Akron Pushes MAC-Leading Ohio Before Falling 28-20 on Tuesday Night

Tuesday, November 3

Akron, Ohio

7 PM

University of Akron

1-8 , 0-5

Ohio

7-2 , 5-0

Team	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final F
Ohio	7	0	7	14	28
Akron	3	3	3	11	20

November 03 | Football

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Gant rushes for 112 yards, Broughton throws for 232 in return as Zips outgain Bobcats

AKRON, Ohio — The first Tuesday in November had a little bit of everything as MACtion kicked off with the University of Akron putting a scare into Mid-American Conference-leading Ohio before falling short in a 28-20 setback at InfoCision Stadium — Summa Health Field on Tuesday, Nov. 3.

All season long, Akron (1-8, 0-5 MAC) has been victimized by the big play, and Ohio took advantage with scoring plays of 91 and 60 yards in the fourth quarter, along with a 45-yard interception return for a touchdown in the first quarter, to improve to 8-2 overall and remain unbeaten in league play at 5-0.

The final score told only part of the story as Akron ran 79 offensive plays, gained 392 total yards and held a 26-12 advantage in first downs against the league leaders. The Zips controlled possession for 35:46 and moved the ball consistently into Ohio territory but struggled to turn those opportunities into touchdowns.

Quarterback Cibastian Broughton returned to the starting lineup for the first time since suffering an injury at Minnesota on Sept. 19 and completed 22 of 34 passes for 232 yards. His return helped Akron sustain several lengthy drives, including a 12-play, 77-yard march that gave the Zips a fourth-quarter lead.

Running back Jordan Gant continued his productive stretch with 112 yards on 16 carries, averaging 7.0 yards per attempt, and scored Akron's lone touchdown on a 1-yard run early in the fourth quarter.

Akron trailed 14-9 entering the final period before putting together its most significant drive of the night. Beginning at its own 19-yard line late in the third quarter, the Zips marched 77 yards in 12 plays, capped by Gant's touchdown with 9:35 remaining. Broughton connected with Marcel Williams for the two-point conversion to give Akron a 17-14 advantage.

The lead lasted just 13 seconds.

On Ohio's first play following the ensuing kickoff, quarterback Nick Poulos connected with Dom Dorwart on a 60-yard touchdown pass to put the Bobcats back in front, 21-17.

Akron responded with another sustained possession, advancing 57 yards in nine plays to the Ohio 9-yard line. The drive ended on downs with 4:11 remaining, leaving the Zips four points behind.

Two plays later — one by each team — Ohio delivered the decisive blow when Duncan Brune broke free for a 91-yard touchdown run with 3:57 remaining, extending the Bobcats' lead to 28-17.

The Zips continued to battle, moving 38 yards in nine plays before Aidan Stire connected on a 43-yard field goal with 1:56 left to account for the final margin.

Akron established its offensive rhythm early, moving into Ohio territory on each of its first two possessions. Stire opened the scoring with a 42-yard field goal at the 3:35 mark of the first quarter.

Ohio took its first lead without an offensive touchdown when DJ Walker intercepted a Broughton pass and returned it 45 yards for a score with nine seconds remaining in the opening period.

The Zips answered with another extended drive in the second quarter, traveling 57 yards in 10 plays before Stire converted from 47 yards to trim the deficit to 7-6 with 3:28 remaining before halftime.

Akron's defense kept the Bobcats out of the end zone throughout the first half, limiting Ohio to seven points, all coming on the interception return.

The Zips reclaimed the lead in the third quarter after Donelius Johnson recovered an Ohio fumble at the Bobcats' 32-yard line. Stire finished the ensuing possession with a 24-yard field goal to put Akron ahead 9-7.

Ohio responded with a nine-play, 75-yard touchdown drive, capped by a 5-yard run from Poulos, to regain a 14-9 advantage with 4:22 remaining in the third quarter.

Stire finished 4-for-5 on field-goal attempts, connecting from 42, 47, 24 and 43 yards.

Kyan Mason led Akron's receivers with six catches for 71 yards, while Conner Cravaack added five receptions for 43 yards. Marcel Williams contributed three catches for 42 yards, and Miles Burris finished with four receptions for 38 yards.

Defensively, Johnson paced the Zips with nine tackles, including two tackles for loss and the fumble recovery. Tairan Davis Jr. and Dwight Nunoo added six tackles apiece, while Cyrus Durham recorded a sack.

Despite outgaining Ohio 392-358, Akron was unable to overcome three Bobcat touchdowns that covered a combined 196 yards, including the interception return.

The Zips finished with 160 rushing yards and 232 passing yards while limiting Ohio to 12 first downs and forcing four punts.

UP NEXT
Akron returns to action next Tuesday, facing Western Michigan at 7 p.m. ET inside InfoCision Stadium — Summa Health Field. The game will air on CBS Sports Network and the Zips' flagship radio station, 640 WHLO AM and iHeartRadio.