The Akron Zips football team matched its win total from last season and kept UMass winless this year, prevailing 44-10 during a Mid-American Conference matchup on Nov. 4.
Akron (4-6, 3-3 in the MAC) won four games in 2024. A victory over UMass (0-9, 0-5) gives the Zips a chance in their final two games against Kent State (Nov. 11 at UA) and Bowling Green (Nov. 18 at BGSU) to secure the highest single-season win total during Joe Moorhead’s head coaching tenure at Akron. The Zips went 2-10 in each of Moorhead’s first two seasons (2022 and 2023) at the helm of UA.
Coming off an upset win at Buffalo, Akron blew out UMass at InfoCision Stadium. Here is how the action unfolded through our updates:
Akron defeats UMass 44-10
Zips running back Jordan Gant rushed 28 times for 153 yards (5.5 average) and two touchdowns to power Akron’s offense.
UA quarterback Ben Finley finished 12-of-20 passing for 197 yards and two touchdowns and rushed four times for 28 yards and a TD. Finley’s TD passes of 15 and 13 yards were caught by wide receivers Kyan Mason and Israel Polk.
Zips linebacker Gage Summers accounted for another TD when he returned a fumble 25 yards.
Akron running back Jordan Gant capitalizes on muffed punt by UMass, and Zips boost lead
After UMass returner Kenyon Massey muffed a punt, allowing Akron to recover at the UMass 13-yard line with 13:08 left in the third quarter, Zips running back Jordan Gant took advantage.
Gant rushed for 4 yards immediately after the punt and then a 9-yard touchdown on second-and-6. With the ensuing extra point, Akron went ahead 44-10 with 12:18 left in the fourth quarter.
When Akron began its next possession with 8:28 left in the fourth quarter, UA’s huge lead gave the Zips the luxury of resting starting quarterback Ben Finley. Third-string QB Brayden Roggow entered the game along with some other UA reserves. Backup QB Michael Johnson Jr. also received playing time as the Zips ran out the clock.
Akron goes ahead 37-10 with a 42-yard field goal by Matthew Schramm
Akron tacked on a 42-yard field goal by kicker Matthew Schramm with 2:23 left in the third quarter.
The successful kick capped a 10-play, 36-yard drive.
Akron Zips bolster lead to 34-10 with defensive touchdown vs. UMass
Akron used a defensive touchdown to build a 34-10 lead with 6:33 left in the third quarter.
Zips linebacker Gage Summers recovered a fumble during a play Akron’s defense blew up in the backfield on third-and-1 at the UMass 42-yard line. Summers then returned the fumble 25 yards for a touchdown. The ensuing extra-point kick gave the Zips a 34-10 lead.
The botched play by UMass appeared to be a miscommunication between quarterback AJ Hairston and running back Brandon Hood because an attempted handoff went awry.
After Summers scooped up the ball, Hood caught him and tried to tackle him near the 10. However, Summers kept moving and dived into the end zone for the TD.
Akron Zips starting quarterback Ben Finley hurt and loses fumble with 9:55 left in the third quarter vs. UMass
Zips starting quarterback Ben Finley was shaken up and had to be examined by medical personnel after he took a hit and lost a fumble while attempting to rush for a touchdown with 9:55 left in the third quarter.
Finley walked to the sideline under his own power after the medical staff checked him.
The play occurred on third-and-3 from the UMass 10-yard line. As Finley ran toward the end zone after picking up a fumble, safety Kendall Bournes forced him to fumble at the 1, and UMass took possession at its 8 after safety Zeraun Daniel’s recovery. Yes, there were two fumbles during the same play.
On Akron’s next possession, Finley reentered the game.
Jordan Gant puts on a show in the first half and leads Akron Zips to 27-10 halftime advantage vs. UMass
Akron led UMass 27-10 at halftime.
Zips running back Jordan Gant dominated for UA in the first two quarters. Gant rushed 18 times for 111 yards (6.2 average) and a touchdown in the first half.
Akron’s passing attack proved to be efficient, too. Quarterback Ben Finley went 9-of-13 passing for 161 yards and two touchdowns without an interception in the first half.
Akron Zips extend lead vs. UMass Minutemen to 27-10 with 2:14 left in the second quarter
Akron extended its lead to 27-10 with a three-play, 53-yard scoring drive late in the first half.
