The last time the University of Akron played a football game in UB Stadium in Buffalo, the Bulls thwarted the Zips’ chance to become bowl eligible.
Thursday night, they did it again.
The Bulls harassed the Zips for much of game en route to a 41-20 victory. The Zips (5-4, 3-2 Mid-American Conference) haven’t won in Buffalo since 2005.
UA quarterback Thomas Woodson struggled for most of the night, completing 18-of-41 passes for 178 yards, as the team’s offense sputtered to hit its stride while playing its second road game in five days.
While Woodson struggled to throw the ball, the Bulls did their damage on the ground. Running back Jordan Johnson led with way with 282 yards and two touchdowns on 24 carries.
Quarterback Tyree Jackson added 60 yards and two scores on nine carries.
The Bulls (2-6, 1-3) came into the game having scored 104 points all season, but they gashed the Zips for 518 total yards — including 378 on the ground — as Jordan became the third running back this season to gain more than 200 yards against UA.
The Zips attempted to stage a comeback without much success. Down by two scores late, UA briefly awoke when Woodson led a six-play, 65-yard drive to make the score 27-20 with 11:29 left in the game.
However, the Bulls answered with a touchdown of their own less than two minutes later (9:34).
It was the second time in the game the Zips came within seven points only to watch their defense fail to come up with a stop.
With Toledo, Bowling Green and Ohio remaining on their schedule, the Zips can still claim a share of the MAC East Division title. That, however, will be a challenge if they cannot correct the problems that have consistently plagued them.
The Bobcats (6-4, 4-1), meanwhile, upset the Rockets (6-2, 3-1) Thursday night to take control of the division.