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Considering their sizeable disadvantage in the spread, the Akron Zips can expect to have a real challenge on their hands on Saturday. They will square off against the Liberty Flames on the road at 6 p.m. ET at Williams Stadium. Given that both teams suffered a loss in their last game, they both have a little extra motivation heading into this matchup.
The Zips might not have won anyway, but with 82 yards lost due to penalties, they really shot themselves in the foot last week. They took a serious blow against the Tennessee Volunteers, falling 63-6. Akron was in a tough position by the half, with the score already sitting at 35 to nothing. One thing holding Akron back was the mediocre play of QB DJ Irons, who did not have his best game: he passed for 241 yards on 44 attempts.
Meanwhile, Liberty and the Wake Forest Demon Deacons were almost perfectly matched up last week, but Liberty suffered an agonizing 37-36 defeat. Despite the loss, Liberty had strong showings from WR Demario Douglas, who caught seven passes for two TDs and 124 yards, and QB Kaidon Salter, who passed for two TDs and 258 yards on 34 attempts in addition to rushing for one TD and 77 yards.
The losses put the Zips at 1-2 and the Flames at a reciprocal 2-1. Two stats to keep in the back of your head while watching: Akron hasn't thrown an interception yet this season. But Liberty enters the contest having picked the ball off five times, good for 12th in the nation. These opposing strengths should make for an exciting matchup.
