InfoCision Stadium – Akron, OH
CBSSN
By EVAN MEYER
After absorbing a heartbreaking loss to Miami last week, Ball State hopes to start a new win streak this week when it visits Akron. The Zips have lost two straight since beating Bowling Green for their only MAC victory.
This is the 25th lifetime meeting between the two schools, with the Zips holding a narrow 12-11-1 edge. UA won the last meeting on December 7, 2017 at InfoCision Stadium, 31-3. BSU’s last win in the series was October 25, 2014 at Schunemann Stadium in Muncie 35-21. The game is the 12th lifetime meeting in Akron (third at Infocision Stadium)
Here's more on the two teams . . .
BALL STATE CARDINALS (4-4, 2-2):
>> Last Saturday, the hosting Cardinals saw their three-game winning streak come to an end at the hands of the Miami RedHawks, 24-17. The loss dropping Ball State into a second place tie with Western Michigan in the Western Division -- two games behind leading Northern Illinois.
>> BSU came back from a 16-10 halftime deficit to take a 17-16 lead in the third quarter when senior QB Drew Plitt connected with junior WR Jayshon Johnson from four-yards out. MU responded in the fourth quarter, moving 91-yards in 13 plays for the decisive touchdown and a two-point conversion.
>> Freshman RB Carson Steele led the ground attack with 49 yards on 11 carries. Meanwhile, Plitt completed 27-of-34 passes for 227 yards and a pair of scores (one to Johnson and the other to Senior WR Justin Hall). Johnson led the receivers with eight catches for 121 yards and the score.
>> The defense had a sack, six tackles for losses, a forced fumble, and two pass breakups. It was led by junior ILB Clayton Coll, who had 11 total tackles.
>> The defending Western Division and MAC title game champs from a year ago were the pre-season favorites to win the West. BSU went 2-2 in its non-conference schedule. After beating FCS member Western Illinois, the Cardinals suffered road losses at Penn State and Wyoming before finishing with a home victory over Army. It was the Black Knights' first loss of the season.
>> The MAC season opened with a loss to Toledo, followed by road victories over Western Michigan and Eastern Michigan before last Saturday's loss at home, to the RedHawks.
>> Head Coach Mike Neu is finishing his sixth season at his alma mater. He was given a new contract after the Cards won the 2020 MAC title game over Buffalo, and a victory over San Jose State in the Arizona Bowl. The former Cardinal quarterback is 26-38 overall (15-27 in MAC play). Neu is 0-2 lifetime against Akron.
>> Neu is one of 17 FBS coaches currently leading their alma mater (Two others are in the MAC -- Tim Lester-Western Michigan & Thomas Hammock-Northern Illinois).
>> Through eight games, the Cardinals' offense is averaging 22.6 points and 320.3 yards.
>> Steele leads the ground attack with 428 yards on 84 carries and five touchdowns.
>> Plitt is completing 63.9 percent of his passes (152-of-238), good for 1,591 yards with 11 touchdowns and only four interceptions.
>> Hall leads receivers with 48 catches for 506 yards along with four scores. In addition, he is one of the best kick returners in the MAC, averaging 35.6 yards per return.
>> The BSU defense is allowing 27.4 points and 395.3 yards.
>> Fifth-year safety Bryce Cosby (41 solo) and fifth-year LB Jaylin Thomas (33 solo) lead the defense with 63 total tackles.
>> Cosby is tied for the team lead in sacks with six and tackles for losses with four.
UP NEXT:
>> BSU plays its final road game of the season on Wednesday, November 10 ,heading to Northern Illinois. The Huskies are 6-2 on the season and a perfect 4-0 in MAC play. They will be putting their four-game winning streak on the line Wednesday night at Kent State against the Golden Flashes.
AKRON ZIPS (2-6, 1-3):
>> UA was last in action on Saturday October 23rd at InfoCision Stadium, losing to the Buffalo Bulls, 45-10. It was the Blue and Gold’s second consecutive defeat.
>> The highlights for the Zips came in the second quarter when PK Cory Smigel connected on a 35-yard field goal and freshman RB Jonzell Norrils ripped off a 74-yard touchdown run -- the longest of his career and longest by a UA running back so far this season.
>> The rest of the game belonged to the visitors from Western New York as they completely dominated the Zips in every facet of the game as their record fell to 1-4 at home in 2021.
>> On a wet and wet and windy Saturday, Akron's offense shined on the ground the Zips gained 229 yards on the ground (304 yards overall). Norrils had a career day with 155 yards on 11 carries, including the 74-yard score.
>> Kyle Gibson got the start at quarterback but was ineffective in the first two series. D.J. Irons then saw his first action since the second half of the Ohio game. He came in but was just 5-of-13 for only 66 yards and added 54 yards rushing.
>> WR Konata Mumpfield led Akron receivers with three receptions for 36 yards.
>> The defense had just one pass breakup, a fumble recovery, and four tackles for losses. It was led by DB Jaylen Kelly-Powell, who had 16 total tackles (three solo).
>> Offensively, UA is averaging 19.9 points and 333.9 yards.
>> Irons leads Akron rushers with 300 yards on 90 carries with two touchdowns. As a passer, he is completing 65.9 percent of his throws (77-of-117) for 890 yards with eight touchdowns and four interceptions.
>> Mumpfield, one of top freshmen receivers not only in the MAC but in the entire FBS, leads the team with 41 reception for 495 yards and a six touchdowns (also a team best).
>> In just seven quarters since entering the Bowling Green game at the start of the second half, Gibson has completed 45-of-65 passes (69.2 percent) for 515 yards with six touchdowns and no interceptions.
>> Defensively, the Zips are yielding 38.9 points and 449.1 yards per outing.
>> LB Jeslord Boateng tops defenders with 59 total tackles (26 solo). He also leads with seven tackles for losses (17 yards) and is one of three with 1 ½ sacks.
>> CB Charles Amanawaa has three interceptions (38 yards) to lead the team.
>> Freshman P Ethan Slike is averaging 43.3 yards per kick so far this season.
UP NEXT:
The Zips head for Western Michigan to battle the Broncos, who is 5-3 overall and 2-2 in MAC play following their last game (a 34-15 loss at Toledo).