The University of Akron Athletics
Saturday, September 10
East Lansing, Mich.
4:00 PM
University of Akron
at
Michigan State
Akron Faces No. 11/14 Michigan State
September 08 | Football
Akron (1-0) at No. 11/14 Michigan State (1-0)
Saturday, Sept. 10
Spartan Stadium
East Lansing, Mich. • 4 p.m.
Series History: Michigan State leads 2-0
Live Stats:Â www.GoZips.com
Live Stream: www.GoZips.com (subscription may be required)
Television:Â www.GoZips.com (subscription may be required)
Radio:Â 640 WHLO AM (Dave Skoczen - pxp and Joe Dunn - color)
Â
WHAT'S AHEAD
The University of Akron football team travels to East Lansing, Mich., for a showdown with No. 11/14 Michigan State on Saturday, Sept. 10. The 4 p.m. tilt will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network with Chris Vosters and Matt Millen calling the action with a link on GoZips.com.
HEAD COACHES
Michigan State: Mel Tucker (Wisconsin, 1995), overall record: 19-14 (Fourth Season)/record at Michigan State: 19-14 (Fourth Season)
Akron: Joe Moorhead (Fordham, 1996), overall record - 53-25 (Seventh Season)/record at Akron - 1-0 (First Season)
SERIES HISTORY
Akron is meeting Michigan State for the third time in program history. The two teams last met over a century ago as the Zips traveled to East Lansing, Mich., during both the 1913 and 1914 campaigns.
SCOUTING MICHIGAN STATE
Michigan State comes into action versus Akron on the heels of a 35-13 victory over Western Michigan on Friday, Sept. 2.
Redshirt junior QB Payton Thorne paces the Spartans' attack passing for 233 yards, including throwing four touchdowns against the Broncos. Redshirt sophomore RB Jalen Berger rushed for 120 yards and a touchdown, while sophomore WR Keon Coleman hauled in four passes for a team-best 84 yards versus Western Michigan.
Defensively, the quartet of redshirt senior LB Ben VanSumeren, junior S Angelo Grose, sophomore CB Charles Brantley and redshirt sophomore LB Cal Haladay combined to record 11, 11, 10 and 10 tackles, including posting two, four, six and two solo stops, respectively. Michigan State tallied seven sacks and 11 tackles for a loss versus Western Michigan, including a four-sack effort from senior LB Jacoby Windmon.
As a team, the Spartans average 35.0 points per game, while holding their opponents to 13.0 per outing. Michigan State has thrown for 233.0 yards and rushed for 197.0 yards per tilt.
As a team, the Spartans lead the NCAA in team sacks (11) and winning percentage (1.000), while ranking second in fewest penalties per game (2.00), third in fewest penalties (2), sixth in passing yards per completion (19.42), seventh in team tackles for a loss (11.0), 10th in recovered fumbles (2), 15th in fewest penalty yards (30.00), 28th in punt returns (10.50), 29th in net punting (43.00) and team passing efficiency (178.22), 32nd in turnovers gained (2), 37th in scoring defense (13.0), 41st in fourth down conversion (.500), 43rd in team passing efficiency defense (103.37), 47th in rushing offense (197.0) and 50th in red zone defense (.750).
Individually, Thorne leads the NCAA in passing yards per completion (19.42), ninth in passing touchdowns (4), 17th in points responsible for (24), 27th in yards per pass attempt (9.71) and 32nd in passing efficiency (178.2). Windmon directs the NCAA in sacks (4), while Berger is 17th in rushing yards per game (120.0), 22nd in rush yards per carry (7.50) and 26th in rushing yards (120).
AKRON EARNS 30-23 SEASON-OPENING TRIUMPH
The Joe Moorhead era for Akron Zips football opened with a 30-23 overtime win over Saint Francis (Pa.) on Sept. 1 at InfoCision Stadium as redshirt junior QB DJ Irons (Lawrenceville, Ga.) threw for 286 yards and two touchdowns.
Irons completed 22-of-37 passes with a 41-yard long TD pass to senior WR Shocky Jacques-Louis (Fort Myers, Fla.). Jacques-Louis caught eight passes for 122 yards for a 15.25 average. On the ground, redshirt sophomore RB Cam Wiley (Las Vegas, Nev.) ran for 84 yards on 21 attempts with two touchdowns, including a pair of go-ahead scores and the Zips' final touchdown of the game. Akron finished the evening with 384 total yards of offense.
Redshirt senior LB Bubba Arslanian (Aurora, Ohio) and redshirt senior DL Victor Jones (Sacramento, Calif.) paced the Zips' defense with eight tackles apiece, recording five and six solo stops, respectively. In addition, sophomore CB Tyson Durant (Copley, Ohio) recorded Akron's lone takeaway on the final play of the game to secure the win with an interception in overtime.
