The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Kent State
Akron Hosts Rival Kent State in Homecoming Contest on Oct. 12
October 07 | Football
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KENT STATE [2-3, 0-1 MAC] at AKRON [0-5, 0-1 MAC]
CRYSTAL CLINIC WAGON WHEEL CHALLENGE
Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019
InfoCision Stadium-Summa Field [30,000]Â | Akron, Ohio
3:30 PM | ESPN3
Homecoming | Family Weekend | Hall of Fame
THIS WEEK
Following a bye week, Akron returns to action in its annual Homecoming contest and Crystal Clinic Wagon Wheel Challenge game. The Zips welcome cross-town rival Kent State on Saturday, Oct. 12, at InfoCision Stadium-Summa Field at 3:30 p.m. The 2019 Sports Hall of Fame Class, including the Teams of Distinction– the 1999 Women's Track & Team and the 2009 Men's Soccer Team, will be inducted prior to the game and introduced during the first half.
ESPN3 will televise the contest with Michael Reghi (play-by-play) and Dustin Fox (analyst) calling the game.
The Zips' radio broadcast will air on the Akron Sports Network [SportsRadio 1350 AM (WARF) in Akron (flagship), 1420 WHK in Cleveland, 1440 WHKZ in Warren/Youngstown] with Steve French calling the action, David Skoczen providing analysis, and Joe Dunn with sideline report. The pregame show starts one hour prior to kickoff. A free audio stream is available at SportsRadio1350.com, iHeart Radio, and TuneIn.com/Akron Zips.
Under the guidance of first-year head coach Tom Arth, Akron stands 0-5 overall (0-1 MAC) after a 37-29 loss at Massachusetts. The Zips return 57 letterwinners, including 10 starters, to their pro style offense and multiple defensive schemes.
Redshirt senior RB Deltron Sands (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) is the team's top rusher with 88 yards and a touchdown on 34 carries. Under center, redshirt junior Kato Nelson (Hollywood, Fla.) stands 89-of-156 for 922 yards and eight touchdowns. Redshirt junior WR Nate Stewart (Bethlehem, Pa.) is the top receiver with 22 receptions for 320 yards and three touchdowns. Defensively, redshirt senior LB John Lako (Monroe, Mich.) is the top Zip with 58 tackles, 3.5 TFL, and a 25-yard fumble recovery.
In the NCAA stats, Akron is ranked No. 22 in fewest penalty yards (44.80). Individually, redshirt senior LB John Lako is No. 5 total tackles (11.6) and No. 34 in fumbles recovered (1). Freshman WR Michael Mathison (Covington, Ga.) is No. 15 in kickoff returns (27.2) and No. 29 in combined kick returns (245).
The Golden Flashes, under the guidance of second-year head coach Sean Lewis, stand 2-3 overall (1-0 MAC) after a 48-0 loss at No. 8 Wisconsin. Kent State returns 45 letterwinners, including 17 starters, to its spread offensive and 3-4 defensive schemes.
Senior RB Jo-El Shaw is the team's top rusher with 298 yards and two touchdowns on 60 carries. Under center, junior QB Dustin Crum is 67-of-94 for 725 yards and five touchdowns. At wide receiver, sophomore Isaiah McKoy has 21 receptions for 301 yards and three touchdowns. Defensively, graduate LB Matt Bahr and junior LB Mandela Lawrence-Burke are tied as the top defenders with 34 tackles each.
In the NCAA stats, Kent State is ranked No. 24 in net punting (41.46). Individually, junior QB Dustin Crum is No. 15 in completion percentage (.713). Senior S Akeam Peters is No. 15 in forced fumbles (0.4). Senior CB Jamal Parker is No. 24 in total interceptions (2) and No. 25 in kickoff returns (25.2).
