The University of Akron Athletics
Bowden Announces Complete 2014 Football Schedule
February 28 | Football
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Buy/Renew 2014 Football Season Tickets
MAC Announces 2014 Football Schedule (MAC-Sports.com)
AKRON, Ohio – Four weekday games on the ESPN Family of Networks during the month of November – including a home contest against defending Mid-American Conference champion Bowling Green – highlight the 2014 University of Akron football schedule, third-year head coach Terry Bowden announced on Friday in conjunction with the league office.
The Zips, who posted their highest win total since 2008 by going 5-7 overall and 4-4 against the MAC last season, as well as ending the year by winning three-straight and four of their last five games, play host to Bowling Green on Tuesday, Nov. 4, at 8 p.m. ET at six-year-old InfoCision Stadium – Summa Field in a contest that will be televised by either ESPN2 or ESPNU. The Falcons come off an appearance in the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl after winning the league's East Division and topping Northern Illinois in the MAC Championship Game.
"Considering how we ended last season, we are very excited about 2014," Bowden said. "When you get your new schedule, it makes the upcoming season real. Our players are in the middle of off-season conditioning and spring practice is just a couple weeks away, so today's announcement provides motivation for all of us. Each game will present a challenge and we are excited for the opportunity to play on national TV several times."
The matchup with Bowling Green is one of four Tuesday outings for UA during the final month of the regular season as it also competes on Tuesday, Nov. 11, at Buffalo in an 8 p.m. ESPN2 or ESPNU televised game, faces Massachusetts at home on Tuesday, Nov. 18, on ESPNU or ESPN3, and travels to neighborhood rival and PNC Wagon Wheel Challenge foe Kent State for the regular-season finale on Tuesday, Nov. 25, on ESPN2 or ESPN3. The Zips regained control of the coveted wooden Wagon Wheel with a 16-7 victory over the Flashes at InfoCision Stadium last November.
Akron begins MAC play with a two-game homestand when Eastern Michigan and Miami (Ohio) visit on Saturday, Oct. 4, and Saturday, Oct. 11, respectively. The matchup with EMU also will serve as Homecoming and be the first time the Zips and Eagles have squared off on the gridiron since 2011, when Eastern Michigan claimed a 31-23 win in Ypsilanti. UA snapped a 30-game road losing streak and ended a stretch of 28-straight defeats by Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) opponents with a 24-17 win over the RedHawks in Oxford last season.
A road game at Ohio University on Saturday, Oct. 18 and visit to Ball State on Saturday, Oct. 25, rounds out the Zips' league slate. The Bobcats and Zips will meet for the 31st time overall and 23rd consecutive season. UA will face off against the Cardinals in Muncie, Ind., for the first time since a 37-30 triple-overtime loss in 2010. BSU, which took on Arkansas State in last season's GoDaddy Bowl, defeated the Zips in Akron last year.
Highlighting Akron's non-league home schedule is a matchup with Marshall. A former member of the MAC, the Thundering Herd out of Conference USA come off a victory over Maryland in the Military Bowl. UA and MU will meet on the gridiron for the first time since Nov. 5, 2004, when the Zips posted a 31-28 victory at the Rubber Bowl.
As previously announced, the Zips' non-conference schedule also includes a home game against Howard on Thursday, Aug. 28, and away contests at Penn State (Sept. 6) and Pittsburgh (Sept. 27). Pitt faced off against Bowling Green in last season's Little Caesars Pizza Bowl.
UA begins spring practice on Monday, March 17, and will hold its annual Spring Game on Saturday, April 19, at a to-be-announced time.
2014 Zips Football Schedule:
Thu., Aug. 28 – Howard
Sat., Sept. 6 – at Penn State
Sat., Sept. 20 – Marshall
Sat., Sept. 27 – at Pittsburgh
Sat., Oct. 4 – Eastern Michigan* (Homecoming)
Sat., Oct. 11 – Miami (Ohio)*
Sat., Oct. 18 – at Ohio*
Sat., Oct. 25 – at Ball State*
Tue., Nov. 4 – Bowling Green*, 8 p.m. ET (ESPN2 or ESPNU)
Tue., Nov. 11 – at Buffalo*, 8 p.m. ET (ESPN2 or ESPNU)
Tue., Nov. 18 – Massachusetts*, 8 p.m. ET (ESPNU or ESPN3)
Tue., Nov. 25 – at Kent State*, 7 p.m. ET (ESPN2 or ESPN3)
Fri., Dec. 5 – Marathon MAC Championship Game^, 7 p.m. ET (ESPN2)
* - Mid-American Conference game
# - ESPN Multiple-Game Selection Date (an ESPN weekday multiple-game selection date will be announced 12 days prior to the listed date. One game will be selected by each ESPN service listed).
