InfoCision Stadium/Summa Field – Akron, Ohio
Last week, the Akron Zips dropped their second straight game and fifth in the last seven when they were dominated by the Eastern Michigan Eagles en route to a 27-7 loss that put UA under .500 for the second time this season.
The 2017 MAC East champs now move on to their final home game of the season as they face Bowling Green Saturday. The Falcons ended a six-game losing streak last Saturday with a 17-7 win at Central Michigan.
Saturday's matchup will be the 25th lifetime meeting between the two schools with BGSU holding a decisive 16-8 advantage of the Falcons. Last year, UA picked up a 34-23 victory, ending an eight-game losing streak in the series. Akron has not beaten Bowling Green at home since 2006 at the Rubber Bowl, 35-28.
Here is more on the two teams . . .
BOWLING GREEN STATE FALCONS (2-8, 1-5 MAC)
➤➤ The Falcons ended a six-game losing streak overall and an eight-game skid in MAC play last Saturday with a 17-7 win at Central Michigan.
➤➤ The recent win was Carl Pellini’s first as interim head coach of the Falcons. He is the first interim head coach in school history to win a game
➤➤ Pelini was named interim head coach on October 21 after Mike Jinks was relieved of his duties. Is in Pelini’s first season at BGSU after coming from Youngstown State where he was the defensive coordinator
➤➤Offensively, BGSU is averaging 25.7 points and 365.9 yards. Their passing attack leads the conference, averaging 253.9 yards per contest.
➤➤ Sophomore QB Jarret Doege leads the offense, completing 62.3 percent of his passes (215-of-345) for 2,398 yards with 24 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
➤➤ Doege is tied with Buffalo’s Tyree Jackson with 24 scores and is tied for 10th in the Football Bowl Subdivision.
➤➤ Sophomore RB Andrew Clair leads the ground game with 577 yards and five touchdowns.
➤➤ Senior WR Scott Miller is one of the best in the MAC leading with 61 receptions for 933 yards and seven touchdowns.
➤➤ The offensive line has allowed 25 sacks.
➤➤ The BGSU defense through 10 games is allowing 43 points and 467.2 total yards.
➤➤ Their pass defense is third in the conference yielding just 171.2 yards.
➤➤ In the win at CMU, the defense allowed only 166 total yards (29 coming in the second half)
➤➤ Overall, the defense has registered 11 sacks, 26 pass breakups, five interceptions, six forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery.
➤➤ Senior LB Brandon Harris has 108 total tackles (60 of them solo)/ He is one of four defenders coming into this week with 100 or more total tackles this season.
➤➤ Fifth year DB Marcus Milton is tied for second in interceptions with three
➤➤ Junior DT Kyle Junior is tied for first with two forced fumbles
➤➤ The Falcons will complete the 2018 season at home on Friday November 23rd against Buffalo, who can seal an Eastern Division title with a win.
AKRON ZIPS (4-5, 2-4 MAC)
➤➤ The Zips last Saturday dropped their second straight this one at Eastern Michigan 27-7 as they were held to 90-yards in total offense with their only score coming on a 71-yard punt return by freshman Jeremiah Knight in the second quarter
➤➤ The loss was UA’s fifth in the last seven games after starting the season with wins over Morgan State and Northwestern.
➤➤ In their nine games of 2018, the Zips are averaging 21.1 points and 295.3 yards offensively
➤➤ QB Cato Nelson did not play against EMU as he suffered a lower body injury in the third quarter against NIU. On the season, he has completed 52 percent of his passes (123-of-234) for 1,647 yards with 11 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
➤➤ Freshman Alex Ramart got the start against the Eagles and were only 4-of-15 passing for 29 yards with three interceptions.
➤➤ RB Van Edwards leads the ground attack with 470 yards and three touchdowns.
➤➤ WR Andre Williams leads with 37 catches foir 544 yards and five touchdowns.
➤➤ The offensive line has allowed 23 sacks.
➤➤ Defensively, UA is allowing 25.3 points and 378.4 yards through nine games.
➤➤ LB John Lako leads with 102 total tackles (58 solo) is one of four defenders with 100 or more total tackles so far this season
➤➤ DB Alvin Davis leads the MAC with four interceptions two for touchdowns (both in the victory at Northwestern)
Gilbert has two fumble recoveries both for touchdowns (against NU & Miami)
➤➤ K Nick Gasser leads the team in scoring with 57 points and is averaging 39.4 yards per punt
➤➤ KR Jeremiah Knight has played well on special teams recently averaging 21.8 yards per kickoff return and 14.4 yards per punt return including the touchdown against the Eagles
➤➤ Head Coach Terry Bowden is 1-5 lifetime against BGSU
➤➤ Before Saturday’s game, 29 senior players will be honored as they will play their final home game
➤➤ UA finishes 2018 with a pair of road games -- the first coming on Friday November 23rd at Ohio.