HALL OF FAME INDUCTIONS
The 45th Annual Varsity "A" Sports Hall of Fame Class will be honored during Homecoming on Saturday, Oct. 12. The Class of 2019 features: Andy Alleman '11 (Football), Keith Dambrot '82, '84 (Basketball coach 2005-17), Randy Ecrement '94 (Baseball), James "Dru" Joyce '16 (Basketball), Cadeau Kelley '08 (Track & Field), Stevi Large Gruber '08 (Track & Field), and Latrese Taylor Sanders '01 (Track & Field). The Teams of Distinction— the 1999 women's track & field team and the 2009 men's soccer team, the Kenneth "Red" Cochrane Meritorious Service Awardee, Jim Grove '63, and the Mike Krino Varsity "A" Achievement Awardee, Dr. David Axner '78, '84, '97 (Football), will also be honored.
The banquet festivities on October 12 will begin at 10:30 a.m., with a brunch buffet followed by the induction program at 11:15 a.m. The cost of the banquet is $65 per person and $20 for children (12 and under). For further information about the Varsity "A" Hall of Fame, contact Brooke Slama via email at bas239@zips.uakron.edu or visit GoZips.com/zfund/events.
OL Andy Alleman (2005-06): Pronounced ALL-man. Transferred from the University of Pittsburgh. Helped Zips to the 2005 MAC East title. MAC Champions. First FBS bowl appearance. As a senior, started all 12 games at right guard, paving the way for All-MAC RB Dennis Kennedy and providing excellent protections for QB Luke Getsy. Invited to the Hula Bowl, Las Vegas All-Star Classic, and East-West Shrine Game. Named team's Most Valuable Lineman and Weightlifter of the Year. NFL Combine Invitee. Drafted by the New Orleans Saints as the 88th pick in the 3rd round of the 2007 NFL Draft (4th highest drafted player in school history). Played three seasons in the NFL (Saints, Dolphins, Chiefs). Former Zips' radio color analyst.
Statistician Jim Grove (1970-present): Statistician for Akron Athletics sports teams for 50 years. In 1970, Grove began doing statistics for the University of Akron sports information office at home football games at the Rubber Bowl. In 1972, Grove joined the men's basketball crew and has continued in that capacity for 47 seasons. Women's basketball was added to his stat duty in 1992, and he has now completed 27 seasons.
SB David Axner (1975-77): A three-year letterman during the three winning seasons of 1975-77, a contributing member in 1976, UA's winningest team in its football history. A slot back for coach Jim Dennison. Enjoyed his career bests in 1976 when UA went 10-3 and advanced to the NCAA Division II National Championship. That 1976 team was accorded the 2016 Team of Distinction. The captain rushed for 121 yards and three touchdowns in the Knute Rockne Bowl (NCAA semifinal) against Northern Michigan. Named MVP Chevrolet Player of the Game. Earned bachelor's, master's, and doctorate degrees in education for UA. Currently, Axner is the deputy executive director with the Buckeye Association of School Administrators.
CRYSTAL CLINIC WAGON WHEEL CHALLENGE
Akron tackles Kent State for the Crystal Clinic Orthopaedic Center Wagon Wheel Challenge during its Homecoming game on Oct. 12. The 16-sport rivalry series between Akron and Kent State is based on a time-honored competition for an historic wooden wagon wheel trophy awarded originally in 1945 to the winner of the annual Akron-Kent State football game.  Akron has won the last four Wagon Wheel football games.
Since the 2011-12 academic year, the rivalry was broadened to include 16 NCAA varsity sports, with victories in each sport adding one point to the challenge standings. To learn more about the rivalry and follow the results and standings, visit:
www.WagonWheelChallenge.com
AKRON-KENT STATE CONNECTIONS
The Akron and Kent State campuses are just 11 miles apart.
Kent State has four players from the city of Akron– redshirt junior OL Zach Corrigall [St. Vincent-St. Mary HS], freshman LS Tyler Lenke [Copley HS], redshirt senior S Jae'Vante Ray [Ellet HS], and redshirt sophomore QB Pyrce Taylor [Buchtel HS].
