The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Appalachian State
Zips Fall Short in Comeback Effort, 45-38, to Appalachian State
September 24 | Football
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AKRON, Ohio– The University of Akron football team dropped a close 45-38 decision to Appalachian State on Saturday at InfoCision Stadium – Summa Field.
The Mountaineers improved to 2-2 overall, while the Zips fell to 2-2.
Junior WR Jerome Lane (Akron, Ohio) led the Akron receiving attack with 134 yards and a touchdown on nine catches. Junior Thomas Woodson (Monroeville, Pa.) threw for 353 yards completing 31-of-43 attempts, with three touchdowns. Sophomore RB Van Edwards (Cape Coral, Fla.) ran for 89 yard in seven carries for one touchdown.
Junior WR JoJo Natson (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) snagged 10 catches for 87 yards, while classmate Austin Wolf (Lebanon, Ohio) had seven catches for 62 yards. Defensively, junior S Zach Guiser (Fayette City, Pa.) led the way with 15 and 13 tackles, and sophomore LB Ulysees Gilbert (Ocala, Fla.) added 13 tackles.
Akron's first possession of the game ended in an interception thrown by Woodson that led to Appalachian State's first touchdown. Taylor Lamb found Deltron Hopkins for a six-yard pass to take an early 7-0 advantage.
UA struggled offensively on its next possession, going only 19 yards on eight plays, which forced the Zips to punt. The Mountaineers finished the first quarter with a 34-yard field goal by Michael Rubino to extend the visitors' lead to 10-0.
The Zips opened the second period with something to prove, scoring touchdowns on their first two possessions. A 35-yard pass to Lane from Woodson and a 26-yard run by Edwards put Akron in great scoring position. Woodson then completed a 14-yard touchdown pass to Lane that brought UA within three, 10-7.
Akron's defense stepped up on the following drive, forcing a Mountaineer fumble that was recovered by sophomore DT Brennan Williams (Akron, Ohio). The Zips took a 14-10 lead after a 23-yard pass to junior WR A.J. Coney (Orlando, Fla.) who used some fancy footwork to find his way into the end zone.
However, Appalachian State reclaimed control with a 36-yard pass from Lamb to Levi Duffield at the 7:29 mark of the second quarter. Less than a minute later, Mondo Williams intercepted another Zips pass as the Mountaineers extended their lead, 24-14, following a 37-yard throw to Zy Letman.
Appalachian State then took advantage of a defensive stop on the Zips, using a nine-play, 93-yard drive that led to a one-yard touchdown run by Lamb to end the second quarter.
Akron came out of halftime spoiling the Mountaineer's first drive of the third quarter as the Zips took over on the 36-yard line. The Zips then cut their deficit to 31-17 after a 26-yard field goal by sophomore PK Tom O'Leary (Tucker, Ga.) with 9:07 remaining in the stanza.
Nevertheless, Appalachian State managed to counter with a 49-yard touchdown run by Jalin Moore. UA did not give up though as Akron took its next possession to the Mountaineers' 12 yard line, eventually converting on a six-yard touchdown run by Edwards. Trailing 38-24 heading into the final quarter, the Zips scored on a five-yard touchdown pass to Natson with 12:07 on the clock.
The two teams then traded touchdowns as the score stood 45-38 in favor of Appalachian State with 5:55 remaining in the game. Akron made two huge plays to stop the Mountaineers but could not convert offensively as Appalachian State claimed the 45-38 victory.
Akron opens Mid-American Conference play on Saturday, Oct. 1, at crosstown rival Kent State in a 3:30 p.m. matchup on ESPN3.
