by Akron, Ohio – The University of Akron Zips were looking to turn the tide in their battle with the Buffalo Bulls Saturday afternoon. Akron came in having dropped the last 6 matchups with the Bulls which included a 13-10 loss last season at InfoCision Stadium.
The game appeared to be all but over late in the 3rd quarter, but late game heroics from Akron kept the game close to the very end. Buffalo would wind up on top as they were led by quarterback CJ Ogbonna. Ogbonna finished the game 17 for 29 passing with 210 yards and 2 touchdowns. He would also add 63 yards and a touchdown on the ground.
Ben Finley and the Zips got the pass game going early. On their opening drive, Finley went 3 for 4 passing and found Ahmarian Granger in the end zone to cap off the drive. The pass from Finley to Granger was good for 29 yards and an early Akron lead.
The Zips defense was ready to play as well. They quickly forced a 3-and-out to gain possession back after a Buffalo punt. On the first play of the ensuing drive, QB Ben Finley’s pass was intercepted by Buffalo’s Marcus Fuqua. Once again, the Zips defense was ready and forced yet another 3-and-out.
With Akron driving into Buffalo territory, the Bulls defense produced another turnover. This time they forced running back Charles Kellom to cough up the football and Buffalo jumped on the loose ball.
Just two plays into the ensuing Bulls drive, QB CJ Ogbonna found Victor Snow in the end zone for an 18-yard touchdown. Buffalo tied it up at 7 with the PAT.
On the first play of Akron’s next offensive drive, QB Ben Finley was stripped of the football. The Buffalo defense swarmed the ball and recovered to set themselves up deep in Zips’ territory. Buffalo’s defense was putting their mark on this game early.
Seven plays and 23 yards later, running back Jacqez Barksdale found the end zone with a 1-yard touchdown run. Following the PAT, the Bulls went up 14-7.
The story continued in the first quarter as Buffalo’s defense forced an Akron turnover on downs. Their offense would capitalize with a 33-yard field goal from Upton Bellenfant to extend the lead to 17-7.
Following yet another defensive stop, Buffalo’s offense went back to work. A methodical 11-play 88-yard drive was capped off by a 2-yard touchdown pass from CJ Ogbonna to Jake Orlando.
After each team traded punts, the Bulls would take the game into halftime with a 24-4 lead.
The Bulls picked up right where they left off to start the 2nd half. Al-Jay Henderson found the end zone with a 45-yard touchdown run. Buffalo’s defense was back to their same ways as well. On Akron’s first possession of the half, the Bulls’ defense forced a turnover on downs. That gave them possession back at the Akron 43 yard line.
For the first time all game, the Bulls would not be able to capitalize on good field position. They got the ball down to the Akron 1 yard line but were unable to punch it into the end zone resulting in a turnover on downs.
Later in the quarter though, CJ Ogbonna found the end zone with his legs from 8 yards out. This extended the Buffalo lead to 38-7 following the PAT.
On the ensuing Akron possession, they would march 88 yards down the field in 8 plays. The drive was capped off by a 28-yard touchdown pass from Ben Finley to Adrian Norton. Norton would also be found for the 2-point conversion. This was Akron’s first score since the opening drive of the game.
Akron was not going to go down without a fight. After forcing a quick 3-and-out, their offensive attack went back to work. Ben Finley would find Adrian Norton once again for a touchdown. This time it was from 25 yards out. Following the PAT, the Zips had trimmed the lead to 38-22.
The Zips were not done yet either. Their defense force yet another 3-and-out. After the punt, they started their next drive at their own 28 yard line. While taking just over two and a half minutes off the clock, Akron flew down the field and scored yet again. Freshman wide receiver Kyan Mason was the beneficiary on this touchdown as he hauled one in from 28 yards out from Ben Finley. The Zips were able to make it an 8-point game following the 2-point conversion at 38-30.
The touchdown catch for Mason was the first catch and touchdown of his collegiate career. Head coach Joe Moorhead had this to say about Mason, “Kyan’s a guy that we recruited out of St. Ed’s that we knew was very, very, very dynamic. He has given our defense fits on scout team… We know that he can run, and he can catch. So, that was a good baptism for him to make his first catch, especially on a touchdown.”
Akron’s defense produced its third consecutive 3-and-out to force a Buffalo punt the ensuing drive. However, on the play, the return was mishandled and the Bulls hopped on the loose ball. This set Buffalo up at Akron’s 22 yard line looking to put the game away.
They did just that as kicker Upton Bellenfant drilled a 36-yard field goal with just over 2 minutes to go. The Akron comeback would come up short as their offense failed to convert a 4th and long on their next drive.
