The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Toledo
Game 5 Preview: Akron Travels to Glass Bowl for #MACtion Opener
September 24 | Football
Game 5 - Akron (1-3, 0-0 MAC) at Toledo (2-2, 0-1 MAC)
WHATS AHEAD
On Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, the Akron Zips travel to the Glass Bowl to battle the Toledo Rockets. 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)
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
Toledo Rockets (2-2, 0-1 MAC)
Jason Candle (Mount Union, 2003)
at Toledo (11th): 75-42
Overall (11th): Same
Akron Zips (1-2, 0-0 MAC)
Joe Moorhead (Fordham, 1996)
at Akron (4th): 9-31
Overall (10th): 61-56
SERIES HISTORY
Akron is meeting Toledo for the 24th time in program history with the Rockets owning a 13-10 series advantage. The Zips posted an overtime win in 2024 which was the first time the two schoold met in two seasons. Akron claimed a 21-14 victory at InfoCision Stadium-Summa Health Field. Toledo claimed a 49-14 result over the Zips on Nov. 27, 2021. Before 2021, Toledo and the Zips played twice in 2017. Toledo registered a 45-28 triumph past the Zips on Dec. 2, 2017 in the Mid-American Conference title game at Ford Field in Detroit, Mich. Akron and Toledo last met in Toledo on Oct. 21, 2017 as the Rockets posted a 48-21 victory.
The series between the two schools dates back to the 1923 campaign when Akron earned a 10-3 home victory over Toledo.
SCOUTING TOLEDO
Toledo currently sits 2-2 overall and 0-1 in MAC play. The Rockets average 33.5 points per game on 418.5 total yards of offense per game. The Rockets attack averages 214.25 yards through the air and 204.3 yards on the ground. Defensively, opponents average 14.75 points on 246.3 yards per game, allowing 145.0 yards in the air and 101.3 on the ground.
QB Tucker Gleason leads the offense, completing 58 of 99 attempts with three INT's for 688 yards (172.0 avg) and 4 touchdowns. Chip Trayanum and Keji Christian provide the bulk of the work on the ground, averaging 6.2 and 5.5 yards per carry, respectively. Trayanum carried the ball 65 times for 401 yards (100.25 yds/g) with five TD,s while Christian scored two touchdowns on 181 yards (45.25/g) with 33 attempts. Junior Vandeross III leads the receiving corps with 258 yards on 22 catches and four TDs (64.5 yds/g and 11.73 yards/reception), followed by Javon Brown (6-133 yds-33.25 yds/g).
Defensively, UT generated 25 tackles for loss of 109 yards with 9 sacks (68 yds). K'von Sherman paces the defense with a team-high 30 tackles and 4.0 TFL for 15 yards, including 1 sack for nine yards. Emmanuel McNeal-Warren follows with 22 tackles, 1.5 TFL for 2 yards and one interception. Chris D'Appolonia is third overall with 18 tackles, while Malachi Davis and Martez Poynter lead the team in sacks with both having two sack for 16 yards of loss.
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.
ZIP TIDBITS
• Akron scored three second-quarter touchdowns.
• The Zips didn't allow a sack in the contest.
• Akron outgained Duquesne 514-230.
• Akron recorded 265 yards on the ground, led by Jordan Gant's 161 rushing yards.
• Gant's 161 rushing yards are a new career-high.
• Matthew Schramm set career-highs in FG made (2) and longest FG (41-Yards).
• Myles Walker set a career-high in receptions (5)
• Akron got off to a great start in the contest, putting 45 unanswered points on the board before Duquesne could respond.
• Bruno Dall recorded a career-high five tackles to go with his sack and two tackles for loss.
• Malcom DeWalt IV recorded a pick-six on a 22-yard return.
• Rodrick Hunter forced a fumble on a 10-yard sack that was picked up by Cyrus Durham.
• Akron posted its third consecutive game of 60+ tackles (at Neb, 66, at UAB, 66, vs Duquesne, 70).
• Markus Boswell recorded fumble recovery with a 44-yard return.
• Rodrick Hunter led the Zips' defense with a career-high eight tackles.
• Malcom DeWalt IV set a new career-high in tackles with seven.
• Bruno Dall set a career-high in sacks with 1.5.
• Sean Patrick set career-highs in rushing yards (81) and rushing touchdowns (1)
• Ben Finley set a career-high for longest pass with a 75-yard strike.
• Israel Polk set career-highs in touchdown catches (2), receiving yards (99) and longest reception (75).
• Joseph Castle leads the MAC for longest punt, 68 yds) and owns a 49.5 yd. avg
• Castle pinned Wyoming inside their own 20 with 3-of-6 punts
• Markus Boswell broke out the Turnover Tire with the Zips first interception of 2025
• The Zips had four players with more than 8 tackles vs Wyoming led by Shammond Cooper (10), Justin Anderson (9), Alex Branch (9), DiMarco Johnson (8)
• Akron went 2-for-3 on fourth down, converting on 66.7 percent of attempts
• Akron held Wyoming to three points with two trips to the red zone.
• Akron returns 57 players from the 2024 squad - 29 offense, 25 defense and 3 specials.
• The Zips added 46 newcomers - 21 offense, 21 defense and 3 specials.
• The 46 newcomers feature 33 transfers and 13 true freshmen.
•The Zips return 13 starters - 7 offensive starters and 6 defensive starters
• UA entered the 2025 on a two-game win streak: def. Kent State (38-17 at Kent) and Toledo (21-14 OT in Akron)
• Ben Finley returns at QB with key targets, Alex Adams, Myles Walker and Jake Newell
• Daymon David (1) and Elijah Reed (1) recorded 2 of 3 Zips interceptions last season
• Justin Anderson (44), Gage Summers (35) and Reed (32) are top returners for tackles
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 for two consecutive weeks. On Saturday, Oct. 4, the Blue and Gold host Central Michigan for its Homecoming and Family Fall Fest Weekend. Kickoff is slated for 3:30 p.m. On Saturday, Oct. 11 the RedHawks of Miami visit InfoCision Stadium-Summa Health Field. Kickoff is TBA.
