AKRON – Ohio’s offense built an early lead, and the defense kept Akron out of the end zone to beat the Zips for the eighth straight time, 14-12, on Saturday at InfoCision Stadium.

Akron outgained Ohio 319-227 in chilly, wet and windy conditions, but settled for four Robert Stein field goals. The final one was a 30-yarder with 3:55 remaining and then forced a three-and-out by the Bobcats, but a Quentin Poling sack set back the Zips, and Ian Wells broke up a fourth-down pass with 1:09 remaining.

Stein’s first field goal came on Akron’s first possession, a 40-yarder with 7:57 remaining.

Ohio (4-1, 1-0 Mid-American Conference) answered back on the ensuing drive, scoring on a 24-yard pass from Derrius Vick to Keith Heitzman, and the Bobcats did not trail again. Ohio cashed in again on its next possession, with a 4-yard Daz’mond Patterson touchdown run making it 14-0 with 12:41 left in the first half.

The Bobcats had a chance to blow open the game on their next drive, moving to the Akron 32-yard line, but after a false start on fourth-and-1, they opted to punt and did not score again in the game.

Stein hit a 33-yard field goal with 3 seconds left in the first half to make it 14-6.

Once more, the Bobcats could have added to their lead after a Poling interception gave them possession at the Akron 26-yard line. They gained one first down, but Greg Windham, in his only drive at quarterback, was intercepted in the end zone by DeAndre Scott.

Stein’s third field goal came from 41 yards out with 16 seconds left in the third quarter, making it 14-9.

Ohio gained only three first downs and 47 yards in the second half after it had 14 first downs in the first half. The Bobcats were unable to run the ball, gaining just 48 yards on 32 attempts in the game.

But the Zips (2-3, 0-1 MAC) were not much better, finishing with just 88 yards on 35 carries, led by Conor Hundley’s 66 yards on 18 attempts.

Thomas Woodson, who made his first career start against Ohio last year and his first start of this season last week, was 18-of-38 passing for 231 yards and an interception. Vick was 18-of-26 for 179 yards and a touchdown for the Bobcats.

Akron’s Imani Davis had five catches for 94 yards.

After sitting out the second half of last week’s game for disciplinary reasons, Poling had 11 tackles, including two for loss, in addition to his interception and sack. Blair Brown had seven tackles, including 1.5 for loss, and Trent Smart had a sack and a hurry that led to an incompletion on one of Akron’s final plays.

Two Ohio starters, defensive end Tarrell Basham and linebacker Jovon Johnson, missed the game with injuries, as did backup linebacker Chad Moore. Injuries also affected the offensive line.

Jamal Marcus had two sacks among his four tackles for loss and six tackles for Akron.

The Bobcats host Miami for homecoming at 2 p.m. Saturday at Peden Stadium.