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Ohio Turns Turnovers into Win at Akron |
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Written by Mike Smith
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AKRON, OH. – Five turnovers and the loss of another quarterback proved too much for the hosts to overcome as visiting Ohio University registered a 19-7 win over Akron Saturday at InfoCision Stadium.
The low-scoring contest was a reversal of recent history between the two teams. The two schools averaged 88 points in their last two meetings, with each team claiming a victory.
Ohio (4-2, 2-0 MAC) scored first on Matt Weller’s 27-yard field goal with 9:00 left in the first quarter and maintained that slim 3-0 advantage through halftime.
Akron appeared to be on the way to a score late in the second quarter as quarterback Matt Rodgers completed three passes and rushed four times to drive the Zips from their own 31 to the Ohio four-yard line.
Rodgers fifth running attempt of the drive, however, not only resulted in a fumble and loss of possession, it also resulted in the loss of Rodgers. He was injured on the play and did not return.
Rodgers’ injury forced freshman Patrick Nicely into action as he became the third Zips signal caller through five games. He finished with nine completions in 23 attempts for 98 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions.
Ohio’s special teams registered the game’s first touchdown when redshirt freshman Melvin Payne blocked Jon Stec’s punt and then recovered it in the end zone with 10:49 remaining in the third quarter. Matt Weller added the PAT for a 10-0 Ohio lead.
Ironically, Ohio’s punt return team indirectly returned the points it had just scored by fumbling Akron’s next punt on the ensuing possession. That put the Zips in business at the Ohio 30, and five plays later, Joe Tuzze scored from three yards out. Branko Rogovic added the extra point to make it a 10-7 game.
Akron had a chance to tie the contest on their next possession, but Ohio’s defense stiffened after the Zips reached the Bobcats 25-yard line. Three incompletions forced a Rogovic field goal attempt from 43 yards, but he could not convert.
Ohio did convert a 27-yard field goal attempt at 14:04 of the final quarter and then capitalized on another Zips turnover to start a game-clinching drive. Gerald Moore provided the opportunity when he recovered Dashan Miller’s fumble on the kickoff return. Theo Scott then converted two passes during a five-play scoring drive. His 33-yard toss to Taylor Price on second-and-19 was the key play of the drive. Terrence McCrae’s reception covered the final seven yards. A two-point conversion attempt failed.
Scott completed 11-of-21 passes against the Zips for 132 yards with one TD and one interception .
Akron (1-4, 0-2) out-gained Ohio overall, with the hosts owning a 346-292 advantage. Turnovers, however, played a role as Akron lost the ball five times to the Bobcats three.
NOTES:
- Ohio’s last two games were visits to teams celebrating homecomings. The Bobcats will now reverse roles as Miami comes to Athens Saturday for Ohio’s homecoming game.
- Akron will spend the next three weeks on the road. After a meeting with Buffalo this week, the Zips travel to east Syracuse and west to Northern Illinois.
- Brian Wagner had nine tackles, including seven solo stops to lead the Akron defense.
- Lee Renfro recorded nine tackles and recovered a fumble to pace Ohio’s defense. Patrick Tafua had three tackles, a fumble recovery and an interception.
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