Zips Post 28-22 Win Over Central Michigan on Homecoming

Saturday, October 4

Akron, Ohio

3:30 pm

University of Akron

2-4 , 1-1

Central Michigan

3-3 , 1-1

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Central Mich.

Akron

Zips Post 28-22 Win Over Central Michigan on Homecoming

October 04 | Football

Box Score Boxscore (PDF)Photo Gallery

AKRON, Ohio - The Akron football team posted a 28-22 win over Central Michigan on Homecoming at InfoCision Stadium Summa Health Field on Saturday.

Ben Finley (Phoenix, Ariz.) powered the Zips' air game with 252 yards (18-29-1) and three TDs with a long of 62. Michael Johnson Jr. (San Jose, Calif.) added a TD while going 2-for-2.

Jordan Gant (Lakeland, Fla.) paced the Zips rushing attack with a career-high 176 yards while averaging 5.5 yards per carry. Gant also tacked on 28 receiving yards and a touchdown.

Kyan Mason (Cleveland, Ohio) recorded his first 100+ yard receiving performance as a Zip, reeling in five catches for a career-high 125 yards and one score. He also recorded a career-long 62 yard reception. Marcel Williams (Hollywood, Fla.) had 33 yards on two receptions. Among the four Zips to catch a TD, Max Whisner (Lee's Summit, Mo.) recorded his first career collegiate touchdown while Conner Cravaack (Cincinnati, Ohio) also found the end zone for the first time in his collegiate career.

Akron converted on 60 percent of third-down attempts on the day. The Zips also went 1-for-1 on fourth down.

The Zips' defense recorded its fifth consecutive game of 60+ tackles with 77 coming against the Chippewas.

Defensively, Akron held the Central Michigan passing attack to 136 yards. The Zips defense took up residence in Central Michigan's backfield all game, racking up five sacks and eight total tackles for loss.

Cyrus Durham (Atherton, Calif.) led the way on defense with a career-high nine tackles while also posting a career-high two sacks for four yards. Bruno Dall (Hamburg, Germany) followed close behind with a career-high eight tackles while recording one tackle for loss. Gage Summers had eight tackles as well while recording one tackle for loss resulting in eight yards. Julien Laventure (Upper Darby, Pa.) had three tackles while recording two sacks for 15 yards.

The Zips improved to 2-4 on the year and 1-1 in Mid-American Conference play, while the Chippewas fell to 3-3 and 1-1.

How It Happened

Central Michigan scored first to take a 3-0 lead, but Akron fired back with 12:15 left in the second quarter to go ahead 7-3 on a 22-yard pass from Finley to Mason.Central Michigan responded and went ahead 10-7 before the Zips scored again on a 16-yard touchdown reception from Finley to Gant to jump back in front 14-10.

Akron then added a touchdown with 10:38 left in the third quarter to make it a 21-10 lead when Johnson Jr. found Whisner. The Zips continued to expand their lead, scoring again to go ahead 28-10 on a 2-yard pass from Finley to Cravaack. Akron didn't score again in the game and Central Michigan added 12 more points to finish off the scoring.

Game Notes

» Akron outgained Central Michigan 417-374, including a 255-136 advantage through the air.
» Akron had their highest scoring quarter in the third period, when they put up 14 points.
» Akron converted 9 of 15 third downs while Central Michigan was successful on 4 of 12.
» The Zips had three players with more than eight tackles in the ballgame led by Durham, who had nine.
» Akron went 1-for-1 on fourth down, converting on 100 percent of attempts.
» Akron won the time of possession battle 32:18 to 27:42.
» The Zips offense came out of halftime firing on all cylinders, scoring 14 unanswered until the Chippewas got on the board again.

What's Next?
The Akron Zips return to InfoCision Stadium-Summa Health Field on Saturday, Oct. 11, hosting the RedHawks of Miami. Kickoff is slated for Noon on ESPN+.