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2021 AKRON FOOTBALL SCHEDULE | PURCHASE SEASON TICKETS

FORT WALTON BEACH, FLA. – University of Akron redshirt junior LB Bubba Arslanian (Aurora, Ohio) was among the nominees for the Wuerffel Trophy, College Football’s Premier Award for Community Service, when the award announced its watch list of 93 players from college football’s Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS).

Named after 1996 Heisman Trophy winning quarterback from the University of Florida, Danny Wuerffel, the Wuerffel Trophy is presented in February annually in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. The trophy exists to honor college football players who serve others, celebrate their positive impact on society, and inspire greater service in the world.

Nominations for the Wuerffel Trophy are made by the respective universities’ Sports Information Departments and will close on October 15. An up-to-date list of nominees can be found at www.wuerffeltrophy.org beginning on August 1. Semifinalists for the award will be announced on November 2 and finalists will be announced on November 22.

The formal announcement of the 2021 recipient will be made on December 9 and the presentation of the 2021 Wuerffel Trophy will occur in February 2022 in Fort Walton Beach.

Arslanian turned in a dominant season as one of the premier linebackers in both the Mid-American Conference as well as the NCAA in 2020, leading the defensive efforts for the Zips. He led the NCAA in solo tackles (7.8) and in total tackles (12.3), while ranking 20th among active career leaders in the NCAA in total tackles per contest (7.07), 49th in solo tackles per game (3.60), 54th in assisted tackles (104) and 73rd in total tackles (212).

In MAC play, Arslanian headlined the league in total tackles (74), solo tackles (47) and tackles per game (12.3), while ranking sixth in assisted tackles (27) and eighth in sacks (0.50).

Arslanian turned in a dominant performance to help lift the Zips to a 31-3 victory over Bowling Green on Dec. 5, 2020 with a 16-tackle effort. His 16 total tackles represented a season-high mark, while equaling a career-high total with 11 solo stops, to go along with five assists. His performance was recognized by @PFF_College, who rated Arslanian as grading out as the fourth-best linebacker in college football in Week 14.

Arslanian had 10 or more total tackles in 14 of the last 18 games overall. He led the Zips in tackles all six games, seven straight overall and in nine of Akron’s last 11 contests dating back to the 2019 campaign.

Arslanian surpassed the 200-tackle plateau for his career against Buffalo on Dec. 12, 2020. He has recorded 108 solo tackles, including 47 this past season, and 104 career assisted tackles. He is ranked 74th among active career leaders across all divisions in total tackles per game (7.07), 100th in assisted tackles (104) and 123rd in total tackles (212).

Season ticket plans for the 2021 season, which include a ticket to all six home games, a season-long parking pass, and the opportunity to purchase tickets to the away games including Ohio State, can be purchased now (starting at only $60 each) by calling or texting 888-99-AKRON (25766) or visiting The C.P. and Cornelia S. Chima Athletics Ticket Office at InfoCision Stadium-Summa Field (located at 375 E. Exchange Street, near Gate 1 at the southwest corner of the venue, at the corner of E. Exchange and S. Union streets) during our transitional business hours (Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.).

