla.) registered five catches for 94 yards, while sophomore WR Alex Adams (Osyka, Miss.) recorded seven receptions for 18 yards, with a one-yard touchdown catch. Redshirt junior TE TJ Banks (North Versailes, Pa.) added three catches, while sophomore OL Tony Georges (Westlake, Ohio) earned his first career reception on a deflected pass.

Redshirt senior LB Bubba Arslanian (Aurora, Ohio) led Akron's defensive efforts with a team-high 11 tackles, including five solo stops, while collecting one tackle for a loss and a quarterback hurry. Redshirt sophomore DB KJ Martin (Charleston, W,Va.) added seven tackles and a tackle for a loss, while redshirt senior DL Victor Jones (Sacramento, Calif.) and redshirt senior DL Zach Morton (Detroit, Mich.) each posted a quarterback sack.

HOW IT HAPPENED
• The Zips assumed a 7-0 lead when George hauled in a 16-yard touchdown pass from Undercuffler. The reception capped an 11-play, 97-yard drive that was set up by a fourth down defensive stop.
• Akron appeared to extend their lead to 13-0 when redshirt freshman TE Grant Gainer (Akron, Ohio) recovered a muffed punt in the Buffalo end zone. After video review the punter was ruled down in the end zone resulting in a safety and a 9-0 Zips' advantage.
• On Buffalo's opening drive of the second quarter, sophomore LB Andrew Behm (Appleton, Wis.) forced a fumble that was recovered at the Bulls' 26-yard line by redshirt freshman CB Darrian Lewis (Akron, Ohio).
• The Zips capitalized on the turnover with a one-yard touchdown pass from Undercuffler to Adams.
• The Bulls registered a 43-yard field goal before closing the half with a touchdown to trail at the intermission, 16-10.
• Buffalo took its first lead of the game, 17-16, in the third quarter with a six-yard touchdown strike.
• The Zips regained the lead, 22-17, on a 17-yard touchdown run by Price with 8:25 left in the game.
• With 4:55 left in the game, sophomore DB Tyson Durant (Copley, Ohio) pulled in an interception and returned it 32 yards to the Buffalo 38-yard line. Unfortunately, for Akron, the Zips turned the ball over on the ensuing play to set the stage for the Bulls' game-winning drive.
• Buffalo scored the game-winner on a 4-and-10 play from the Akron 16-yard line with 1:15 left in the contest.
• An interception thwarted the Zips' final drive as Buffalo held on to earn bowl eligibility.

ABOUT ZIPS ATHLETICS
Founded in 1870, The University of Akron (UA) is one of Ohio's most influential public urban research universities, conducting high-quality research in focused areas of excellence, contributing to the vitality of the local economy, and providing a workforce highly trained in diverse disciplines. The University offers more than 200 degree programs, including unique, highly ranked associate, bachelor's, master's, doctoral and law degrees — with accreditations by 35 professional agencies. UA is focused on innovation, entrepreneurship, investment in community and economic growth. Akron sponsors 17 NCAA Division I sports with more than 500 student-athletes. Learn more at gozips.com.