ZIP TIDBITS
• QB DJ Irons completed 22-of-37 passes for 286 yards and two touchdowns in Akron's 30-23 season-opening victory against Saint Francis, including a 41-yard long TD pass in the fourth quarter to WR Shocky Jacques-Louis.
• WR Shocky Jacques-Louis pulled in eight catches for a game-high 122 yards, including a 41-yard touchdown in a win over Saint Francis. His biggest reception may have come in overtime delivering a 28-yard reception on a 2nd-and-19 play from the 34-yard line to set the groundwork for a game-winning touchdown from RB Cam Wiley. Six of his eight receptions went for five or more yards, including four double-figure yard receptions (17, 22, 28 and 41).
• RB Cam Wiley rushed for a team-best 84 yards on 21 carries and scored the game-winning touchdown from one yard out in overtime in his Akron debut.
• Redshirt senior WR Daniel George (Fort Washington, Md.) was equally impressive for Akron as he made four catches for 73 yards, including a 39-yard reception.
• Sophomore TE Tristian Brank (Asheville, N.C.) scored his first touchdown of the season and fourth of his career hauling in a nine-yard second-quarter strike from QB DJ Irons.
• DL Victor Jones sparked the Zips' defensive efforts in his Akron debut collecting a game-best eight tackles, including six solo stops, while tallying a team-high two tackles for a loss.
• LB Bubba Arslanian netted a game-high eight tackles, five solo stops, and recorded a tackle for a loss, while sophomore CB Darrian Lewis (Akron, Ohio) posted a career-best seven tackles.
• Arslanian has paced the Zips in tackles over his last 11 games overall and in 14 of Akron's last 16 contests he has appeared in dating back to the 2019 campaign.
• Twenty-two different Zips registered a tackle against Saint Francis, including 10 newcomers.
• Senior punter Noah Gettman (Daytona Beach, Fla.) registered seven punts for 330 yards and a 47.1 average versus Saint Francis. He punched a pair of 50+-yard kicks, including placing two inside the 20-yard line. His final two punts of the game went for 62 and 50 yards, respectively, including nailing a 62-yard strike down to the Saint Francis eight yard line.
• Akron went a perfect 4-for-4 in the red zone against Saint Francis, including three touchdowns.
• Akron is rated first in the NCAA in red zone offense (1.000), eighth in net punting (46.57), 10th in turnover margin (2.00), 18th in fewest penalty yards per game (4.00), 19th in fewest penalties (4) and fumble recoveries (1), 28th in third down conversion defense (.250) and fourth down conversions (.667), 32nd in turnovers gained (2), 33rd in interceptions (1), 37th in fewest penalty yards (42.0), 42nd in team sacks (2), 44th in passing offense (13.00) and yards per completion (13.00) and 48th in team tackles for a loss (6.0).
• Individually, WR Shocky Jacques-Louis is rated 14th in the NCAA in receptions per tilt (8.0), 15th in receiving yards per game (122.0), 28th in receiving yards (122.0), 37th in all-purpose yards (136.0), while RB Cam Wiley ranks 20th in touchdowns (2), 21st in scoring (12.0) and 36th in total points scored (12.0). Additionally, P Noah Gettman is 10th in the country in punting (47.1).
• LB Bubba Arslanian has sparked Akron's defensive efforts over the course of his decorated career having recorded 127 solo tackles, including five this season, and 131 career assisted tackles. He is ranked 33rd among active career leaders across all divisions in total tackles (263) and assisted tackles (131), 59th in solo tackles (132) and 60th in total tackles per game (7.51). Additionally, he is rated 10th in Division I in total tackles per contest (7.51), 13th in assisted tackles (131), 15th in total tackles (263), 23rd in solo tackles per tilt (3.77) and 30th in solo tackles (132). Arslanian has had 10 or more total tackles in 17 of the last 23 games he has played in overall. Arslanian surpassed the 250-tackle plateau for his career against Ohio State on Sept. 25, 2021.
• P Noah Gettman is ranked sixth among active career leaders in punting yards (8,298) and eighth in punts per game (5.10).
UP NEXT
Akron travels to Knoxville, Tenn., to battle Tennessee in a 7 p.m. game on Saturday, Sept. 17.
Â
Saturday, Sept. 10
Spartan Stadium
East Lansing, Mich. • 4 p.m.
