The University of Akron Athletics
Football Preseason Training Camp Report #1
August 04 | Football
AKRON, Ohio – The University of Akron football team held its first practice of preseason training camp on Thursday morning at InfoCision Stadium – Summa Field. The squad worked out without pads and will do the same on Friday, before dressing in half pads on Saturday and Sunday.
The roster of 104 players has been separated into two groups for the first three days of camp. The split workouts put first- and third-string players on the field for 90 minutes, while second- and fourth-string players had a strength and conditioning session. The two groups then came together for a special teams practice, then split again for opposite workouts for another 90 minutes.
The unique schedule is designed to give players some early specialized attention and maximize practice repetitions, while also identifying those who may be able to impact the two-deep.
Much of Thursday's practice focused on fundamentals and both sessions concluded with several 11-on-11 periods.
The Zips return to the practice field on Friday at 8 a.m.
Click the video clip below to hear second-year head coach Rob Ianello's thoughts about day one.
Akron, which returns 13 starters (five offense, eight defense), opens the season at Ohio State on Sept. 3 in a game scheduled to kick off at noon ET on ESPN.
The team's home opener at InfoCision Stadium – Summa Field comes on Sept. 10 versus Mid-American Conference East Division opponent Temple. That game will begin at 6 p.m. ET, and be covered by ESPN3, the network's broadband channel. A variety of special events will encompass the day, including a salute to local heroes (police, fire, safety) and a Military Appreciation Day, as well as ticket promotions designed for employees of both the city of Akron and Summit County, and local motorcycle organizations.
Tickets can be purchased online anytime at GoZips.com/tickets, or from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET on Mondays through Fridays by either calling 1-888-99-AKRON (25766) or visiting the Akron 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).
