Toledo Football vs. Akron Zips Football Match Player Stats, On November 26, 2024, the Toledo Rockets faced off against the Akron Zips in a Mid-American Conference (MAC) football showdown at InfoCision Stadium-Summa Field in Akron, Ohio. This game, broadcast on ESPN2, ended with an unexpected upset as the Akron Zips defeated the Toledo Rockets 21-14 in overtime, closing out the 2024 regular season for both teams. For fans and analysts searching for “Toledo Football vs. Akron Zips Football Match Player Stats,” this article delivers a comprehensive breakdown of the key performances, standout players, and critical moments that shaped this thrilling contest. Whether you’re a Rockets loyalist, a Zips supporter, or a college football enthusiast, this deep dive into the player stats will illuminate the game’s defining elements.
Game Overview: Setting the Stage
The Toledo Rockets entered the game with a 7-4 record overall and 4-3 in MAC play, having secured bowl eligibility but falling out of contention for the MAC Championship after a 24-7 loss to Ohio the previous week. The Akron Zips, meanwhile, stood at 3-8 overall and 2-5 in conference action, riding the momentum of a 38-17 victory over rival Kent State. This matchup marked the 23rd meeting between the two programs, with Toledo holding a 13-9 series lead. The Rockets had dominated recent encounters, including a 49-14 rout in 2021, making Akron’s victory a significant upset.
Played under the Tuesday night lights of #MACtion, the game showcased resilience, defensive heroics, and a dramatic finish. Let’s explore the player stats that drove this memorable outcome.
Key Player Stats: Offense
Toledo Rockets
- Tucker Gleason (Quarterback)
- Passing: 14 completions on 27 attempts, 167 yards, 2 touchdowns, 0 interceptions
- Rushing: 11 carries, 30 yards
Gleason led Toledo’s offense with efficiency, throwing two touchdown passes—both to star wideout Jerjuan Newton. His 167 passing yards kept the Rockets competitive, and his 30 rushing yards highlighted his dual-threat capability. However, a critical sack in overtime ended Toledo’s hopes, underscoring a late-game struggle to protect the pocket.
- Connor Walendzak (Running Back)
- Rushing: 15 carries, 54 yards
- Receiving: 3 receptions, 12 yards
Walendzak paced Toledo’s ground game, averaging 3.6 yards per carry against a stout Akron defense. His 54 yards were hard-earned, but he couldn’t break through for a touchdown, leaving the Rockets reliant on Gleason’s arm in crunch time.
- Jerjuan Newton (Wide Receiver)
- Receiving: 5 receptions, 92 yards, 2 touchdowns
Newton was Toledo’s offensive MVP, hauling in two scores—a 40-yard strike in the second quarter and a 14-yard catch in the fourth to tie the game at 14-14. His 92 yards led all receivers, showcasing his big-play ability and cementing his status as one of the MAC’s top pass-catchers.
- Receiving: 5 receptions, 92 yards, 2 touchdowns
Akron Zips
- Ben Finley (Quarterback)
- Passing: 14 completions on 27 attempts, 142 yards, 1 touchdown, 0 interceptions
- Rushing: 8 carries, 23 yards
Finley delivered a steady performance, connecting with Adrian Norton for a 12-yard touchdown in the third quarter. His 142 passing yards and 23 rushing yards kept Akron’s offense balanced, though his conservative approach leaned heavily on the run game and defense to secure the win.
- Tahj Bullock (Running Back)
- Rushing: 12 carries, 35 yards, 2 touchdowns
- Key Plays: 1-yard touchdown in overtime, 2-yard touchdown in the first quarter
Bullock was the hero of the night, scoring both of Akron’s offensive touchdowns. His 1-yard plunge in overtime sealed the 21-14 victory, while his earlier 2-yard score gave the Zips a 7-0 halftime lead. Though his 35 yards reflect a grind-it-out effort, his nose for the end zone was decisive.
- Adrian Norton (Wide Receiver)
- Receiving: 4 receptions, 49 yards, 1 touchdown
Norton led Akron’s receiving corps, with his 12-yard touchdown catch in the third quarter extending the Zips’ lead to 14-0. His 49 yards provided a spark, though Akron’s passing game took a backseat to its rushing attack in the second half.
- Receiving: 4 receptions, 49 yards, 1 touchdown
Team Offensive Stats Comparison
- Total Yards: Toledo 251, Akron 242
- Passing Yards: Toledo 167, Akron 142
- Rushing Yards: Toledo 84, Akron 100
- Yards Per Play: Toledo 4.6, Akron 4.2
The teams were nearly even in total offense, with Toledo edging out Akron by 9 yards. The Rockets relied more on passing (167 yards), while the Zips leaned on their ground game (100 yards), a strategy that paid off in overtime.
