Origin stories behind the trophies heighten college football rivalry games on the smaller stage
The North Dakota State-South Dakota State football rivalry features a unique prize: the 78-pound Dakota Marker trophyNOVEMBER 20 • Associated Press
AKRON ZIPS 5-7 · 8TH IN MAC
5-7 · 8TH IN MAC
Israel Polk - Deep touchdown catch in finale Polk caught 2 of 6 targets for 85 yards and one touchdown during Tuesday's 19-16 victory against Bowling Green.
Impact Polk remained a deep threat and contributed even amidst passing struggles in Akron's sneaky win. The redshirt sophomore receiver was quiet for most of the matchup, but he broke off a 75-yard touchdown catch in the third quarter. He'll now finish the season with a 33-525-8 receiving line, with six of his touchdowns in his six games. Polk will now have two years of eligibility remaining heading into next campaign.
NOVEMBER 19 • ROTOWIRE
Jordan Gant - Totals 86 yards in finale Gant posted 22 carries for 86 yards and hauled in 0 of 1 targets for zero yards during Tuesday's 19-16 victory versus Bowling Green.
Impact Gant recorded his fourth straight game with more than 20 carries against the Falcons, and he complemented the high volume with his seventh game of the year, surpassing 80 yards. The redshirt junior rusher will now close out the season with 213 attempts for 1,032 yards and six touchdowns. He'll have one year of eligibility remaining.
NOVEMBER 19 • ROTOWIRE
Ben Finley - Snags victory even with rough play Finley was 9-for-26 passing for 176 yards, one touchdown and one interception during Tuesday's 19-16 win against Bowling Green. He also had 12 rushes for 62 yards.
Impact Finley was abysmal against the Falcons efficiency-wise, finishing the matchup with a 34.6 percent completion rate and his second-worst passing yard total of the season. The veteran quarterback still did enough for the Zips to get a win, and he finished with his best rushing total of the year. Given that Finley is a redshirt senior and Akron only won five out of seven games this season, the victory was likely his last collegiate game. He finished the season completing 186 of 362 passes for 2,475 yards, 19 touchdowns and nine interceptions.
NOVEMBER 19 • ROTOWIRE
Kyan Mason - Records 17-yard reception Mason (undisclosed) accrued one reception (on two targets) for 17 yards during Tuesday's 19-16 win against Bowling Green.
Impact After redshirting Akron's 2024 season, Mason looked to make a big splash in 2025 and delivered on that front statistically. The wide receiver logged 33 receptions (on 55 targets) for 481 yards and five touchdowns. After helping his team defeat Bowling Green, the question becomes whether or not Mason chooses to re-enroll at Akron for 2026.
NOVEMBER 19 • ROTOWIRE
Gant crosses 1,000-yard mark, Schramm makes 4 FGs in Akron's 19-16 win over Bowling Green
Matthew Schramm kicked four field goals, including a career-long 48-yarder, and Jordan Gant rushed for 86 yards to lead Akron over Bowling Green 19-16 in the final game of the seas...NOVEMBER 19 • Associated Press
Kyan Mason - Questionable vs. Bowling Green Mason (undisclosed) is questionable for Akron's clash with Bowling Green on Tuesday night.
Impact It's unclear what Mason is dealing with, but the redshirt freshman receiver's absence would be a big loss for the Zips, as he's reeled in 32 catches for 464 yards and five scores this fall.
NOVEMBER 18 • ROTOWIRE
Jake Newell - Good to go Newell (undisclosed) is available for Tuesday's game against Bowling Green.
Impact Newell will return from a two-game absence to play in Akron's season finale. The tight end has appeared in just four games this season, having caught four passes on 13 targets for a total of 14 yards.
NOVEMBER 18 • ROTOWIRE
Myles Walker - No-go for season finale Walker (undisclosed) has been ruled out for Tuesday's game against Bowling Green.
Impact Walker will miss a third straight game to end the 2025 season due to an unspecified injury. The wideout caught 20 passes on 41 targets for 209 yards before sustaining the injury. With Akron having lost seven games, it'll be ineligible for a bowl game.
NOVEMBER 18 • ROTOWIRE
How to Watch Bowling Green vs. Akron: Time, TV Channel, Live Stream – November 18, 2025
Learn which TV channel or how to live stream the Bowling Green Falcons vs. Akron Zips game, Tuesday, Nov. 18.NOVEMBER 18 • Data Skrive
Bowling Green vs. Akron Prediction, Odds, Picks - November 18, 2025
Preview the Nov. 18 matchup between the Bowling Green Falcons and Akron Zips with predictions, odds, over/under, spread, betting lines and m...NOVEMBER 17 • Data Skrive
How the 89-year-old tradition of Script Ohio and dotting the i defines Ohio State and its band
The tradition of "Script Ohio" remains a cherished part of Ohio State University and college footballNOVEMBER 14 • Associated Press
Marcel Williams - Tops 200 receiving yards in OT loss Williams hauled in 14 of 18 targets for 206 yards and two touchdowns during Tuesday's 42-35 overtime loss to Kent State.
Impact Williams logged his second straight week with a monster performance, but he almost doubled his yardage against the Golden Flashes. The starting wide receiver also reeled in two touchdowns, one in the second quarter and another in the fourth. He's now brought in 18 catches for 310 yards and two touchdowns in his last two showings.
