The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Ball State
Football Drops a 35-21 Decision at Ball State
October 25 | Football
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MUNCIE, Ind. – Leading 21-6 late in the second quarter, the Akron football team gave up 29 unanswered points to fall 35-21 at Ball State in Mid-American Conference play on Saturday afternoon at Scheumann Stadium.
The Zips fell to 4-4 overall and 2-2 in MAC play, while the Cardinals improved to 3-5 overall and 2-2 in the conference.
Akron turned the ball over six times in the game, all coming in the second half, and was held to just 103 yards of offense in the second half (325 yards overall). Ball State posted 380 yards of offense and did not turn the ball over.
Redshirt freshman QB Tommy Woodson (Monroeville, Pa.) finished the game 21-of-39 for 200 yards and one touchdown. He was intercepted four times. Junior RB Conor Hundley (Hamilton, Ohio) scored two first-half touchdowns, carrying the ball 14 times for 72 yards.
Senior LB C.J. Mizell (Tallahassee, Fla.) led the defense with 11 tackles.
Akron won the coin toss and kicked off and Ball State scores on its opening drive. On fourth-and-sixth, Akron held the Cardinals to a field goal. Senior Scott Secor nailed a 46-yard score to jump on the scoreboard first following an eight-play, 46-yard drive.
The Zips responded with a score of their own. In his second career start under center, Woodson drove the field, converting a 10-yard touchdown pass to senior TE Anthony Ritossa (Kirtland, Ohio). Junior PK Robert Stein (Cincinnati, Ohio) added the PAT to give the Zips a 7-3 lead with 8:35 left to play in the first quarter.
Akron went ahead 14-3 after a 10-play, 68-yard drive. Junior DL Cody Grice (Akron, Ohio) came in to rush twice on short yardage, giving the Zips a first down following a fourth-and-inches. On the next play, Hundley ran 13 yards for the team's second touchdown.
In the second quarter, Ball State took 18 plays to go 68 yards over 4:48 and ended up with another field goal. This time Secor netted a 20-yarder to pull within eight, 14-6.
Woodson and the offense went back to work. On the next drive, the Zips worked their way downfield, handing the ball off to Hundley for a four-yard touchdown run, his second on the day. Following a Stein PAT, the Zips took a 21-6 lead.
Three minutes later, Ball State scored its first touchdown. The Cardinals took just four plays to march 63 yards in a minute-and-a-half as WR KeVonn Mabon ran a reverse and hurdled a UA defender into the endzone for the 13-yard score. The Cards pulled within eight points, 21-13, following a Secor extra point.
With just two seconds remaining in the first half, Secor attempted a 46-yard field goal, but his kick was wide right.
The Zips led at intermission, 21-13.
Akron had the ball to open the second half. On the opening drive, Woodson led the Zips up the field. On a third-and seven, his pass was intercepted by BSU' Tyree Holder who ran the ball back for a touchdown. However, an offsides penalty against the Cardinals negated the play, keeping the Zips ahead, 21-13.
The Akron defense held Ball State once again. Attempting a 40-yard field on a fourth-and five from the 23, Secor missed his second attempt on the day as the kick went wide right.
On the very next play, Woodson threw his first pick of the day as BSU's Ben Ingle intercepted the ball at the Cards' 33-yard line. Ball State added three more points off of a 23-yard Secor field goal, coming within five, 21-16.
On Akron's next drive, Grice was called upon again to gain first down on short yardage. One fourth-and-one from the 48, Grice bulldozed his way through for six yards and then fumbled the ball, recovered by OL Cedric Brittnum. Three plays later, Woodson was picked off again. BSU's Zack Ryan ran the ball back for a 27-yard return.
The Zips led 21-16 after three quarters.
On the opening play of the fourth quarter, Secor nailed a 37-yard field goal to make it a two-point game, 21-19.
Ball State punted the ball with 12:19 remaining in the game. UA's Imani Davis caught the ball and then fumbled, giving the Cardinals the ball back on the 36-yard line. Two plays later, QB Jack Milas scored on a five-yard keeper to regain the lead, 25-21. The Cardinals attempted a two-point conversion but failed.
The Zips could not score on its next drive. Woodson threw two deep passes that were dropped. Junior Zach Paul's punt was blocked and recovered by the Cardinals on the 27-yard line. BSU scored four plays later on a two-yard run by Jahwan Edwards. Capped by a Secor extra point, the Cardinals took a 32-21 lead, scoring 18 unanswered points in the second half.
Secor added his fifth field goal of the day (seventh attempt), this time hitting from 26 yards with 2:58 to play, for the final margin of the game.
Akron is idle this week until the Zips move to a Tuesday night schedule for the entire month of November. Next up, Akron entertains Bowling Green (5-3, 3-1 MAC) on Tuesday, Nov. 4 at 8 p.m. at InfoCision Stadium – Summa Field. The game will be televised nationally on ESPN 2.
