OHIO 25, AKRON 1
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MOUNT PLEASANT, MI -- MAC West champion Toledo (11-1, 8-0 MAC) opened up a 17-0 lead and went on to a 32-17 victory over Central Michigan (5-7, 3-5 MAC) Friday at Kelly/Shorts Stadium.
It was the 11th straight win for UT, which will meet Miami next week for the MAC Championship at Fords Field in Detroit. Central Michigan lost its third straight, dropping to 5-7 on the year -- one short of bowl eligibility.
The Rockets totaled just 97 yards through the air, with Dequann Finn completing 9 of 17 with one TD. However, they ran 43 times for a total of 261 yards and three scores. Penny Boone did most of the damage, logging 21 carries for 186 yards and two TD. Jacquez Stuart added 10 carries for 59 yards and a touchdown.
Central Michigan generated 2231 yards through the air. Punter Jake Walrath completed one pass for 49 yards. QB Jase Bauer went 15 for 26, good for 182 yards with one TD.
Marion Lukes led the ground attack, combining for 104 yards.
Toledo’s defense registered four sacks and five TFL. Dallas Gant (12) and Daniel Bolden (10) led the way, combining for 22 tackles (9 solo).
AKRON, OH -- After trailing 14-3 at intermission, Ohio (9-3, 6-2 MAC) out-scored hosting Akron 21-0 over the final two quarters for a 25-14 victory Friday at Infocision Stadium.
It was Ohio’s third straight win and ninth victory against three losses overall. The ‘Cats 6-2 league mark gave them sole possession of second place in the MAC East. Akron, meanwhile, lost its third straight and fell to 2-10 on the season. The Zips went 1-7 in MAC play.
After an early Ohio field goal, Akron scored 14 points in the second quarter. Tahj Bullock hit Lorenzo Lingard with a 43-yard touchdown at 9:53 and added another score with a 5-yard run at 1:50.
Ohio’s defense kept UA off the board in the second half, and the Bobcats offense eventually found its stride. Kurtis Rourke’s 4-yard run and a two-point conversion closed Akron’s lead to three points (14-11). Rourke then hit Miles Cross with a 1-yard toss at 2:06 of the third period.
Sieh Bangura tallied the game’s final touchdown with a 1-yard fourth quarter run, capping a 15 play, 64-yard drive at 7:23.
Ohio out-gained the Zips 394-183 on the day and Akron committed the game’s only turnover.
Rourke completed 19 of 30 passes, totaling 208 yards with one TD. Bangura led Ohio rushing with 23 carries for 121 yards and a score. Cross registered seven catches for 85 yards and a TD.
Akron was limited to 37 yards rushing, with Bulluck contributing 31 yards.
QB Jeff Undercuffler Jr. completed 16 of 27 attempts, totaling 103 yards with one interception. Bulluck completed 1 of 3 for 43 yards and a TD.