The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Ohio
Football Drops 23-20 Nail-biter at Ohio
October 18 | Football
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ATHENS, Ohio — Akron football dropped a 23-20 decision at Ohio in Mid-American Conference play on Saturday afternoon at Peden Stadium.
The Zips fell to 4-3 overall and 2-1 in MAC play, while the Bobcats improved to 4-4 overall and 2-2 in the conference.
The Bobcats scored on their opening drive, going 66 yards on four plays in under two minutes. QB J.D. Sprague connected with Ian Dixon on a 49-yard pass to jump on the scoreboard first. Josiah Yazdani added the extra point to give OU a 7-0 lead.
The Zips rebounded with a scoring drive on their next possession. In his first career start under center, redshirt freshman QB Tommy Woodson (Monroeville, Pa.) marched UA down the field in 3:28 on an eight-play, 63-yard scoring drive, topped off with a 10-yard touchdown pass to junior RB Conor Hundley (Hamilton, Ohio). Junior PK Robert Stein (Cincinnati, Ohio) tied the game at 7-7.
Ohio fumbled the kickoff return, giving the Zips the ball back. On a fourth-and-six, Woodson threw a pick, the first of his collegiate career.
With 2:35 to go in the first quarter, redshirt junior LT Isaiah Williams was disqualified from the game following a personal foul.
The teams were tied 7-7 after the first quarter.
Ohio jumped ahead again, capping off an 11-play 25-yard drive with a 42-yard field goal by Yazdani, to lead10-7.
Akron rebounded with a field goal of its own. In a two-minute drive, Stein tied the game at 10-10 with a 40-yard field, his 10th consecutive field goal.
With five seconds remaining in the stanza, Yazdani connected on a 38-yard field goal to give the Bobcats a 13-10 advantage at halftime.
In the third quarter, Akron took advantage of a turnover. Junior CB John Senter (Huber Heights, Ohio) made his first career interception and eight plays later, Woodson threw a 13-yard touchdown pass to junior WR Zach D'Orazio (Avon Lake, Ohio) to give the Zips the lead for the first time, 17-13.
Akron's lead was short lived. On their next drive, the Bobcats went 87 yards in two-and-a-half minutes for a three-yard touchdown pass from Sprague to RB A.J. Ouellette to reclaim the lead, 20-17 with 5:48 left in the third.
Akron opened the fourth quarter with a 38-yard field goal by Stein to tie the game at 20-20.
With 3:38 left to play, Ohio started its final drive. On a fourth-and-goal from the six, Yazdani nailed a 22-yard field goal to give the Bobcats the 23-20 lead with 1:59 left on the clock.
The Zips did not give up. Quickly guiding UA down the field, Woodson completed passes to WR L.T. Smith and D'Orazio to two first downs. On his final throw, Woodson was picked off by Josh Kristoff, sealing the Bobcat victory.
D'Orazio finished with a career-best 107 receiving yards and a touchdown on a career-high nine receptions, eclipsing the 100-yard receiving mark for the first time in his career.
Senior LB C.J. Mizell led the defense with a career-high 12 tackles, including a career-best eight assists, and 2.0 TFL.
Akron travels to Ball State on Saturday, Oct. 25 for a 2 p.m. ET game at Scheumann Stadium. ESPN3 will carry the game online.
