The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
UMass
Week 10 Preview: Zips Host UMass for Midweek #MACtion
October 31 | Football
Game 10 – Akron Zips (3-6, 2-3 MAC) vs UMass (0-8, 0-4 MAC)
WHATS AHEAD
On Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, the Akron Zips start midweek #MACtion play at InfoCision Stadium Summa Health Field against new MAC-member and old foe UMass. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. ET as CBS Sports Network will broadcast the game with Jordan Kent (PxP) and Logan Ryan (Analyst) on the call.
TV: CBSSN - Jordan Kent (PxP) and Logan Ryan (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
UMass (0-8, 0-4 MAC)
Joe Harasymiak (Springfield, 2008)
at UMass (1st): 0-8
Overall (4th): 20-23
Akron Zips (3-6, 2-3 MAC)
Joe Moorhead (Fordham, 1996)
at Akron (4th): 11-34
Overall (10th): 63-59
SERIES HISTORY
Last Meeting: Umass def. Akron, 37-29 (Amherst, Mass. – Sept. 28, 2019)
Last Meeting in Amherst: Umass def. Akron, 37-29 (Amherst, Mass. – Sept. 28, 2019)
Last Meeting in Akron: Akron def. UMass, 30-6 (Akron, Ohio - Nov. 2, 2024)
Tuesday's game is the sixth meeting between Akron and Massachusetts on the gridiron and is a league game, again. UMass was a member of the MAC for football from 2012-15. The Zips lead the series, 3-2, with wins in 2013 (W, 14-13 in Amherst), 2014 (W, 30-6 in Akron and 2015 (W, 17-13 in Amherst). The Minutemen won the league series opener in 2012 (22-14 in Akron). The two teams met four years later, 2019 as UMass won 37-39.
SCOUTING UMASS
Under first-year head coach Joe Harasymiak, the Minutemen currently sit at 0-8 overall and 0-4 in MAC play. UMass averages 11.5 points per game on 254.0 total yards of offense per game. The Minutemen attack averages 172.4 yards through the air and 81.6 yards on the ground. Defensively, opponents average 35.9 points on 438.6 yards per game, allowing 256.1 yards in the air and 182.5 on the ground.
Starting QB, AJ Hariston leads the offense, completing 82 of 174 attempts with four interceptions for 812 yards (116 avg) and 3 touchdowns. QBs Brandon Rose (36-62, 289 yds, 2 INT) and Grant Jordan (27-46, 278 yds, 1 INT) also see time behind center.
Jacquon Gibson leads the receiving corps with 358 yards and 59.67 yards per game on 36 receptions. Donnie Gray (16-192 yds), Max Dowling (13-164 yds, 2 TDs) and Kezion Dia-Johnson (6-73 yds, TD) all support the air attack. RB Brandon Hood provides the bulk of the work on the ground, averaging 4.3 yards per carry and 37.1 yards per game on 69 attempts for 297 yards with two TDs. Rocko Griffin shares the groundwork with 42 carries for 221 yards (44.2 yards per game and 5.3 per rush) with two TDs.
Defensively, UMass generated 30 tackles for loss of 84 yards with 11 sacks (54 yds). Timmy Hinspeter paces the defense with 69 tackles with 4.0 TFL (11 yds), 2.0 sacks (8 yds) and one INT. Tyler Martin follows with 65 tackles and one TFL and one INT. Marques White leads the unit with a team-high10.0 TFL (32 yds) and 5.0 sacks (26 yards) while recording 31 total tackles.
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.
SPRIGGS EARNS MAC DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK (Sept. 22)
Melvin Spriggs was honored by the Mid-American Conference as its Defensive Player of the Week (Oct. 27). Spriggs anchored the defensive efforts for the Zips in a 24-16 win over Buffalo (Oct. 25). Akron issued 10 tackles for loss (50 yards) and five sacks (37 yards) to go along with five takeaways. Spriggs paced the Zips defense with a team-high 14 tackles, including 8 solo stops. He led the squad in tackles for loss, generating 3.5 takedowns for loss of 15 yards. Additionally, Spriggs led the team in sacks, recording half of the Zips total with 2.5 sacks for 14 yards of loss. The Zips limited Buffalo to 195 yards of total offense in the second half. In the third quarter, Spriggs accounted for five total tackles and one tackle for loss as the Bulls scored three points on 14 plays and 100 yards. In the fourth quarter, Spriggs again led the way with four total tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. Buffalo scored three points on 18 plays and 95 yards.
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 14 turnovers in nine games. The defense has also been strong in the red zone, limiting opponents to scores on just 71.9-percent of trips (1st in MAC), including forcing five turnovers inside the 20. As a unit, the Zips' defense has demonstrated the ability to limit big plays and create turnovers, keeping the team competitive in every game. 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 (48) anchor the middle, combining for 11.22 tackles per game. Defensive back Malcom DeWalt IV has emerged as a difference-maker with 40 tackles, seven breakups, two interceptions, 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 Buffalo, recording 21 for the season with a loss of 137 yards. Julien Laventure (3-18 yds) , Cyrus Durham (3-10 yds), Melvin Spriggs (2.5-14 yds), Gage Summers (1.5-11 yds) and six players with one sack and two with 0.5 sacks.
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 1,678 passing yards, including 252-yard, three-touchdown outing against Central Michigan, 291-yard outburst with three TD's against Ball State and 230-yard effort with three touchdowns..
RB Jordan Gant has emerged as a dynamic force in the backfield. After transferring from Tennessee State, Gant has accumulated 697 rushing yards, averaging 4.9 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 (62 att, 255 yds, 4.1/rush, 1 TD, 25 yd long, 36.4 yds/g).
WR Kyan Mason leads the receiving corps with 380 yards and four TDs. WRs Israel Polk (360 yds, 5 TDs), Marcel Williams (257 yds) and Myles Walker (209 yds) follow in receiving, while the TE room is productive in the passing game, scoring three TDs and supporting the offense: Conner Cravaack (12-93 yds, 2TDs) and Max Whisner (1-1 yd, TD) and Jake Newell (4-14 yds). 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 averages 43.2 yards per punt, with 10 kicks over 50 yards and 12 pinned inside the 20-yard line. Brayden Johnson adds depth, averaging 41.1 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 7.3-yard average with a long of 15. On the kicking front, Owen Wiley and Matthew Schramm are a combined 9-of-15 on field goals. Akron is a perfect 18-for-18 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 Summa Health Field for the Wagon Wheel game against crosstown rival Kent State on Tuesday, Nov. 11 at 7:30 p.m.
