The University of Akron Athletics
Saturday, September 9
Akron, Ohio
6:00 PM
University of Akron
vs
Morgan State
Akron Hosts Morgan State for Football Home Opener
September 08 | Football
WHAT'S AHEAD
The University of Akron football welcomes Morgan State for its 2023 home opener at InfoCision Stadium in Akron, Ohio on Saturday, Sept. 9 at 6 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ with Ryan Cavanaugh (PxP) and Anthony Lima (Analyst) calling the action with a link on GoZips.com.
Television: ESPN+ - Ryan Cavanaugh (pxp), Anthony Lima (analyst)
Radio: Akron Sports Network - David Skoczen (pxp), Joe Dunn (analyst)
WHLO 640 AM (flagship), WHK 1420 AM/102.5 FM
iHeart Radio, TheVarsityNetwork.com
Video Link: www.GoZips.com (subscription may be required)
Live Stats Link: www.GoZips.com
HEAD COACHES
Damon Wilson (Bowie State, 1998) Joe Moorhead (Fordham, 1996)
Overall Record: 94-52 (15th Seasoon) Overall Record: 54-36 (8th Season)
Record at Morgan State: 5-7 (2nd Season) Record at Akron: 2-11 (2nd Season)
SERIES HISTORY
Series: Akron Leads 3-0
Last Meeting: Akron def. Morgan State, 41-7 (Akron, Ohio - Sept. 8, 2018)
First Meeting: Akron def. Morgan State, 41-0 (Akron, Ohio - Sept. 1, 2009)
Last Meeting at Akron: Akron def. Morgan State, 41-7 (Akron, Ohio - Sept. 8, 2018)
The game between the Zips and Bears marks the fourth meeting in series history between the two teams. Akron leads the all-time series, 3-0, including a 41-0 triumph in the first game played at InfoCision Stadium on Sept. 1, 2009. The Zips posted a 66-6 victory on Sept. 15, 2012 at home, and the third win of the series in the last meeting on Sept. 8, 2018. The Zips defeated the Bears 41-7. In three games, Akron outscored Morgan State 148-13.
SCOUTING MORGAN STATE
Under the leadership of second year head coach Damon Wilson, the Morgan State Bears posted a week 1 upset over FCS power and No. 18 ranked Richmond Spiders, 17-10 at Robins Stadium in Richmond, Va. Following the hard fought victory, Morgan State was named the FedEx Ground National Team of the Week. The Bears scored 10 unanswered points in the second half for the win led by a stifling defense, only allowing 95 yards on the ground and 169 yards in the air for 264 yards of total offense. The run game carried the load for the Bears as six players combined for 114 yards rushing, led by J.J. Davis with 73 yards on 12 carries. Jabriel Johnson added 51 yards on nine attempts, while Dominique Anthony added eight yards. Carson Baker and Anthony combined for 99 yards passing from the QB position. Baker went 5-of-8 for 68 yards and a 28-yard long completion, while Anthony registered a 2-of-5 performance for 31 yards and a 26-yard long pass. Erick Hunter was named HBCU National Player of the Week and MEAC Defensive Player of the Week, recording 11 tackles, four solo, with 1.5 sacks for a four-yard loss including a strip-sack to help setup the final score for the Bears.
AKRON NOTES
• Akron posted 279 yards of total offense in the season opener vs Temple
• DJ Irons accounted for 205 yards of offense with two TDs on 17-of-29 throwing.
• Lorenzo Lingard caught a career-high 77 yard TD reception from Irons on the second play of the game to give Akron a 7-0 lead.
• Daniel George caught a 50-yard long pass from Irons to setup the Zips second TD
• Myles Walker hauled in the second TD pass from Irons, a 14 yard reception and his first career touchdown
• Drake Anderson led the ground attack with 40 of the Zips 74 yards.
• Akron's defense registered three tackles for loss with eight total yards.Bryan McCoy (1), Shammond Cooper (0.5), Terray Jones (1) and CJ Nunnally (0.5) recorded the takedowns.
• Darrian Lewis, Antavious Fish and McCoy recorded seven tackles each to lead the Zips. Judson Tallendier, Cooper and KJ Martin followed with five each.
• Akron returns eight offensive starters and seven defensive starters
• Akron returns its top-three tacklers in; Nate Thompson (73 tackles, 38 solo, 35 assists, 2 TFL), Darrian Lewis (56 tackles, 30 solo, 26 assists, 3/5 TFL) and KJ Martin (53 tackles, 30 solo, 23 assists, 3 TFL)
• Akron returns its top-two quarterbacks in; DJ Irons (253-379-7, 2,606, 10 TD) and Jeff Undercuffler (70-120-5, 791 yards, 5 TD)
• Akron returns its top leading rusher in DJ Irons (133 carries, 314 yards, 4 TD)
• Akron Returns four of top-five leading receivers in; Alex Adams (63 catches, 856 yards, 9 TD), Daniel George (67 catches, 793 yards, 2 TD), TJ Banks (21 catches, 175 yards, 0 TD)
The University of Akron football welcomes Morgan State for its 2023 home opener at InfoCision Stadium in Akron, Ohio on Saturday, Sept. 9 at 6 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ with Ryan Cavanaugh (PxP) and Anthony Lima (Analyst) calling the action with a link on GoZips.com.
