Akron Visits Buffalo in Week 9 Match Preview
The Akron Zips will face the Buffalo Bulls in Week 9 of the Mid-American Conference (MAC). The game, scheduled for Saturday, October 25, 2025, will take place at UB Stadium, with kickoff set for 1:00 p.m. ET. Fans can watch the game on ESPN+, featuring Shawn Kenney as the play-by-play commentator and Ryan Cavanaugh as the analyst.
Game Overview
Akron currently holds a record of 2-6 overall and 1-3 in the MAC, while Buffalo stands at 4-3, boasting an undefeated 3-0 record in conference play. The matchup marks the 25th meeting between these two teams, with Buffalo leading the series 13-11. The Bulls have a notable seven-game winning streak against the Zips, including a 41-30 victory in their last encounter on November 2, 2024.
Head Coaches
- Buffalo: Pete Lembo (Georgetown, 1992) – 13-7 at Buffalo overall
- Akron: Joe Moorhead (Fordham, 1996) – 10-34 at Akron overall
Recent Performances
Buffalo has secured recent wins against Kent State (20-14), Eastern Michigan (31-30), and UMass (28-21). The Bulls average 25.57 points per game and total 368.6 yards of offense, showcasing a balanced attack with 215.86 passing yards and 152.7 rushing yards per game. Quarterback Ta’quan Roberson leads the offense with 1,337 passing yards and 10 touchdowns.
In contrast, Akron’s performance has seen ups and downs, highlighted by quarterback Ben Finley, who has thrown for 1,448 yards this season. The standout running back, Jordan Gant, recently earned accolades as the Doak Walker National Running Back of the Week after rushing for 176 yards in a win against Central Michigan.
Defensive Insights
Akron’s defense has displayed significant improvement in 2025, generating nine turnovers and limiting opponents to 74.1% scoring in the red zone. Key defensive players include linebacker Shammond Cooper and emerging star Malcom DeWalt IV, who have made notable impacts this season.
Game Preview
As the Zips gear up to challenge the Bulls, they aim to break their losing streak against Buffalo. Akron’s offense is improving, notably with Gant’s rushing capabilities and Finley’s leadership. Meanwhile, Buffalo looks to extend its dominance in this rivalry and maintain its strong conference record.
What to Watch For
- Akron’s ability to capitalize on offensive momentum developed in recent games.
- Buffalo’s defense in containing Gant’s rushing threat.
- Quarterback matchups between Finley and Roberson, both critical to their teams’ success.
This matchup promises to be an exciting clash as Akron seeks its first victory against Buffalo since 2017, making it a pivotal game for both squads in the continuing conference rivalry.
