Akron Battles UAB to a 31-20 Decision

Saturday, September 7

Akron, Ohio

Noon

University of Akron

0-2

Alabama at Birmingham

2-0

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

UAB

AKRON

Photo by: Jeff Harwell

September 07 | Football

Box Score

AKRON, Ohio– Akron football showed definite improvement from week one to week two. But UA fell to defending Conference-USA champion UAB, 31-20, at InfoCision Stadium-Summa Field on Saturday afternoon.

The Blazers (2-0) utilized 402 yards of total offense in the victory. Fueled by a fourth-quarter comeback, Akron (0-2) totaled 393 yards of total offense.

"First of all, we'd like to congratulate UAB on a great win," head coach Tom Arth said. "It's always difficult to travel and get a victory on the road, so congratulations to them and their coaching staff. Secondly, I wanted to say how proud I am of our players. It would've been easy to pack it in, but not once did we do that. There are a lot of things we can coach, but we can't coach fight and desire. Our team has proven to me multiple times that we are incredibly resilient, and they just keep fighting. It gives a lot of hope for the future and the success we plan on having this season."

UA was led by junior WR Dustin Burkhart (Akron, Ohio), who had a career-best 217 receiving yards on the day, including a career-long 64-yard catch in the fourth quarter. Burkhart's 217 yards rank second on UA's all-time receiving yards for a game [behind Jabari Arthur, 223 yards against Western Michigan (10-6-07)].

Junior QB Kato Nelson (Hollywood, Fla.) also had a career day, resetting his personal bests with 25 completions, 44 attempts, and 359 passing yards.

Defensively, three Zips posted double digit tackles, led by senior LB John Lako (Monroe, Mich.) with 14 tackles. Senior DL Davon'te Jest (Ocala, Fla.) registered a career-high 11 tackles.

For UAB, QB Tyler Johnston III went 15-of-24 for 319 yards and four touchdowns. Receiver Austin Watkins had 95 yards and two touchdowns, while Kendall Parham had 94 yards and a touchdown.

Akron took the opening kickoff and for the second consecutive week, scored on its opening drive. Senior RB Deltron Sands (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) ran the ball into the endzone for the Zips' first touchdown of the year on a two-yard rush. Junior PK Jerry Fitschen (Orange, Calif.) missed the extra point as UA jumped on the scoreboard for a 6-0 edge.

UAB drove the length of the field on its opening drive. After 11 plays and 61 yards, the UA defense forced the Blazers to a field goal which went wide right.

On its next possession, UAB converted a six-play, 88-yard drive with a 49-yard touchdown pass from Johnston to Parham to put the Blazers up 7-6 in the first quarter.

To open the second quarter, UAB kicker Nick Vogel converted a 39-yard field goal to put the Blazers ahead 10-6.

Before intermission, Johnston tossed a 28-yard touchdown to Watkins and Vogel tacked on the extra point, giving UAB a 17-6 advantage.

On the opening drive of the third quarter, UAB added another seven points on a 40-yard touchdown pass from Johnston to Watkins.

To open the fourth quarter, Akron utilized an eight-play, 59-yard drive, capped off by a six-yard touchdown pass to junior WR Nate Stewart (Bethlehem, Pa.) for his first touchdown of the year. Fitschen tacked on the extra point to give UA 13 points.

The Zips weren't finished. With 4:42 remaining in the game, Nelson connected with sophomore WR Timothy Scippio (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) on a seven-yard touchdown reception, bringing UA closer at 31-20.

Following a three-and-out, Akron got the ball back with 3:32 to go. The Zips were unable to move the ball and punted for the final time.

Akron opens the Mid-American Conference slate on Saturday, Sept. 14, at Central Michigan. Kickoff at Kelly-Shorts Stadium is set for 3 p.m. on ESPN+.