Ohio took control in the second half for a 30-10 victory over Akron in the Mid-American Conference football opener for both teams Saturday in Athens.
The Zips (1-4, 0-1) led 3-0 and 10-7 in the first half but were outscored 16-0 in the final two quarters by the Bobcats (3-2, 1-0).
Akron scored first when Garrison Smith converted a 49-yard field goal with 6:42 to play in the first quarter to cap a game-opening 11-play, 54-yard drive. After OU took a 7-3 lead when Mason Williams recovered a fumble by Anthony Tyus (30 carries, 109 yards) in the end zone midway through the second quarter, Zips quarterback Ben Finley connected with tight end Jake Newell for a 17-yard TD pass with 1:20 left in the first half.
But that left too much time for the Bobcats, who marched 75 yards on seven plays to take a 14-10 halftime lead on Parker Navarro's 18-yard TD pass to Coleman Owen with 17 seconds left in the quarter.
Navarro completed 12 of 18 passes for 204 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 113 yards and another score on 13 carries.
Finley provided the offense for Akron, completing 25 of 38 passes for 196 yards with one TD and two interceptions. Newell had eight catches for 44 yards. The Zips were held to minus-23 yards rushing on 20 attempts while allowing Ohio to pile up 236 yards on 51 rushes.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron QB Ben Finley throws for 196 yards and TD in MAC loss to Ohio
