UMass vs. Akron: Minutemen, Zips both searching for first MAC win

Something will have to give when the UMass Minutemen (0-9, 0-5 MAC) meet the Akron Zips (1-9, 0-6 MAC) in a battle of winless Mid-American Conference teams on Saturday afternoon in Akron, Ohio.

The Minutemen and Zips are both without a win in conference play, and UMass has yet to win a game this season since making the move to FBS. After continual improvement over the first six weeks of the season, the Minutemen have regressed in the past three weeks, losing by a combined score of 136-7.

UMass' most recent defeat was also its worst, a 63-0 stomping delivered by the Northern Illinois Huskies. Jordan Lynch threw four touchdown passes and had 191 yards through the air while also rushing for 157 yards and another score to lead a Huskies' offensive attack that totaled 610 yards. The Minutemen were led by an 81-yard effort from Michael Cox. Mike Wegzyn completed 16-of-28 passes for 137 yards for UMass, which totaled 267 yards.

Akron has taken part in many high-scoring games this season, thanks in part to quarterback Dalton Williams and his 3,003 passing yards and 24 touchdowns. The Zips' lone win came against Morgan State, 66-6, when Williams torched the defense for 446 yards and three TDs. Last week, Akron fell to Kent State, 35-24.

Kickoff for Saturday's game is at 2 p.m. ET. The game will not be televised.

For more UMass football coverage, visit our MAC blog, Hustle Belt.