Defensive Standouts
Toledo Rockets
- Maxen Hook (Linebacker)
- Tackles: 8
- Tackles for Loss: 1.0 (3 yards)
Hook led Toledo’s defense with eight tackles, including a key stop for loss. His presence in the middle disrupted Akron’s run game, but he couldn’t prevent Bullock’s overtime score.
- Daniel Bolden (Linebacker)
- Tackles: 6
- Tackles for Loss: 1.0 (2 yards)
Bolden contributed six tackles and a TFL, helping Toledo limit Akron to 242 total yards. His efforts kept the game close, setting the stage for a late comeback attempt.
Akron Zips
- CJ Nunnally IV (Defensive End)
- Tackles: 5
- Sacks: 1.0 (8 yards)
- Key Play: Game-ending sack in overtime
Nunnally’s overtime sack of Gleason on fourth-and-goal from the 4-yard line clinched the victory for Akron. His five tackles and relentless pressure were instrumental in the Zips’ defensive stand.
- Maxen Hook (Linebacker)
- Tackles: 7
Hook (not to be confused with Toledo’s player of the same name) anchored Akron’s defense with seven tackles, helping contain Toledo’s rushing attack to 84 yards. His physicality set the tone early.
- Tackles: 7
Turning Points: How Stats Shaped the Game
- Akron’s Early Lead (7-0 at Halftime)
Bullock’s 2-yard touchdown run capped a methodical first-quarter drive, while Toledo’s offense sputtered with just 84 yards in the first half. Akron’s defense, led by Nunnally and Hook, kept the Rockets scoreless through two quarters. - Toledo’s Second-Half Rally
Newton’s 40-yard touchdown catch in the third quarter ignited Toledo’s comeback, cutting the deficit to 14-7. His 14-yard score with 8:01 left in the fourth tied the game at 14-14, showcasing Gleason’s late-game poise. - Overtime Drama
Akron struck first in overtime with Bullock’s 1-yard touchdown run, capitalizing on a short field. Toledo’s response stalled at the 4-yard line, where Nunnally’s sack on fourth down ended the game, sealing a 21-14 Zips victory.
Statistical Highlights
- Third-Down Efficiency: Toledo converted 4 of 12 (33.3%), while Akron managed 5 of 14 (35.7%). Neither offense dominated, but Akron’s key conversions in overtime proved clutch.
- Time of Possession: Toledo held the ball for 31:18, compared to Akron’s 28:42, reflecting the Rockets’ attempt to control the clock in the second half.
- Turnovers: Both teams played clean football, with zero turnovers, making execution the deciding factor.
Why Akron Won: Analyzing the Stats
Akron’s victory stemmed from a combination of defensive tenacity and timely offensive execution. Nunnally’s game-ending sack highlighted a Zips defense that held Toledo to 251 yards and 14 points—well below the Rockets’ season averages. Bullock’s two touchdowns, though modest in yardage, were perfectly timed, exploiting short fields and red-zone opportunities. Toledo, despite Newton’s heroics and Gleason’s efficiency, couldn’t overcome Akron’s physicality up front, especially in overtime. The Zips’ ability to win the trenches—limiting Toledo to 84 rushing yards while gaining 100 themselves—tipped the scales in a low-scoring affair.
Player Comparison: Head-to-Head Highlights
- Quarterbacks: Gleason (167 passing yards, 2 TDs) outshone Finley (142 yards, 1 TD) in the air, but Finley’s mistake-free play and overtime management gave Akron the edge.
- Running Backs: Bullock’s 35 yards and 2 TDs trumped Walendzak’s 54 yards and no scores, proving impact outweighs volume.
- Receivers: Newton (92 yards, 2 TDs) dominated Norton (49 yards, 1 TD), but Akron’s balanced attack mitigated Toledo’s big plays.
Historical Context
Akron’s win snapped a four-game losing streak to Toledo, marking their first victory over the Rockets since 2013 (31-29). It also doubled the Zips’ win total from the previous two seasons under coach Joe Moorhead, signaling progress for a program that had struggled mightily in recent years.
Conclusion
The November 26, 2024, Toledo vs. Akron Zips football match was a gritty, defensive battle that defied expectations, ending with a 21-14 overtime triumph for the underdog Zips. CJ Nunnally IV, Tahj Bullock, and Adrian Norton powered Akron to victory, while Jerjuan Newton and Tucker Gleason kept Toledo in contention until the final play. For those researching “Toledo football vs. Akron Zips football match player stats,” this game exemplified the importance of clutch performances, defensive stands, and red-zone efficiency in college football. Akron’s upset capped their 2024 season on a high note with back-to-back wins, while Toledo heads to a bowl game with lessons to learn. This #MACtion classic will linger in fans’ minds as a testament to the unpredictability and excitement of the Mid-American Conference.