The Akron Zips end the non-conference portion of their schedule this Saturday as they traveL to Alabama to meet the Trojans of Troy University.
Akron fell at home to Iowa State 41-14 last week, and looks to even its record before MAC play starts next Saturday at Bowling Green.
The Trojans are , , ,
● The Trojans opened their season with a loss at Boise State. However, they come into the game with the Zips riding a two-game winning streak, which includes a victory in their Sun Belt opener last Saturday at New Mexico State 27-24
● Troy is led by head coach Neal Brown who is in his fourth season, compiling a 16-12 overall record (10-3) last season
● The Trojans offense averaged 24.7 points and 434 yards over the first three games of the season.
● They are led offensively by senior RB Brandon Silvers, who has completed 65 percent of his passes (71-of-114) for 770 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions. His 32-yard run late in the third quarter last Saturday over the Aggies was the winning score.
● The running game is led by senior Jordan Chunn. He has gained 189 yards and scored four touchdowns. The receivers are led by senior Emanuel Thompson who has 14 receptions for 109 yards. The offensive line has allowed five sacks
● The Troy defense has allowed 18.3 points and 301.3 yard per game so far this season.
● The Red and White defense is led by sophomore LB Tron Folsom with 15 total tackles (eight solo) with 2.5 of them for losses. In the first three games, the Trojans have garnered seven sacks and one interception -- a 53-yarder by junior CB Blace Brown for a touchdown in the opener against the Broncos
● In their history Troy is 3-3 against the MAC. The Trogans will end the non-conference portion of the schedule next Saturday at nationally ranked Louisiana State
AKRON ZIPS (1-2)
The Zips fell last Saturday to the Iowa State Cyclones 41-14 at InfoCision Stadium
● Senior QB Thomas Woodson completed 25-of-40 passes for 240 yards and a pair of touchdowns. That moved him into second place on UA’s all-time touchdown passing lost with 41
● Senior WR Tra’Von Chapman had eight receptions (a career high) for 53 yards. Graduate RB Warren Ball led the ground game with 40 yards on 11 carries. He caught a 14-yard touchdown pass from Woodson in the second quarter
● The defense was led by Junior LB Ulysses Gilbert, who had 12 total tackles (four solo). It was the second consecutive game in which he has registered 10 or more tackles. Junior DE Jamal Davis and CB Darian Dailey each had a career-high six tackles
● The Zips are 2-3 lifetime against the current teams of the Sun Belt Conference, losing their last game against the SBC at home to Appalachian State.