Week 9 Preview: Akron Travels to Buffalo

Saturday, October 25

Buffalo, NY

1 PM

University of Akron

Buffalo

Photo by: Samantha Blankenship/Ball State University

October 22 | Football

Game 9 – Akron Zips (2-6, 1-3 MAC) at Buffalo (4-3, 3-0 MAC)

WHATS AHEAD
On Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025, the Akron Zips look to snap a Buffalo's seven-game winning streak over the Zips at UB Stadium. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. ET as ESPN+ will broadcast the game with Shawn Kenney (PxP) and Ryan Cavanaugh (Analyst) on the call.

TV: ESPN+ - Shawn Kenney (PxP) and Ryan Cavanaugh (Analyst)
Radio: Akron Sports Network - (iHeart Radio,) - David Skoczen (pxp), Joe Dunn (analyst)
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
Buffalo (4-3, 3-0 MAC)
Pete Lembo (Georgetown, 1992)
at Buffalo (2nd): 13-7
Overall (17th): 125-72

Akron Zips (2-6, 1-3 MAC)
Joe Moorhead (Fordham, 1996)
at Akron (4th): 10-34
Overall (10th): 62-59

SERIES HISTORY
Buffalo Leads: 13-11
Last Meeting: Buffalo def. Akron, 41-30 (Akron, Ohio - Nov. 2, 2024)
Last Meeting in Buffalo: Buffalo def. Akron, 23-22 (Buffalo, N.Y. – Dec 2, 2022)
Last Meeting in Akron: Buffalo def. Akron, 41-30 (Akron, Ohio - Nov. 2, 2024)

Akron and Buffalo are meeting for the 25th time in program history with the series standing at 13-11 in Buffalo's favor. In the last meeting between the two schools, Buffalo claimed a 41-30 win at InfoCision Stadium Summa Health Field. In 2023, The Bulls pulled off a double overtime victory (13-10) in Akron. Buffalo is riding a seven-game winning streak [24-6 (2018), 21-0 (2019), 56-7 (2020), 45-10 (2021), 23-22 (2022), 13-10 2OT (2023), 41-30 (2024)]. The last win for the Zips came in 2017 at InfoCision Stadium as Akron defeated Buffalo 21-20 (Oct. 28).

The series between the two schools dates back to the 1999 campaign when Akron earned an 17-10 road victory over Buffalo (Buffalo, N.Y. - Sept. 11, 1999). The Zips and Bulls have met every season since 2014.

SCOUTING BUFFALO
Under 2nd-year head coach Pete Lembo, the Bulls currently sit at 4-3 overall and an unblemished 3-0 in MAC play, defeating Kent State 20-14, Eastern Michigan 31-30 and UMass 28-21. Buffalo averages 25.57 points per game on 368.6 total yards of offense per game. The Bulls attack averages 215.86 yards through the air and 152.7 yards on the ground. Defensively, opponents average 21.29 points on 338.7 yards per game, allowing 189.7 yards in the air and 149.0 on the ground.

QB Ta'quan Roberson leads the offense, completing 114 of 188 attempts with three interceptions for 1,337 yards (222.83 avg) and 10 touchdowns. Victor Snow leads the receiving corps with 522 yards and 74.57 yards per game on 37 receptions with seven touchdowns. Nik Mcmillan (26-308 yds, TD), Jasaiah Gathings (19-234 yds) and Al-Jay Henderson (22-172 yds, TD) . Henderson provides the bulk of the work on the ground, averaging 3.6 yards per carry on 132 attempts for 477 yards and four TDs. Lamar Sperling shares the groundwork with 30 carries for 194 yards (32.2 yards per game and 6.4 per rush) with one TD.

Defensively, Buffalo generated 47 tackles for loss of 202 yards with 20 sacks (122 yds). Red Murdock paces the defense with 79 tackles with a team-high 9.5 TFL (49 yds). Dion Crawford follows with 52 tackles and 2.5 TFL and sacks for seven yards of loss. Mitchell Gonser and Miles Greer follow with 46 and 45 total tackles, respectively.

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 DOAK WALKER NATIONAL RUNNING BACK OF THE WEEK (Oct.7)
Akron running back Jordan Gant led all FBS players in rushing yards last weekend with his career-high 176 yards and added a receiving touchdown as the Zips defeated Central Michigan 28-22. Gant is the Doak Walker National Running Back of the Week.

Gant's 16-yard catch-and-run touchdown with 3:13 left before halftime put Akron (2-4, 1-1) ahead for good at 14-10. He finished with a season-high of 28 receiving yards to total 204 all-purpose yards.

