'Cats Topped by Akron in Nonconference Action

9/15/2018 10:17:00 PM | Football

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EVANSTON, Ill. – Junior superback Cameron Green posted career numbers with 11 receptions for 125 yards and two touchdowns and senior quarterback Clayton Thorson became the program's all-time leader in career passing touchdowns while also throwing for a career-high 383 yards, but Northwestern (1-2, 1-0 Big Ten) fell, 39-34, to Akron (2-0, 0-0 MAC) under the lights at Ryan Field on Saturday.

Tonight marked the first-ever meeting between the Wildcats and the Zips.

Thorson started his 42nd consecutive game, which is tied for longest streak in the country. His touchdown throw at the end of the first half set a school record of 45 passing touchdowns. He finished the game 33-of-52 with 383 yards and two touchdowns.

Sophomore running back Jeremy Larkin tied his career high with two scores on the night and brought his total for the season up to five. He has scored at least one touchdown in every game this season and has rushed for a score in six of the last seven games. Larkin finished with 22 attempts and 82 yards on the night.

On the defensive side of the ball, senior safety Jared McGee and sophomore linebacker Paddy Fisher led the team with eight tackles each, including six solo.

Northwestern struck first after it gained strong field position at the Akron seven-yard line when the ball came loose after a mis-handled snap to the Akron punter. Sophomore Jeremy Larkin rushed for a 7-yard touchdown to put the 'Cats up, 7-0, at 6:52 in the first quarter.

In the second quarter, Larkin added to NU's lead when he took a direct snap and rushed for a five-yard touchdown with 7:21 left in the first half to give the 'Cats a 14-0 lead over the Zips.

Akron got on the scoreboard with 0:39 seconds left in the half when Kato Nelson connected with Jonah Morris for a 43-yard pass to give the Zips the ball on the NU 25-yard line. Akron capped off a five-play, 48-yard scoring drive when Nick Gasser converted a 37-yard field goal to cut the Wildcats lead to 11.

The 'Cats responded quickly with a 31-second scoring drive that included a 16-yard pass from Thorson to junior wide receiver Bennett Skowronek that gave NU the ball at the Akron 36-yard line. Four plays later, Thorson threw a touchdown pass on a 21-yard throw to Green to give Northwestern a 21-3 advantage heading into the locker room.

Akron opened the second half with a nine-play, 68-yard scoring drive that ended with a 24-yard field goal by Gasser at 11:50 to make it 21-6. On their following possession, the Zips converted on fourth down when Kwadarrius Smith rushed for two yards to give Akron the ball on the NU 25-yard line. Nelson completed a 25-yard touchdown pass to Andrew Williams at 6:49 to cap off a nine-play, 80-yard scoring drive, pulling the Zips within eight.

On fourth and three with just over three minutes left in the third quarter, Thorson's pass was intercepted by Alvin Davis who returned it 97 yards. After a failed two-point conversion, the score stood at 21-19 with 3:14 left to play.

Northwestern responded when back-to-back penalties extended the drive to give the 'Cats the ball on the Akron 14-yard line. Thorson threw his second touchdown of the day to Green who hauled in a 13-yard pass with 1:08 left in the third to extend the home team's lead to 28-19.

On the following drive, Nelson completed a 75-yard scoring drive with a 24-yard pass to Maverick Wolfley with 24 seconds left in the quarter to pull the Zips within two heading into the fourth quarter.

Akron took its first lead of the game when Thorson fumbled the football at the NU 11-yard line and it was recovered by Ulysees Gilbert III in the end zone at 8:28 in the fourth quarter to pull the Zips ahead, 32-28.

Davis picked up his second pick-six of the game when he intercepted Thorson at the 50-yard line with 7:24 to go, increasing the Zips' lead to 39-28.

With just under four minutes to play, Thorson completed back-to-back passes to Green for 16 and 18 yards apiece to put the 'Cats on the Akron 35-yard line. Northwestern pulled within five when Thorson completed a 24-yard pass to Skowronek with 2:21 left to play in the game, but it would not be enough to match the Zips.

After a bye week, Chicago's Big Ten Team will return to action when it hosts Michigan at Ryan Field on Saturday, Sept. 29. Tickets are available at NUsports.com or by calling 888-GO-PURPLE.

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Be the first to know what's going on with the 'Cats -- Follow @NU_Sports on Twitter, become a fan of Northwestern Athletics on Facebook, check us out on Instagram, visit our Social Media page and download our mobile app from the Apple Store and Google Play! To get involved with the #B1GCats, become a season-ticket holder or join the Wildcat Fund!