The Akron Zips went into their Week 10 game against the Buffalo Bulls coming off a big home win vs. Eastern Michigan and looking to achieve a 3-win season for the first time since 2018. The program has seen some alumni make notable contributions in the NFL, including defensive end Jason Taylor, who had a Hall of Fame career with the Miami Dolphins and wide receiver Domenik Hixon, who contributed to 2 Super Bowl titles with the New York Giants. However, while some high quality players have come through the Zips program throughout the years, the team unfortunately hasn’t seen much success in its 33 years in the MAC, with just one conference title and two other appearances in the conference title game. The team has shown some progress under third year head coach Joe Moorhead in 2024. Moorhead is no stranger to winning, serving as the offensive coordinator on some successful Penn State and Oregon teams, as well as the head coach at Mississippi State for 3 seasons. 

 

On the other hand, Buffalo was looking to continue a fairly successful season  to remain in contention for a MAC title game berth and move one win away from bowl eligibility. The Bulls are led by star linebackers Shaun Dolac and Red Murdock, as well as QB CJ Ogbanna. The program that produced NFL star Khalil Mack has two more defensive stars and NFL prospects in Dolac and Murdock, who ended Week 10 ranked first and third in the country in tackles, respectively. 

 

Early on, it looked as though Akron was building off the momentum of their big win the previous week. They marched down the field, going 71 yards in just 5 plays on their opening drive and capping it off with a 29 yard touchdown pass from QB Ben Finley to Ahmarian Granger. The Zips’ defense then forced a 3-and-out on the Bulls’ first possession. But, Akron squandered the opportunity to extend the lead, with Finley throwing an interception on a deep ball. After another Buffalo 3-and-out, the Zips got the ball back, driving to the Bulls’ 40-yard line before Dolac forced a fumble and ended the drive.

 

Buffalo’s offense took advantage of the turnover this time, getting a big chunk of yards with a 44-yard pass from Ogbanna to the team’s leading receiver, Victor Snow, and following that with a touchdown pass to JJ Jenkins on the drive’s second play. Disaster struck for Akron when they fumbled the ball away to Buffalo again on their first play of the next drive, giving the Bulls the ball at the Akron 23-yard line. Buffalo took advantage of the short field, moving the ball to the 1-yard line and getting a 1-yard touchdown rush from Jacqez Barksdale. The Zips were gifted good starting field position after Buffalo put the kickoff out of bounds, but again they failed to take advantage, turning the ball over on downs at their own 44. A promising start that saw Akron take an early 7-0 lead was completely wiped out with 4 straight turnovers to end the quarter.

 

Buffalo proceeded to score a field goal on their next drive to extend their lead to 17-7. Akron’s next drive was promising, but stalled on 3rd-and-1 from the Buffalo 46. The Zips lined up to go for it on 4th down, but they hurt themselves again with a false start penalty which forced them to punt. The Bulls put together an 11-play, 88-yard drive and capped it off with a touchdown pass from Ogbanna to tight end Jake Orlando, which ended the scoring for the first half.

 

Buffalo had the ball to start the 2nd half and kept right on scoring, thanks in large part to leading rusher Al-Jay Henderson, who ran for 57 yards on the drive including a 45-yard TD run, which extended the Bulls’ lead to 31-7. The Zips weren’t able to get much going on their next drive, turning the ball over on downs at their own 43. Buffalo quickly drove to the Akron 3-yard-line and looked to extend the lead further, but a goal line stand by Akron kept the ball out of the end zone for four plays. 

 

Akron’s offense couldn’t take advantage of the momentum their defense gave them, going 3 and out yet again. A Bulls touchdown run by Ogbanna made the score 38-7 and at this point the only question seemed to be how much of a blowout the game would turn out to be. But the Zips responded, moving the ball 88 yards in just 2:32 of game time and scoring on the first play of the 4th quarter. Their first points since the opening drive came on a 28 yard pass to leading receiver Adrian Norton. Akron went for two and again Norton made the catch and conversion to cut the score to 38-15.

 

On Buffalo’s first drive of the 4th quarter, the Zips’ defense kept up the momentum gained by the offense, forcing the Bulls into a 3-and-out. Akron kept moving the ball down the field; this time they put together an 8-play, 75-yard drive. Once again, QB Finley found Norton for a touchdown and the Zips kicked the extra point this time. With nine minutes to play, it was a 38-22 game and suddenly getting very interesting. On each team’s next drive, Buffalo’s offense stalled again with another 3-and-out and Akron marched down the field and scored on Finley’s 4th TD pass of the game. This time, it was freshman Kyan Mason with the score, the first of his college career. Another successful two-point play made it 23 unanswered points for the Zips and made it a one-score game with just under five minutes to play. 

 

Akron’s defense continued their excellent 4th quarter play, forcing yet another three-and-out for a third-straight Buffalo drive. With three minutes to play, it looked as if the Zips would have a real chance to complete an amazing comeback. But the miscues that put Akron in a massive hole early cropped up again at the worst possible time, as punt returner Jordan Castleberry muffed the punt, which was recovered by Buffalo deep in Akron territory, devastating the Zips’ hopes. The Bulls added on a field goal to make the score 41-30 and ice the game. 

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What the loss means for 2-7 Akron

 

While Akron outgained the Bulls 452-393, they lost the turnover battle 4-0 and had two turnover on downs in their own territory, which proved to be the difference in the game. The Zips early momentum was crushed by four straight 1st quarter drives that ended in turnovers and it took until the final quarter to get that momentum back. Coach Moorhead was pleased with his team’s valiant comeback effort, but lamented the early turnovers and the crucial muffed punt which killed his team’s chance at a comeback. On a positive note, nine different receivers caught passes for the Zips and Moorhead spoke about the depth in the receiver room. Norton, 4th in the MAC in receiving yards, led Akron on the day with 98 yards and 2 TDs. Finley’s 4 TD passes tied a career high. 

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With a win, the Zips would have earned their third win of the season and their second conference win of the season for the first time since 2018. That will have to wait until next week when the Zips take on a stingy Northern Illinois Huskies team that famously took down Notre Dame in Week 2. Moorhead's team has been vastly more competitive in games this year compared to the past few seasons, but so far that effort hasn't quite been reflected in the win column. Time will tell how the recent news of athletic director Charles Guthrie leaving role at Akron will ultimately impact the football program.

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What the win means for 5-4 Buffalo

 

Per usual, the Bulls did much of their damage offensively on the ground, with the duo of Henderson and Ogbanna combining for 170 yards and 2 TDs. Ogbanna combined for 273 yards and 3 TDs on the ground and through the air. Dolac was his usual dominant self with a game-high 12 tackles, one pass breakup and a forced fumble. Murdock wasn’t far behind with 11 tackles. With the win, Buffalo moves one win away from bowl eligibility. The Bulls have a relatively favorable schedule, with their remaining games including 7th place MAC team Ball State and currently winless Kent State, along with a tough road game against Eastern Michigan. If the Bulls can win one of those three games, they will play in their 5th bowl game in the last 7 seasons, extending what is already the program’s best stretch of success since moving to Division I. Four teams are in front of them in the MAC standings, so a lot would have to go right for the Bulls to make a trip to Detroit for the MAC Championship, but technically there's still a path.