Football zipped through Howard in opener
The calm before the storm.
August 29, 2014
On Aug. 28 The University of Akron won their home opening game for the first time since the 2007 season.
“The kids were ready to play,” Head Coach Terry Bowden said.
Akron won this game behind a quick attacking offense as junior QB Kyle Pohl finished the game with 304 yards going 22-35 while also rushing 48 yards on seven carries. Pohl also threw four touchdowns to three different receivers. Pohl’s main target came from sophomore Mykel Traylor-Bennett, who caught four passes for 89 yards and two touchdowns. As a team the Zips tailed 513 total yards and averaged 9.2 yards per pass, while also rushing for 117 yards.
“Coaches did a great job in preparing us for this week and we [the players] brought in,” Pohl said about his offense that scored 21 points in the first six minutes of the game.
The defense had a great game against the Howard offence as Akron shut down any attack Howard had in earning their first shutout since the Morgan State victory on Sept. 12, 2009. The Zips held Howard to 216 total yards and 15 first downs while also forcing a fumble. C.J. Mizell had 10 tack
les throughout the game (eight solo,) while Nmesoma Okafor had seven tackles and a sack in the game.
Twice Howard was in position to score and both times the Zip defense stood tall and continued the shutout.
“The great defenses are made with their goal line stands,” Mizell said.
“If they scored before the end of the half or to begin the second half it’s a different ball game. I felt that if we scored once more the game is over, but if they scored we had a fight on our hands,” Bowden said.
The Zips go on the road to Beaver Stadium to play against Penn State on Saturday, Sept. 6 for their second game. The game is scheduled for 12 p.m and will be aired on ABC.
