The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Miami (Ohio)
Football Extends Winning Streak, Downs Miami (Ohio), 29-19
October 11 | Football
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AKRON, Ohio – The University of Akron football team found the end zone twice in the second half while posting nine sacks on defense to down the Miami RedHawks, 29-19, on Saturday afternoon at InfoCision Stadium – Summa Field.
The win improved the Zips to 4-2 on the season and 2-0 in the Mid-American Conference. UA has won five-straight league games dating back to last season. The victory marked No. 150 in head coach Terry Bowden's career.
Akron was outgained by Miami, 412-318, but forced three turnovers and sacked RedHawk QB Andrew Hendrix nine times. Miami (1-6, 1-2 MAC) recorded just two sacks.
The Miami offense recorded 352 passing yards, paced by Hendrix who connected on 24-for-41 through the air. The Zips were held to just 167 in the air, however, key defensive plays helped Akron stop the RedHawk offense.
After connecting on 13-of-22 in the air for 103 yards, junior QB Kyle Pohl left late in the first half following a sack. Freshman Tommy Woodson took over as the signal caller and went 7-for-14 for 64 yards passing.
Senior RB Jawon Chisholm led the Zips offense on the ground with 102 yards rushing for two touchdowns, followed by RB Conor Hundley with 64 yards rushing and three receptions totaling 15 yards.
Senior LB Justin March recorded eight total tackles, six unassisted while junior LB Jatavis Brown posted six tackles, four solo.
After recording his first career sack earlier in the quarter, freshman LB Jerome Lane was credited with another sack on MU's Hendrix for a safety to give Akron a 2-0 advantage with 3:48 left in the first quarter. The safety was the first for the Zips since a Nov. 25, 2011, contest against Western Michigan. The safety would prove to be a key play of the first half as the Zips held a two-point lead at the intermission.
On the subsequent possession, Robert Stein connected on a 28-yard field goal attempt for a 5-0 Zips' lead at the end of the quarter.
The Zips found the end zone on the first possession of the second quarter when Chisholm topped off a six-play, 47-yard scoring drive by carrying it in for a 10-yard touchdown run. The point after put Akron ahead 12-0 with 11:44 left in the half.
The RedHawks took to the air, starting their next possession with a 31-yard pass from their own 16-yard line to initiate an 84-yard scoring drive. Hendrix found David Frazier on the end of an 18-yard touchdown pass to cut the deficit to 12-6 at the 8:42 mark.
Stein split the uprights from 46 yards out with 3:08 remaining in the half to give the Zips a 15-6 lead.
The Miami passing game, combined with a 21-yard rush from Hendrix, helped set up a four-yard TD pass with 23 seconds left in the half to make it 15-13 in the Zips' favor at halftime.
Midway through the third frame with Akron clinging to a two-point lead, junior DL Cody Grice forced a fumble to take possession at the Miami 32. Grice capped off the possession at FB with a two-yard touchdown carry, the seventh and final rushing play of the 32-yard scoring drive. It was the seventh carry and third TD rush on the season for Grice and gave Akron a 22-13 lead at the 7:31 mark, putting the game just out of reach for the RedHawks.
The Zips added another touchdown off a 10-yard rush from Chisholm with 5:01 left in the game for a 29-13 advantage.
Five passing plays helped Miami to tack on its final touchdown with 3:08 left to play, locking the score at 29-19. MU attempted to recover an on-side kick, but the attempt failed. The Zips converted one first down to ice the game.
The Zips hit the road for back-to-back conference games, beginning at Ohio on Saturday, Oct. 18. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. on ESPN3.
