by On Homecoming weekend, the Akron Zips (1-4) hosted Northern Illinois (1-4) in a clash between the MAC East and the West. Both teams struggled in their first MAC conference games, that was the case for one of these teams as NIU ran away with the win 55-14. Rocky Lombardi and Antario Brown led the Huskies in an unstoppable air and ground attack that saw the Zips fighting from behind all game.
After two overtime losses in the past two weeks the Zips defense was eager to get off to a fast start to stop the NIU running game. Lombardi proved on the first possession that the pass game is just as deadly.
After gathering a few first downs Akron look as if they were going to get a stop on NIU’s first possession, Lombardi made sure that wasn’t the case as he hit a wide open Kacper Rutiewicz to give his Huskies and early touchdown lead.
Bullock and the rush offense responded well to NIU’s opening touchdown, this would be the first and last time Akron would score in the half. Bullock ran in for one yard to tie the ball game up at seven. This would be the last time the game was close.
After getting stopped on their second possession NIU ran away with the game, literally and figuratively. The passing game helped set up a rushing attack that seemed all but unstoppable as the Zips defense was at the will of the NIU offensive line.
Akrons defense has been good the past few weeks getting into the backfield and creating pressure as well as stopping the running game. This was not the case as the Zips defense was getting pushed around on all three levels of the defense.
Akron struggled to get a touchdown until Bullock connected with TJ Banks, this score would be ineffective to the outcome of the game. The Huskies defense held the Zips without allowing a first down for almost two quarters.
Rocky Lombardi had himself a day completing 10 of 15 attempts with 191 yards and two touchdowns. He deserved a QBR of 217.6 but only had to do half of the work thanks to Antario Brown who had one of if not the best rushing performance we have seen in the MAC in years. Brown had 13 attempts for 280 yards and four touchdowns. All of Browns touchdowns came from 46 yards or longer, only one of his touchdowns came from Akron’s side of the field.
Final stats
NIU:
Lombardi 10-15 191 yds 2 tds
Brown 13 rush 280 yds 4 tds
Rutkiewicz 1 rec 64 yds 1 td
Akron:
Bullock 11-20 82 yds 1 pass td 1 rush td
Lingard 10 rush 45 yds
Banks 2 rec 31 yd 1 td
