UAB defeated Akron 31–28 in a nail-biter. Akron covered by 9.5; Game went Over by 0.5.
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At kick-off, conditions at Protective Stadium were Clear, 75.2°F, Feels Like 78.1°F with winds of 3.4 mph. Weather is not expected to be a meaningful factor in this game. Historical weather data for this game is preserved in the panel below.
75.2°F
Akron opened with a 75-yard touchdown pass from Ben Finley to Israel Polk, but after building a 14-7 lead, the offense stalled, managing only a field goal in the second half. Finley finished 19-of-35 for 282 yards, but the team failed to sustain drives, converting only 4 of 13 third downs.
UAB's Jalen Kitna threw for 341 yards and two touchdowns, completing 30 of 45 passes. Akron's secondary allowed big plays, including a 96-yard kickoff return touchdown and multiple short-yardage scoring passes, contributing to a 31-20 halftime deficit.
Akron cut the lead to 31-28 with a 1-yard touchdown run by Sean Patrick with 12:38 remaining, but the defense could not force a stop. The Zips' final possession ended on 4th-and-19 at their own 26-yard line, sealing the loss.
Sean Patrick rushed for 81 yards on 19 carries, providing a ground threat, while Israel Polk had 99 yards on four receptions. However, the offense lacked consistency, and the team committed no turnovers but failed to capitalize on opportunities.
At 0-3, Akron must address defensive lapses and offensive consistency. The team has shown flashes of big-play ability but needs to execute for four quarters to compete in future games.
Solomon Beebe's 96-yard kickoff return for a touchdown set the tone early, giving UAB a quick lead and momentum. This special teams spark was crucial in a close game and could be a weapon in future matchups.
Kitna threw for 341 yards and 2 touchdowns on 30-of-45 passing, spreading the ball to nine different receivers. His ability to connect on short-yardage touchdowns in the second quarter helped UAB build a 31-20 halftime lead, showing his poise under pressure.
Corri Milliner (6 catches, 70 yards, TD) and Iverson Hooks (5 catches, 84 yards) led a diverse receiving attack. This depth makes UAB's passing game difficult to defend, as multiple targets can step up in key situations.
UAB's defense forced an incomplete pass on 4th-and-19 at their own 26-yard line with 12:38 remaining, preserving the 31-28 lead. This clutch stop prevented Akron from tying or taking the lead, highlighting the defense's ability to perform in critical moments.
Nate Rogers' 8-yard touchdown run tied the game 14-14 late in the first quarter, complementing the passing attack. This balance kept Akron's defense guessing and allowed UAB to control the tempo after the initial shootout.
Akron travels 596 miles to this game, a moderate road trip.
Akron arrives with a 1-hour body clock shift.
UAB won by 3 in a nail-biter.
Akron covered the spread by a solid margin.
The total went Over by 0.5 points.
Blue Chip Analytics power ratings favour UAB (-13.1) over Akron (-20.0) by 6.9 points on a neutral field. After adding home field advantage, the rating-implied line may differ meaningfully from the market spread. UAB brings a meaningful home field advantage to this matchup (Blue Chip HFA: 2.3). Add this to the neutral-site differential to arrive at a venue-adjusted line.
Blue Chip Analytics power ratings represent expected point margin against an average FBS opponent on a neutral field, calculated from game data sourced via CollegeFootballData.com (CFBD). They are one input: cross-reference with the travel, rest, and weather data above before drawing conclusions.
UAB won and Akron covered the spread.
