Zips Fall 35-3 to Kentucky

Saturday, September 16

Lexington, Ky.

7:30 PM

University of Akron

1-2 , 0-0

Kentucky

3-0 , 0-0

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Akron

Kentucky

September 16 | Football

Box Score Photo Gallery

LEXINGTON, Kentucky -- Akron fell 35-3 to Kentucky at Kroger Field on Saturday night as the Wildcats improved to 3-0 on the season while the Zips dropped to 1-2.

Akron RB Lorenzo Lingard paced the Zips rushing attack, gaining 30 yards on seven carries to average 4.3 yards per carry. Lingard tacked on 41 receiving yards, while QB Dj Irons also added 30 yards on the ground and threw for 130 yards, completing 23 of 34 passes.

Jasaiah Gathings led the receiving corps, pulling in five catches for 43 yards and Daniel George caught six passes for 36 yards.

The Zips won the turnover battle in Saturday's game, forcing three turnovers while coughing the ball up one time, Shammond Cooper forced a fumble and Darrian Lewis recovered the loose ball, Tyson Durant recorded an interception and Corey Thomas, Jr. recovered a second UK fumble. Cooper posted a team-best five tackles, Lewis, Bryan McCoy and CJ Nunnally followed with four tackles each. Nunnally recorded the Zips' lone sack for an eight-yard loss.

How It Happened
Akron responded to an early 14-0 Kentucky advantage with a third quarter field goal to narrow the deficit to 14-3. Akron didn't score again in the game and Kentucky added 21 more points to finish off the scoring.

Game Notes
» Kentucky outgained Akron 450-239 in the contest.
» Akron won the turnover battle 3-1 after intercepting one pass and recovering two fumbles.
» Akron tallied 3 points in the third quarter, accounting for 100% of their total score.
» Akron converted 6 of 15 third downs while Kentucky was successful on 5 of 8.
» Akron won the time of possession battle 34:47 to 25:13.
» Irons completed 67.6% of his passes on the day, going 23-for-34.
» Devin Leary led the Wildcats passing attack, completing 16 of his 26 attempts for 315 yards and three touchdowns with one interception.
» Ray Davis was Kentucky's leading receiver with 97 yards and one touchdown.