Akron defensive line coach Brian Cochran worked in the same capacity at Kent State in 2018.
Akron defensive back coach Jonathan Cooley was the Golden Flashes' secondary coach in 2018.
Kent State head coach Sean Lewis, the youngest head coach in FBS (age 33), was a graduate assistant coach at Akron during the 2011 season.
KSU's video coordinator Tom Cleaver was a graduate assistant at Akron for two seasons (2016-17).
KSU's director of player personnel Steve Schrum served as an assistant recruiting coordinator at Akron during the 2016 season.
AKRON-KENT STATE:Â THE SERIES
Saturday's game is the 62nd meeting between Akron and Kent State in series history, which began in 1923. The Zips lead, 35-24-2. Since the coveted wooden Wagon Wheel trophy has been at stake (dating to 1946), Akron leads, 24-23-1. The Zips are 26-9-2 in the series when playing at home (4-1 at InfoCision Stadium).
Last fall, in an ending fitting of the storied football rivalry between Akron and Kent State, a bobbled snap on an extra-point conversion in overtime proved to be the difference in the ballgame as the Zips captured a 24-23 overtime victory in the Crystal Clinic Wagon Wheel Challenge at Dix Stadium. The victory marked the fourth consecutive win for the Zips in the series, the second-longest streak in the history of the rivalry.
Sophomore QB Kato Nelson hit sophomore WR Andre Williams for what proved to be the game-winning touchdown on a 3rd-and-7 play from the eight-yard line to give the Zips a 24-17 lead.
After senior DE Jamal Davis II dropped Justin Rankin for a four-yard loss on the opening play of overtime for Kent State, Woody Barrett hit Rankin for a 29-yard touchdown pass to move the Golden Flashes within one, 24-23.
On the extra-point conversion, Kent State holder Dustin Crum was unable to cleanly handle the snap before Davis secured the triumph with the tackle.
Nelson finished the contest for Akron throwing for 219 yards and one touchdown on 19-of-35 passing, while Williams led the Zips with four catches for 72 yards. Nelson also led all players with a game-high 121 yards rushing, including a 55-yard touchdown scamper.
In 2017, Akron captured the 2017 MAC East Division title on the strength of a 24-14 victory over rival Kent State while claiming its third consecutive Wagon Wheel victory at InfoCision Stadium– Summa Field on Nov. 21.
The Zips' offensive efforts were led by QB Kato Nelson, completing six passes for 69 yards, which included the 25-yard touchdown pass to TE Kobie Booker. Junior RB Van Edwards, Jr. carried most of the load on the ground, posting 6.1 yards per carry on nine touches and 55 total yards. Manny Morgan followed with 46 yards and added a touchdown, while Nelson rounded out the ground attack with 21 yards.
In a wild finish at Dix Stadium in 2016, the Akron Zips traveled 57 yards with 1:02 left on the clock as TE Mykel Traylor-Bennett ran three yards into the endzone to secure a 31-27 victory over cross-town rival Kent State to keep control of the Crystal Clinic Wagon Wheel.
The thrilling victory marked the first time since 2004 that Akron won a Mid-American Conference opener on the road (at Kent State, 24-19) and the first win at Dix Stadium since the 30-27 double overtime win in 2008.
After Kent State scored a touchdown to take a 27-24 lead with 1:02 left on the clock, the Zips didn't let the lack of time on the clock phase them, as Akron used four plays to travel 57 yards for what proved to be the game-winning touchdown.
In 2015 at InfoCision Stadium on Black FryeDay, Akron re-claimed the coveted Wagon Wheel with a 20-0 shutout of Kent State. The shutout was the Zips' first over the Golden flashes since 1985 and first over any team since 1992. Akron held Kent to just 10 yards rushing.
