It had been 28 games, or 1,058 days, since Akron last beat an FBS team, until today. But Saturday in Oxford, Ohio the Zips snapped that streak with a 24-17 win over the Miami RedHawks.
Akron also captured its first road win since 2008 and its first win in Yager Stadium since 1939 with the victory.
The Zips cruised out to a 21-7 lead midway through the third quarter, and seemed in full control of their destiny. A early fourth quarter field goal made an Akron win seem all that much more certain. But of course ending a streak defined by futility requires some head-scratching moments, even against the 0-7 RedHawks.
Austin Boucher threw a 44-yard bomb late in the fourth to cut the Zips' lead to just 10 with under five to go. A few minutes later Miami tacked on a 52-yard field goal to bring the game within a score. But Akron wasn't having it. The Zips recovered the onside kick, and managed to convert a crucial 4th and 2 to seal the victory.
Jawon Chisholm led the Zips with three rushing scores on the afternoon, along with 84 yards on the ground. Kyle Pohl played a good game from the management aspect, going 23 of 32 for 227 yards and no picks.
Miami, despite the loss, showed progress for a third consecutive week. Boucher had his best game of the season, going 23 of 34 passing for 226 yards and a pair of scores. He helped ignite the RedHawks' offense late in the fourth and almost ruined Akron's historic afternoon.
Full recap coming later.