The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
1-3 , 0-0
Duquesne
1-3 , 0-0
Zips Post 51-7 Victory Over Duquesne
September 20 | Football
AKRON, Ohio - Akron used a huge 265-yard performance on the ground, including 161 yards from Jordan Gant (Lakeland, Fla.), and three rushing touchdowns to pick up a 51-7 win against Duquesne Saturday night at home at InfoCision Stadium-Summa Health Field.
Akron had an outstanding day offensively, logging 514 total yards, 265 on the ground and 249 through the air, while averaging 7.7 yards per play and out-gaining Duquesne.
Ben Finley (Phoenix, Ariz.) led Akron's passing attack with 219 yards through the air, tossing two touchdowns and one interception. Brayden Roggow (Tiffin, Ohio) added 30-yards on a 3-of-4 passing night.
Gant led all Zips rushers with a career performance of 161 yards and three touchdowns, picking up 12.4 yards per carry. Sean Patrick (Chagrin Falls, Ohio) added 28 yards on the ground, averaging 4.7 yards per carry, along with 34 receiving yards.
Myles Walker (Monaca, Pa.) reeled in five catches for 65 yards to lead the receiving corps, while Kyan Mason (Cleveland, Ohio) hauled in three balls for 58 yards and one touchdown. Israel Polk (Richmond, Calif.) added 47 yards on two catches.
The Zips' defense registered three takeaways with a pair of interceptions, one for a touchdown and a forced fumble, leading to 14 points. Malcom DeWalt IV (Bremerton, Wash.) came away with a 22-yard pick-six to go along with four tackles while Elijah Davis (Middletown, Ohio) also picked off the Dukes. Rodrick Hunter (Atlanta, Ga.) forced a fumble on a 10-yard sack that was picked up by Cyrus Durham (Atherton, Calif.). Bruno Dall (Hamburg, Germany), Shammond Cooper (St. Louis, Mo.) and Melvin Spriggs (Fredericksburg, Va.) led the way in tackles with five each. Dall also added a sack to his season total while coming away with two tackles for loss against Duquesne. As a unit, the Zips recorded its third consecutive game of 60+ tackles, with 70 takedowns and allowing only 230 total yards
The Zips won the turnover battle in Saturday's game, forcing three turnovers while coughing the ball up one time, with Akron turning those takeaways into 14 points.
The win improved Akron's record to 1-3 on the season while the Dukes fell to 1-3.
How It Happened
Akron put up 51 points on eight different scoring plays. The Zips got on the board first, taking the lead for good at 7-0 with 8:02 left in the first quarter on a 22-yard run from Gant. The Zips would extend the lead to 10-0 on a 27-yard field goal from Owen Wiley (Avon Lake, Ohio) to head into the second quarter. Akron struck again with 12:11 left in the second quarter on a 20-yard strike from Finley to Mason before DeWalt IV snagged a pass and ran 22-yards to put the Blue and Gold up 24-0. Gant would produce the next two scores for Akron on a nine-yard and eight yard rushing touchdowns to give Akron a 38-0 advantage at the half. Tim Grear Jr. (New Orleans, La.) caught a 15-yard pass from Finley with 7:05 in the third before the Dukes go on the board on a one-yard run with 5:20 in the third quarter. Akron finished its scoring with a pair of field goals from Matthew Schramm (Dublin, Ohio) in the fourth.
Game Notes
» Akron outgained Duquesne 514-230, including a 249-52 advantage through the air.
» Akron won the turnover battle 3-1 after intercepting two passes and recovering one fumble.
» The Zips scored first with 8:02 left in the first quarter and never trailed the rest of the game on their way to victory.
» Akron had their highest scoring quarter in the second period, when they put up 28 points.
» Akron converted 5 of 11 third downs while Duquesne was successful on 6 of 16.
» Akron posted its third consecutive game of 60+ tackles (at Nebraska, 66, at UAB, 66, vs Duquesne, 70).
» Akron scored three second-quarter touchdowns.
» The Zips didn't allow a sack in the contest.
» Akron got off to a great start in the contest, putting 45 unanswered points on the board before Duquesne could respond.
What's Next?
Akron travels to Toledo on Saturday, September 27 to begin Mid-American Conference play.
Team Stats
DUQ 0, AKR 7
AKR - Gant,Jordan 17 yd run (Wiley,Owen kick), 1 plays, 17 yards, TOP 00:07
DUQ 0, AKR 10
AKR - Wiley,Owen 27 yd field goal 8 plays, 50 yards, TOP 02:30
DUQ 0, AKR 17
AKR - Mason,Kyan 20 yd pass from Finley,Ben (Wiley,Owen kick) 4 plays, 56 yards, TOP 01:11
DUQ 0, AKR 24
AKR - DeWalt IV,Malcom 22 yd interception (Wiley,Owen kick)
DUQ 0, AKR 31
AKR - Gant,Jordan 9 yd run (Wiley,Owen kick), 4 plays, 53 yards, TOP 01:08
DUQ 0, AKR 38
AKR - Gant,Jordan 8 yd run (Wiley,Owen kick), 7 plays, 60 yards, TOP 01:49
DUQ 0, AKR 45
AKR - Grear Jr.,Tim 15 yd pass from Finley,Ben (Schramm,Matthew kick) 6 plays, 96 yards, TOP 03:03
DUQ 7, AKR 45
DUQ - Kushner,Logan 1 yd run (Marcinko,Matt kick), 4 plays, 75 yards, TOP 01:45
DUQ 7, AKR 48
AKR - Schramm,Matthew 23 yd field goal 9 plays, 33 yards, TOP 03:19
DUQ 7, AKR 51
AKR - Schramm,Matthew 41 yd field goal 10 plays, 47 yards, TOP 05:11
