For the University of Akron football team to give itself a chance to show real progress this season, the Zips needed to win their home opener Saturday.
Well, Akron rallied from a 17-point deficit and took care of business by defeating Colgate 31-20 at InfoCision Stadium.
After being routed by two Big Ten teams, Akron (1-2) entered its nonconference matchup against Colgate (0-3) as a heavy favorite. However, Colgate created some major concerns for Akron early in the game, until the Zips eventually bounced back.
Kickoff occurred at 6:04 p.m. in Akron. Here is how the action unfolded through our updates.
Akron earned its first win since Nov. 1, 2023, when UA defeated rival Kent State 31-27 at home.
After Colgate intercepted a pass from Akron quarterback Ben Finley with 1:54 left in the fourth quarter, Zips defensive end CJ Nunnally IV essentially sealed UA's victory with a strip-sack of Raiders quarterback Jake Stearney. UA defensive tackle Nate Kapongo recovered the fumble with 1:01 remaining.
Finley finished 28-of-43 passing for 358 yards and four touchdowns with an interception.
Clinging to an eight-point lead early in the fourth quarter, Zips coach Joe Moorhead used an aggressive strategy for UA's offense.
Akron went for it on fourth-and-7 at the Colgate 41-yard line and converted when quarterback Ben Finley connected with open wide receiver Bobby Golden for 12 yards and a first down.
Two snaps later, Finley had an interception with 13:13 left to play negated by an offside penalty on Colgate.
On third-and-6 at the Colgate 15, Finley took a shot at the end zone but overthrew wide receiver Israel Polk.
The Zips then settled for Garrison Smith's 32-yard field goal and a 31-20 advantage with 12:07 remaining in the fourth quarter. Colgate was flagged for running into the kicker on the play, but Moorhead declined the penalty and thereby kept the three points.
Akron led Colgate 28-20 at the end of the third quarter. The Zips will try to hold on for their first victory of 2024.
With a 45-yard field goal by Luke Vogeler, Colgate cut Akron's lead to 28-20 with 1:19 left in the third quarter.
The kick ended a 15-play, 42-yard drive and kept Colgate within striking distance of Akron.
Akron's defense earned a key stop with 3:18 left in the second quarter. Colgate went for it on fourth-and-2 at the UA 36-yard line, and Zips safety Paul Lewis III tackled quarterback Zach Osborne for a 4-yard loss and a turnover on downs.
The Zips capitalized on the momentum with an 11-play, 60-yard scoring drive. On second-and-11, quarterback Ben Finley threw an 18-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Adrian Norton, who was open in the front right corner of the end zone. Akron went ahead 28-17 with 30 seconds left in the second quarter after trailing 17-0.
Akron led 28-17 at halftime.
In the first half, Finley went 14-of-18 passing for 202 yards and four touchdowns without an interception.
A play after UA nickelback Darrian Lewis (St. Vincent-St. Mary High School) intercepted a pass thrown by Colgate quarterback Jake Stearney, Zips running back Jordon Simmons fumbled, and Raiders linebacker Christian Sweeney recovered at the UA 42-yard line with 10:34 left in the second quarter. However, after a replay review, Simmons was ruled down before he fumbled, so Akron maintained possession.
Three plays later, Akron quarterback Ben Finley unleashed the long ball. On third-and-7, Finley connected with wide receiver Bobby Golden for a 56-yard touchdown over the coverage of Colgate cornerback Tymir Wynn. The TD strike allowed Akron to capture a 21-17 lead after it had trailed 17-0.
On first-and-goal, Akron quarterback Ben Finley found tight end Jake Newell open in the back of the end zone for a 2-yard touchdown, allowing the Zips to trim their deficit to 17-14 with 14:10 left in the second quarter.
On the previous play, Akron faced first-and-goal at the 7, and free safety Asauni Allen received a defensive pass interference penalty while covering Newell in the end zone.
UA had trailed 17-0 before rallying.
The bad news for Akron is it trailed Colgate 17-7 at the end of the first quarter.
The good news for Akron is it ended the opening quarter with a 36-yard pass from quarterback Ben Finley to wide receiver Adrian Norton, giving the Zips a first down at the Colgate 28-yard line to begin the second quarter.
