With last week’s setback against rival Kent State, the Akron Zips saw their record fall to 0-6 overall for the first time since 2010. Among the six losses are two in Mid-American Conference play, the latter of which puts them on the same MAC level as this week’s visitor – the Buffalo Bulls.
Buffalo comes to the . . .
THE SERIES: Saturday’s game is the 19th lifetime meeting with the Zips holding an 11-7 advantage winning last season at home 21-20. The Bulls won last year’s encounter in Amherst 24-6. The ninth time these two schools have met in Akron with UA holding a 7-1 edge. UB’s only in in the rubber City was in 2008 (The final Zips game at the Rubber Bowl) winning in four overtimes 43-40. The home team has won 10 of the last 11 games in the series
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AKRON ZIPS (0-6, 0-2 MAC)
Saturday October 19 – 3:30 p.m. ET
InfoCision Stadium/Summa Field – Akron, Ohio
ESPN3
ABOUT BUFFALO
-- After surprising many last season by winning the Eastern Division title, Buffalo was picked third in the pre-season MAC poll (behind Ohio and Miami). The Bulls started the season with a convincing win over FCS. member Robert Morris, then suffered losses at nationally ranked Penn State and at Liberty.
After beating Temple for a second consecutive year, this at home 38-22 they opened MAC play with consecutive losses at Miami and then Ohio.
-- Head Coach Lance Leipold is in his fifth season at UB and has a 25-31 record with the Bulls. He is 135-37 record after a stellar coaching career at Division III Wisconsin-Whitewater.
-- Offensively, the Bulls are averaging 24.3 points and 368.5 yards per game.
-- UB has struggled at quarterback this year following the departure of Tyree Jackson. The Bulls began this season with Matt Myers under center. However, last time out against Ohio, they went to Kyle Van Trease out of Stow, Ohio. He completed16 of 23 passes for 197 yards. Two tosses went for touchdowns. He also ran in a score on UB’s first possession in overtime, but Buffalo missed the extra point and that proved the difference after Ohio managed seven points on its OT possession.
-- One strength of the Bulls in 2019 was the running game, and that continues this season thanks to an experienced line and sophomore Jaret Patterson. He leads the team (fourth in the MAC) with 598 yards and four touchdowns.
-- Junior WR Antonio Dunn leads the receivers with 18 receptions for 268 yards and two touchdowns.
-- The defense has allowed 22.8 points and 315.5 yards per game -- least in the MAC.
-- Buffalo’s defense is led by junior LB Tyrone Hill with 43 total stops (30 solo) and four pass breakups.
-- The Zips saw their record fall to 0-6 for the first time since 2010 when they lost to arch-rival Kent State 23-6 last Saturday, ending a four-game winning streak against the Golden Flashes.
-- PK Cory Smigel provided UA’s only points with a 24-yard field goal in the second quarter -- his first as a collegian.
-- The Zips gained 95 yards rushing for a season high.
-- Cato Nelson is seventh in MAC passing with 1,270 yards. He has completed 106-of-184, with eight touchdowns and three interceptions.
-- Michael Matheson is one of the top kick returners in the MAC, averaging 26.5 yards per return.
-- John Lako leads the MAC in total tackles with 68 (30 solo).
-- UA has lost 11 straight overall and five in Mid-American Conference play, dating back to last season.