The University of Akron Athletics
Zips to Wear Throwback Helmets Against Miami to Honor 1976 Team
October 06 | Football
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AKRON, Ohio– For Saturday's Homecoming game against Miami (Ohio), the Akron Zips will be wearing something special. In honor of the 40th anniversary of the 1976 team, the current Zips will wear throwback helmets.
The gold helmets will feature two white and one blue stripe as well as the "A" logo.
The 2016 Varsity "A" Sports Hall of Fame Class will be inducted in a ceremony prior to the game on Saturday morning. The 1976 football team has been named this year's Team of Distinction. Head coach Jim Dennison and more than 50 players from the 1976 team are expected to attend.
"It is great to honor the most successful team in Akron history," said fifth-year head coach Terry Bowden. "Much of what they did laid the foundation for the success we're having now."
Since football was first played on the UA campus in 1891, the 1976 Zips produced the most wins–10– in school history. Following a regular-season record of 8-2 in Division II play, the Zips made just their second NCAA post-season bid in history on a schedule that included six NCAA I opponents.
The 1976 team also played in the most postseason football contests (three). In the 1976 Division II quarterfinal round of the playoffs, complete domination was the theme in Akron's 27-6 win over highly regarded Nevada-Las Vegas, the win marked the first postseason victory in program history.
Akron then hosted the semifinal playoff game, called the Knute Rochne Bowl, at the Rubber Bowl where it defeated Northern Michigan, the defending 1975 National Champions, 29-26, in the first overtime game in NCAA football playoff history.
In the national championship game, called the Pioneer Bowl, in Wichita Falls, Texas, the Zips fell to No. 1 Montana State, 24-13, on a windy and bitter cold day. While the Zips fell 11 points shy of a National Championship, the 1976 team provided countless exciting memories for Akron fans for years to come.
The Zips (3-2 overall, 1-0 MAC) host the RedHawks (0-5 overall, 0-1 MAC) on Saturday, Oct. 8, at 3 p.m. at InfoCision Stadium- Summa Field. ESPN3 will televise the game.
Single-game tickets are on sale now for $15 each by 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) during business hours (Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.).
All-access 10 packs are on sale now for $100, which include vouchers that can be redeemed for all six of the Zips' ticketed sports.
The Chima Athletics Ticket Office at InfoCision Stadium opens at 9 a.m. on game day for sales and general Will Call pick-up.
