“SYRACUSE, NY: The University of Akron football team amassed 478 yards of offense in defeating the Syracuse Orange 42-28 Saturday for the second win in school history over a Bowl Championship Series team. The win at SU’s Carrier Dome marked the first-ever over a Big East member school.”
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SYRACUSE, NY: The University of Akron football team amassed 478 yards of offense in defeating the Syracuse Orange 42-28 Saturday for the second win in school history over a Bowl Championship Series team.

The win at SU’s Carrier Dome marked the first-ever over a Big East member school.

UA fifth-year head coach J.D. Brookhart acknowledged the significance of the accomplishment during his post-game news conference.

BCS wins are, obviously, very difficult to get, Brookhart said. As long as we’re building our program, these are milestones.

The Zips’ offense was effective from the opening kickoff. It began the game by marching 65 yards on seven plays to open the game’s scoring on a 33-yard touchdown pass from redshirt junior quarterback Chris Jacquemain to senior wide receiver Andre Jones.

The team found the end zone again on its third series when senior running back Dennis Kennedy capped a seven-play, 79-yard drive with a 35-yard touchdown run.

The Zips took a 28-14 lead into the locker room, but would see the Orange score the next 14 points to tie the game at 28 behind the rushing of senior tailback Curtis Brinkley and the arm of quarterback Cameron Dantley.

After SU tied the score with 12:56 remaining in the game, UA responded with its fifth touchdown drive of the game. Jacquemain connected with Jones for his second touchdown catch of the day to regain the lead, 35-28.

They tied it up and we knew we needed to score, Jacquemain said of the game’s decisive drive. We ran well and then we had the passing touchdown, which was a good check by the offensive coordinator.

Despite surrendering 353 offensive yards, the Zips’ defense followed the go-ahead score by stopping the Orange on fourth-and-one at UA’s 46-yard line.

We were down to our third nose tackle, but we had the defense to handle those inside runs, Brookhart said.

Like they were able to do the entire game, the Zips turned the Orange miscue into points, sealing the victory with an 18-yard touchdown pass from Jacquemain to senior tight end Merce Poindexter.

Jacquemain completed 20-of-26 passes for 260 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. Redshirt junior running back Alex Allen (103 yards) and Kennedy (89 yards) led the team’s rushing attack, which totaled 218 yards.

Kennedy credited the team’s offensive line for the offense’s productivity.

They worked their tails off, the redshirt senior said. The whole line gave us a great push and I think the balance made it easier, too.

UA will begin Mid-American Conference play next Saturday when it hosts Ball State in the team’s home-opener. Kick-off at the Rubber Bowl is set for 1 p.m.

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