The Akron Zips are 0-5 for the first time since 1990 and have lost 10 straight going back to last year. That stretch includes four MAC losses, but only one of those is this season.
With a zero on the "wrong" side of the win-loss columns and a rival coming to Infocision Stadium, the Zips will have a lot of motivation this weekend when they meet Kent State in a battle for the Wagon Wheel Trophy.
The Golden Flashes have. . .
Recent history has favored UA as the Flashes have lost the last four in the series, including last season’s heartbreaking one-point loss. In addition they have won only once since the series has been played at InfoCision Stadium.
at
AKRON ZIPS (0-5, 0-1 MAC)
Saturday, October 12 -- 3:30 p.m. ET
InfoCision Stadium/Summa Field -- Akron, Ohio
ESPN3
Series: Akron leads 35-24-2
KENT STATE GOLDEN FLASHES (2-3, 1-0 MAC)
-- Last Saturday, the Golden Flashes completed the non-conference portion of their schedule as they traveled to nationally ranked Wisconsin and were shutout by the Badgers 42-0.
-- The game was the third time this season that KSU had faced a ranked opponent (Arizona State & Auburn are the others).
-- The battle with the Zips marks the third game in the last four on the road for the Flashes. They will next play at home on October 26 when Miami comes to Dix Stadium.
-- On Monday, punter Derek Adams was named MAC East Special Teams player of the Week for the third time in 2019. His eight punts against the Badgers averaged over 47 yards
-- KSU won its MAC opener back on September 21 as it routed Bowling Green 62-20. The victory was KSU’s first in a MAC opener since 2015 (over Miami) and its first at home in the conference since October 17, 2017 when Akron beat the RedHawks.
-- KSU scored points on each of its first four possessions (three touchdowns and a field goal) en route to score the most points in a game since 2004 when they tallied 69 against Eastern Michigan.
-- Statistically, the Flashes registered 750 yards of total offense in the game (375 each rushing and passing). The deluge include productive performances by a pair of 100 yard rushers (J-El Shaw 109 yards on 15 carries and two touchdowns and Joachim Bangda who had 114 yards and a score on only seven carries.
-- QB Dustin Crum was 26-of-31 for a career best 310 yards and three touchdowns. He was named MAC East Offensive Player of the Week.
-- The defense had two sacks and a pair of interceptions. They were led by LB Mandela Lawrence-Burke with nine total tackles (five solo)
AKRON ZIPS (0-5, 0-1 MAC)
-- UA had last week off after losing at Massachusetts 37-29. With the setback, Akron record fall to 0-5 for the first time since 1990.
It was a game that saw the Minutemen take a 14-7 lead early in the second quarter after returning a Cato Nelson pass 58-yards for a touchdown. By the third quarter, UMass owned a 20-point advantage.
-- The Zips did put up 406 yards (including 335 through the air their highest yardage total so far in 2019.
-- Nelson completed 13 of 17 passes for 141 yards and two touchdowns -- one three-yarder to sophomore WR Julian Hicks in the first quarter and another three-yarder to junior WR Dustin Burkhart in the second period.
-- Freshman RB Michah Burton led UA with 25 yards on eight carries and scored his first collegiate touchdown in the third quarter.
-- When Nelson was injured, freshman QB Gibson came in and completed 12-of-16 passes for 173 yards and a touchdown to WR Nate Stewart late in the fourth quarter
-- WR Jeremiah Knight led Akron receivers with five catches for 100 yards.
-- LB John Lako paced the defense with 13 total tackles
OTHER:
-- Saturday’s game is the 72nd lifetime meeting between the two schools, with the Zips holding a 35-24-2 edge winning the last four including last season’s 24-23 victory in overtime at Dix Stadium. The game is the 38th to be played in Akron, with the Zips holding a 26-9-2 advantage. It's the sixth at InfoCision Stadium where UA holds a 4-1 edge (KSU’s only win came in 2011, 35-3)
The game is also the 49th game for the battle of the Wagon Wheel Trophy which began in 1946. UA holds the series lead with a slim at 24-23-1 coming into Saturday’s battle