Akron sputters in 38-16 loss to Wake Forest

The Akron Zips (0-1) left their best for last in Winston-Salem on Thursday night, suffering a 38-16 loss to the Wake Forest Demon Deacons which was not as close as the score indicated.

The Zips gave up 28 unanswered points in the first half– including two 70+ yard touchdown passess– before kicking a field goal to put a cap on the second quarter, then scored 13 points on the last two possessions with the game well out of reach.

The game, which Akron was already playing as major underdogs, was made more complicated for the visiting squad when the team was informed presumed starting quarterback Reese Poffenbarger could not play due to a complication in his eligibility waiver case with the NCAA.

Akron head coach Joe Moorhead would turn to former three-star prospect Cibastian Broughton to start instead. Broughton, in his first game as a Zip, was overwhelmed by a tough Deacons defense, finishing the contest with just 111 yards on 21-of-26 passing– though he did also add 82 yards on the ground.

Brayden Roggow cleaned up in garbage time after coming in for Broughton late, completing all seven pass attempts for 45 yards and two touchdowns.

The Deacons kept all-MAC halfback Jordan Gant corralled, limiting him to 25 yards on eight carries. Marcell Williams (four catches, team-leading 38 yards) and Luke Sivon (team-leading five catches, 30 yards) were the leading receivers for Akron, while Titus Myters and Elijah Alexander each notched a touchdown.

Transfer linebacker Donelius Johnson had a nice outing in his first game as a Zip, with 11 total tackles on the night, while Aamii Branch led the team with a tackle-for-loss.

Wake Forest feasted on Akron to the tune of 559 yards of offense, including 203 net rushing yards, while averaging 8.2 yards per play.

Gio Lopez, in his first game with the Deacs, finished 21-of-32 for 350 yards and three touchdowns to go with 39 rushing yards, while Ty Clark carried the majority of the rushing attack with 105 yards on only seven carries. Deuce Lawrence led the team with 13 carries, 52 yards and a score.

Carlos Hernandez (five catches, 165 yards) and Antonio Meeks (three catches, 93 yards) both torched the Zips secondary for 70+ yard touchdown receptions early, with Kam Shanks adding on a score later on to compliment his five catches for 55 yards.

The linebacker duo of Vincent Firenze and Frank Cusano tied for the team lead with nine tackles each, with Firenze forcing a fumble and defensive back Rushaun Tongue recovering. Hybrid back Braylon Johnson had a sack and a TFL to go with seven tackles (four solo).

Akron now returns home to play FCS team Robert Morris on Saturday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. Eastern time. The game, to be aired on ESPN+, will feature the much bally-hooed Offensive Coordinator of the Game in season ticketholder Marty Whims II.

Wake Forest will travel to West Lafayette, Indiana to face the Purdue Boilermakers, also for a contest scheduled for Saturday afternoon, with kickoff at noon Eastern time on FS1.