College football: Lakota East’s Gasser provides strong leg for Akron

Lakota East High School graduate Nick Gasser is back for his redshirt senior football season at the University of Akron, and Zips coach Terry Bowden is expecting more strong production from Gasser’s right leg.

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Gasser has been Akron’s No. 1 punter the last two seasons, averaging 37.7 yards as a sophomore and 42.2 yards last year as a junior. He kicked off 14 times as a sophomore and 60 times as a junior, also scoring 22 points last season by making 13-of-14 extra points and 3-of-6 field goals.

Tom O’Leary started 2017 as the Zips’ place-kicker, but struggled early on and Gasser took over those duties.

Speaking at Mid-American Conference Media Day last week at Ford Field, Bowden said he’s hopeful that O’Leary, a redshirt senior, returns to form this year so Gasser can focus on punting.

The Zips will open the season at Nebraska on Sept. 1.

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