Saturday, Oct. 1 – 3:30 p.m. ET
Dix Stadium – Kent, OH.
ESPN 3
By EVAN MEYER
For the second consecutive game, the Akron Zips played an offensive shootout last week -- this time against the Mountaineers of Appalachian State. Akron fell behind 31-14 late in the third quarter before rallying back to close to within seven points late in the fourth quarter. That, however, was as close as UA could get as the visitors ended the Zips three-game winning streak at InfoCision Stadium. Kent State, meanwhile, had a rough go of it on the road at No. 1 Alabama.
This Saturday, it is the Mid-American Conference opener as . . .
Dix Stadium – Kent, OH.
ESPN 3
By EVAN MEYER
For the second consecutive game, the Akron Zips played an offensive shootout last week -- this time against the Mountaineers of Appalachian State. Akron fell behind 31-14 late in the third quarter before rallying back to close to within seven points late in the fourth quarter. That, however, was as close as UA could get as the visitors ended the Zips three-game winning streak at InfoCision Stadium. Kent State, meanwhile, had a rough go of it on the road at No. 1 Alabama.
This Saturday, it is the Mid-American Conference opener as . . .
. . . UA travels 11 miles on Ohio Route 59 to battle arch-rivals the Kent State in the annual battle for the Wagon Wheel Trophy.
AKRON ZIPS (2-2)
LAST TIME OUT: Last Saturday, the Zips fell to the Mountaineers of Appalachian State out of the Sun Belt Conference, 45-38, at Infocision Stadium. The UA offense was working at its peak, gaining 486 yards of total offense behind junior quarterback Thomas Woodson, who completed 31-of-43 passes for 353 yards an three touchdowns. However, he also threw two interceptions that led to ASU touchdowns early in the game. The running game was led by sophomore Van Edwards who gained 89 yards on just seven carries and scored a touchdown. Junior WR Jerome Lane led the receivers with nine receptions for 134 yards and a score. The defense was led by junior FS Zach Guiser, who had a career high 15 tackles (seven solo)
ZIPS SEASON TO DATE: The Zips opened the 2016 season on September 3rd at Infocision Stadium with a 47-24 win over FCS member Virginia Military Institute from the Southern Conference. In week two UA lost at nationally ranked Wisconsin 50-14 as the Badgers dominated the contest in every facet of the game. UA then defeated Marshall, 65-38, using a 24-point second quarter to pick up Akron’s first ever win over the Thundering Herd in Huntington
STATISITCALLY SPEAKING:
OFFENSE: UA is averaging 40 points and 452.5 yards per game
RUSHING: Manny Morgan 30 carries – 192 yards
PASSING: Thomas Woodson 84-126-4 1247 yards 13 touchdowns
RECEIVING: Jerome Lane 29 receptions-488 yards three touchdowns
DEFENSE: The Zips are allowing 40.2 points and 529.8 yards per game
TACKLES: Ulysses Gilbert (31-18-39)
TACKLES FOR LOSSES: Jamal Marcus 6-19 yards
SACKS: Marcus 2-7 yards
INTERCEPTIONS: three with one (Guiser, Brown, Lloyd)
PASS BREAKUPS: Bryce Jones with three
SPECIAL TEAMS:
PUNTING: Nick Gasser 15-39.2 average
PLACE KICKING: Tom O’ Leary 28 points (3-3 FG/ 19-22 PAT)
KICK RETURNS: Van Edwards (KR) 5-119
PUNT RETURNS: JoJo Natson 6-62 (TD)
ZIPS NOTES: UA is 7-2 in its last nine games overall and is 3-1 in its last four road games dating back to last season…QB Thomas Woodson has thrown for over 300 yards in three of the first four games and has moved into fifth place on the all-time passing-yards list with 4,255 yards…WR Jerome Lane had his third 100 yard receiving game against Appalachian State and the fourth in his career…RB Van Edwards made his first collegiate start and responded with a career best 89 yards rushing and his first touchdown…Zips are 9-15 in MAC openers losing seven of their last eight (only win was 2014 vs. Eastern Michigan) and have not won on the road in the opener since 2006 at Central Michigan…Head coach Terry Bowden is 1-2 in MAC openers….2-1 lifetime against Kent State and head coach Paul Haynes
THE SERIES: The game is the 59th in the series, which dates back to 1923. The Zips hold a 32-24 edge…Since the Wagon Wheel trophy was established in 1946 KSU holds the lead 23-21-1…This is the 24th game in Kent (KSU holding a 15-8 mark) and the Flashes have won the last three meetings at Dix Stadium (UA’s last win came in 2008 30-27 in double overtime)…LAST SEASON the two teams played the final game of the 2015 season, with the Zips posting a 20-0 victory --their first shutout of the Flashes since 1985 at the Rubber Bowl
