Akron Look to Get Back in the Win Column, Kent State Eyes First Victory of 2024
Akron Zips Seek to End Losing Streak, Kent State Eyes First Win of 2024 in MAC Showdown
As mid-November rolls in, another edition of MACtion brings the Akron Zips (2-8, 1-5 MAC) to Kent State (0-10, 0-6 MAC) in a critical matchup between two teams looking to avoid finishing at the bottom of the conference standings. With the 2024 college football season winding down, both teams will be desperate to secure a victory, but for very different reasons. Akron hopes to snap a two-game losing streak, while Kent State is still chasing its elusive first win of the season.
Akron Zips: Aiming to Bounce Back After Two Straight Losses
The Akron Zips head into this Tuesday-night matchup looking to rebound from a tough 29-16 loss at Northern Illinois last week. Despite covering as 14-point underdogs, Akron’s offensive struggles and defensive inefficiencies ultimately led to another defeat, leaving them with a 2-8 record and tied for 10th place in the MAC.
The Zips’ offense has been inconsistent this season, averaging just 18.6 points per game, ranking them 125th in the FBS in scoring offense. The passing game, however, has shown some promise. Quarterback Ben Finley has thrown for 2,160 yards this season, with 13 touchdowns and 9 interceptions. His most recent performance saw him complete 188 of 337 passes, but the Zips’ offensive line couldn’t establish a balanced attack, as they were outgained 439-255 in total yards against Northern Illinois.
Akron’s rushing game has been anemic, averaging just 82 yards per game (130th nationally), with Jordon Simmons the team’s leading rusher at 551 yards and 2 touchdowns. To make matters worse, the Zips’ defense continues to struggle, allowing 35.3 points per game (123rd in the country). They were gashed for 439 yards last week, and even though Akron blocked a punt for a touchdown, their defensive vulnerabilities made it impossible to stay competitive.
The Zips will need Simmons to take control of the ground game while Finley finds consistency in the passing attack. With a defense that’s struggling to stop big plays, Akron must focus on ball control, limiting turnovers, and maintaining possession. In particular, keeping Kent State’s offense on the sidelines could be a critical strategy to limit their scoring opportunities.
Kent State Golden Flashes: Hoping to Break Winless Streak in 2024
The Kent State Golden Flashes continue to search for their first win of the 2024 season. After a 34-7 loss to Miami (OH) last week, Kent State dropped to 0-10 on the year, and they remain at the bottom of the MAC standings with a 0-6 conference record. A season that started with promise has quickly unraveled, and with only two games left, the Flashes will need a massive effort to avoid finishing the season winless.
Kent State’s offense has been one of the worst in the nation this season, ranking 132nd in scoring (14.3 points per game) and 134th in rushing offense (75.6 yards per game). Tommy Ulatowski, who has started the majority of games at quarterback, has thrown for 1,035 yards and 12 touchdowns, but he’s also been prone to mistakes with 7 interceptions. Ulatowski has been inconsistent, and the Golden Flashes have used multiple quarterbacks this season, including Devin Kargman and JD Sherrod. However, injuries to key players have drained their depth, and their offensive line has failed to create holes for their running backs.
Ky Thomas leads Kent State’s rushing attack with 488 yards, but the Flashes will need much more production from their running game to keep Akron’s defense honest. On the receiving end, Chrishon McCray has been a standout, leading the team with 37 catches for 612 yards and 8 touchdowns. He will need to step up again to give Ulatowski a reliable target in the passing game.
Kent State’s defense has been equally porous, ranking dead last in scoring defense, allowing 44.8 points per game. Last week, they were outgained 479-183 by Miami (OH) and gave up 19 first downs while only recording 15 of their own. With defensive struggles all year long, Kent State will need to significantly improve their pass rush and secondary play if they are to avoid another blowout. Their 3-4 defense has had difficulty generating pressure, and the Zips will look to exploit this weakness through both the air and ground.
Conclusion
While both teams have been struggling throughout the season, Akron has more talent and a stronger offense, which gives them the edge in this matchup. Kent State has shown flashes of potential but has yet to put together a complete game, and their defense has been a liability all year.
The Akron Zips are the more balanced team heading into this MAC showdown, and with bowl eligibility still within reach, they should find a way to get back in the win column. Kent State, meanwhile, will continue to fight hard for their first win but will likely come up short once again in this crucial MAC matchup.
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