MAC Football 2024 Week 3 Game Preview: Akron Zips vs. Colgate Raiders

The Akron Zips (0-2) are looking for a comfortable home game this week after two extremely tough performances, hosting Colgate (0-2) of the Patriot League in their home opener.

FCS “buy” games were not always easy for the team from the Rubber City; they had to win in the final moments against both Morgan State (2023) and St. Francis [PA] (2022) on their last two outings.

Therefore, winning this week is crucial for Akron, which has suffered two demoralizing losses in a row in the Big Ten. Can they do it this weekend and gain some positive momentum before embarking on the brunt of the conference schedule?

Game Notes

• Time and date: Saturday, September 14, 2024, 6 p.m. Eastern Time
• Location: Summa Field at InfoCision Stadium in Akron, Ohio
• Display options: The game will be available exclusively on ESPN+. A valid subscription is required to watch. Anthony Lima (live commentary) and Ryan Cavanaugh (color) will provide commentary.

Radio options: Dave Skoczen (live commentary) and Joe Dunn (color) provide the Akron commentary for WHLO-AM 640.

• All series: Curiously, it is Colgate that holds the winning record in the series: the only other meeting between these teams in 1940 resulted in a 44-0 victory.

Meet the Raiders

Danny Wild – Imagn Images

The Raiders finished 6-5 in the Patriot League last season, rebounding well from an 0-3 start to climb to the top of the league. Stan Dakosky, a former football player at Colgate before a career-ending injury, enters his fourth season at the helm of the Raiders with a 14-21 record.

The offense returns 10 starters from last season, so they will be a highly experienced unit when they take the field. The Raiders are playing a bit of roulette at the quarterback position, with three players able to play at once. Michael Brescia (33 of 59, 359 yards; 118 net yards, one rushing TD) is carrying the brunt of the load, while Zach Osborne (4 of 4 passing; 27 rushing yards) and Jake Sterney (4 of 6, 36 yards, INT) also join the fold.

Marco Maldonado (14 carries, 34 yards) will take on the role of primary running back, with Brendan Cassamajor (eight carries, 25 yards) also in the mix. Quarterbacks also play a role in the running game at Colgate, so Akron will need to ensure discipline at the line of scrimmage.

Treyvohn Saunders (68 receptions, 859 yards, eight TDs in 2023) and Brady Hutchinson (34 receptions, 350 yards, four TDs in 2023) both return after great campaigns last season, with Saunders being named to the Patriot League first team for his performances. Each can help with catching passes, as Maldonado is the second-best player in 2024 with eight catches for 33 yards, while both Michael Brescia and Zach Osborne – the team's primary and backup quarterbacks – have also tallied multiple receptions.

Defensively, the Raiders have put up pretty good numbers despite two losses. They have allowed an average of 338 yards per game and scored an average of 22 points per game. Most of the yards they have allowed have come in the passing game, allowing opponents an average of 214.2 yards per game. As a unit, the Raiders have 10 tackles for loss, five sacks and one recovered fumble on two forced attempts.

The two players to watch on the Colgate defense are hard-hitting linebacker Kole Kozlowski (25 tackles, TFL) and interior linebacker Andrew Taddeo. Taddeo is considered one of the best D-linemen at the FCS level, ranking third among his peers and 14th overall, and already has 3.5 TFLs and two sacks on the young season.

Their running mates, Christian Sweeney (12 tackles, 1.5 TFLs, sacks) and Dane Picariello (10 tackles, 1.5 TFLs, 1.5 sacks), also give Colgate a pretty good overview of the front seven.

Get to know the Zips

Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch/USA TODAY NETWORK

The Zips were not perfect in their two away losses, but showed flashes of strength at times in very tough games against Ohio State and Rutgers.

Their main problem this season has been finishing drives that ended in the opponent's red zone. They've only gotten there twice and scored a field goal. Against Ohio State, they had one drive that got them into the red zone but were forced out by penalties, missing an opportunity.

It's not for lack of effort; the Zips' offense has looked decent at times when it was in rhythm and fully healthy, but the plays have also been Akron's undoing at inopportune times. (Think of Tahj Bullock snapping at the quarterback on a trick play outside Ohio State's red zone for a 12-yard loss.)

Given the strength of their opponents, we can't judge Akron too harshly on their overall stats, but this week will tell us a lot about which direction the Zips are headed.

Ben Finley was expected to be available at quarterback for this contest. He was both a steady and inconsistent player, with 191 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions on 22 of 45 passing. Bullock has also been used at quarterback, primarily in a running package, with 42 net rushing yards and 84 yards passing on 12 of 16 attempts.

Akron has kept it simple against two overpowered opponents, meaning tight end Jake Newell (six catches, 59 yards) and running back duo Charles Kellom (five catches, 38 yards) and Jordon Simmons (four catches, 25 yards) currently lead the order. Bobby Golden (four catches, 49 yards) leads all true receivers, while the Zips hope a number of transfers make their presence felt, including Israel Polk (Pitt) and Ahmarian Granger (Old Dominion).

The team is still trying to find its place on the ground, but former Michigan State Spartan Jordon Simmons has established himself early with 111 net yards on 16 carries. Both quarterbacks have also featured in the running game, while Charles Kellom (33 yards) has usually come in on pass attempts.

This is once again a defense that has had some extremely difficult assignments but has done its best. As a unit, they have allowed an average of 459.5 yards per game, with a 15-of-23 third down conversion rate and a 4-of-6 red zone record. Interestingly, they have blocked both fourth down attempts they have seen so far in 2024.

The two standout players on defense to watch are their All-MAC teammates, linebacker Bryan McCoy and defensive lineman CJ Nunnally IV.

McCoy (14 tackles, one pass defense) and teammate Antavious Fish (most on the team with 15 tackles) are the heart of the defense, while Nunnally has 10 tackles and half a TFL this season. He made several great pressures against Ohio State and Rutgers but just couldn't get through, which probably won't be an issue this week.

In the secondary, Daymon David, who transferred from Oregon, holds the team's only interception and has been reliable at the safety position, while Devontae Golden-Nelson has excelled in coverage so far this season with seven tackles and an impressive three pass breakups in the role of hybrid back.