The University of Akron Athletics

Akron Falls at Northern Illinois, 49-0
October 26 | Football
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STATS Â | Â STATS IN PDF Â | Â POSTGAME NOTESÂ | Â PHOTO GALLERY Â | Â VIDEO
DeKALB, Ill. – On a cold and rainy Saturday at Huskie Stadium, the Akron Zips fell 49-0 to Mid-American Conference foe Northern Illinois in DeKalb, Ill.
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For the second consecutive game, freshman QB Zach Gibson (Alpharetta, Ga.) lined-up behind center for the Zips. He threw for 36 yards on a 4-of-15 effort and found sophomore WR Jeremiah Knight (Jefferson, Ohio) for a 14-yard long pass. In addition, sophomore WR Julian Hicks (Cleveland, Ohio) led the receiving corps with 22 yards on three receptions.
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Sophomore RB Brandon Lee (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) was Akron's leading rusher, picking-up 76 yards on 10 carries, including a 25-yard long carry. RB Michiah Burton (Columbus, Ohio) followed with 39 yards on eight carries with a 19-yard long attempt.
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On the defensive side of the ball, senior LB John Lako (Monroe, Mich.) and redshirt sophomore LB Bubba Arslanian (Aurora, Ohio) posted double-digits in tackles. Lako recorded 15 takedowns while Arslanian registered 12 tackles. Redshirt senior LB Josh Ward (Delray Beach, Fla.) tallied the Zips lone sack for a seven-yard loss, he finished the game with five tackles.
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The Zips fell behind early as NIU started the scoring with 6:08 left in the first quarter. The initial drive consumed 7:02 off the clock, and used 14 plays to drive 74 yards. The Huskies found paydirt a second time after an interception by CB Devin Haney and 30-yard run by RB Tre Harbison at the 11:39 mark of the second quarter. NIU took a 21-0 advantage into halftime after the third touchdown of the day on a five-yard pass to Brett Bostad with 5:44 remaining in the half.
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In the second half, the Huskies increased the lead by causing a fumble in the endzone and securing the recovery for six points, the PAT was good to move to 28-0. NIU scored two more offensive touchdowns and added a pick-6 before the end of regulation for the 49-0 triumph.
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Akron travels to Bowling Green on Saturday, Nov. 2. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. at Doyt Perry Stadium on ESPN+.
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STATS Â | Â STATS IN PDF Â | Â POSTGAME NOTESÂ | Â PHOTO GALLERY Â | Â VIDEO
DeKALB, Ill. – On a cold and rainy Saturday at Huskie Stadium, the Akron Zips fell 49-0 to Mid-American Conference foe Northern Illinois in DeKalb, Ill.
Â
For the second consecutive game, freshman QB Zach Gibson (Alpharetta, Ga.) lined-up behind center for the Zips. He threw for 36 yards on a 4-of-15 effort and found sophomore WR Jeremiah Knight (Jefferson, Ohio) for a 14-yard long pass. In addition, sophomore WR Julian Hicks (Cleveland, Ohio) led the receiving corps with 22 yards on three receptions.
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Sophomore RB Brandon Lee (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) was Akron's leading rusher, picking-up 76 yards on 10 carries, including a 25-yard long carry. RB Michiah Burton (Columbus, Ohio) followed with 39 yards on eight carries with a 19-yard long attempt.
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On the defensive side of the ball, senior LB John Lako (Monroe, Mich.) and redshirt sophomore LB Bubba Arslanian (Aurora, Ohio) posted double-digits in tackles. Lako recorded 15 takedowns while Arslanian registered 12 tackles. Redshirt senior LB Josh Ward (Delray Beach, Fla.) tallied the Zips lone sack for a seven-yard loss, he finished the game with five tackles.
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The Zips fell behind early as NIU started the scoring with 6:08 left in the first quarter. The initial drive consumed 7:02 off the clock, and used 14 plays to drive 74 yards. The Huskies found paydirt a second time after an interception by CB Devin Haney and 30-yard run by RB Tre Harbison at the 11:39 mark of the second quarter. NIU took a 21-0 advantage into halftime after the third touchdown of the day on a five-yard pass to Brett Bostad with 5:44 remaining in the half.
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In the second half, the Huskies increased the lead by causing a fumble in the endzone and securing the recovery for six points, the PAT was good to move to 28-0. NIU scored two more offensive touchdowns and added a pick-6 before the end of regulation for the 49-0 triumph.
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Akron travels to Bowling Green on Saturday, Nov. 2. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. at Doyt Perry Stadium on ESPN+.
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Team Stats
AKRON
NIU
Total Yards
145
345
Pass Yards
51
71
Rushing Yards
94
274
Penalty Yards
62
30
1st Downs
7
21
3rd Downs
2
7
4th Downs
0
1
TOP
20:35
39:25
1st Quarter

AKRON 0, NIU 7
NIU - HARBISON, Tre 5 yd run (RICHARDSON, Joh kick), 14 plays, 74 yards, TOP 7:02
2nd Quarter

AKRON 0, NIU 14
NIU - HARBISON, Tre 30 yd run (RICHARDSON, Joh kick), 1 plays, 30 yards, TOP 0:06

AKRON 0, NIU 21
NIU - BOSTAD, Brett 5 yd pass from CHILDERS, Marcu (RICHARDSON, Joh kick) 6 plays, 38 yards, TOP 3:35
3rd Quarter

AKRON 0, NIU 28
NIU - FOSTER, Traysho 0 yd fumble recovery (RICHARDSON, Joh kick)

AKRON 0, NIU 35
NIU - BRINKMAN, Mitch 18 yd pass from CHILDERS, Marcu (RICHARDSON, Joh kick) 11 plays, 70 yards, TOP 5:47
4th Quarter

AKRON 0, NIU 42
NIU - LERSCH, Corey 3 yd pass from CHILDERS, Marcu (RICHARDSON, Joh kick) 8 plays, 48 yards, TOP 3:58

AKRON 0, NIU 49
NIU - RATTIN, Nick 31 yd interception (RICHARDSON, Joh kick)
Game Leaders
Passing Leaders
Players Mentioned
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