NOVEMBER 12 • ROTOWIRE
Israel Polk - Seventh touchdown of season in loss Polk recorded four receptions (on 10 targets) for 67 yards and one touchdown during Tuesday's 42-35 overtime defeat to Kent State.
Impact While Polk didn't do as much as he could've with a season-high 10 targets, he still recorded his third-highest yardage total. The redshirt sophomore receiver has now brought in five of his seven touchdowns on the year in his last five games. He is also tied for second in the MAC conference for receiving scores. He should continue to be one of quarterback Ben Finley's top targets at Bowling Green next Tuesday.
NOVEMBER 12 • ROTOWIRE
Jordan Gant - Another high volume performance Gant tallied 22 rushes for 96 yards and one touchdown and reeled in all two targets for 14 yards during Tuesday's 42-35 overtime defeat versus Kent State.
Impact Gant recorded his third straight game with over 20 rushing attempts, and this high volume led to another great performance. The starting running back logged his sixth rushing touchdown of the year, and he paced 90 yards for the fourth straight week. He's now rushed 191 times for 944 yards and six touchdowns on the year, which are all career highs.
NOVEMBER 12 • ROTOWIRE
Ben Finley - 424 yards, three TDs in OT loss Finley completed 32 of 59 passes for 424 yards, three touchdowns and one interception during Tuesday's 42-35 overtime loss against Kent State. He also had 11 rushes for two yards.
Impact Finley recorded his highest pass-attempt total of the season, and this increased volume led to a career-high 424 passing yards. The starting quarterback's arm kept the Zips in the game for the entire showing, with every touchdown after their first coming from him. While he wasn't able to sneak out a win, he's been a passing powerhouse this season. He now leads the MAC conference with 2,299 passing yards and 18 touchdowns so far this campaign.
NOVEMBER 12 • ROTOWIRE
Dru DeShields throws 5 TD passes, Kent State beats Akron 42-35 in OT
Dru DeShields threw touchdown passes to five different receivers, which included a 25-yarder to Ardell Banks on the first play of overtime, and Kent State beat Akron 42-35NOVEMBER 12 • Associated Press
Jake Newell - Sidelined once again Newell (undisclosed) is out for Tuesday's game against Kent State.
Impact Newell will miss a seventh game this season, and he hasn't played since Week 9. The tight end has been limited to just four catches all season long.
NOVEMBER 11 • ROTOWIRE
Myles Walker - Remaining out Tuesday night Walker (undisclosed) won't play Tuesday night against Kent State.
Impact Walker will now miss his second straight game. The wideout has 20 grabs for 209 yards this fall. His next chance to play will come against Bowling Green on Nov. 18.
NOVEMBER 11 • ROTOWIRE
Marcel Williams - Surpasses 100 yards in win Williams accrued four receptions (on five targets) for 104 yards during Tuesday's 44-10 win against Massachusetts.
Impact Williams finished with another big game in the blowout win over the Minutemen. The starting wide receiver finished with more than 100 yards for just the first time this season, and he logged his second straight game with 70 or more receiving yards. The redshirt freshman should continue to be an integral part of the Zips' passing offense as they head into the final two games of the season.
NOVEMBER 11 • ROTOWIRE
How to Watch Akron vs. Kent State: Time, TV Channel, Live Stream – November 11, 2025
Learn which TV channel or how to live stream the Akron Zips vs. Kent State Golden Flashes game, Tuesday, Nov. 11.NOVEMBER 11 • Data Skrive
Akron vs. Kent State Prediction, Odds, Picks - November 11, 2025
Preview the Nov. 11 matchup between the Akron Zips and Kent State Golden Flashes with predictions, odds, over/under, spread, betting lines a...NOVEMBER 10 • Data Skrive
Kyan Mason - Third straight TD in blowout Mason recorded four receptions (on six targets) for 38 yards and one touchdown during Tuesday's 44-10 win versus Massachusetts.
Impact Even with a low yardage total for his second straight week, Mason punched in another touchdown in the blowout win. The starting pass catcher has now found the end zone in three straight games and five total games this season. He'll look to build off his momentum as a scorer against Kent State next Tuesday.
NOVEMBER 6 • ROTOWIRE
Jordan Gant - Rushing maniac vs. Minutemen Gant had 28 carries for 153 yards and two touchdowns and gathered in 0 of 1 targets for zero yards during Tuesday's 44-10 win over Massachusetts.
Impact Gant was a force against a struggling Minutemen squad, punching in two touchdowns and surpassing 150 rushing yards for the third time this season. The starting running back has struggled to find the end zone in a lot of games this season, so his multi-touchdown performance was a breath of fresh air. Gant now has 90 or more rushing yards in his last three games. He'll take on a tougher defense in Kent State next week.
NOVEMBER 6 • ROTOWIRE
Ben Finley - Another three-touchdown performance Finley completed 12 of 20 passes for 197 yards and two touchdowns during Tuesday's 44-10 victory versus Massachusetts. He also had four rushes for 28 yards with one touchdown.
Impact Finley was solid as both a passer and rusher once again for the Zips, and he led the squad to their second straight conference win. The starting quarterback has now logged three total touchdowns in three straight games, and he's thrown for 1,181 yards in his last five. He'll aim to stay hot as Akron heads into the final stretch of the season against Kent State next week and Bowling Green after that.
NOVEMBER 6 • ROTOWIRE
