Game 6 Preview: Akron Hosts Central Michigan for Zippy's Fall Fest Homecoming & Family Weekend

Saturday, October 4

Akron, Ohio

3:30 pm

University of Akron

Central Michigan

Tickets

Game 6 Preview: Akron Hosts Central Michigan for Zippy's Fall Fest Homecoming & Family Weekend

October 01 | Football

Game Notes

Game 6 – Central Michigan (3-2, 1-0 MAC) at Akron (1-4, 0-1 MAC)

WHATS AHEAD
On Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, the Akron Zips welcomes Central Michigan to InfoCision Stadium Summa Health Field for Zippy's Fall Fest Homecoming and Family Weekend. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET as the ESPN+ will broadcast the game with Michael Reghi (PxP) and Ryan Cavanaugh (Analyst) on the call.

TV: ESPN+ - Michael Reghi (PxP) and Ryan Cavanaugh (Analyst)
Radio: Akron Sports Network - (iHeart Radio,) - David Skoczen (pxp), Joe Dunn (analyst), Mark LaRose (Sideline)
WHLO 640 AM (flagship), WHK 1420 AM/102.5 FM, iHeart Radio, TheVarsityNetwork.com
Video Link: www.GoZips.com (subscription may be required)
Live Stats Link: www.GoZips.com

HEAD COACHES
Central Michigan Chippewas (3-2, 1-0 MAC)
Matt Drinkall(Western Illinois, 2005)
at Central Michigan (1st): 3-2
Overall (6th): 45-19

Akron Zips (1-4, 0-1 MAC)
Joe Moorhead (Fordham, 1996)
at Akron (4th): 9-32
Overall (10th): 61-57

SERIES HISTORY
Series: CMU leads 19-10-1
Last Meeting: Central Michigan def. Akron, 17-10 (Mount Pleasant, Mich. - Oct. 14, 2023)
Last Meeting at Akron: Central Michigan def. Akron, 28-21 (Akron, Ohio - Oct. 15, 2022)
Last Win for Akron: Akron def. Central Michigan, 17-10 (Akron, Ohio - Oct. 27, 2018)

Akron is meeting Central Michigan for the 31st time in program history with the Chippewas owning a 19-10-1 series advantage. The Chippewas claimed the last three meetings over the Zips with a 45-24 (Sept. 14, 2019) in Mount Pleasant, Mich., 28-21 (Oct. 15, 2022) in Akron and 17-10 (Oct. 14, 2023) in Mount Pleasant, Mich. The Zips posted a 17-10 victory at InfoCision Stadium on Oct. 27, 2018.

The series between the two schools dates back to the
1969 campaign when Akron earned a 9-7 road victory over Central Michigan.

SCOUTING CENTRAL MICHIGAN
Under first-year head coach Matt Drinkall, the Chippewas currently sit at 3-2 overall and 1-0 in MAC play, defeating Eastern Michigan 24-13 to open MAC play. CMU averages 21.8 points per game on 331.6 total yards of offense per game. The Chippewas attack averages 153.0 yards through the air and 178.6 yards on the ground. Defensively, opponents average 29.0 points on 374.8 yards per game, allowing 219.8 yards in the air and 155.0 on the ground.

QB Joe Labas leads the offense, completing 46 of 62 attempts with one interception for 560 yards (112.0 avg) and 5 touchdowns. Also behind center is Angel Flores (14 of 21, 117 yards, 2 TDs). Tommy Mcintosh leads the receiving corps with 183 yards and 36.60 yards per game on nine receptions with one touchdown. Nahree Biggins (11-146 yds) and Langston Lewis (14-123 yds) follow with 29.2 and 24.6 yards per game, respectively. Both have one touchdown, while Biggins caught a season-long 88 yard TD pass from Labas. Flores and Biggins provide the bulk of the work on the ground, averaging 4.7 and 5.1 yards per carry, respectively. Flores carried the ball 61 times for 289 yards (57.8 yds/g) with two TD,s while Biggins scored one touchdown on 242 yards (48.4/g) with 47 attempts.

Defensively, CMU generated 15 tackles for loss of 47 yards with 7 sacks (30 yds). Dakota Cochran (1 INT, 1 QBH, 1 FF), Elijah Gordon (1 TFL, 4 yds) and Jordan Kwiatkowski (0.5 TFL, 1 INT, 1 QBH) paces the defense with 28 tackles each. Michael Heldman registered 18 total tackles and leads the squad in tackles for loss (5.5 – 21 yds) and sacks (4.5 – 18 yds).

AKRON NAMES CAPTAINS FOR THE 2025 CAMPAIGN
The Zips elected senior QB Ben Finley (Phoenix, Ariz.) as captain for the second consecutive season. Finley is joined by senior OL Colin Lyons (McKeesport, Pa.), junior DL Julien Laventure (Upper Darby, Pa.) and sophomore DL Cyrus Durham (Atherton, Ca.) as captains in 2025.

