Akron Falls At South Carolina
South Carolina 28, Akron 3
Box Score
COLUMBIA, S.C.– Akron football closed out the 2018 season with a 28-3 loss at South Carolina on a rainy Saturday afternoon at Williams-Brice Stadium. The Zips (4-8 overall) won the turnover battle and held the Gamecocks (7-5 overall) scoreless in the second half.
Zips' sophomore QB Kato Nelson went 19-for-39 for 178 yards. Freshman RB Keyondre White led Akron rushers with 56 yards on 13 carries. In his final game, senior WR Kwadarrius Smith was the top receiver with 69 yards on six receptions. Defensively, sophomore DB Zaire Jacobs and junior LB John Lako led the Zips with eight tackles each. Jacobs also had two fumble recoveries, and a forced fumble, all in the second half.
South Carolina jumped on the scoreboard in the first quarter. Following a three-play, 28-yard drive, Bentley tossed a 15-yard touchdown pass to Deebo Samuel to go ahead 7-0.
On its next drive, Akron drove the field, completing a 12-play 47-yard drive with a 45-yard field goal by senior Nick Gasser to pull the Zips within four, 7-3.
The Gamecocks responded swiftly. With just three plays on a 70-yard touchdown pass to go ahead 14-3. As the first quarter ended, Gasser attempted a 52-yard field goal which went wide right.
South Carolina recovered a fumble in the endzone for another touchdown, giving the Gamecocks a 21-3 edge.
With 1:33 to go in the first half, South Carolina added another scoring pass to lead at intermission, 28-3. Neither team could capitalize on the turnovers and neither scored in the third quarter. Akron held South Carolina scoreless in the second half for the final 28-3 score.