It was a banner effort for the 5-foot-10 redshirt junior from Lakeland, Fla. Gant has posted 100-yard rushing games in two of Akron's last three games and he is now tied for 19th in FBS rushing with 476 yards with three touchdowns. Akron outgained Central Michigan 417-374 and the run game helped them convert 9 of 15 third downs.

Both of Akron's wins have come with Gant topping 100 yards, although his first start didn't come until Sept. 27 at Toledo. His other top game was taking 13 carries for 161 yards and three touchdowns in a Sept. 20 win against Duquesne, a performance that made him the Mid-American Conference Offensive Player of the Week. His 5.73 yards per carry on the season (83 attempts) list 42nd nationally. The surge in the past three games for Akron's rushing leader has upped his per-game yardage to 79.3 for the season.

Gant transferred to Akron following three seasons at Tennessee State. In 2024 he appeared in 14 games and rushed for 251 yards on 70 attempts, scoring one rushing touchdown and twice with receptions.

Gant now joins the members of the preseason Doak Walker Award candidates list among the strong group of players vying for the prestigious honor.

GANT EARNS MAC OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK (Sept. 22)
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 nine turnovers in eight games. The defense has also been strong in the red zone, limiting opponents to scores on just 74.1-percent of trips (2nd in MAC), including forcing three turnovers inside the 20, including a key stop at the end of the half against CMU. As a unit, the Zips' defense has demonstrated the ability to limit big plays and create turnovers, keeping the team competitive in every matchup. With continued growth and cohesion, Akron's defense is poised to remain a cornerstone of the team's success as the season progresses.

Individually, linebacker Shammond Cooper (53 tackles) and fellow linebacker DiMarco Johnson (47) anchor the middle, combining for 12.29 tackles per game. Defensive back Malcom DeWalt IV has emerged as a difference-maker with 36 tackles, seven breakups and a pick-six, while corner Elijah Reed has a pair of interceptions and safety Markus Boswell recovered a fumble and took it to the house. Up front, Bruno Dall has provided steady pressure with 7.5 tackles for loss (33 yds) and four sacks (25 yds), giving Akron a proven disruptor on the defensive line. The defensive line posted five sacks against Central Michigan and recorded 16 for the season with a loss of 100 yrads. Julien Laventure (3-18 yds) , Cyrus Durham (3-10 yds) and Gage Summers (1-8 yds) .

OFFENSIVE OUTPUT
The University of Akron Zips' 2025 offense has shown real promise, highlighted by strong individual performances. QB Ben Finley has been the offensive cornerstone, leading the team with 1,448 passing yards. His performance includes a notable 252-yard, three-touchdown outing against Central Michigan and 291-yard outburst with three TD's against Ball State.

RB Jordan Gant has emerged as a dynamic force in the backfield. After transferring from Tennessee State, Gant has accumulated 605 rushing yards, averaging 5.2 yards per carry. His breakout performance came in Week 6 against Central Michigan, where he rushed for 176 yards and a touchdown, earning him the Doak Walker National Running Back of the Week honor. Sean Patrick has also contributed for the RB room (55 att, 243 yds, 4.4/rush, 1 TD, 25 yd long, 40.5 yds/g).

WR Kyan Mason leads the receiving corps with 371 yards and three TDs. WRs Israel Polk and Myles Walker follow with 293 and 189 yards receiving, while Polk earned paydirt 5 times. TE room also productive in the passing game as Conner Cravaack and Max Whisner caught TD passes against CMU.

The O-Line faced challenges early, but has held ground as of late to establish a consistent running game and protecting the quarterback.

SPECIAL TEAMS
Akron's special teams have been a consistent strength in 2025, providing the Zips with strong field position and momentum. P Joseph Castle has averaged 43.3 yards per punt, with eight kicks over 50 yards and 10 pinned inside the 20-yard line. Brayden Johnson adds depth, averaging 43.9 yards per punt. In the return game, Brandon Hills leads with 424 yards on 19 returns (22.3-yard average), including a long of 33 yards. Terence Thomas contributes with 48 yards on two returns (24.0-yard average), highlighted by a 25-yard return. Sean Patrick has handled punt returns, posting a 9.7-yard average with a long of 15. On the kicking front, Owen Wiley and Matthew Schramm are a combined 8-of-14 on field goals. Akron is a perfect 16-for-16 on PATs. With strong punting, reliable returns, and dependable placekicking, Akron's special teams have been a dependable strength 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
Akron returns to InfoCision Stadium for the first two mid-week #MACtion games, hosting UMass on Tuesday, Nov. 4 at 7 p.m. followed by the Wagon Wheel game against rival Kent State on Nov. 11 at 730 p.m.