Four interceptions undo Akron’s fast start in 34-14 loss at Miami

Akron drove 97 yards for the opening touchdown, but four interceptions and Miami's running game overwhelmed that early promise. Rodney Nelson scored twice, including a 58-yard run immediately after a fourth-quarter takeaway, as the RedHawks beat the Zips 34-14 on Saturday in Oxford.

Nelson finished with 142 yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries. Miami rushed for 324 yards and intercepted Brayden Roggow four times, improving to 4-3 overall and 2-1 in the Mid-American Conference. Akron dropped to 1-6 and 0-3 after an afternoon in which a promising opening drive gave way to repeated turnovers.

Miami's official game highlights follow the RedHawks' rushing attack and defensive takeaways.

The Zips scored first by covering 97 yards in 11 plays. Roggow's six-yard touchdown pass to Marcel Williams finished that possession with 5:18 left in the first quarter. Akron had both the lead and evidence that it could move the ball, but an interception on its next possession gave Miami the ball at the Zips' 26. Nelson scored from nine yards out three plays later to tie it.

The RedHawks took the lead during the final three minutes of the first half. Kellan McLaughlin made a 28-yard field goal, then Caleb Heavner found Damarion Witten for a 27-yard touchdown with 1:16 remaining. Those two scores turned a 7-7 game into a 17-7 halftime advantage.

Miami added another field goal in the third quarter before its defense supplied a touchdown. Blayne Myrick returned an interception 36 yards with 2:46 left in the period, extending the lead to 27-7. Jordan Gant's 10-yard touchdown run brought Akron within 13 before the quarter ended, but Amariyun Knighten's interception and Nelson's immediate scoring run restored the 20-point margin.

Miami's official X post captured Myrick's interception return.

The running game allowed Miami to win despite a modest passing afternoon. Heavner completed eight of 16 passes for 65 yards, with a touchdown and an interception. Witten's score accounted for his only catch. Scoop Smith added a 69-yard rushing gain, while D'Shawntae Jones carried 12 times for 48 yards. Miami averaged 9.3 yards on its 35 rushing attempts.

Roggow completed 22 of 38 passes for 234 yards and the opening touchdown, but his four interceptions repeatedly shortened Akron possessions. Miles Burris caught six passes for 54 yards, and Williams had six catches for 42. Gant supplied 46 rushing yards and Akron's only score after the first quarter.

Akron held the ball for 32:04 and converted six third downs, more than Miami managed. Those advantages could not outweigh the turnovers or stop Nelson from breaking loose. Kaleb Martin added another interception in the fourth quarter, and the RedHawks held the Zips scoreless for the final 15 minutes.