GANT EARNS MAC OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Jordan Gant MAC Offensive Player of the Week on Monday (Sept. 22). Gant anchored the offensive efforts for the Zips in a 51-7 win over Duquesne (Sept. 20). Akron registered 514 yards of total offense, including 265 yards on the ground. Of the 265 rushing yards, Gant was responsible for 161 yards on only 13 carries, recording 12.4 yards per rush. Gant found the endzone three times, scoring 21 of the Zips 51 points. Gant set a career high in all three categories; rushing yards, touchdowns and yards per rushing attempt. Gant scored the initial touchdown of the game on a 17 rush, while PK Owen Wiley buried the PAT, with 8:02 left in the first quarter. Gant found paydirt twice in the second quarter to help give the Zips a commanding 38-0 advantage. His second TD of the game came with 8:34 left in the second frame, finishing a 53-yard drive with a nine-yard rush to the endzone. For his final score of the evening, Gant finished a 7-play, 60-yard drive with an eight-yard rushing touchdown. Wiley made both PATs.

THE ZIPS
DEFENSIVE STANCE
Akron's defense has shown flashes of real promise in 2025, highlighted by disruptive playmakers across all three levels. The Zips have forced six turnovers in five games and held Duquesne to just 230 total yards in a dominant 51-7 win, proving they can set the tone when the unit is clicking. The defense has also been strong in the red zone, limiting opponents to scores on just 78% of trips, including forcing three turnovers inside the 20.

Individually, linebacker Shammond Cooper (33 tackles) and fellow linebacker DiMarco Johnson (32) anchor the middle, combining for nearly 13 tackles per game. Defensive back Malcom DeWalt IV has emerged as a difference-maker with 24 tackles, four breakups and a pick-six, while corner Elijah Reed and safety Markus Boswell have added interceptions to bolster the secondary. Up front, Bruno Dall has provided steady pressure with 5.5 tackles for loss and three sacks, giving Akron a proven disruptor on the defensive line. With production spread across the lineup, the Zips have built a foundation that can continue to generate turnovers and key stops.

OFFENSIVE OUTPUT
Akron's offense has begun to find its rhythm in 2025, showing balance and the ability to strike both on the ground and through the air. The Zips' high point came in their 51-point outburst against Duquesne, where they racked up 514 total yards. Overall, the unit is averaging nearly 300 yards per game and has shown steady improvement in finishing drives, scoring on 80% of its red-zone trips.

On the ground, running back Jordan Gant has been a steady force with 300 rushing yards, three touchdowns, and a 5.9 yards-per-carry average, while Sean Patrick has added 199 yards and a score. Quarterback Ben Finley leads the passing game with 694 yards and four touchdowns, including a season-long 75-yard strike to Israel Polk. Polk has been the big-play target, averaging 16.3 yards per catch with two touchdowns, while Kyan Mason and Myles Walker provide reliable production with a combined 25 receptions. With playmakers stepping forward at the skill positions and improved efficiency inside the red zone, Akron's offense has shown it can create explosive plays and sustain drives when executing at its best.

SPECIAL TEAMS
Akron's special teams have been a bright spot in 2025, consistently giving the Zips a boost in field position and momentum. Punter Joseph Castle has been a weapon, averaging 44.9 yards per kick with seven punts of 50-plus yards and nine pinned inside the 20. His leg, combined with Brayden Johnson's 43.9-yard average, has helped Akron flip the field effectively.

In the return game, Brandon Hills has been steady and dangerous, averaging 22.5 yards per kick return with a long of 33, while Terence Thomas has chipped in with a 24-yard kick return average. Sean Patrick has handled punt returns, posting a 9.7-yard average highlighted by a 15-yard effort.

In the kicking game, Owen Wiley and Matthew Schramm have combined for 6-of-10 field goals, including makes from 41 and 39 yards, and the Zips are a perfect 8-for-8 on PATs. With reliable punting, solid return production, and dependable placekicking, special teams have been a consistent strength for Akron and a unit the Zips can continue to lean on.

WHO IS WEARING NO. 1
Senior WR Myles Walker and junior DL Julien Laventure and have emerged as leaders under fourth-year head coach Joe Moorhead and the duo was recently rewarded with the No. 1 jerseys for 2025.

Under Moorhead at Akron, head strength and conditioning coach Orie Sahlfeld identifies one player on each side of the ball that demonstrated their leadership both on and off the field over the course of the spring to earn the privilege of wearing the No. 1 jersey in the Akron Blue and Gold for the 2025 season.

"Coach Moorhead and I spoke about performance and leadership and all the qualities you want in someone in an elite or leadership position," said Sahlfeld. "They earned it all the way from January being accountable, holding their teammates to higher standards, doing all the little things right on a day-to-day basis and being consistent. They have a voice on the team and when they talk people listen. Both are the leaders on their side of the ball when it comes to holding their teammates accountable, having a high standard for themselves and their teammates and bringing people with them and picking people up when they're having bad days."

UP NEXT
The Akron Zips return to InfoCision Stadium-Summa Health Field on Saturday, Oct. 11, hosting the RedHawks of Miami. Kickoff is slated for Noon on ESPN+.