Running back Jordan Gant finished the drive with a 1-yard rushing touchdown on second-and-goal, but Matthew Schramm missed the ensuing extra-point kick with 2:14 remaining in the second quarter.
A 46-yard catch-and-run by wide receiver Marcel Williams on a pass from quarterback Ben Finley gave the Zips first-and-goal at the 7. UA scored two plays later.
Akron boosts lead to 21-10 with QB Ben Finley’s 2-yard touchdown run with 11:48 left in the second quarter
Akron responded to UMass scoring 10 consecutive points with a seven-play, 78-yard touchdown drive.
Quarterback Ben Finley rushed for a 2-yard touchdown during a draw on first-and-goal. The extra-point kick gave Akron a 21-10 cushion with 11:48 left in the second quarter.
Running back Jordan Gant powered the Zips’ march with five carries for 55 yards.
Akron leads UMass 14-10 at the end of the first quarter
End of first quarter: Akron 14, UMass 10
Akron ran 16 plays and generated 108 yards in the first quarter. UMass ran 19 plays and produced 88 yards.
Derek Morris makes 55-yard field goal, and UMass trims Akron’s lead to 14-10 late in the first quarter
UMass stalled at Akron’s 36-yard line when Zips defensive end Bruno Dall hit quarterback Grant Jordan on an incomplete deep pass on third-and-11.
However, UMass still produced points during the series because kicker Derek Morris made a 55-yard field goal with nine seconds left in the first quarter. The long kick cut Akron’s lead to 14-10.
UMass football strikes back and trims Akron’s lead to 14-7 with 5:39 left in the first quarter
After committing a turnover and going three-and-out, the UMass offense got its act together.
Third-string quarterback Grant Jordan entered the game and rushed 48 yards to the Akron 1. Two plays later, starting quarterback AJ Hairston faked a handoff and threw a 1-yard touchdown pass to tight end Magnus Von Saldern. The ensuing extra-point kick cut Akron’s advantage to 14-7 with 5:39 left in the first quarter.
Akron Zips football team extends lead to 14-0 vs. UMass with 8:32 left in the first quarter
After the Akron defense forced a three-and-out on UMass’ second possession of the game, the Zips took control at their 29-yard line following a punt.
Akron then orchestrated a nine-play, 71-yard drive capped by quarterback Ben Finley’s 13-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Israel Polk in the back of the end zone on third-and-9. The extra-point kick was good, and UA seized a 14-0 advantage with 8:32 left in the opening quarter.
UMass loses fumble on first play from scrimmage, and Akron scores three plays later to take 7-0 lead
On the game’s first play from scrimmage, UMass lost a fumble on a handoff to running back Rocko Griffin, and Akron linebacker Gage Summers recovered the ball at the UMass 19-yard line with 14:53 left in the opening quarter.
Three plays later, quarterback Ben Finley and wide receiver Kyan Mason connected for a 15-yard touchdown on third-and-6. The officiating crew contemplated ruling the pass incomplete but concluded Mason made the catch near the goal line before falling into the end zone. With a successful extra-point kick, the Zips went ahead 7-0 with 14:11 left in the first quarter.
Below is some pregame information.
What is the history between Akron and UMass football?
Akron is 3-2 in its all-time series against UMass.
UMass football competed in the MAC from 2012-15 and rejoined the conference this season.
Akron Zips 2025 football schedule and results
How can I watch or listen to the Akron Zips vs. UMass football game today?
Akron vs. UMass will be televised on the CBS Sports Network with Jordan Kenti serving as the play-by-play announcer and Logan Ryan as the analyst. It can be heard locally on the radio via WHLO (640-AM) with David Skoczen working as the play-by-play announcer, Joe Dunn as the analyst and Mark LaRose as the sideline reporter.
Is Akron favored against UMass football?
Akron is an 11½-point favorite to defeat UMass, according to the FanDuel Sportsbook.
Nate Ulrich is the sports columnist of the Akron Beacon Journal and a sports features writer. Nate can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron football score, recap vs. UMass. Zips secure 2nd consecutive MAC win
Reporting by Nate Ulrich, Akron Beacon Journal / Akron Beacon Journal
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