by Akron, Ohio- You never know what Midweek MACtion has to offer towards the end of the year, especially when the season is pretty much set and both teams appear to have nothing to play for. For the Rockets, an improved record and a better bowl game, for the Zips it was a chance to double your win total from the past two seasons.
Akron achieved four wins today as they defeated Toledo in dramatic fashion 21-14 in a way that has Akron fans calling this game a culture changing win. This win is the biggest conference win in Joe Moorhead’s tenure as Akron’s coach as this team returns a lot of its key pieces next year. This game started off slow and all in the favor of the Zips as Toledo struggled to maintain drives.
Toledo had all the momentum on the first drive, Gleason had a multitude of options to pick from along with a strong group of running backs behind him. Toledo was set up for a 45 yard field goal as they anticipated points on the board after their first drive. Akron’s field goal block team leaped up with their hands up and got just enough of the ball to deflect the field goal attempt. Toledo’s offense struggled for three quarters as this first possession appeared to be a sign of how the game would go.
Big play Ben Finley lived up to that name today, it all started off with his first pass of the game. Ahmarian Granger found himself open with nothing but space around him knowing it would be a foot race to pay dirt. Granger hauled in the pass from Finley as he looked ahead to see the Toledo defensive backs over-rotated and nowhere in sight. “Saw them rotate too high… split the middle, I knew he would get loose” said Ben Finley on what he saw on the first play of the game.
The rest of the first half was uneventful in the scoring front due to the efforts of CJ Nunnally IV who forced a fumble while backed up into their own goal line. That play by Nunnally was only the second biggest play for the pass rusher as he would make an even bigger impact later in the game.
The first half ended in a score of seven to nothing in favor of the Zips. The third quarter was fast moving as no team could add on to the score, this was due to Toledo missing another field goal in the third quarter.
In the fourth quarter Akron was desperate to add on to its lead and close out the game. Finley willed his team down the field with a few big passes, one to Granger who slid on the ground finding the ball in his hands. Finley used his legs two plays in a row to set up Tahj Bullock for a rushing touchdown. When it appeared Akron was going to seal this game the Rockets finally showed a sign of life.
Tucker Gleason found his favorite targets in Anthony Torres and Jerjuan Newton down the field to set up a critical fourth down that would have made this comeback feel impossible if the Rockets could not find their way into the endzone. Gleason found Torres in the endzone which only set up what would be a MACtion thriller in what was perceived as a slow game with no scoring.
Akron couldn’t move the ball the following possession giving Toledo six minutes to tie the game, which they did in under three minutes. A few chunk plays and a 15 yard penalty set up a Connor Walenzak one yard rush to tie the ball game up.
Akron (just like their previous drive) failed to move the ball and was forced to punt with just above two minutes left. The Avery Book punt was almost a game-altering punt due to the ball taking an odd bounce and almost grazing the Toledo return. This play was reviewed and did not go in the favor of Akron.
Toledo followed the blueprint of the last two drives and worked their way right down the field. As the clock winded down Toledo kept the ball on the right hash even though they had a chance to center the ball in an attempt to make the attempt for Dylan Cucanan easier. This decision proved to be haunting for Toledo as the kick went wide right and sent the game into overtime.
Overtime gave the Zips life they previously didn’t have, this team wanted an opportunity to close the season out with a big win and that’s exactly what they did. Finley needed to make one more play as he faked the run and found Charles Kellom in the endzone for a one play overtime touchdown.
The Zips capitalized on offense, now it was time for the defense to right their wrongs from the past few possessions and make a stand. Toledo got a first down as they found themselves on the Akron four yard line. Two run plays got the Rockets close but couldn’t find a route past Bennett Adler and company as they were forced to pass. The third down attempt was incomplete, everything led up to this fourth down play. Gleason dropped back and drifted to his right looking for a Rocket to find themselves open. Before that could happen Nunnally brought Gleason down on the final play as the edge rusher took advantage of Gleason leaving the pocket and made him pay for it.