Series History: Michigan State leads 2-0
Live Stats:Â www.GoZips.com
Live Stream: www.GoZips.com (subscription may be required)
Television:Â www.GoZips.com (subscription may be required)
Radio:Â 640 WHLO AM (Dave Skoczen - pxp and Joe Dunn - color)
Â
WHAT'S AHEAD
The University of Akron football team travels to East Lansing, Mich., for a showdown with No. 11/14 Michigan State on Saturday, Sept. 10. The 4 p.m. tilt will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network with Chris Vosters and Matt Millen calling the action with a link on GoZips.com.
HEAD COACHES
Michigan State: Mel Tucker (Wisconsin, 1995), overall record: 19-14 (Fourth Season)/record at Michigan State: 19-14 (Fourth Season)
Akron: Joe Moorhead (Fordham, 1996), overall record - 53-25 (Seventh Season)/record at Akron - 1-0 (First Season)
SERIES HISTORY
Akron is meeting Michigan State for the third time in program history. The two teams last met over a century ago as the Zips traveled to East Lansing, Mich., during both the 1913 and 1914 campaigns.
SCOUTING MICHIGAN STATE
Michigan State comes into action versus Akron on the heels of a 35-13 victory over Western Michigan on Friday, Sept. 2.
Redshirt junior QB Payton Thorne paces the Spartans' attack passing for 233 yards, including throwing four touchdowns against the Broncos. Redshirt sophomore RB Jalen Berger rushed for 120 yards and a touchdown, while sophomore WR Keon Coleman hauled in four passes for a team-best 84 yards versus Western Michigan.
Defensively, the quartet of redshirt senior LB Ben VanSumeren, junior S Angelo Grose, sophomore CB Charles Brantley and redshirt sophomore LB Cal Haladay combined to record 11, 11, 10 and 10 tackles, including posting two, four, six and two solo stops, respectively. Michigan State tallied seven sacks and 11 tackles for a loss versus Western Michigan, including a four-sack effort from senior LB Jacoby Windmon.
As a team, the Spartans average 35.0 points per game, while holding their opponents to 13.0 per outing. Michigan State has thrown for 233.0 yards and rushed for 197.0 yards per tilt.
As a team, the Spartans lead the NCAA in team sacks (11) and winning percentage (1.000), while ranking second in fewest penalties per game (2.00), third in fewest penalties (2), sixth in passing yards per completion (19.42), seventh in team tackles for a loss (11.0), 10th in recovered fumbles (2), 15th in fewest penalty yards (30.00), 28th in punt returns (10.50), 29th in net punting (43.00) and team passing efficiency (178.22), 32nd in turnovers gained (2), 37th in scoring defense (13.0), 41st in fourth down conversion (.500), 43rd in team passing efficiency defense (103.37), 47th in rushing offense (197.0) and 50th in red zone defense (.750).
Individually, Thorne leads the NCAA in passing yards per completion (19.42), ninth in passing touchdowns (4), 17th in points responsible for (24), 27th in yards per pass attempt (9.71) and 32nd in passing efficiency (178.2). Windmon directs the NCAA in sacks (4), while Berger is 17th in rushing yards per game (120.0), 22nd in rush yards per carry (7.50) and 26th in rushing yards (120).
AKRON EARNS 30-23 SEASON-OPENING TRIUMPH
The Joe Moorhead era for Akron Zips football opened with a 30-23 overtime win over Saint Francis (Pa.) on Sept. 1 at InfoCision Stadium as redshirt junior QB DJ Irons (Lawrenceville, Ga.) threw for 286 yards and two touchdowns.
Irons completed 22-of-37 passes with a 41-yard long TD pass to senior WR Shocky Jacques-Louis (Fort Myers, Fla.). Jacques-Louis caught eight passes for 122 yards for a 15.25 average. On the ground, redshirt sophomore RB Cam Wiley (Las Vegas, Nev.) ran for 84 yards on 21 attempts with two touchdowns, including a pair of go-ahead scores and the Zips' final touchdown of the game. Akron finished the evening with 384 total yards of offense.
Redshirt senior LB Bubba Arslanian (Aurora, Ohio) and redshirt senior DL Victor Jones (Sacramento, Calif.) paced the Zips' defense with eight tackles apiece, recording five and six solo stops, respectively. In addition, sophomore CB Tyson Durant (Copley, Ohio) recorded Akron's lone takeaway on the final play of the game to secure the win with an interception in overtime.
ZIP TIDBITS
• QB DJ Irons completed 22-of-37 passes for 286 yards and two touchdowns in Akron's 30-23 season-opening victory against Saint Francis, including a 41-yard long TD pass in the fourth quarter to WR Shocky Jacques-Louis.