2021 Watch List (by AP University)
Bubba Arslanian, Akron, Jr. (R), Linebacker
Thomas Hennigan, Appalachian State University, Sr., Wide Receiver
Jackson He, Arizona State University, Jr., Running Back
Andre Harris, Jr., Arkansas State University, Jr., Offensive Line
Nick Brahms, Auburn University, Sr., Offensive Line
Bryce Cosby, Ball State University, Sr., Defensive Back
Brandon Martin, Ball State University, Sr., Linebacker
Byron Hanspard, Jr., Baylor University, Jr., Defensive Back
Kekaula Kaniho, Boise State University, Sr., Defensive Back
James Empey, Brigham Young University, Jr., Offensive Line
Darien Rencher, Clemson University, Sr., Running Back
Kennedy Roberts, Coastal Carolina University, Jr., Defensive Line
A’Jon Vivensm Colorado State University, Jr., Running Back
Jake Bobo, Duke University, Sr., Wide Receiver/Special Teams
Holten Ahers, East Carolina University, Sr., Quarterback
Tariq Speights, Eastern Michigan University, Sr., Linebacker
Camren McDonald, Florida State University, Jr., Tight End
Juanyeh Thomas, Georgia Institute of Technology, Jr., Defensive Back
Michael Ziemba, Indiana University, Sr., Linebacker
Brock Purdy, Iowa State University, Sr., Quarterback
Skylar Thompson, Kansas State University, Sr., Quarterback
Isaac Vance, Kent State University, Sr., Wide Receiver
Sam Allan, Kent State University, Sr., Offensive Line
Damone Clark, Louisiana State University, Sr., Linebacker
Joshua Mote, Louisiana Tech University, Jr., Offensive Line
Reeves Blankenship, Louisiana Tech University, Jr., Long Snapper
Alex Mollette, Marshall University, Sr., Offensive Line
Reed Blankenship, Middle Tennessee State University, Sr., Defensive Back
Austin Williams, Mississippi State University, Sr., Wide Receiver
Sage Doxtater, New Mexico State University, Sr., Offensive Line
Isaiah Moore, North Carolina State University, Sr., Linebacker
Joe Spivak, Northwestern University, Sr., Defensive Line
Ryan Hilinski, Northwestern University, So.., Quarterback
Harry Miller, Ohio State University, Jr., Offensive Line
Jordan Young, Old Dominion University, Sr., Linebacker
Jaydon Grant, Oregon State University, Jr., Defensive Back
Sean Clifford, Pennsylvania State University, Sr., Quarterback
Ikenna Enechukwu, Rice University, So., Defensive Line
Tysyn Parker, San Jose State University, Sr., Linebacker
Shaine Hailey, Southern Methodist University, Sr., Linebacker
Isaiah Sanders, Stanford University, Sr., Quarterback
Kingsley Jonathan, Syracuse University, Sr., Defensive Line
Re-Al Mitchell, Temple University, So., Quarterback
Keldrick Carper, Texas A&M University, Sr., Defensive Back
Obinna Eze, Texas Christian University, Jr., Offensive Line
Tyler Vitt, Texas State University, Jr., Quarterback
Tony Bradford, Jr., Texas Tech University, Jr., Defensive Line
Luke Whittemore, Troy University, Jr., Wide Receiver
Nick Anderson, Tulane University, Jr., Linebacker
Chris Owens, University of Alabama, Sr., Offensive Line
Colby Ragland, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Sr., Offensive Line
Bryce Wolma, University of Arizona, Sr., Tight End
Jordan Silver, University of Arkansas, Sr., Long Snapper
Michael Saffell, University of California, Sr., Offensive Line
Nate Landman, University of Colorado, Sr., Linebacker
Brian Keating, University of Connecticut, Sr., Long Snapper
Zachary Carter, University of Florida, Sr., Defensive Line
Nakobe Dean, University of Georgia, Jr., Linebacker
Hekili Keliiliki, University of Hawai’i, Jr., Running Back/Linebacker
Marcus Jones, University of Houston, Sr., Defensive Back/Special Teams
Michael Marchese, University of Illinois, Sr., Tight End
Kaevon Merriweather, University of Iowa, Jr., Defensive Back
Kwamie Lassiter II, University of Kansas, Sr., Wide Receiver
Kenneth Horsey, University of Kentucky, Jr., Offensive Line
Levi Lewis, University of Louisiana, Sr., Quarterback
Brian Cobbs, University of Maryland, Sr., Wide Receiver
Preston Brady, University of Memphis, Sr., Long Snapper
Tanner Morgan, University of Minnesota, Sr., Quarterback
Mac Brown, University of Mississippi, Sr., Punter
Tyler Badie, University of Missouri, Sr., Running Back
Ben Stille, University of Nebraska, Sr., Defensive Line
Peter Agabe, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Sr., Linebacker
Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa, University of Notre Dame, Sr., Defensive Line
Pat Fields, University of Oklahoma, Sr., Defensive Back
Cal Adomitis, University of Pittsburgh, Sr., Long Snapper
Deslin Alexandre, University of Pittsburgh, Sr., Defensive Line
Keith Gallmon, University of South Alabama, Jr., Defensive Back
Spencer Eason-Riddle, University of South Carolina, Sr., Linebacker
Matthew Butler, University of Tennessee, Sr., Defensive Line
Hunter Duplessis, University of Texas at San Antonio, Sr., Kicker
Bailey Flint, University of Toledo, Sr., Punter
Chris Paul, University of Tulsa, Sr., Offensive Line
Mika Tafua, University of Utah, Jr., Defensive Line
Race Porter, University of Washington, Sr., Punter
Faion Hicks, University of Wisconsin, Sr., Defensive Back
Calvin Tyler, Jr., Utah State University, Jr., Running Back
Elijah McAllister, Vanderbilt University, Sr., Linebacker
Brock Hoffman, Virginia Tech University, Jr., Offensive Line
Tyriq Hardimon, Wake Forest University, Jr., Defensive Back
Evan Staley, West Virginia University, Sr., Kicker
Jarret Doege, West Virginia University, Sr., Quarterback
Sean Mahone, West Virginia University, Sr., Defensive Back
Mike Caliendo, Western Michigan University, Sr., Offensive Line

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