THE WAGON WHEEL TROPHY: The trophy has been awarded to the winner since 1946..The wheel itself dates back to the middle 19th century…Legendary stories abound to the roots of the Wagon Wheel, the foremost was John Buchtel the founder of Buchtel College (which later became the University of Akron) in the spring of 1870 when he was making a search for a site for the college his wagon became stuck in the mud somewhere on the present site of Kent State. It remained embedded in the ground until it was found in 1902. The wheel eventually was in the possession of Raymond Manchester, the dean of Men at KSU in the 1940’s, He suggested the wheel become the prize of the football game between UA-KSU and had the wheel painted Blue and Gold…Finally, the distance between the two schools is 11.6 miles along Ohio Route 59 the second shortest distance in the Football Bowl Subdivision (Rice and Houston is the closest at 6.1 miles)
LAST TIME OUT: Last Saturday, the Zips fell to the Mountaineers of Appalachian State out of the Sun Belt Conference, 45-38, at Infocision Stadium. The UA offense was working at its peak, gaining 486 yards of total offense behind junior quarterback Thomas Woodson, who completed 31-of-43 passes for 353 yards an three touchdowns. However, he also threw two interceptions that led to ASU touchdowns early in the game. The running game was led by sophomore Van Edwards who gained 89 yards on just seven carries and scored a touchdown. Junior WR Jerome Lane led the receivers with nine receptions for 134 yards and a score. The defense was led by junior FS Zach Guiser, who had a career high 15 tackles (seven solo)
ZIPS SEASON TO DATE: The Zips opened the 2016 season on September 3rd at Infocision Stadium with a 47-24 win over FCS member Virginia Military Institute from the Southern Conference. In week two UA lost at nationally ranked Wisconsin 50-14 as the Badgers dominated the contest in every facet of the game. UA then defeated Marshall, 65-38, using a 24-point second quarter to pick up Akron’s first ever win over the Thundering Herd in Huntington
STATISITCALLY SPEAKING:
OFFENSE: UA is averaging 40 points and 452.5 yards per game
RUSHING: Manny Morgan 30 carries – 192 yards
PASSING: Thomas Woodson 84-126-4 1247 yards 13 touchdowns
RECEIVING: Jerome Lane 29 receptions-488 yards three touchdowns
DEFENSE: The Zips are allowing 40.2 points and 529.8 yards per game
TACKLES: Ulysses Gilbert (31-18-39)
TACKLES FOR LOSSES: Jamal Marcus 6-19 yards
SACKS: Marcus 2-7 yards
INTERCEPTIONS: three with one (Guiser, Brown, Lloyd)
PASS BREAKUPS: Bryce Jones with three
SPECIAL TEAMS:
PUNTING: Nick Gasser 15-39.2 average
PLACE KICKING: Tom O’ Leary 28 points (3-3 FG/ 19-22 PAT)
KICK RETURNS: Van Edwards (KR) 5-119
PUNT RETURNS: JoJo Natson 6-62 (TD)
ZIPS NOTES: UA is 7-2 in its last nine games overall and is 3-1 in its last four road games dating back to last season…QB Thomas Woodson has thrown for over 300 yards in three of the first four games and has moved into fifth place on the all-time passing-yards list with 4,255 yards…WR Jerome Lane had his third 100 yard receiving game against Appalachian State and the fourth in his career…RB Van Edwards made his first collegiate start and responded with a career best 89 yards rushing and his first touchdown…Zips are 9-15 in MAC openers losing seven of their last eight (only win was 2014 vs. Eastern Michigan) and have not won on the road in the opener since 2006 at Central Michigan…Head coach Terry Bowden is 1-2 in MAC openers….2-1 lifetime against Kent State and head coach Paul Haynes
THE SERIES: The game is the 59th in the series, which dates back to 1923. The Zips hold a 32-24 edge…Since the Wagon Wheel trophy was established in 1946 KSU holds the lead 23-21-1…This is the 24th game in Kent (KSU holding a 15-8 mark) and the Flashes have won the last three meetings at Dix Stadium (UA’s last win came in 2008 30-27 in double overtime)…LAST SEASON the two teams played the final game of the 2015 season, with the Zips posting a 20-0 victory --their first shutout of the Flashes since 1985 at the Rubber Bowl
THE WAGON WHEEL TROPHY: The trophy has been awarded to the winner since 1946..The wheel itself dates back to the middle 19th century…Legendary stories abound to the roots of the Wagon Wheel, the foremost was John Buchtel the founder of Buchtel College (which later became the University of Akron) in the spring of 1870 when he was making a search for a site for the college his wagon became stuck in the mud somewhere on the present site of Kent State. It remained embedded in the ground until it was found in 1902. The wheel eventually was in the possession of Raymond Manchester, the dean of Men at KSU in the 1940’s, He suggested the wheel become the prize of the football game between UA-KSU and had the wheel painted Blue and Gold…Finally, the distance between the two schools is 11.6 miles along Ohio Route 59 the second shortest distance in the Football Bowl Subdivision (Rice and Houston is the closest at 6.1 miles)
KENT STATE GOLDEN FLASHES (1-2):
