2019 MAC Football Week 4 Game Recap: Troy Trojans defeat the Akron Zips, 35-7

Troy (3-1) marched into InfoCision Stadium and came away with the victory over Akron (0-4), 35-7.

Akron turned in probably its best first-half of football this year against a very good Troy squad.

Troy did score in the first quarter to take 7-0 lead but Akron’s defense was rock-solid in the first quarter after that, forcing two punts and then causing a takeaway on another drive, an interception by the Zips’ Shawn Featherstone.

Akron answered Troy’s touchdown with a touchdown of its own. Akron’s Kato Nelson threaded the ball nicely through coverage to hit TE Maverick Wolfley for a 21-yard touchdown to tie the game 7-7.

Later in the second quarter and second half, Troy was able to establish itself and pull away to earn the victory. Troy’s QB Kaleb Barker led the Trojan attack, throwing for 202 yards and three touchdowns. Troy RB DK Billingsley led the Trojans’ ground game with 101 yards rushing and a touchdown.

Akron’s defense made major strides in reducing the number of explosive plays against as the longest play produced by a good Troy offense was an 18-yard pass to WR Kaylon Geiger.

Akron’s punter Jonah Wieland showed improvement for a second week in a row, dramatically increasing his average to 46 yards per punt, including a 59-yarder which pinned Troy back at its own four.

Akron’s running backs Brandon Lee and Deltron Sands had a solid game, combining for 6.2 yards per carry.

Akron hits the road next Saturday to take on a former MAC foe, the UMass Minutemen (0-4), at 3:30 pm ET.