by Akron Welcomed Bowling Green to Summa field on homecoming day in a game that went down to the wire. The Bowling Green Falcons defeated the Akron Zips 27-20 due to Harold Fannin Jr’s nine receptions, 135 yards, and a game sealing touchdown. Akron came back to tie the game late in the fourth after being down 10 at one point but could not hold on.
Bowling Greens dynamic offense got off to a great start thanks to star tight end Finnin Jr. Connor Bazelak has had no problem finding Fannin Jr so far this season and he displayed their connection on the first drive. Bazelak found Fannin Jr in the flats with a Akron defender lurking over him, that didn’t stop the 2025 draft prospect from making a big time play as he made a man miss, hurdled another and got tackled 63 yards down the field. This set up a Jaison Peterson two yard touchdown to take the lead.
Akron fought back quickly and took the lead, Akron scored a field goal on their second possession which helped them gain the lead to end the first half after an unforeseen chain of events. Akron punted the ball which was then fumbled into Bowling Green’s own endzone and recovered by Akron. This would be the last time Akron scored while Bowling Green was just getting started.
At the two minute timeout Bowling Green tied it up with a field goal, a quick stop and good field position thanks to a bad punt put the Falcons on the Zips side of the ball with a chance to take the lead into the half. A five play drive was all that was needed to score as it was Patterson once again who walked into the endzone from 9 yards out giving the Falcons a touchdown lead.
The second half started off slow with no scores in the third quarter, tension continued to rise in Akron as both teams started to trade punches. Bowling Green got things started with a field goal but failed to halt the Zips attack immediately after as Tahj Bullock subbed in for Ben Finley for one play and ran in for a Zips score. Akron followed that drive with a field goal, we were set for a great finish with the game all tied up.
Bazelak led his team down all the way on the doorstep of Akron’s 20 yard line. Bazelak handed the ball off to his best player in jet motion with a platoon of blockers in front of him. Akron had a chance to bring Fannin Jr down before he picked up the first down, like many before who have tried, Akron was not successful as the star Tight End for the Falcons found his way in the endzone to take the lead. Akron had a chance to tie the game with seconds left in the game but failed to convert on 4th down with only 17 yards to the end zone. Bowling Green took one last knee as they held Akron to no points in the final drive.
