UB Zipped Up At Home In First MAC Loss
UB Bulls dropped a Mid-American Conference (MAC) game for the first time this season as they fell to the Akron Zips 16-24 at UB Stadium this past Saturday.
Previously undefeated in MAC play, UB (4-3, 3-0 MAC) hosted rivals Akron (2-6, 1-3 MAC) in what turned out to be a busy day for Pete Lembo and the Bulls.. Interceptions, turnovers, and sacks for both teams characterized a slow-starting game the Zips took the win from underneath their opponents.
The close-neighbor teams traded quick drives with an even mix of air and ground yardage. Akron capitalized on a costly penalty from the Bulls to crack the score with a 44yd field goal.
A run from Bulls’ standout player Victor Snow followed by a diving catch from Junior wide receiver Nik McMillian were the longest and new-longest plays for UB in the first half, at 21 yards and 52 yards respectively. The tone for the majority of the first half was set when UB turned over the ball on a telegraphed fake field goal in the red zone. Later in the half, an interception by Senior safety Jalen McNair was moved back from the red zone due to a low block, then turned over at the goal line by a forced fumble on the next play.
Senior linebacker Red Murdock forced a fumble to set up a 1yd touchdown pass to redshirt Freshman wide receiver Patrick Clacks III, and a 2-point conversion pass to red shirt Senior tight end Marcus Velez. The Bulls closed the first half leading 10-3.
UB Stadium celebrated Murdock, who tied the MAC single-season forced fumble record at 16, tying UB Bulls alumni and NFL Pro Bowl linebacker Khalil Mack.
Akron zipped down the field to start the second half, tying the game with a touchdown and extra point. Another set of quick drives saw them outscore UB 14-3 in the 3rd quarter alone.
UB looked to restart its offense at the opening of the final quarter, only to watch the Zips’ redshirt Senior QB Ben Finley rush for 38 yards into the end zone to make the score 13-24. The Bulls’ answer of a field goal was not enough to come back.
The Bulls head to Bowling Green (3-5, 1-3 MAC) on November 1st and look to regain their MAC-mentum before playing Central Michigan (4-3, 2-1 MAC) on November 11th.