Television: ESPN+ - Ryan Cavanaugh (pxp), Anthony Lima (analyst)
Radio: Akron Sports Network - David Skoczen (pxp), Joe Dunn (analyst)
WHLO 640 AM (flagship), WHK 1420 AM/102.5 FM
iHeart Radio, TheVarsityNetwork.com
Video Link: www.GoZips.com (subscription may be required)
Live Stats Link: www.GoZips.com
HEAD COACHES
Damon Wilson (Bowie State, 1998) Joe Moorhead (Fordham, 1996)
Overall Record: 94-52 (15th Seasoon) Overall Record: 54-36 (8th Season)
Record at Morgan State: 5-7 (2nd Season) Record at Akron: 2-11 (2nd Season)
SERIES HISTORY
Series: Akron Leads 3-0
Last Meeting: Akron def. Morgan State, 41-7 (Akron, Ohio - Sept. 8, 2018)
First Meeting: Akron def. Morgan State, 41-0 (Akron, Ohio - Sept. 1, 2009)
Last Meeting at Akron: Akron def. Morgan State, 41-7 (Akron, Ohio - Sept. 8, 2018)
The game between the Zips and Bears marks the fourth meeting in series history between the two teams. Akron leads the all-time series, 3-0, including a 41-0 triumph in the first game played at InfoCision Stadium on Sept. 1, 2009. The Zips posted a 66-6 victory on Sept. 15, 2012 at home, and the third win of the series in the last meeting on Sept. 8, 2018. The Zips defeated the Bears 41-7. In three games, Akron outscored Morgan State 148-13.
SCOUTING MORGAN STATE
Under the leadership of second year head coach Damon Wilson, the Morgan State Bears posted a week 1 upset over FCS power and No. 18 ranked Richmond Spiders, 17-10 at Robins Stadium in Richmond, Va. Following the hard fought victory, Morgan State was named the FedEx Ground National Team of the Week. The Bears scored 10 unanswered points in the second half for the win led by a stifling defense, only allowing 95 yards on the ground and 169 yards in the air for 264 yards of total offense. The run game carried the load for the Bears as six players combined for 114 yards rushing, led by J.J. Davis with 73 yards on 12 carries. Jabriel Johnson added 51 yards on nine attempts, while Dominique Anthony added eight yards. Carson Baker and Anthony combined for 99 yards passing from the QB position. Baker went 5-of-8 for 68 yards and a 28-yard long completion, while Anthony registered a 2-of-5 performance for 31 yards and a 26-yard long pass. Erick Hunter was named HBCU National Player of the Week and MEAC Defensive Player of the Week, recording 11 tackles, four solo, with 1.5 sacks for a four-yard loss including a strip-sack to help setup the final score for the Bears.
AKRON NOTES
• Akron posted 279 yards of total offense in the season opener vs Temple
• DJ Irons accounted for 205 yards of offense with two TDs on 17-of-29 throwing.
• Lorenzo Lingard caught a career-high 77 yard TD reception from Irons on the second play of the game to give Akron a 7-0 lead.
• Daniel George caught a 50-yard long pass from Irons to setup the Zips second TD
• Myles Walker hauled in the second TD pass from Irons, a 14 yard reception and his first career touchdown
• Drake Anderson led the ground attack with 40 of the Zips 74 yards.
• Akron's defense registered three tackles for loss with eight total yards.Bryan McCoy (1), Shammond Cooper (0.5), Terray Jones (1) and CJ Nunnally (0.5) recorded the takedowns.
• Darrian Lewis, Antavious Fish and McCoy recorded seven tackles each to lead the Zips. Judson Tallendier, Cooper and KJ Martin followed with five each.
• Akron returns eight offensive starters and seven defensive starters
• Akron returns its top-three tacklers in; Nate Thompson (73 tackles, 38 solo, 35 assists, 2 TFL), Darrian Lewis (56 tackles, 30 solo, 26 assists, 3/5 TFL) and KJ Martin (53 tackles, 30 solo, 23 assists, 3 TFL)
• Akron returns its top-two quarterbacks in; DJ Irons (253-379-7, 2,606, 10 TD) and Jeff Undercuffler (70-120-5, 791 yards, 5 TD)
• Akron returns its top leading rusher in DJ Irons (133 carries, 314 yards, 4 TD)
• Akron Returns four of top-five leading receivers in; Alex Adams (63 catches, 856 yards, 9 TD), Daniel George (67 catches, 793 yards, 2 TD), TJ Banks (21 catches, 175 yards, 0 TD)
AKRON NAMES CAPTAINS FOR THE 2023 CAMPAIGN
The Zips elected seniors QB DJ Irons, WR Daniel George, DL Ryan Johnson and DB KJ Martin as captains for Akron for the 2023 campaign.
UP NEXT
Akron travels to Lexington, Ky. to play the Kentucky Wildcats on Saturday, Sept. 16 at 7 p.m. ESPNU.
Players Mentioned
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