The University of Akron (2-7, 1-4) plays at Northern Illinois (5-4, 2-3) at 6 p.m. Wednesday in a Mid-American Conference football game.

Here are four things to know ahead of the game:

Akron Zips football attempts to bounce back from MAC loss to Buffalo

Akron lost 41-30 to Buffalo on Nov. 2. The Bulls led 38-7 through three quarters and the Zips rallied to trail 38-30 with 4:39 remaining in the fourth quarter. A muffed punt that Buffalo's John Keough (Walsh Jesuit graduate) recovered at Akron's 22-yard line with 2:59 left proved costly.

"I think a consistent characteristic of this team is our effort and belief," Akron coach Joe Moorhead said.

"It certainly would have been really easy, and a lot of teams do down 31 [points], to fold up the tent, quit and start pointing fingers and arguing and just wait for the game to get over. [We were] covered up in the corner, got back in the middle of the ring and started throwing punches. If we are being honest, we field a punt and have a chance to drive down and score and make the conversion and send the game to overtime."

Akron quarterback Ben Finley completed 23 of 42 passes for 378 yards, four touchdowns and interception against Buffalo. Adrian Norton finished with six catches for 98 yards and two TDs. Ahmarian Granger had five catches for 95 yards and a TD and Kyan Mason caught a 28-yard TD (his first collegiate catch).

"We talk about four factors: explosive play margin, turnover margin, third down conversion percentage and red zone touchdowns," Moorhead said. "Explosive play margin and turnover margin, statistically speaking, are generally going to determine the outcome of the game. We do ball-security circuit every single day."

Akron threw one interception, lost two fumbles on offense and had the muffed punt on special teams against Buffalo.

Akron football coach Joe Moorhead reflects on QBs Ben Finley and Tahj Bullock

Finley and Tahj Bullock continue to have success sharing the quarterback position.

"He is a guy that once he gets into a rhythm, he gains a lot of confidence and we have a very talented receiving corps," Moorhead said of Finley.

Moorhead lauded Finley for his play after "absorbing a bunch of hits."

Bullock ran for a 2-point conversion and threw a 2-point conversion pass to Norton against Buffalo.

"He is a dynamic playmaker with the ball in his hands," Moorhead said. "He is somebody that forces the defense to defend the entire width and length of the field."

Akron Zips coach Joe Moorhead happy with wide receivers and tight ends

Nine different Zips caught a pass against Buffalo.

"We knew when we recruited Adrian [Norton] two years ago, that he had the ability to becomes one of the top receivers in the MAC," Moorhead said. "It is nice to see him develop and play some pretty good football.

"... Bobby [Golden] has been steady throughout the course of the season. Not spectacular, but he has made a bunch of plays when they come to him. He is a very fast possession receiver."

Kyan Mason is another receiver Moorhead described as "very, very dynamic."

"He was giving our defense fits on scout team and we had had a couple of injuries, so we brought him up," Moorhead said of Mason. "We didn't want to get him in there for a ton of reps because he is not a particularly big guy. He weighs about 150 pounds, but we know he can run and he can catch."

Northern Illinois football players to watch

NIU is coached by Thomas Hammock and has a signature 16-14 win at Notre Dame on Sept. 7. NIU's Ethan Hampton threw a 83-yard TD pass to Antario Brown, Kanon Woodill made three field goals and a PAT, Devonte O'Malley contributed two sacks and Amariyun Knighten and Christian Fuhrman each had an interception.

Brown gained 225 yards (126 receiving and 99 rushing) against Notre Dame.

NIU also beat Western Illinois and Massachusetts and lost to North Carolina State outside of MAC play. The Huskies have MAC wins over Bowling Green and Western Michigan and MAC losses to Buffalo, Toledo and Ball State

The Huskies beat Western Michigan 42-28 on Nov. 6. Hampton threw TD passes to Gavin Williams and Tristen Tewes, Williams added a rushing TD, Telly Johnson Jr. ran for 141 yards and two TDs on 23 carries and Cam Thompson scored on a 91-yard kickoff return. Santana Banner, Jaden Dolphin and Nate Valcarcel each recorded an interception.

Michael Beaven can be reached by email at mbeaven@thebeaconjournal.com.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron football vs Northern Illinois, 4 things to know about MAC game