The University of Akron Athletics
Photo by: Jeff Harwell
FB NOTEBOOK: Marty Whims II Called Plays For Akron’s Opening Drive Saturday
September 12 | Football
AKRON, Ohio — All of the nuggets, statistics and things to know from the University of Akron football team's 45-10 win over Robert Morris on Saturday, Sept. 12 at InfoCision Stadium — Summa Health Field.
OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR OF THE GAME
Akron alumnus and longtime season ticket holder Marty Whims II had a unique role in Saturday's home opener after winning the Arby's "Offensive Coordinator of the Game presented by Arby's Steak Nuggets" promotion.
Whims worked with head coach Joe Moorhead leading into the game to help script Akron's opening offensive drive, getting an inside look at the preparation and decision-making that goes into building an offensive game plan.
The Zips' first possession moved 23 yards before ending with a Robert Morris fumble recovery. Akron responded on its next possession with a nine-play, 82-yard touchdown march, capped by Broughton's 41-yard strike to Patrick.
Whims' experience was part of an Akron Athletics initiative designed to give fans unprecedented access to the football program while creating distinctive experiences around Zips football.
After making his first career start in Akron's season opener at Wake Forest, Cibastian Broughton delivered his first four-touchdown passing performance Saturday.
The sophomore was particularly efficient, completing 85.2% of his passes (23 of 27) while averaging 8.4 yards per completion attempt and not turning the ball over through the air. He threw touchdowns of 41, 25, 6 and 3 yards to three different receivers.
Broughton also showed his ability as a runner, finishing second on the team with 71 rushing yards.
PATRICK DOES A LITTLE OF EVERYTHING
Sean Patrick impacted the game as a runner, receiver and punt returner.
He led the Zips with 161 all-purpose yards, rushing eight times for 67 yards, catching four passes for 65 yards and returning three punts for 29 yards. His 41-yard touchdown reception opened the scoring, while his 15-yard fourth-down run kept Akron's first touchdown drive alive.
Patrick averaged 8.4 yards per rushing attempt and 16.3 yards per reception.
ALEXANDER FINDS THE END ZONE — TWICE
Elijah Alexander entered the end zone twice Saturday, catching touchdown passes of 25 and 3 yards from Broughton.
Alexander finished with a team-high five receptions for 55 yards. His first touchdown came just 1:32 after Robert Morris tied the game at 7, immediately restoring Akron's lead. His second pushed the advantage to 38-10 with 11:45 remaining.
RUN GAME GETS ROLLING
Akron rushed for 241 yards on 39 attempts, averaging 6.2 yards per carry.
Jordan Gant led the way with 81 yards on 12 attempts, followed by Broughton's 71 and Patrick's 67. The trio combined for 219 of Akron's 241 rushing yards.
The Zips recorded 13 rushing first downs compared with just one for Robert Morris.
DEFENSE SLAMS THE DOOR
After Robert Morris accumulated 90 yards in the second quarter, Akron allowed just 52 total yards in the entire second half.
The Colonials managed only 26 yards in the third quarter and 26 in the fourth. Robert Morris was particularly ineffective on the ground, finishing with 14 net rushing yards on 19 attempts.
The Zips also forced a pair of third-quarter turnovers. Those takeaways led to 10 Akron points as the Zips stretched a 21-10 halftime lead to 31-10.
BALL CONTROL
Akron held the ball for 35:14 compared with 24:46 for Robert Morris, including a commanding 18:38-11:22 advantage after halftime.
The Zips put together four touchdown drives of at least 80 yards: 82 yards in the first quarter, 86 yards spanning the third and fourth quarters and an 80-yard fourth-quarter march, while the 82-yard first-half drive opened the scoring. Akron also had scoring drives of 62, 40 and 29 yards.
BY THE NUMBERS
Akron finished with 523 total yards, 282 passing yards, 241 rushing yards, 28 first downs and six touchdowns. The Zips averaged 7.3 yards per play, converted all five of their red-zone opportunities and punted just once. Robert Morris finished with 194 total yards, 12 first downs and 14 rushing yards.
Perhaps the most telling number: after Robert Morris' field goal on the final play of the first half, Akron outscored the Colonials 24-0 over the final 30 minutes.
UP NEXT
Akron returns to the road next weekend, traveling to play Minnesota in the Twin Cities on Saturday, Sept. 19 at noon ET. Zips fans can follow on Big Ten Network or the Akron Sports Network on WHLO 640 AM.
OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR OF THE GAME
Akron alumnus and longtime season ticket holder Marty Whims II had a unique role in Saturday's home opener after winning the Arby's "Offensive Coordinator of the Game presented by Arby's Steak Nuggets" promotion.
Whims worked with head coach Joe Moorhead leading into the game to help script Akron's opening offensive drive, getting an inside look at the preparation and decision-making that goes into building an offensive game plan.
The Zips' first possession moved 23 yards before ending with a Robert Morris fumble recovery. Akron responded on its next possession with a nine-play, 82-yard touchdown march, capped by Broughton's 41-yard strike to Patrick.
Whims' experience was part of an Akron Athletics initiative designed to give fans unprecedented access to the football program while creating distinctive experiences around Zips football.
BROUGHTON BREAKS OUTHe earned himself some steak nuggets today #gameday @ZipsFB https://t.co/gzmCB3R5oA pic.twitter.com/XH04HTQogD
— Arby's (@Arbys) September 12, 2026
After making his first career start in Akron's season opener at Wake Forest, Cibastian Broughton delivered his first four-touchdown passing performance Saturday.
The sophomore was particularly efficient, completing 85.2% of his passes (23 of 27) while averaging 8.4 yards per completion attempt and not turning the ball over through the air. He threw touchdowns of 41, 25, 6 and 3 yards to three different receivers.
Broughton also showed his ability as a runner, finishing second on the team with 71 rushing yards.
PATRICK DOES A LITTLE OF EVERYTHING
Sean Patrick impacted the game as a runner, receiver and punt returner.
He led the Zips with 161 all-purpose yards, rushing eight times for 67 yards, catching four passes for 65 yards and returning three punts for 29 yards. His 41-yard touchdown reception opened the scoring, while his 15-yard fourth-down run kept Akron's first touchdown drive alive.
Patrick averaged 8.4 yards per rushing attempt and 16.3 yards per reception.
ALEXANDER FINDS THE END ZONE — TWICE
Elijah Alexander entered the end zone twice Saturday, catching touchdown passes of 25 and 3 yards from Broughton.
Alexander finished with a team-high five receptions for 55 yards. His first touchdown came just 1:32 after Robert Morris tied the game at 7, immediately restoring Akron's lead. His second pushed the advantage to 38-10 with 11:45 remaining.
RUN GAME GETS ROLLING
Akron rushed for 241 yards on 39 attempts, averaging 6.2 yards per carry.
Jordan Gant led the way with 81 yards on 12 attempts, followed by Broughton's 71 and Patrick's 67. The trio combined for 219 of Akron's 241 rushing yards.
The Zips recorded 13 rushing first downs compared with just one for Robert Morris.
DEFENSE SLAMS THE DOOR
After Robert Morris accumulated 90 yards in the second quarter, Akron allowed just 52 total yards in the entire second half.
The Colonials managed only 26 yards in the third quarter and 26 in the fourth. Robert Morris was particularly ineffective on the ground, finishing with 14 net rushing yards on 19 attempts.
The Zips also forced a pair of third-quarter turnovers. Those takeaways led to 10 Akron points as the Zips stretched a 21-10 halftime lead to 31-10.
BALL CONTROL
Akron held the ball for 35:14 compared with 24:46 for Robert Morris, including a commanding 18:38-11:22 advantage after halftime.
The Zips put together four touchdown drives of at least 80 yards: 82 yards in the first quarter, 86 yards spanning the third and fourth quarters and an 80-yard fourth-quarter march, while the 82-yard first-half drive opened the scoring. Akron also had scoring drives of 62, 40 and 29 yards.
BY THE NUMBERS
Akron finished with 523 total yards, 282 passing yards, 241 rushing yards, 28 first downs and six touchdowns. The Zips averaged 7.3 yards per play, converted all five of their red-zone opportunities and punted just once. Robert Morris finished with 194 total yards, 12 first downs and 14 rushing yards.
Perhaps the most telling number: after Robert Morris' field goal on the final play of the first half, Akron outscored the Colonials 24-0 over the final 30 minutes.
UP NEXT
Akron returns to the road next weekend, traveling to play Minnesota in the Twin Cities on Saturday, Sept. 19 at noon ET. Zips fans can follow on Big Ten Network or the Akron Sports Network on WHLO 640 AM.
Players Mentioned
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