LAST SATURDAY: The Golden Flashes saw first-hand why the Alabama Crimson Tide are defending national champions and the top ranked team in all of College Football. Alabama scored on six offensive possessions four of them touchdowns), then dominated from there on out in a 48-0 shutout of KSU. The hosts KSU just 166 yards of total offense. Freshman RB Justin Rankin led the offense with 52 yards on six carries. Fellow freshman QB Mylik Mitchell completed just two-of-seven passes before leaving the game in the third quarter with an injury. Defensively, DB Nate Holley registered 14 total tackles (12 solo) and a sack
KSU SEASON TO DATE: The Golden Flashes opened the 2016 season losing to the Penn State, 33-13. In week two, the Aggies of North Carolina A&T spoiled the home opener by defeating KSU, 39-36, in four overtimes -- the longest game in school history…In week three, the Flashes picked up their first win of the season, dominating Monmouth, 27-7, allowing the Hawks just 199 yards of total offense
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING:
OFFENSE; KSU is averaging 19 points & 265.8 yards per game
RUSHING: Justin Rankin 44 carries -230 yards-one touchdown
PASSING: Mylik Mitchell 39-69-1 363 yards five touchdowns
RECEIVING: Nick Holley 13 receptions-135 yards-tow touchdowns
DEFENSE: The Flashes are allowing 31.8 points & 365.5 yards per game
TOTAL TACKLES: Nate Holley 39-22-61
TACKLES FOR LOSS: Terance Waugh 8-59 yards
SACKS: Waugh 5-44 yards
INTERCEPTIONS: Three with one
SPECIAL TEAMS:
PUNTING: Derek Adams 27 – 40.3 avg. per kick
PLACE KICKING: Shane Hynes 7-10 FG / 7-7 PAT
KICK RETURNS: Kavious Price 6-20.5 yds per return
PUNT RETURNS: Nick Holley 7-52
KSU NOTES: Saturday’s game with the Zips is the annual homecoming game (KSU is 25-44 in such games since 1947 and just 8-21 since 1987…Saturday is also the MAC opener, with the Flashes having a 21-41-2 record in those openers…The Flashes did not commit a single penalty last Saturday against the Crimson Tide…S Nate Holley leads the MAC and the Football Bowl Subdivision with 61 total tackles…LB Nick Cuthbert had eight tackles -- a season high…QB Mylik Mitchell was injured in the third quarter against Alabama and did not return. George Bollas is listed atop the QB spot on this week’s two-deep. He is backed up by Colin Reardon …The 48-point margin of defeat at Alabama was the worst for the Flashes since 2014 at Ohio State (66-0).
LAST SATURDAY: The Golden Flashes saw first-hand why the Alabama Crimson Tide are defending national champions and the top ranked team in all of College Football. Alabama scored on six offensive possessions four of them touchdowns), then dominated from there on out in a 48-0 shutout of KSU. The hosts KSU just 166 yards of total offense. Freshman RB Justin Rankin led the offense with 52 yards on six carries. Fellow freshman QB Mylik Mitchell completed just two-of-seven passes before leaving the game in the third quarter with an injury. Defensively, DB Nate Holley registered 14 total tackles (12 solo) and a sack
KSU SEASON TO DATE: The Golden Flashes opened the 2016 season losing to the Penn State, 33-13. In week two, the Aggies of North Carolina A&T spoiled the home opener by defeating KSU, 39-36, in four overtimes -- the longest game in school history…In week three, the Flashes picked up their first win of the season, dominating Monmouth, 27-7, allowing the Hawks just 199 yards of total offense
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING:
OFFENSE; KSU is averaging 19 points & 265.8 yards per game
RUSHING: Justin Rankin 44 carries -230 yards-one touchdown
PASSING: Mylik Mitchell 39-69-1 363 yards five touchdowns
RECEIVING: Nick Holley 13 receptions-135 yards-tow touchdowns
DEFENSE: The Flashes are allowing 31.8 points & 365.5 yards per game
TOTAL TACKLES: Nate Holley 39-22-61
TACKLES FOR LOSS: Terance Waugh 8-59 yards
SACKS: Waugh 5-44 yards
INTERCEPTIONS: Three with one
SPECIAL TEAMS:
PUNTING: Derek Adams 27 – 40.3 avg. per kick
PLACE KICKING: Shane Hynes 7-10 FG / 7-7 PAT
KICK RETURNS: Kavious Price 6-20.5 yds per return
PUNT RETURNS: Nick Holley 7-52
KSU NOTES: Saturday’s game with the Zips is the annual homecoming game (KSU is 25-44 in such games since 1947 and just 8-21 since 1987…Saturday is also the MAC opener, with the Flashes having a 21-41-2 record in those openers…The Flashes did not commit a single penalty last Saturday against the Crimson Tide…S Nate Holley leads the MAC and the Football Bowl Subdivision with 61 total tackles…LB Nick Cuthbert had eight tackles -- a season high…QB Mylik Mitchell was injured in the third quarter against Alabama and did not return. George Bollas is listed atop the QB spot on this week’s two-deep. He is backed up by Colin Reardon …The 48-point margin of defeat at Alabama was the worst for the Flashes since 2014 at Ohio State (66-0).
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