The Akron offense finally awakened on UA's third possession and produced a nine-play, 75-yard scoring drive.
Akron trimmed Colgate's lead to 17-7 when quarterback Ben Finley connected with running back Charles Kellom for a 7-yard touchdown with 1:48 left in the first quarter.
After the Akron offense stalled again, Avery Beck shanked a punt out of bounds. Colgate took over at Akron's 38-yard line after the 14-yard punt.
Although Akron's defense didn't allow a first down on the ensuing series, Colgate extended its lead to 17-0 when Luke Vogeler made a 51-yard field goal with 5:49 left in the first quarter.
The Akron defense had forced a three-and-out on Colgate's second possession, but then UA made a crucial error on special teams.
Colgate punted, and as the ball bounced, Zips returner Ahmarian Granger inexplicably tried to grab the ball. It went off his hands, and Colgate's Asauni Allen recovered at the UA 3-yard line.
On the next play, Colgate quarterback Michael Brescia rushed for a 3-yard touchdown, and the Raiders went ahead 14-0 with 8:11 remaining in the first quarter.
Well, the game did not start the way Akron had hoped it would.
Colgate won the pregame coin toss, elected to receive the opening kickoff and used a six-play, 75-yard scoring drive to seize a 7-0 lead out of the gate.
Quarterback Michael Brescia's 33-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Treyvhon Saunders capped the march with 11:54 remaining in the first quarter. Two Akron defenders, linebacker Antavious Fish and defensive back Catrell White, missed chances to stop Saunders on his way to the end zone.
Instead of countering right away, Akron went three-and-out on its first possession.
Here is some pregame information:
How can I watch on TV, stream, listen to Akron Zips football vs. Colgate?
The game will be televised on ESPN+ with Anthony Lima as the play-by-play announcer and Ryan Cavanaugh as the analyst. It will be broadcast locally on the radio via WHLO 640-AM (flagship), WHK 1420-AM and 102.5 FM with David Skoczen as the play-by-play announcer and Joe Dunn as the analyst.
More Akron Zips news: These UA football players make coach Joe Moorhead optimistic 2024 will be better
What did the University of Akron football team do in the first two games this season?
Akron football news: Zips' nonconference paydays total more than $3 million
What did Colgate Raiders football do in the first two games this season?
- Week 1 : Colgate lost 17-14 at Maine on Aug. 30
- Week 2 : Colgate lost 28-3 to Villanova at home on Sept. 7
What is the history between Akron and Colgate football?
Akron and Colgate played each other just one time before Saturday. Colgate won 44-0 in 1940.
Who are Akron football's statistical leaders entering Week 3 vs. Colgate?
- Redshirt junior quarterback Ben Finley is Akron's passing leader (22 of 45 for 191 yards, one touchdown, two interceptions)
- Redshirt junior running back Jordon Simmons leads the Zips in rushing (16 carries for 111 yards and one TD)
- Redshirt sophomore tight end Jake Newell leads UA in catches (six) and receiving yards (59)
- Sophomore wide receiver Adrian Norton leads Akron in touchdown catches (one)
- Senior linebacker Antavious Fish is UA's leading tackler (15)
- Redshirt junior safety Daymon David leads the Zips in interceptions (one)
Who are Colgate football's statistical leaders entering Week 3 vs. Akron?
- Senior quarterback Michael Brescia is Colgate's passing leader (33 of 59 for 314 yards, no touchdowns, one interception)
- Brescia is also the team's rushing leader (27 carries for 118 yards and a TD)
- Junior wide receiver Brady Hutchison leads Colgate in receiving yards (91 on eight catches)
- Junior wide receiver Treyvhon Saunders leads Colgate in receptions (nine for 86 yards)
- Junior linebacker Cole Kozlowski is the team's leader in tackles (25, including one for loss)
- Senior defensive lineman Andrew Taddeo leads Colgate in sacks (two) and tackles for loss (3.5)
Nate Ulrich can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich .
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron Zips football rallies for win vs Colgate. Here are highlights from UA's home opener
Local News
Comments / 0