Zips football rolls over Buffalo, now bowl eligible

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Donnell Alexander (8) had a career day against Buffalo

By Terry Rabbitts, [email protected]

The University of Akron football team posted a 42-21 Saturday afternoon over the Buffalo Bulls at InfoCision Stadium – Summa Field for their sixth victory of the year. The victory now makes Akron eligible for post season action for the first time since 2005 and just the second time in school history (as an FBS school).

Thomas Woodson threw for 258 yards and four touchdowns and Donnell Alexander ran for a career-high 143 yards and two more scores for the Zips. Imani Davis had his first collegiate 110-yard receiving game as he caught seven balls for 118 yards and a touchdown.

Akron moves to 6-5 on the year (4-3 Mid-American Conference) while the loss drops the Bulls to 5-6 (3-4 MAC).

The Zips opened up the scoring when Woodson found receiver Jerome Lane on a 29-yard pass to cap off a long 80-yard drive.

The defense asserted it presence on the Bulls ensuing possession as Rodney Coe forced a fumble and DeAndre Scott recovered for the Zips at the Bulls’ 36-yard line.

Akron did not waste any time after the turnover as Woodson connected with Austin Wolf on the first play for the touchdown and a 14-0 Zips lead.

In the second quarter, after Buffalo closed the game to 14-7, Akron received great field position at the Buffalo 36-yard line and five plays later, Woodson found Davis on a 11-yard scoring strike to give the Zips a 21-7 cushion.

The Bulls cut into the deficit with a 10-play, 76 yard drive that culminated with a Jordan Johnson one-yard touchdown run.

Akron answered right back on its last drive of the first have as they dashed 74 yards in just five plays as Woodson found Lane again for a score and a 28-14 Zips lead at the intermission.

Alexander became the star of the second half as he scampered seven yards in the third quarter for his first touchdown to extend the Akron lead to 35-14.

Then with 8:38 left to play in the game, Alexander added an insurance score on a 35-yard run to put the game away at 35-14.

Buffalo added a late touchdown to close out the scoring on another Johnson run.

The Zips close out the regular season with a game against rival Kent State on Friday, Nov. 27 at noon in the annual Wagon Wheel game.