The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Buffalo
Zips Drop MAC Game at Buffalo, 41-20
October 27 | Football
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BUFFALO, N.Y. – Buffalo senior RB Jordan Johnson rushed for a school record 282 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Bulls to a 41-20 win over Akron in Mid-American Conference action on a rainy Thursday evening at UB Stadium.
Despite two touchdowns from senior WR JoJo Natson (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) and two field goals from redshirt sophomore PK Tom O'Leary (Tucker, Ga.),
the Zips (5-4 overall, 3-2 MAC) committed three turnovers and could not catch up to the Bulls (2-6 overall, 1-4 MAC) on the scoreboard.
Natson led the Zips' receiving efforts with five catches for 53 yards and a touchdown. Sophomore RB Van Edwards (Cape Coral, Fla.) was the top rusher with 6 yards on 14 carries. Junior QB Thomas Woodson (Monroeville, Pa.) was 18-of-42 for 178 yards and one touchdown.
Defensively, freshman CB Alvin Davis (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) led the Zips with eight tackles, including six solo stops.
O'Leary put Akron on the scoreboard first with a 34-yard field goal with 6:49 to go in the first quarter.
A fumble on a punt with 5:17 to go gave the Bulls excellent field position, starting their drive on the Akron 28. The Zips' defense held them for six plays as UB's Adam Mitcheson scored a 23-yard field goal to tie the score at 3-3.
Sophomore CB Kyron Brown (Boynton Beach, Fla.) made an interception in the second quarter and returned it 32 yards to the Buffalo 36. The Zips could not score on their ensuing drive.
Buffalo went ahead 10-3 after a 10-yard touchdown run by QB Tyree Jackson.
The Bulls scored again on their next drive with a 61-yard rush by Jordan Johnson to take a 17-3 lead.
With 32 second remaining in the first half, Natson returned a punt 79 yards for a touchdown to pull UA within seven, 17-10.
On its last possession of the half, Buffalo drove the field, landing on the eight-yard line with seven seconds to go. The Zips' defense pushed them back, forcing UB's Mitcheson to kick a 28-yard field goal. Buffalo held a 20-10 advantage at halftime.
Akron opened the second half with a 29-yard field goal by O'Leary to pull within seven, 20-13.
The Bulls' Jackson claimed his second rushing touchdown to open the fourth quarter, a 38-yard run to put Buffalo ahead 27-13.
On their next drive, the Zips added another touchdown as Woodson hit Natson with a 33-yard pass to come within a score, 27-20, with 11:29.
UB scored on its next drive on a 14-yard pass from Jackson to Mason Schreck, putting the Bulls ahead 34-20 with 9:34 to play.
Buffalo added another touchdown on a two-play, 63-yard drive, capped by a 39 yard run by Johnson, for the final 41-20 score.
Akron returns home to InfoCision Stadium– Summa Field on Wednesday, Nov. 2, to host Toledo. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. before a national television audience on ESPN2.
