Western Michigan holds on after a 5-hour weather delay to beat Akron 34-24

Updated Oct. 13, 2024 12:33 a.m. ET
Associated Press

KALAMAZOO, Mich. (AP) — Hayden Wolff threw two touchdown passes and Western Michigan held off Akron after a five-hour weather delay for a 34-24 victory on Saturday night.

Wolff threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Kaevion Mack to give Western Michigan a 31-24 lead with 4:02 remaining in the third quarter before the game was stopped due to thunder and lightning.

When the teams returned, Luka Zurak kicked a 20-yard field goal for Western Michigan with 11:28 left in the game, and Akron's Garrison Smith missed a 34-yard attempt with 1:02 remaining.

Wolff was 17-of-25 passing for 191 yards. He also threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to Kenneth Womack in the second quarter. Jalen Buckley added 103 yards rushing on seven carries for Western Michigan (3-3, 2-0 Mid-American Conference).

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Ben Finley completed 24 of 36 passes for 395 yards for Akron (1-6, 0-3). Adrian Norton had eight catches for 168 yards. Jordon Simmons scored on a 4-yard run to cap the Zips’ 11-play, 77-yard drive that tied it at 24. Simmons finished with 63 yards rushing and made six catches for 97 yards.

Smith’s 38-yard field goal and Tahj Bullock’s pair of short-yardage touchdown runs gave Akron a 17-0 lead early in the second quarter, but Western Michigan led 24-17 at halftime.

Akron outgained Western Michigan 501-387 but turned the ball over four times.

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