“For three quarters, The University of Akron football team looked like they may get their second win of the season – then the fourth quarter started. The Zips saw a 10-6 lead disappear as The Northern Illinois University Huskies scored 21 unanswered points in the final quarter and won 27-10.”
“

For three quarters, The University of Akron football team looked like they may get their second win of the season – then the fourth quarter started.

The Zips saw a 10-6 lead disappear as The Northern Illinois University Huskies scored 21 unanswered points in the final quarter and won 27-10.

The first half was a difficult half, we really underperformed, Zips head coach J.D. Brookhart said. The second half obviously got better, but it didn’t translate into points, so it’s frustrating.

With the loss on Oct. 31, the Zips fell to 1-7 overall and 0-4 in the MAC Conference.

The Huskies improved their record to 5-3 overall and 3-1 in the MAC.

The Zips only touchdown came on an 80-yard halfback pass from Alex Allen to senior wide receiver Andre Jones.

Jones had a career 154 yards receiving on the day and, with the 80-yard reception, has his second touchdown on the season.

The halfback pass was a huge play, a real shift in momentum, Brookhart said. It really felt at that point that we were in pretty good shape.

Obviously it was going to be a tight ball game until the end, but it stopped after that.

The Huskies offense was led junior running back Chad Spann, who rushed for two touchdowns – both in the fourth quarter.

We are a big running team and everyone on the sideline said we needed to get the running game going, Spann said. DeMarcus and I decided we had to pick it up and get the offense moving.

Huskies red shirt sophomore DeMarcus Grady completed 10 of 18 passes for 62 yards, but also contributed with his feet.

Grady rushed 109 yards which was only second to Spann’s 125 on the day.

I give credit to Northern, Brookhart said. I think it’s a difficult team to defend what they’re doing with their running game. A number of games really wore our defense down.

You’ve got a quarterback (that runs) that changes things. You have to respect the pass, but you have to commit to the run.

Zips freshman quarterback Patrick Nicely opposed Grady and completed 11 of 27 passes for 124 yards.

We will continue to progress, Brookhart said. He has a long way to go, but I think he’s going to be a really good player.

The Zips running attack continued to sputter against NIU as no player rushed for over 100 yards.

Zips freshman running back Broderick Alexander led the Zips with 48 rushing yards.

We’re not running to score points, Brookhart said. The defense is playing hard and getting worn down in the end.

The Zips return to InfoCision Stadium – Summa Field after an 0-3 road trip and face a familiar foe.

The Kent State University Golden Flashes will be in town Nov. 7.

Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.

“