The Zips finally have a win under their belt, but South Carolina will be looking for vengeance after a close loss to LSU.
The Akron Zips’ brutal out-of-conference schedule continues apace, though at least this time around, they have a win to hang their hat on. This week’s assignment is an SEC opponent on the road, as the Zips are set to take on the South Carolina Gamecocks (2-1) in Columbia.
We go through everything you might need to know heading into this week:
Game notes
- Time and date: Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024 at 7:30 p.m. Eastern time
- Location: Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, South Carolina
- Viewing options: The game will be available on ESPNU, part of the ESPN family of networks. A valid cable subscription is required for viewing. Clay Matvick (play-by-play) and Steve Addazio (color) will provide the commentary.
- Streaming options: The game will be available for streaming on the ESPN App or on applicable cable/satellite services. A valid subscription is required for viewing on either platform. Other streaming carriers include Sling, DirecTV Stream, fuboTV, Hulu Live TV, or YouTube TV.
- Radio options: Dave Skoczen (play-by-play) and Joe Dunn (color) will provide the Akron call for WHLO-AM 640.
- Gambling considerations: The Gamecocks are a 27-point favorite on Family Weekend, with an over/under of 42.5, per DraftKings.
- All-time series: South Carolina won the first and last meeting between these two sides, with a triumphant 28-3 result on Dec. 1, 2018.
Getting to know the Gamecocks
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South Carolina has had a unique season to this point.
Their opening contest against Old Dominion went down to the wire, but their next game against Kentucky on the road? Not even close in a 31-6 victory to open up the conference slate. Last week against nationally-ranked LSU, they led a potential game-winning drive with their backup true freshman quarterback Robbie Ashford after starter LaNorris Sellers was injured on the previous drive— but lost on a missed field goal to end the game.
The Gamecocks hope their game against the Zips helps to bring a sense of normalcy to what has been a wild 2024 campaign thus far.
Sellers’ status is still up in the air, with head coach Shane Beamer saying he was essentially day-to-day as of Thursday. If he can’t go, the likely candidate is the aforementioned Ashford, who would be making his first start as a Gamecock. Pitt via Oklahoma transfer Davis Beville (359 yards, one TD, two INTs in four seasons) could also see time on the field.
They could also be without leading receiver Jared Brown (seven receptions for 98 yards) on offense, which means we could see some backups get some time. Mazeo Bennett Jr. (six receptions, 88 yards) and Joshua Simon (five receptions, 66 yards) have South Carolina’s lone receiving touchdowns for what has been a pretty mediocre pass offense thus far in 2024 (147.3 yards per game, 122nd in NCAA.)
The rushing offense has been fine, ranking 62nd in the league with an average of 165 yards per game— but more importantly, seven of USC’s nine offensive touchdowns on the young season. Running back Raheim Sanders (285 net yards on 56 carries) is responsible for four of those seven scores, with Sellers nabbing the other three from the QB spot. Sellers’ rushing prowess makes his potential absence more difficult, as he’s the team’s second-leading rusher as well (145 yards on 40 carries.)
Like any Beamer-led football team, the Gamecocks lean on defense and special teams to win the day. This group is no different, currently sitting at 50th in the NCAA with 301.7 yards allowed per game on average. After two tilts with SEC teams and an emergent Sun Belt squad, USC ranks 64th in rush defense and 48th in pass defense, with seven touchdowns allowed over three games. That’s an indication of competency that will give the Zips a tough time on Saturday.
Their highlight guys on the line are Kyle Kennard and true freshman Dylan Stewart, who have combined for 7.5 sacks in the first three contests. Kennard’s five sacks currently leads the SEC, while Stewart has earned starting reps after his first few performances off the edge.
Akron will want to look out for #22 in the middle of the field; Bam Martin-Scott has 14 tackles, including 3.5 TFLs, a half-sack, a pass break-up and a forced fumble through three games. Running mates Debo Williams and Demetrius Knight Jr. have combined for 31 stops.
Their back end is pretty nasty in ball-hawking as well, with the team accumulating eight turnovers— including four in the first contest vs. ODU— to tie for the eighth-best mark in the NCAA. Of those eight turnovers, five have been interceptions (with two scores called back on after-catch penlalty.) Nick Emmanwori (who also leads the team with 21 tackles) and Jalen Kilgore each have two picks.
USC has former All-American punter Kai Kroger on special teams, with a 45.7 yard per punt average. Placekicker Alex Herrara is 6-of-8 with a long of 46 yards.
Getting to know the Zips
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The Zips showed a lot of moxie in last week’s game, climbing out of a 17-0 deficit to win their FCS tune-up over Colgate by a final margin of 31-20.
Obviously, South Carolina will be a step or two up from Colgate, but it was nice to see Akron move in a positive direction after two games where everything which could go wrong did go wrong.
Akron’s commitment to their two-QB committee this late into the season is still intriguing, but it’s clear that NC State via Cal transfer Ben Finley is favored to toss the ball, as he’s accumulated 549 yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions to this point. Bullock has 64 yards gained— but 22 yards lost— on 18 carries.
Last week saw the team’s most success on offense, as Bobby Golden’s 56-yard reception was the longest since 2022, and he and Adrian Norton became Akron’s first 100+ yard receivers since Nov. 2023. The Zips passing game found a lot of holes and took advantage. Both have been Akron’s clear outside choices, while tight end Jake Newell leads in receptions (13 catches for 100 yards) and running back Charles Kellom (10 yards, 74 yards) each have a score and are right behind Norton and Golden.
Kellom (59 yards on 21 carries) continues to see starting snaps at the running back position due to his ability to catch out of the backfield, but Michigan State transfer Jordon Simmons has turned it on of late with 25 carries for 160 yards and touchdown run.
Defensively, this team could use a lot of work to say the least.
The pass defense has been pretty good, sitting at 68th in the NCAA with two interceptions and an average of 202 yards per game so far— but seven touchdowns, an indication they have to play on a lot of short fields.
Oregon transfer safety Daymon David and returnee cornerback Devontae Golden-Nelson have been fantastic to start the year, with several combined INTs and pass break-ups in crucial situations to help their team out.
Rushing defense— understandably considering their opposition— has been a sieve. They’re 107th in the category, allowing 184 yards per contest and seven touchdowns over three games.
As always, Bryan McCoy (23 tackles) and Antavious Fish (20 tackles) will be the players in the middle of most run plays, consistently finishing at or near the 10’s of tackles per game to this point. We’re still waiting for CJ Nunnally IV (13 tackles, 1.5 TFL, sack, two QB hurries) to have a breakout game considering his potential pro prospects, but he came up large last week vs. Colgate, forcing a late-game turnover that gifted Akron the victory near the end of the game.
Augustana (D-II) transfer Avery Book has boom-sticked a lot of punts so far, with eight boots of 50+ yards and a net average of 46.35 (best in the MAC) to this point. Newcomer Garrison Smith, from McNeese State, is 4-of-5 on field goals, with the lone miss from over 40 yards out.