Poised would be the best way to describe the University of Akron football team against host Marshall on Saturday.
Poise alone didn’t win the game. But when the Zips needed to maintain composure, they did, and cruised to a 65-38 non-conference win over the Thundering Herd after falling behind early.
UA quarterback Thomas Woodson led the onslaught, completing 21-of-32 passes for 379 yards and four touchdowns and no interceptions.
Senior wide receiver JoJo Natson caught seven passes for 134 yards and a touchdown. Fellow receiver Jerome Lane (Firestone) added seven receptions for 115 yards. With injured running back Warren Ball out of the lineup, backup Manny Morgan rushed for 130 yards on 18 carries, including a 61-yard burst.
The Zips (2-1) scored touchdowns on offense, defense and special teams.
Quarterback Chase Litton completed 32-of-57 passes for 413 yards and four touchdowns, but threw three interceptions, for Marshall (1-1).
After the Zips took a 7-0 lead, Litton led the Thundering Herd to three consecutive touchdowns and a 21-7 advantage.
UA stormed back in the second quarter in a huge way, scoring five touchdowns to lead 41-21 at halftime.
Linebacker-defensive end Deontae Moore triggered the barrage with a sack and forced fumble that Damantas Venckus scooped up and rumbled 35 yards for a touchdown. Natson added a 35-yard touchdown reception and the special teams got into the act when Zach Guiser blocked a punt and linebacker Ulysses Gilbert returned it 30 yards for the touchdown.
After Woodson hit Kwadarrius Smith with a 30-yard touchdown pass and backup quarterback Tra’Von Chapman added a 1-yard touchdown run, the Zips were in complete control.
The Thundering Herd opened the second half with an 11-play, 80-yard scoring drive to cut the UA lead to 41-28, but the Zips answered and rolled on from there.
Despite the lopsided score, UA trailed 560-524 in total yards and was dominated in time of possession (36:45 to 23:15). But the Zips’ opportunistic defense forced four turnovers and scored two touchdowns off Marshall misfires. They also had four sacks.
Notebook
Natson and Lane became the first Zips to amass 100 receiving yards each since Jabari Arthur (137) and David Harvey (133) did it against Central Michigan on Sept. 16, 2006. … The Zips’ 65 points tied for second most in program history. The school record of 66 was set against Morgan State on Sept. 15, 2012. ... Senior cornerback DeAndre Scott, Natson and senior safety James Turner served as game captains.