Boxscore
AKRON, Ohio -- Chris Jacqueman passed for 162 yards, Deryn Bowser had eight receptions for 86 yards and the Akron Zips earned its first win of the season on the opening day of InfoCision Stadium, its brand new $61 million dollar stadium.
Jacqueman had a solid performance for the Zips completed 13-of-22 passes for 162 yards and threw three touchdowns during a 41-0 rout of the Bears on Saturday in front of a sellout crowd of 27,881 fans.
Jacqueman threw for two touchdowns in the decisive first half, finishing 12-of-21 for 159 yards in the first half with scoring passes of 9 and 16 yards to Deryn Bowser.
Akron rolled up 436 total yards, and finished the game with 186 passing yards, the most passing yards given up by Morgan State since surrendering 243 passing yards against Towson on Sept. 6, 2008.
The Bears couldn't get anything going against Akron's defense, and penalties didn't help (MSU 11-66 yds; AU 1-5 yds). MSU, who ranked 3rd in the MEAC last season (170 avg), finished with 41 rushing yards. MSU used four running backs during the contest, and All-MEAC running back Devan James, who only had one carry in the offseason, was limited to 10 carries for 24 yards.
The Zips led 24-0 at halftime, outgained the Bears 262-78, and forced two fumbles and collected an interception.
The only thing in question after the break was whether or not the Bears could avoid its first shutout since a 32-0 loss against South Carolina State on Nov. 15, 2008. MSU was also attempting to spoil the Zips first shutout victory since defeating Ohio 13-0 on Oct. 3, 1992.
Bowser scored his third touchdown of the day on a fade route midway through the third quarter.
Carlton Jackson was 10-of -19 for 87 yards for Morgan State, but threw two interceptions. Jackson's first interception helped set up the Zips' first scoring drive of the contest in the first quarter.
Akron followed that up by opening the second quarter with a score when Jacqueman completed a 16 yard touchdown pass to Bowser.
Alex Allen capped an 8-play, 53 yard drive with a 1-yard run off tackle (9:37) and Branko Rogivic hit a 31-yard field goal to end first half scoring.
Jackson was intercepted by middle linebacker Brian Wagner, who avoided a couple of tackles and raced 32-yards down the sideline for a touchdown.
NOTES:
Marked the most points allowed by the Bears since 2006 when they fell to South Carolina State by a score of 41-16
Akron had nine different backs carry the ball on the day
Akron held a 22_3 advantage in first downs
