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Ben Finley powers Akron Zips to MAC football victory over Buffalo Bulls
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- Ben Finley powers Akron Zips to MAC football victory over Buffalo Bulls
Quarterback Ben Finley threw two touchdown passes and ran for another score to lead the University of Akron to a 24-16 win over the University at Buffalo in Mid-American Conference football on Oct. 25.
Akron trailed 10-3 at halftime and then outscored Buffalo 21-6 in the second half at UB Stadium.
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The Zips (3-6, 2-3) gave Buffalo (4-4, 3-1) its first MAC loss of the season, and snapped the Bulls' seven-game winning streak over the Zips .
Finley completed 17 of 32 passes for 230 yards. He threw a 9-yard TD to Kyan Mason and a 5-yard TD pass to Conner Cravaack in the third quarter, and ran for a 36-yard TD in the fourth quarter.
Cravaack caught two passes for 32 yards, Marcel Williams had six catches for 74 yards and Israel Polk added three receptions for 67 yards. Jordan Gant led Akron with 97 yards on 25 carries, and Sean Patrick contributed two catches for 25 yards and 12 yards on seven carries.
Akron limited Buffalo to 91 rushing yards on 34 carries, had five sacks and forced five turnovers. The Zips recorded 10 tackles for a loss of 50 yards, including five sacks for minus-37 yards.
University of Akron quarterback Ben Finley (10) runs for a gains against Duquesne during the first half at InfoCision Stadium in Akron on Sept. 20, 2025.
Linebacker Melvin Spriggs led the Zips with 14 total tackles, 3½ for a loss for 15 yards and 2½ sacks for a loss of 14 yards. Safety Jamari Somerville and safety Mekhi Flowers added nine tackles apiece, and Somerville had a sack for a loss of 13 yards.
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Akron linebacker Gage Summers posted a half-sack and had two interceptions. Defensive backs Ben Kamara and Malcom DeWalt IV each had one interception. Lineman Jon'Trel Mixon also registered a sack, and lineman Ronald Hull forced a fumble that safety DiMarco Johnson recovered.
Akron returns to InfoCision Stadium to host Massachusetts at 7 p.m. Nov. 4. The Zips then host rival Kent State in the Wagon Wheel game at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 11.
Michael Beaven can be reached by email at mbeaven@thebeaconjournal.com and is on Twitter at @MBeavenABJ .
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Ben Finley leads Akron Zips football team to comeback win over Buffalo
