University of Akron quarterback Tra’Von Chapman performed on the ground and just well enough in the air to lead the Zips to a 35-13 win over Miami on Saturday in a Mid-American Conference game at InfoCision Stadium.
Subbing for injured starter Thomas Woodson for the second consecutive game, Chapman ran for 80 yards and completed 15-of-29 passes for 174 yards and three touchdowns.
The Zips’ defense also did its job. Despite missing defensive ends Se’Von Pittman and Jamal Marcus, UA held the RedHawks (0-6, 0-2) to just 260 yards of offense.
Although managing just 299 total yards, the Zips (4-2, 2-0) operated effectively at times and answered Miami field goals with touchdowns. They led 14-3, 21-6 and 28-13 at the quarter stops as the outcome of their Homecoming game never seemed in doubt.
“My first thought is what a great team win,” UA coach Terry Bowden said. “Everybody did their part.”
Chapman got it started when, on a second-and-11 play at the UA 30-yard line, he raced 70 yards on a keeper. Once he hit the greenery of InfoCision, it turned into a dash to the end zone that the junior from Kent won with a lunge to put the Zips up 7-3 at the 7:50 mark of the first quarter.
“At that point, I just turned into a running back,” he said. “Luckily, I had enough gas to where the guy didn’t come and catch me.
On UA’s next possession, Chapman led a 10-play, 78-yard drive that ended in a 24-yard touchdown pass to junior wide receiver Austin Wolf with 2:25 left in the first quarter. Chapman completed 5-of-8 passes for 67 yards on the drive.
Chapman continued his success into the second quarter with a 13-play, 84-yard drive that gave the Zips a 21-6 lead with 3:34 left in the first half.
The RedHawks threatened to make it interesting with a third-quarter touchdown that made it 21-13, but the Zips’ defense clamped down on quarterback Noah Wezensky and the Miami offense after that.
“Today was their best effort of the year,” Bowden said of the UA defenders. “It was definitely a step forward. We challenged our defense … We thought we could get some turnovers and we did exactly that.”
The Zips forced a Wezensky fumble — one of three turnovers — that defensive back Nate Bischof recovered at the Miami 16. Five plays later, UA wide receiver Mykel Traylor-Bennett dug his way into the end zone for the score and a 28-13 lead.
An interception by defensive back Kyron Brown then gave the Zips choice field position again at the Miami 32, and Chapman wasted little time before finding wide receiver JoJo Natson for the score and a 35-13 lead with 13:01 left.
“Today was a great example of everybody playing together,” UA linebacker Ulysses Gilbert III said. “We’re going to get better every day, but I really felt really good about we played together, how we ran to the ball and how we rushed the quarterback.”
Chapman gave the defense credit also.
“When the defense steps up like today, it definitely gives us a lift,” he said.
Quick hits
Natson suffered an undisclosed injury on the final touchdown catch. … Marcus is out for the season with an injury, and Pittman was held out of the game. … The Zips won their sixth consecutive conference game for the first time in team history.
George M. Thomas can be reached at gmthomas@thebeaconjournal.com. Read the Zips blog at www.ohio.com/zips. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GeorgeThomasABJ.