Akron Zips vs. Indiana Hoosiers Pick & Prediction SEPTEMBER 23rd 2023

Indiana head coach Tom Allen expects more from his defense.

The Hoosiers (1-2) had one takeaway in a 21-14 loss to Louisville last week, which is short of the ask from Allen. He wants three per game to help Indiana protect its young quarterback from being overburdened in tight games.

"Still not enough takeaways. Got a goal of three every game," Allen said. "Needed another one; and three, it would be ideal to get what we need to get to be able to set up our offense in a better way."

Quarterback Tayven Jackson does benefit from dynamic running back Jaylin Lucas, the team's leading rusher (141 yards, two TDs) and second on the team in receiving (15-138-1). Still, Allen noted teams are loading the box with eight defenders and forcing Jackson to make decisions and plays off-script. The only route to wins from this point forward is better blocking up front, he said.

"To me, it's about executing and executing at a high level of confidence, and being able to play at the speed I want us to play at from the opening quarter on," Allen said. "That's going to be the emphasis, and like I said, we'll know more next weekend where we feel after the first few games."

Akron (1-2) hasn't found much to like offensively this season, ranking 129th in total offense (262.7 per game) and 130th in rushing offense (42.3).

Akron is coached by former Penn State offensive coordinator Joe Moorhead, with whom Indiana has familiarity, and vice versa. The Zips were in the game last week at Kentucky despite 77 total yards in the first half.

Akron trailed only 14-3 in the third quarter before the Wildcats rattled off 21 consecutive points to close it out.

"I thought it was a much better performance from the inside to the 20s," Moorhead said of his quarterbacks.

Zips quarterbacks DJ Irons and Jeff Undercuffler Jr. have combined for 661 yards passing, three touchdowns and four interceptions.

"(Indiana) is tough, physical, blue collar. They've got a scheme that makes you really have to prepare. It's going to be another really big challenge," Moorhead said.

Indiana is 3-0 all-time in the series and meets Akron for the first time since a 35-20 victory in 2010 behind four touchdown passes from Ben Chappell.

Akron Zips vs. Indiana Hoosiers Recap SEP 23TH 2023

Quarterback Tayven Jackson found an open DeQuece Carter for a two-point conversion in the fourth overtime as Indiana staved off an upset with a sloppy 29-27 victory over Akron on Saturday night in Bloomington, Ind.

The Hoosiers (2-2) won their fifth straight overtime game despite a rocky performance in which they were outgained in total yards 474-282.

Jackson's clutch flip to Carter came just moments before the Indiana defense turned away Akron in the same situation when quarterback DJ Irons' last-gasp pass fell incomplete.

Irons rushed 18 times for a game-high 141 yards and two touchdowns, including a 10-yard touchdown run that gave the Zips a short-lived 24-17 lead in the first overtime.

Akron (1-3) had a chance to win the game in regulation after marching 45 yards in 1:25, but kicker Dante Jackson missed a 32-yard field goal wide left as time expired.

Tayven Jackson, who connected on just 11 of 26 passes for 190 yards, one touchdown and an interception, found Cam Camper for a 12-yard score to knot the game at 24-all at the end of the first overtime.

Indiana took a three-point lead in the second overtime when Chris Freeman drilled a 39-yard field goal. Akron stayed alive on Dante Jackson's 23-yard chip shot to tie it at 27.

Akron's Lorenzo Lingard had 14 carries for 113 yards. His 71-yard touchdown burst with three and a half minutes remaining in the fourth quarter tied the game at 17-all.

Irons, who left the game in the third quarter but later returned, finished with 194 yards and two interceptions on 22-of-35 passing.

The Indiana defense registered three interceptions, including two by Louis Moore. He also ran back a 22-yard pick-six off Akron backup Jeff Undercuffler Jr. to provide Indiana with a 14-10 lead late in the third quarter.