• WR Shocky Jacques-Louis pulled in eight catches for a game-high 122 yards, including a 41-yard touchdown in a win over Saint Francis. His biggest reception may have come in overtime delivering a 28-yard reception on a 2nd-and-19 play from the 34-yard line to set the groundwork for a game-winning touchdown from RB Cam Wiley. Six of his eight receptions went for five or more yards, including four double-figure yard receptions (17, 22, 28 and 41).
• RB Cam Wiley rushed for a team-best 84 yards on 21 carries and scored the game-winning touchdown from one yard out in overtime in his Akron debut.
• Redshirt senior WR Daniel George (Fort Washington, Md.) was equally impressive for Akron as he made four catches for 73 yards, including a 39-yard reception.
• Sophomore TE Tristian Brank (Asheville, N.C.) scored his first touchdown of the season and fourth of his career hauling in a nine-yard second-quarter strike from QB DJ Irons.
• DL Victor Jones sparked the Zips' defensive efforts in his Akron debut collecting a game-best eight tackles, including six solo stops, while tallying a team-high two tackles for a loss.
• LB Bubba Arslanian netted a game-high eight tackles, five solo stops, and recorded a tackle for a loss, while sophomore CB Darrian Lewis (Akron, Ohio) posted a career-best seven tackles.
• Arslanian has paced the Zips in tackles over his last 11 games overall and in 14 of Akron's last 16 contests he has appeared in dating back to the 2019 campaign.
• Twenty-two different Zips registered a tackle against Saint Francis, including 10 newcomers.
• Senior punter Noah Gettman (Daytona Beach, Fla.) registered seven punts for 330 yards and a 47.1 average versus Saint Francis. He punched a pair of 50+-yard kicks, including placing two inside the 20-yard line. His final two punts of the game went for 62 and 50 yards, respectively, including nailing a 62-yard strike down to the Saint Francis eight yard line.
• Akron went a perfect 4-for-4 in the red zone against Saint Francis, including three touchdowns.
• Akron is rated first in the NCAA in red zone offense (1.000), eighth in net punting (46.57), 10th in turnover margin (2.00), 18th in fewest penalty yards per game (4.00), 19th in fewest penalties (4) and fumble recoveries (1), 28th in third down conversion defense (.250) and fourth down conversions (.667), 32nd in turnovers gained (2), 33rd in interceptions (1), 37th in fewest penalty yards (42.0), 42nd in team sacks (2), 44th in passing offense (13.00) and yards per completion (13.00) and 48th in team tackles for a loss (6.0).
• Individually, WR Shocky Jacques-Louis is rated 14th in the NCAA in receptions per tilt (8.0), 15th in receiving yards per game (122.0), 28th in receiving yards (122.0), 37th in all-purpose yards (136.0), while RB Cam Wiley ranks 20th in touchdowns (2), 21st in scoring (12.0) and 36th in total points scored (12.0). Additionally, P Noah Gettman is 10th in the country in punting (47.1).
• LB Bubba Arslanian has sparked Akron's defensive efforts over the course of his decorated career having recorded 127 solo tackles, including five this season, and 131 career assisted tackles. He is ranked 33rd among active career leaders across all divisions in total tackles (263) and assisted tackles (131), 59th in solo tackles (132) and 60th in total tackles per game (7.51). Additionally, he is rated 10th in Division I in total tackles per contest (7.51), 13th in assisted tackles (131), 15th in total tackles (263), 23rd in solo tackles per tilt (3.77) and 30th in solo tackles (132). Arslanian has had 10 or more total tackles in 17 of the last 23 games he has played in overall. Arslanian surpassed the 250-tackle plateau for his career against Ohio State on Sept. 25, 2021.
• P Noah Gettman is ranked sixth among active career leaders in punting yards (8,298) and eighth in punts per game (5.10).
UP NEXT
Akron travels to Knoxville, Tenn., to battle Tennessee in a 7 p.m. game on Saturday, Sept. 17.
Â
Players Mentioned
LB
/ Football
TE
/ Football
CB
/ Football
WR
/ Football
P
/ Football
WR
/ Football
DL
/ Football
CB
/ Football
2025 Akron Zips Football Post-Game Press Conference vs. Duquesne - Student-Athletes - 9/20/25
Sunday, September 21
2025 Akron Zips Football Post-Game Press Conference vs. Duquesne - Coach Moorhead - 9/20/25
Sunday, September 21
2025 Zips Weekly with Joe Moorhead - Episode #4 - UAB Recap - 09.16.25
Thursday, September 18
2025 Akron Zips Football - Weekly Press Conference with Joe Moorhead Week #4 (Duquesne) - 9/15/25
Monday, September 15
