Cibastian Broughton completed 23 of 27 passes for 227 yards and four touchdowns in Akronâs 45-10 win over Robert Morris, following a 111-yard passing night at Wake Forest. His second consecutive start included a 41-yard completion and no interceptions, giving the Zips more downfield production in their home rebound.
Jordan Gant supplied 81 rushing yards and a touchdown, while Sean Patrick added 67 yards rushing and 65 receiving. Akron finished with 282 passing yards and 241 rushing yards. Gant and Patrick need to keep taking pressure off Broughton on Saturday at Minnesota, with kickoff at noon ET on BTN.
Minnesota just allowed Mississippi State to rush for 252 yards and score touchdowns on its first four possessions, according to the Gophersâ game recap. That gives Akron a specific opening to attack. Get Gant and Patrick productive carries, avoid asking Broughton to rescue long-yardage possessions, and make Minnesota defend the pass as well as the run. Broughtonâs own legs belong in that plan after he rushed for 82 yards at Wake Forest and 71 against Robert Morris.
The model gives Akron a 3% chance to win. Broughton sustaining drives against Minnesota would be encouraging even if Akron falls short of the upset. No outside result carries enough weight to recommend this week; the interactive guide and methodology have the forecast details.
The quarterback arrangement still needs watching. Reese Poffenbarger missed Robert Morris because of a non-injury eligibility matter, per RotoWireâs availability reporting; Broughton started and Brayden Roggow served as the reserve. That Week 2 report does not establish whether Poffenbarger will be available at Minnesota. Broughtonâs improved passing gives Akron something concrete to build on while that availability remains unconfirmed.
The newcomers supplied help, too. Transfer offensive lineman Nate Hampton started against Wake Forest and again against Robert Morris. Defensive transfers Omari Abor and Dwight Nunoo also started both games; against Robert Morris, each forced a fumble, and Abor added an eight-yard sack. Watch for that disruption alongside tighter coverage. Akron surrendered touchdown passes of 72 and 78 yards at Wake Forest before holding Robert Morris to 194 total yards. Forcing mistakes and preventing quick scores need to coexist if Akron is going to stay close Saturday.
Minnesota is Akronâs second September road game after Wake Forest, with UNLV next and the MAC opener at Central Michigan on October 3. Akron climbed from two wins in 2023 to four in 2024 and five in 2025. With the postseason ban lifted, six wins can now bring a bowl berth. Gant and Patrick repeatedly giving the quarterback manageable downs would make that pursuit more plausible. Saturday offers a chance to carry their productive support beyond Robert Morris.