Offensively, the Zips were led by junior QB Kato Nelson who went 15-of-29 for 200 yards and a touchdown. Junior WR Nate Stewart had 89 yards on four receptions. Sophomore . . .
For the Trojans, QB Kaleb Barker went 27-of-37 for 214 yards and three touchdowns. On the ground, DK Billingsley rushed for 100 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries.
"Our kicking game has been very good two weeks in a row, particularly our coverage. I thought Jonah (Wieland) punted the ball well.
"Defensively, we limited their explosive players. We forced them to third down numerous times and unfortunately that’s where we did not execute as well as we can. Offensively, we had some explosive plays and moved the football. We had a few missed opportunities that are a part of this game and we will look back and learn from them.”
Akron (0-4) was led by senior DB Alvin Davis, Jr., who tallied a career-high 17 tackles.
On their first possession, the Trojans drove the length of the field. On his first career reception, A.J. Lewis caught an eight-yard pass from Barker to jump on the scoreboard first, taking a 7-0 lead.
Troy got the ball back on the next possession after an Akron fumble. The Zips then returned the favor as senior S Shawn Featherstone picked off Barker for his first interception of the season.
To close out the first quarter, Akron utilized the final minute to get on the scoreboard. Nelson completed a 39-yard pass to Knight and a four-yard pass to Mathison. The final pas was a 21-yard touchdown to Wolfley for a touchdown. Redshirt freshman Cory Smigel capped the extra point as Akron and Troy were tied 7-7 after the first quarter.
The Trojans then marched 75 yards on 12 plays as Barker connected with Khalil McClain for a two-yard touchdown. With the extra point, Troy held a 14-7 edge.
Before halftime, Barker guided his team to the endzone once again. This time, he rushed for nine yards on a keeper to put his team ahead, 21-7.
Troy went ahead 28-7 in the third as Billingsley completed a 15-play, 72-yard drive with a one-yard rushing touchdown.
Akron responded with a drive of its own. Nelson connected with Stewart on a 49-yard pass. Following three rushes by Lee, the Zips faced a second-and-goal from the four. With a five-yard false start penalty, UA had second-and-goal from the nine. Nelson’s next to passes to Stewart were incomplete. On fourth-and-goal, the Zips went for it, but Nelson’s pass to Mathison in the endzone was incomplete.
With 36 seconds to go in the stanza, Bret Clark caught an 11-yard pass from Barker. After three quarters, Troy led, 35-7, the final tally for the day.
Akron travels to Massachusetts for its final non-conference contest on Saturday, Sept. 28. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. at McGuirk Alumni Stadium.
(Courtesy of UA Athletics)