The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Bowling Green
Football Falls to Bowling Green, 27-10
November 04 | Football
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AKRON, Ohio -- Akron's offense out-gained Bowling Green racking up 398 yards of total offense, but it was not enough to offset five turnovers as the Zips dropped a 27-10 decision to the Falcons Tuesday night at InfoCision Stadium – Summa Field.
In a battle for control of the Mid-American Conference East Division, UA (4-5, 2-3 MAC) rode the strength of its defense through the first half, but struggled to keep pace on the other side of the ball.
Jatavis Brown was a standout defensively for Akron, leading all defensive players with a career-high with 16 tackles, including nine solo efforts and two forced fumbles. Justin March added nine tackles and Se'Von Pittman posted seven.
QB Kyle Pohl set career highs for completions (31) and attempts (62), throwing for 304 yards to lead the Zips' offensive charge. Jawon Chisholm rushed for 65 yards in the game, and scored Akron's only touchdown to move into second place on the program's all-time rushing list.
BGSU (6-3, 4-1 MAC) posted 219 yards on the ground to Akron's 94, led by Andre Givens who rushed for 101 yards and a TD on 14 carries.
The Zips' only scoring in the first half came on a 40-yard field goal from Robert Stein to start the second quarter and tie the game at 3-all. Stein's opening 51-yard attempt in the first quarter was wide left. Akron's defense held strong in the opening period, limiting Bowling Green to just a pair of field goals and keeping the score at 6-3 at halftime.
The tides turned midway through the third quarter when an errant snap sailed over Pohl's head and was recovered in the end zone by Bowling Green's Taylor Royster for the first touchdown of the game for either team.
Following a Pohl interception, the Falcons moved 62 yards in 11 plays and extended their lead to 17 when QB James Knapke connected with Roger Lewis for a 10-yard TD pass. A pair of false start penalties moved the Falcons back from the goal line, but Knapke found Lewis on a skinny post route on third-and-goal.
A third second-half turnover near midfield on Akron's first drive of the fourth quarter would put the game just out of reach for the Zips. Chisholm helped Akron narrow the gap with his fourth rushing touchdown of the season midway through the final quarter, but his 15-yard scoring run brought the Zips as close as they would get with the score at 20-10 and just over nine minutes to play.
Akron returns to action next Tuesday, Nov. 11, in a nationally televised game at Buffalo. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET at UB Stadium. The game will air live on either ESPN2 or ESPNU.
