Box Score Oct. 8, 2016 Final Stats
AKRON, Ohio -- After an impressive opening drive, Miami University's football team was unable to maintain the momentum for the remainder of the game, falling to the University of Akron, 35-13, Saturday afternoon at InfoCision Stadium--Summa Field.
In his first career start, freshman quarterback Noah Wezensky went 14-of-28 for 153 yards and one touchdown. Sophomore running back Alonzo Smith turned in a solid performance with 86 yards, while junior tight end Ryan Smith caught five passes for 62 yards and one touchdown. The Miami offense posted 260 total yards and held possession for over 31 minutes.
On their opening 12-play, 68-yard drive, the RedHawks looked strong, picking up four first downs as they headed into the Zips' red zone. With the ball on the Akron 9-yard line, the drive stalled with three rushing plays, leading to a 28-yard field goal by sophomore kicker Nick Dowd that put Miami up 3-0 with 8:34 remaining in the quarter.
Akron quickly responded, as junior quarterback Tra'Von Chapman rushed 70 yards for a touchdown on his team's second play from scrimmage, bringing the score to 7-3 at the 7:44 mark.
Following a Miami punt, the Zips marched 78 yards in 10 plays, finishing off the drive with a 24-yard touchdown pass from Chapman to junior wide receiver Austin Wolf. The score extended the Zips' lead to 14-3 with 2:16 left to play.
In the second quarter, Akron took advantage of four Miami penalties on a 13-play, 84-yard sequence that ended with a 22-yard pass from Chapman to senior wide receiver JoJo Natson, making it 21-3 Akron at the 7:04 mark.
The RedHawks rebounded on their next drive as Dowd connected on a 24-yard field goal that brought the score to 24-6 with 3:34 remaining. The half would soon close with two fruitless drives by both squads.
Following a slow start to the second half, Miami put together its best possession of the game with a 9-play, 63-yard drive that culminated in Wezensky finding Smith for a 6-yard touchdown pass. The score tightened the tally to 21-13 Akron with 7:56 left in the third quarter.
The RedHawks were less fortunate on the next drive as a Wezensky fumble was recovered by the Zips at the Miami 34-yard line. Akron would capitalize on the field position five plays later with a 1-yard touchdown rush by junior halfback Mykel Traylor-Bennett, bringing the score to 28-13 Zips at the 1:45 mark.
As the fourth quarter began, Wezensky was intercepted by sophomore cornerback Kyron Brown at his own 32-yard line. On the following play, Chapman hit Natson for a 32-yard touchdown pass that sealed the game at 35-13 with 13:08 left. The final four drives of the game would each finish with punts.
Miami returns home next Saturday to face Kent State University at 2:30 p.m. at Yager Stadium.
