Akron Football Hosts Toledo for 2024 Season Finale #MACtion

WHATS AHEAD
Akron and Toledo will battle for the first time in two seasons as the Zips host the Rockets at InfoCision Stadium Summa Field for the regular season finale on Tuesday, Nov., 26 at 7 p.m. ESPN2 will broadcast the game with Matt Schumaker (PxP) and Dustin Fox (Analyst) calling the action.

Television: ESPN2 – Matt Schumaker (PxP) and Dustin Fox (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
Toledo (7-4, 4-3 MAC)
Jason Candle (Mount Union, 2003)
at Toledo (10th): 72-39 (47-22)
Overall : Same

Akron Zips (3-8, 2-5 MAC)
Joe Moorhead (Fordham, 1996)
at Akron (3rd): 7-28
Overall (8th): 59-53

SERIES HISTORY
Toledo leads, 13-9
Last Meeting: Toledo def. Akron, 49-14 (Toledo, Ohio – Nov. 27, 2021)
Last Meeting in Akron: Toledo def. Akron, 48-17 (Akron, Ohio – Nov. 2, 2016)
Last Meeting in Toledo: Toledo def. Akron, 48-21 (Toledo, Ohio - Oct. 21, 2017)
MAC Championship: Toledo def. Akron, 45-28 (Detroit, Mich. - Dec. 2, 2017)

Akron is meeting Toledo for the 23rd time in program history with the Rockets owning a 13-9 series advantage. It has been two seasons since the two schools squared-off as Toledo claimed a 49-14 result over the Zips on Nov. 27, 2021. Before 2021, Toledo and the Zips played twice in 2017. Toledo registered a 45-28 triumph past the Zips on Dec. 2, 2017 in the Mid-American Conference title game at Ford Field in Detroit, Mich. Akron and Toledo last met in Toledo on Oct. 21, 2017 as the Rockets posted a 48-21 victory.

The series between the two schools dates back to the 1923 campaign when Akron earned a 10-3 home victory over Toledo.

SCOUTING TOLEDO
Toledo currently sits 7-4 overall and 4-3 in MAC play. The Rockets average 27.82 points per game on 357.5 total yards of offense per game. The Rockets attack averages 242.27 yards through the air and 115.3 yards on the ground. Defensively, opponents average 21.36 points on 354.7 yards per game, allowing 242.27 yards in the air and 141.5 on the ground. QB Tucker Gleason leads the offense, completing 176 of 291 attempts with seven INT's for 2,168 yards (216.8 avg) and 20 touchdowns. Connor Walendzak and Tucker provide the bulk of the work on the ground, averaging 3.6 and 3.5 yards per carry, respectively. Walendzak carried the ball 103 times for 388 yards (33.64 yds/g) with one TD, while Tucker scored six touchdowns on 387 yards (27.10/g) with 77 attempts. Jerjuan Newton leads the receiving corps with 868 yards on 56 catches and 10 TDs (78.91 yds/g and 15.50 yards/reception), followed by Junior Vandeross III (62-279 yds-61.73 yds/g-4 TDs). Defensively, UT generated 79.0 tackles for loss of 268 yards with 26 sacks (156 yds). Maxen Hook paces the defense with 103 tackles and 1.0 TFL for three yards. Daniel Bolden follows with 83 tackles and a team-high 7.0 TFL for 19 yards. Anthony Dunn, Jr. is tied in the TFL category with seven (45 yards) and leads the squad in sacks with 4.0 for 40 yards of loss.

LAST TIME OUT
The Akron Football team claimed the Wagon Wheel for the second straight season after defeating rival Kent State 38-17 at Dix Stadium Tuesday evening. Akron's rushing attack helped the Zips roll past the Golden Flashes with 277 yards gained on the ground. Redshirt junior Jordon Simmons led the ground game with 113 yards and 10.3 per carry. Redshirt sophomore Charles Kellom also cracked the century mark with 104 yards rushing and one touchdown. Redshirt junior Tahj Bullock rushed for two touchdowns and 35 yards. Sophomore Adrian Norton recorded over 100 receiving yards against the Golden Flashes, posting 107 yards on five receptions and 21.4 yards per catch. Kellom added 44 yards receiving to his rushing performance while redshirt junior Jarvis Rush recorded his first NCAA touchdown reception on a 36 yard strike from redshirt junior Ben Finley. Finley threw for 250 yards (14-29-0) and one touchdown when he found Rush. Redshirt junior Garrison Smith was perfect on night kicking, going 3-for-3 after hitting 43,27 and 26 yard field goals. The Zips racked up 527 total yards on offense, 277 on the ground and 250 through the air, while averaging 6.8 yards per play and out-gaining Kent State.

AKRON 2024 CAPTAINS
The Zips elected junior LB Bryan McCoy (Chicago, Ill.) as captain for the second consecutive season. McCoy is joined by senior DL Bennett Adler (Lakewood, Ohio), redshirt junior WR Myles Walker (Monaca, Pa.) and redshirt junior QB Ben Finley (Phoenix, Ariz.) as captains for Akron for the 2024 campaign.

Akron Football Hosts Toledo for 2024 Season Finale #MACtion

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Players Mentioned

Bennett Adler

Tahj Bullock

Ben Finley

Charles Kellom

Bryan McCoy

Adrian Norton

Jarvis Rush

Jordon Simmons

Garrison Smith

Myles Walker

The University of Akron Athletics