Game times and additional television assignments TBD
^ - at Ford Field in Detroit, Mich.
Renewal invoices for current ticket holders are available online at ZipsTickets.com, with a deadline of June 2 to be eligible for additional prizes and to lock in the same ticket locations for another year. In a continued effort to "go green," hardcopy renewal invoices will be mailed at a later date, and only to those who have not yet renewed electronically.
Those who renew or purchase new season tickets by June 2 will be eligible to buy seats for a discounted rate of $20 (a $10 savings) to the football team's third-annual Kickoff Luncheon on Friday, Aug. 22.
Fans who renew or purchase new season tickets online or by phone by Saturday, April 19, the day of the Spring Game, will be eligible to take a VIP road trip with the team to its first away game at Penn State on Saturday, Sept. 6, and additional season ticketholders will be selected throughout the summer for the other five road contests (more information on incentives below).
Tickets can be renewed or purchased anytime at ZipsTickets.com, 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 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).
Season Ticket Packages and Parking Information:
All ticket packages include a season parking pass, and concessions vouchers also provide added value for Priority Reserved and Reserved season ticketholders.
• New in 2014, one seat cushion will be provided for every season ticket purchased in Priority Reserved, Reserved, Family Plan and General Admission sections.
• Also new for 2014, one Zips Pride tailgating flag will be provided to every season ticket account.
• Back by popular demand are the team replica jerseys, which for the first time will be made available to season ticket purchasers for just $5 (different sizes available while supplies last). Two jerseys will be included in the Family Plan season ticket package.
• Packages start as low as $75 for General Admission seats and include parking.
• Those who purchase tickets in the Priority Reserved (starting at $250), Reserved ($120) and Family Plan (four tickets – including at least two youth – for $240) sections will receive a complimentary parking pass (one per every four season tickets purchased, minimum of two season tickets required). For the first time, Priority Reserved season ticketholders are guaranteed Lot 9 parking (until capacity is reached).
• Priority Reserved and Reserved season ticketholders, including Varsity "A" Association members and UA Faculty & Staff, also will receive $30 in concessions vouchers.
• UA faculty and staff, and members of the Varsity "A" Association (former letterwinners) will receive a discounted price of $105 for Reserved seats. Membership in the Varsity "A" Association costs $35 annually and can be arranged by contacting the Z-Fund at (330) 972-2695.
• Seats in the Club Level have three price points ($500, $750, $1,000) and include a parking pass in a priority lot (one per every four season tickets purchased, minimum of two season ticket required). Patrons on the Club Level have access to a buffet, premium food and drink menu options and alcoholic beverages (for additional fees), as well as pregame field passes (number of games based on ticket price). For the second consecutive year, Club Level season ticketholders can purchase in advance access to the buffet for all six home games at a discounted rate. Club Level season ticketholders must call the ticket office by June 2 for the discounted rate. The buffet will run 30 minutes prior to kickoff through halftime. Pricing for Club and Priority Reserved season tickets includes a Z-Fund seat license donation, of which 80 percent is tax deductible.
• All parking that is provided to General Admission and Reserved season ticketholders is in Lot 36, the deck on East Exchange Street. Ticketholders in those sections can upgrade parking to a tailgate lot closer to the stadium for $50 ($25 of which is a contribution to the Z-Fund) by purchasing by April 19. To be eligible to purchase a pass for Lot 9, the ticketholder must be a Z-Fund donor of at least $100 (includes premium seating donation portions for football but not other sports) since August 1, 2013, and that amount can apply to parking for only one football season. After April 19, General Admission and Reserved season ticketholders can request a parking upgrade, which will be fulfilled based on availability.
• Since 2012, beer has been sold in the main seating area of InfoCision Stadium – Summa Field. Beer, wine and mixed drinks are available on the FirstMerit Foundation Club Level for Club and Loge Season Ticketholders, and can be ordered by Suiteholders.
• Season tickets can be purchased using a payment plan, with up to six monthly payments available for fans who purchase in February. Visa, Mastercard and Discover can be used. All payments must be completed in full by July 31 in order for tickets to be issued.
Renewal or New Purchase Incentives:
Fans who renew or purchase new tickets by the following dates will be eligible to win an all-inclusive road trip with the team.
• Renew by April 19 (Spring Game) – Trip to Penn State on Saturday, Sept. 6
• Renew by May 2 – Trip to Pittsburgh on Saturday, Sept. 27
• Renew by June 2 – Trip to Buffalo on Tuesday, Nov. 11
• Renew by July 3 – Trip to Ohio on Saturday, Oct. 18
• Renew by Aug. 1 – Trip to Ball State on Saturday, Oct. 25
• Renew by Aug. 28 (Home Opener) – Trip to Kent State on Tuesday, Nov. 25
Season ticketholders remain eligible for each drawing unless selected as a winner.
