Akron’s Big Rally Defeats Marshall

Charlie Frye’s three touchdown passes led Akron back from a 21-point deficit and Jason Swiger kicked a 43-yard field goal on the final play after Marshall’s punter fumbled, giving the Zips a 31-28 Mid-American Conference victory Friday night at Akron, Ohio.

The victory moved Akron (5-4, 5-1) into a three-way tie with Marshall (5-4, 5-1) and Miami of Ohio for first place in the MAC’s East Division.

Ian O’Connor dropped the ball as he attempted to punt and Dwayne LeFall recovered for Akron on the Marshall 26 to set up Swiger’s game-winning kick. O’Connor also missed three field goals.

The Zips, trailing 28-21, recovered an onside kick with 2:16 remaining. On fourth down, Frye scrambled to his right and threw an 18-yard touchdown to Jason Montgomery, who made a leaping catch at the back of the end zone as he was pushed out of bounds by a defender.

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North Texas (5-4, 5-0) extended its Sun Belt Conference winning streak to 23 games with a 27-17 victory over Louisiana Lafayette (4-5, 2-3) in Lafayette, La.

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Arizona State tailback Hakim Hill has a sprained ankle and his playing status for today’s game against Stanford is unclear. He practiced Thursday after sitting out Tuesday and Wednesday. If Hill is unable to play, walk-on Preston Jones will start.... Nebraska will be without its top receiver today against Iowa State. Tight end Matt Herian had surgery to repair a broken leg suffered last week against Missouri and his season is over. Senior Dusty Keiser starts in his place.... Purdue quarterback Kyle Orton (hip pointer) is a likely starter today against Iowa. Brandon Kirsch, Orton’s backup, suffered a sprained shoulder last week against Northwestern but will be available to play.