The Central Michigan Chippewas (3-3, 1-1 MAC), down 14-10 to the Akron Zips (2-4, 1-1 MAC) had an opportunity to take the lead right before the halftime break with 11 seconds remaining, sitting at the one-yard
line.
CMU quarterback Angel Flores, in shotgun, took the snap, then was immediately accosted in the backfield by Akron defensive back Cyrus Durham. In a panic, Flores dirted the ball as quickly as he could, hoping he could at least set the offense up for a field goal with time remaining on the clock.
Instead, the pass failed to reach the line of scrimmage, and Flores was called for intentional grounding, ending the half on a 10-second run-off and giving the Zips the ball back to start the third quarter.
It was a devastating turn of events for the visitors, who had marched 92 yards on 16 plays to reach that scenario, and wound up influencing the game flow over the rest of the contest, as Akron would score 14-straight points in the third quarter on two passing touchdowns to take a commanding 28-10 lead before quelling CMU’s comeback rally to take home a 28-22 victory on Saturday afternoon at InfoCision Stadium.
The win was not by any means easy for the hosting Zips. After going up 28-10 in the third quarter, quarterback Ben Finley gave up a lackadasical interception on a swing pass, as CMU defensive back Caleb Spann shed his assignment and ran in front of the pass to gift CMU the ball inside Akron territory.
The lone turnover of the day would be converted into a Flores rushing touchdown from two yards out, putting the margin at 28-16. Head coach Matt Drinkall, knowing he would need at least one two-point conversion to have a chance to win the game, opted to go for one after the touchdown. Flores once again took the ball from shotgun, then carried it to the right and was swamped by several Zips defenders, led by Cyrus Durham.
Central would tack on a 47-yard field goal courtesy of Cade Graham late in the fourth to get within one possession with 1:33 remaining, but having used all their timeouts on Akron’s previous drive, which lasted 4:41 of game clock, had no choice but to kick onsides. The attempt failed, and the Zips would run out the clock to get their first league win of the 2025 season— a week removed from a 45-3 pasting at the hands of the Toledo Rockets.
Akron turned in a performance to be proud of in front of the Homecoming crowd, limiting CMU to 4-of-12 on third down and 374 total offensive yards while also picking up eight tackles-for-loss and five sacks on the defensive side.
On offense, the Zips exploded, converting 9-of-15 third-down attempts and averaging 6.1 yards per play— including 12.8 yards per pass completion— while holding onto the ball for 32:18 and converting on 3-of-4 redzone changes.
Ben Finley found nine different receivers on the day and finishing 18-of-23 for 252 yards, three touchdowns and a pick. Jordan Gant, carrying a heavier load than usual due to a rash of injuries at halfback, was a star on the afternoon, with 176 rushing yards on 32 carries, with receiver Kyan Mason eviscerating CMU’s secondary for 125 yards and a touchdown on five receptions. Tight ends Max Whisner and Conner Cravaack hauled in the two redzone receiving scores in the third quarter.
Cyrus Durham was the talisman on this day, as the Arizona transfer lit up CMU for a team-leading nine tackles, two tackles-for-loss, two sacks and the pivotal QB hurry. Julien Laventure, opposite Durham on the edges, picked up five tackles, two TFLs, two sacks and three QB hurries. Malcolm DeWalt IV picked up a crucial late PBU and finished third-best on the team with seven tackles.
Central, meanwhile, could not get going in the right direction, committing nine penalties for 95 yards and holding the ball for just 27:42 of game time— well below their average of 35 minutes prior to today’s game. Joe Labas finished 12-of-21 for 134 yards passing, while Angel Flores had 95 yards on 16 carries, scoring both of CMU’s touchdowns. Brock Townsend was a positive at halfback, with 108 yards on eight carries. Tyson Davis (three catches, 51 yards) led the CMU receivers.
Jordan Kwaitkowski led the tackle chart with 10 stops, while cornerback Jaion Jackson picked up the team’s lone sack. The unit totaled four TFLs and two quarterback hurries.
The Zips will host the Miami RedHawks to continue league play next time they hit the field. The game is scheduled to kick off next Saturday at noon Eastern time from InfoCision Stadium.
CMU gets set to travel to Bowling Green and try to shake off a 10-game losing skid in MAC road games. Kickoff time from Doyt Perry Stadium for next Saturday’s game is to be announced.
