Gibson, Mathison Post Career Numbers in Midweek #MACtion Setback

Tuesday, November 2

Akron, Ohio

7:00 PM

University of Akron

2-7 , 1-4

Ball State

5-4 , 3-2

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Ball St.

Akron

Gibson, Mathison Post Career Numbers in Midweek #MACtion Setback

November 02 | Football

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Gibson, Mathison Post Career Numbers in Midweek #MACtion Setback
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BOXSCORE (PDF) | BOXSCORE | PHOTO GALLERY | POSTGAME COMMENTS

Akron, Ohio – The Akron Zips football team received career-best performances from freshman QB Zach Gibson (Alpharetta, Ga.) and sophomore WR Michael Mathison (Covington, Ga.) and were in the midst of driving to take the lead with 1:32 left in the game, but the defending Mid-American Conference champions Ball State Cardinals forced a fumble at the goal line and held on for a 31-25 midweek #MACtion win on Tuesday night at InfoCision Stadium-Summa Field.

Gibson threw for a career-high 331 yards on 24-of-31 passing with two touchdowns and connected with a career-long 57-yard pass to Mathison – which was also a career-long reception. Mathison racked-up a career-best 154 yards receiving on eight receptions, including 102 yards after the catch and a touchdown.

Also crossing the goal line for Akron were freshmen RB Jonzell Norrils (Toledo, Ohio) and TE Tristian Brank (Asheville, N.C.). Norrils gained 88 yards on 17 carries to lead the Zips' ground attack, while Brank registered 30 yards with a diving nine-yard TD catch. Akron posted 458 yards of total offense for the game compared to Ball State's 425 yards.

The Cardinals (5-4, 3-2 MAC) established a 21-10 lead by halftime, and the Zips (2-7, 1-4 MAC) battled back with tough second-half defense led by redshirt sophomore LB Jeslord Boateng (Dublin, Ohio) and junior CB Jalen Hooks (Warren, Ohio) with nine tackles apiece. The Zips recorded three tackles for loss, including an eight-yard sack by redshirt sophomore DL Logan Hawkins (Harrison City, Pa.).

UP NEXT
Akron travels to Kalamazoo, Mich., to battle Western Michigan on Nov. 9 at Waldo Stadium.

How it Happened

• Ball State scored the first points at the 5:54 mark (7-0 BSU) Drive: seven plays, 70 yards 2:22 T.O.P

• Gibson retaliated with a 31-yard passing play to Mathison, Norrils followed with a 22-yard run to Ball State 12-yard line. Corey Smigel connected with 27-yard field goal to cut Cardinals' lead to 7-3 with 4:08 left in 1stquarter. Drive: six plays, 55 yards, 1:46 T.O.

• The Cardinals used 11 plays to drive 75 yards in 4:18 for a second touchdown, 14-3

• Akron retaliated with a five-play, 75-yard scoring drive that lasted 1:58, fueled by a 19-yard pass from Gibson to freshman WR Konata Mumpfield (Hoschton, Ga.) followed by a 25-yard TD run by Norrils, 14-10, 12:52 remaining in second quarter.

• Ball State ended first half with a touchdown and a 21-10 advantage. Drive: 10 plays, 65 yards, 1:40 T.O.P

• The Cardinals opened the second-half scoring with a 16-play, 74-yard drive that lasted 6:58 for a 28-10 lead, 6:41 3rdquarter.

• The Zips cut into the lead as Brank scooped a 9-yard pass from Gibson in the endzone. The play was setup by a 37-yard reception from Mathison. Drive: 10 plays, 90 yards, 3:24 T.O.P.

• Akron pulled within three points as Gibson found Mathison for a 57-yard TD reception. The Zips converted for two points to be within a field goal, 28-25, 9:50 left in the game. Drive: six plays, 73 yards, 2:46 T.O.P

• Ball State nailed a 31-yard field goal for a six-point advantage with 7:06 left to play, 31-25. Drive: seven plays, 48-yards, 2:43 T.O.P.