Central Michigan beats Akron 41-17 on Saturday in the Mid-American Conference opener at Kelly/Shorts Stadium in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. Quarterback Angel Flores rushed for 154 yards and a touchdown and threw for another score as the Chippewas improved to 3-2 overall and 1-0 in the MAC.
Akron took an early 7-0 lead, but Central Michigan scored 21 consecutive points in the second quarter and never looked back, as we outlined in our preview of the matchup. The Zips fell to 1-4 and 0-1 in the conference.
How Central Michigan beats Akron: the ground game takes over
Flores tied the game with a 55-yard touchdown run, then found Shawn Foster II for a 48-yard touchdown pass. Brock Townsend added a 5-yard touchdown run to complete the 21-point burst. The Chippewas outgained Akron 203-19 in the second quarter alone.
Nick Woodford and Jayden Clerveaux extended the lead with rushing touchdowns, and Clerveaux’s 23-yard score was the first of his career. Backup quarterback Jadyn Glasser added a fourth-quarter touchdown pass. Central Michigan finished with 332 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns, and it totaled 481 yards to Akron’s 340.
Akron’s passing game struggles
Brayden Roggow completed 15 of 32 passes for 180 yards and one touchdown, but he threw three interceptions. Akron converted 6 of 15 third downs…