Akron melts down in 38-10 loss to UNLV

A spirited first-half effort by the Akron Zips (1-3) was not enough on Saturday, as the UNLV Rebels (2-2, 1-0 Mountain West) ran away in the second half to go back to Las Vegas with the 38-10 victory.

The Zips struck first, forcing the Rebels offense to a three-and-out on the game's opening possession before Jordan Gant would the find the opening from 12 yards out to give Akron the early 7-0 lead with 11:58 to go in the first quarter.

A lapse in concentration on defense the next drive allowed UNLV to tie the game up quickly, as Jackson Arnold would find versatile halfback Jai'den "Jet" Thomas free as the autumn wind downfield for a 40-yard touchdown pass less than three minutes later. Thomas ran out on a simple wheel route towards the sideline and discovered no one there to cover him as Akron had sent the house to try and stop the run on third-and-three from their 40-yard line.

Akron tried to catch the Rebels defense similarly napping on a trick play in the next possession, running with Sean Patrick on four of the first six plays of the drive before substituting in Jordan Gant and attempting a halfback double pass. UNLV was on it, crushing Gant as he set up to throw. Jake Pope would get a hand on the ball and the wobbler was eventually plucked out of the air by Tre Fulton.

The Zips defense forced a quick UNLV punt, and the Zips offense marched right back down the field, bounding the quarters on a 10-yard drive. Alas, after getting into UNLV territory on a nice 25-yard pass from Roggow to Marcel Williams, the drive stalled out on an incomplete pass on fourth-and-one.

UNLV would go the length of the field on an 11-play, 74-yard drive– aided in part by a 36-yard catch by Taesaun Lyons on a third-and-six conversion– and give Jet Thomas his second score of the day on a two-yard catch to put the Rebels back up top at 14-7 with 7:21 to go first half.

Akron had a golden opportunity to tie the game near the end of the half when a personal foul call on UNLV was attached to the end of a 21-yard catch by Marcel Williams, placing the ball on the UNLV 15-yard line. However, a first-down holding call would doom the drive, forcing Akron to kick on fourth-and-13 from the opposing 18-yard line.

It was Aiden Stire's first career kick, and he pushed it through, putting the score at 14-10 with 2:44 to go, where it would stay at the halftime break.

The wheels would start to fall off for the home team in the third quarter, as UNLV would convert a third-and-five coming out of the break and then immediately tosses a 45-yard pass down the middle of the field to set up shop inside Akron's redzone, taking advantage of several lapses in coverage.

Jet Thomas would score his third touchdown of the day one play later, running in from 16 yards to give UNLV a two-score advantage.

Akron would go three-and-out, interception and a field goal miss (this one from Matthew Schramm) on their next three drives to end the third quarter, while giving up another blown assignment touchdown on a 59-yard missile from Arnold to Taz Reddicks to put the score at 31-10.

The Zips suffered one last indignity as they attempted a comeback in the fourth quarter, with Brayden Roggow tossing a pick right into the mitts of Mumu Bin-Wahad, who took it to the house to put UNLV's lead up even higher at 38-10 with 7:29 remaining.

Akron was down several key starters going into the game, including QB Cibastian Broughton, who left last week's Minnesota game early with a foot injury. Other notables who were out included starting defensive backs Catrell White and nickelback Alex Branch, as well as defensive line rotation piece Omari Abor.

Brayden Roggow got the start at QB after subbing for Broughton last week, finishing 14-of-25 passing for 194 yards and two interceptions. Jordan Gant led the rushers with 80 yards on 19 carries, while Marcel Williams led in receiving yards (83) on six catches and Kyan Mason hauled in 73 yards on three receptions.

Linebacker Dwight Nunoo and safety Tairan Davis both led the Zips with eight tackles. Davis had a team-high seven solo stops. Roderick Hunter had a stand-alone tackle-for-loss.

Curiously, Akron played two placekickers despite Matthew Schramm not showing up on the injury report. Aiden Sitre had a 36-yard field goal make, while Schramm hit the only extra-point attempt and missed a 44-yard field goal.

For UNLV, Jackson Arnold showed off his pedigree. The former Auburn and Oklahoma starter lit up the secondary to the tune of 290 yards and three touchdowns on 17-of-29 passing. Halfback Jet Thomas was the highlight star overall, with three total touchdowns (two receiving, one rushing) and 167 total yards (113 rushing, 54 receiving) on 18 touches. Taz Reddicks was the receiver of choice on the day, with his late 59-yard touchdown cementing a 116-yard afternoon.

Cam Santee had a homecoming to remember. The former star safety at Avon High School in Ohio was UNLV's leading defender, with 10 total tackles (eight solo) and an interception on the afternoon. Fellow safety Tre Fulton also featured, with six tackles, a TFL, a sack and an interception. Andre Porter had a team-leading two TFLs and a sack.

Akron's next opponent will be the Central Michigan Chippewas on the road. Kickoff is scheduled for Saturday, October 3rd, at 3:30 p.m. Eastern time.