Zips' QB Thomas Woodson went 11-of-19 for 140 yards and a touchdown. In his final home game, senior RB Conor Hundley rushed for 98 yards and touchdown on 22 carries, while WR Jerome Lane had four catches for 75 yards. Defensively, senior LB Jatavis Brown led the Zips with eight tackles and a forced fumble.
SERIES INFORMATION
Akron all-time vs. Kent State: 35-24-2
Akron in games at Akron: 26-9-2
Akron in games at Kent State: 10-15
Akron in games at a neutral site: 0-0
First meeting in series: 1923, at Akron, W, 32-0
Last meeting in series: 2018, at Dix Stadium, W, 24-23 (OT)
LAST GAME
True freshman QB Zach Gibson (Alpharetta, Ga.) completed his first five passes and went 12-of-16 for 173 yards in limited action as the Akron Zips football team fell to Massachusetts 37-29 at McGuirk Alumni Stadium on Sept. 28.
The Zips used three quarterbacks on Saturday, but it was Gibson who provided a much-needed spark at the end of the third quarter. With the Zips trailing 34-14 with 4:43 remaining in the third frame, Gibson was behind center for the first time in his collegiate career. Gibson, who went 5-for-5 to start, finished the game 12-of-16 for 173 yards and a touchdown.
Redshirt junior Kato Nelson started the game, but left after the first half with an injury. He went 13-of-17 for 141 yards and two touchdowns and a 47-yard long pass to Mathison.
Knight led the receiving corps with 100 yards on five receptions and the 33-yard long pass while Mathison gained 72 yards on six receptions and the 47-yard pass. Junior WR Dustin Burkhart (Akron, Ohio) and redshirt sophomore WR Julian Hicks (Cleveland, Ohio) added touchdown catches. The touchdown snag for Hicks marked first career score at Akron.
Akron had 406 yards of total offense.
Defensively, senior LB John Lako led Akron with 13 tackles including two for loss. Sophomore LB Bubba Arslanian (Aurora, Ohio) and senior DB Alvin Davis, Jr. (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) followed with nine and six, respectively.
POSTGAME NOTES
- Redshirt junior LB DeMarkus Glover (St. Petersburg, Fla.) made his first career interception in the first quarter. The turnover led to Akron's touchdown seven plays later.
- Redshirt sophomore WR Julian Hicks scored his first touchdown as a Zip with a three-yard pass from Kato Nelson in the first quarter. He had two catches for 12 yards on the day.
- In the second quarter, junior WR Dustin Burkhart scored his first career touchdown with a three-yard reception from Kato Nelson. He finished with four receptions for 41 yards.
- True freshman QB Zach Gibson made his collegiate debut in the third quarter. On his first drive, he drove the Zips seven plays for 80 yards and a two-yard touchdown by freshman RB Michiah Burton (Doraville, Ga.), for UA's first TD in the third quarter this season. The TD was a first for Burton.
ZIPS QUICK HITS
- Seven of Akron's 2019 opponents were bowl eligible last fall:Â UAB (Boca Raton), Troy (Dollar General), Buffalo (Dollar General), Northern Illinois (Boca Raton), Miami (not selected), Eastern Michigan (Camillia), and Ohio (Frisco).
- Akron has 52 student-athletes on its roster from the state of Ohio; 44 of those live within a 30-mile radius to campus.
- The Akron defense, which lost eights starters from 2018, is under the guidance of its third coordinator in three seasons– Matt Feeney (2019), Todd Stroud (2018), and Chuck Amato (2017).
- Three of the defensive starters that Matt Feeney had to replace this fall are currently on NFL rosters– LB Ulysees Gilbert III (Pittsburgh Steelers), DB Kyron Brown (New York Jets), and DE Jamal Davis II (Indianapolis).
UP NEXT
Akron continues its two-game MAC home stand on Saturday, Oct. 19, entertaining Buffalo at InfoCision Stadium-Summa Field at 3:30 p.m. on ESPN3.
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