Akron Falls in Season Opener at Auburn

Saturday, September 4

Auburn, Ala.

7:00 PM ET

University of Akron

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Auburn

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Akron

Auburn

September 04 | Football

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AUBURN, Ala. - The University of Akron football team opened the 2021 football season with a 60-10 setback to Southeastern Conference powerhouse Auburn (1-0) at Jordan-Hare Stadium on Saturday., Sept. 4.

The Tigers established an early 13-0 advantage with a pair of touchdowns in the first quarter, using a six-play 65-yard drive for the initial touchdown and a seven-play 66-yard drive for the second score. By the end of the half, Auburn led 37-0, adding three additional TD's and a field goal as time expired.

Redshirt sophomore QB DJ Irons (Lawrenceville, Ga.) sparked Akron to a pair of second-half scoring drives going a perfect 13-for-13 for 129 yards, including a four-yard touchdown to freshman RB Jonzell Norrils (Toledo, Ohio) in the fourth quarter. Senior QB Kato Nelson (Hollywood, Fla.), who earned the start for the Zips, concluded the contest hitting on 9-of-14 attempts.

Redshirt junior LB Bubba Arslanian (Aurora, Ohio) and redshirt sophomore LB Jeslord Boateng (Dublin, Ohio) anchored the Zips defense collecting 15 of tackles. Arslanian led Akron with a game-high eight tackles, including four solo stops, while Boateng, junior CB Charles Amankwaa (Hillsborough, N.J.), redshirt junior S Kevin Dever, Jr. (Lakewood, Ohio) and redshirt junior CB Jaylen Kelly-Powell (Detroit, Mich.) added seven, four, four and four tackles, respectively. Boateng and sophomore DL Bryce Wilson (Lilburn, Ga.) each collected a tackle for a loss for the Zips in the game.

Akron registered 188 yards of total offense led by 115 all-purpose yards from sophomore WR Michael Mathison (Covington, Ga.), who hauled in a team-high seven passes for 68 yards, including a long of 24 yards. Norrils headlined Akron's rushers with 22 yards, while pulling in a pair of passes for 21 yards, including his first career receiving score in the fourth quarter.

Nelson was 9-of-12 in the opening half for 62 yards, including a 17-yard pass to Norrils in the second quarter. Norrils paced Akron with 29 all-purpose yards in the first half.

Junior WR George Qualls, Jr. (Caruthersville, Mo.) pulled in a pair of passes in the opening half for a team-high 18 yards, while freshman WR Konata Mumpfield (Hoschoton, Ga.) added two receptions for 14 yards.

Auburn QB Bo Nix was 18-of-20 for 252 yards and three touchdowns, while RB Tank Bigby rushed for 90 first-half yards and a pair of touchdowns. Nix and Bigsby finished the game registering 275 passing yards and 121 yards rushing, respectively.

The Tigers extended their advantage with a pair of five-play scoring drives in the third quarter.

Irons sparked the Zips to their first touchdown of the season driving Akron on an 11-play, 80-yard drive over 6:30 capped by a four-yard pass to Norrils at the 13:28 mark of the fourth quarter. Irons was a perfect 5-for-5 on the drive for 63 yards.

Irons had completions of 24, 22 and 10 yards, respectively, to Mathison, redshirt freshman RB Anthony Williams, Jr. (Chicago, Ill.) and Qualls on the drive. The biggest play on the scoring drive was a 22-yard strike to Williams on a 4th-and-5 play from Auburn's 40-yard line.

On the ensuing drive, Irons drove the Zips 40 yards, including connecting on a seven-yard completion to freshman WR Oran Singleton, Jr. (Clewiston, Fla.) on a 4th-and-3 play from Auburn's 27-yard line.

Redshirt sophomore PK Cory Smigel (North Royalton, Ohio) capped the drive with a 40-yard field goal that split the uprights with 2:48 left in the game. The kick was one yard shy of a career-long 41-yard field goal against Western Michigan on Nov. 4, 2020.

UP NEXT
Akron will open its 2021 home campaign welcoming Temple for InfoCision Stadium - Summa Field on Saturday, Sept. 11 in a 3:30 p.m. tilt.

TICKET INFORMATION - TEMPLE (SEPT. 11, 2021) - INFOCISION STADIUM-SUMMA FIELD
Season ticket plans for the 2021 season, which include a ticket to all six home games, a season-long parking pass, and the opportunity to purchase tickets to the away games including Ohio State, can be purchased now (starting at only $60 each) by calling or texting 888-99-AKRON (25766) or visiting The C.P. and Cornelia S. Chima Athletics Ticket Office at InfoCision Stadium-Summa Field (located at 375 E. Exchange Street, near Gate 1 at the southwest corner of the venue, at the corner of E. Exchange and S. Union streets) during our transitional business hours (Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.).

The University of Akron athletic department is offering complimentary admission to all area high school students for the Akron football home opener against Temple on Saturday, Sept. 11 at 3:30 p.m.

All high school students in select counties are eligible for TWO FREE tickets to the Zips' home opener against Temple. Additional tickets in the same section can may be purchased for just $10 each.

For additional information please follow the Registration for Akron vs. Temple Complimentary Tickets page.