The University of Akron Athletics
Photo by: Jeff Harwell
Football Faces Road Test At Miami (OH) Saturday
October 17 | Football
AKRON, Ohio — The University of Akron football team starts a two-game road swing on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, at Miami (Ohio). The Zips and Redhawks will kick things off at 3:30 p.m. ET from Yager Stadium. Fans can follow live on ESPN+ and the Akron Sports Radio Network via 640 WHLO-AM, the flagship station.
Zips Need to Know
1. Akron starts a two-game road swing at Miami (OH) and will play at Kent State next Saturday.
2. Akron brings back 59 players from the 2025 squad — 30 offense, 26 defense and 3 specialists.
3. The two squads meet for the 26th time on Saturday with Miami holding an eight-game winning streak and 24-9-1 overall edge int he series. The Zips last tasted victory in Oxford on Nov. 14, 2015.
4. Fifteen different Zips have caught a pass this season as Akron has completed 123 passes for 1,214 yards.
5. The Zips' Offensive Coordinator of the Game presented by Arby's Steak Nuggets promotion was the buzz of the college football world leading up to the season. Season ticket holder Marty Whims II assisted football Coach Moorhead in designing the script for Akron's opening drive against Robert Morris on Sept. 12.
How To Follow
| Television / Stream | ESPN+ |
| Radio | Akron Sports Network |
| Live Stats | Live Stats |
| Game Notes | Akron | Miami (OH) |
| @ZipsFB | |
| X | @ZipsFB |
Matchup Comparison
| Category | Akron | Miami (OH) |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 1-5, 0-2 MAC | 3-3, 1-1 MAC |
| Head Coach | Joe Moorhead | Chuck Martin |
| Scoring Offense | 19.7 | 25.7 |
| Scoring Defense | 32.2 | 27.5 |
| Rushing Offense | 141.3 | 111.0 |
| Passing Offense | 202.3 | 241.7 |
| Total Offense | 343.7 | 352.7 |
| Total Defense | 422.5 | 386.3 |
| Third-Down Conversions | 39.5% | 35.7% |
| Red-Zone Scoring | 15-17 (11-17 TD) | 18-19 (11-19 TD) |
| Sacks | 2.0 | 11.0 |
Statistics are per game unless otherwise noted.
By The Numbers
122
Akron has recorded 122 first downs through six games, three more than its opponents (119).
Streaks, Storylines & Sidebars
- Akron football is playing its 127th season in 2026 and is celebrating its 40th season in the NCAA FBS.
- The program dates to 1891 and was the first to make the jump from Division I-AA or FCS in 1987.
- Former All-American and NFL HOF defensive end, Jason Taylor, was inducted to the Mid-American Conference Hall of Fame in May.
- Head Coach Joe Moorhead is in his fifth season at the helm of the Akron program.
- Akron returns 59 players from the 2025 squad — 30 offense, 26 defense and 3 specialists.
- The Zips added 48 newcomers — 21 offense, 23 defense and 4 specials.
- Of the 48 newcomers, 32 are transfers and 16 are freshmen.
- The Zips return 16 starters — 9 offensive starters and 7 defensive starters.
- UA ended 2025 on a 3-1 stretch, defeating BGSU, UMass and Buffalo while falling to Kent State
- Jordan Gant became the first 1,000-yard rusher since Dennis Kennedy ran for 1,321 yards in 2008. Gant finished the 2025 season with 1,032 yards.
- Marcel Williams led the receiving corps in 2025 with 641 yards on 45 receptions while catching two TDs.
- Cyrus Durham recorded 8.5 TFL for 24 yards last season, while adding 31 total tackles and three sacks.
- Defensive Turnovers mean the return of the Turnover Tire for the team from the Rubber City. A Zips player who corrals a turnover has the honor of wearing a branded tire around his neck on the sidelines.
- The Zips' OC of the Game presented by Arby's Steak Nuggets promotion was the buzz of the college football world, generating 6.4-billion media impressions. Season ticket holder Marty Whims II helped design the script and called plays with Coach Moorhead for Akron's opening drive against Robert Morris.
- QB Cibastian Broughton started the first three games under center while Brayden Roggow made his first collegiate start vs. UNLV. Broughton did not play against the Rebels and his status is day-to-day.
THE TURNOVER TIRE RETURNS!
Defensive Turnovers mean the return of the Turnover Tire for the team from the Rubber City. A Zips player who corrals a turnover has the honor of wearing a branded tire around his neck on the sidelines.
Players Mentioned
Thursday, October 15
Monday, October 12
Sunday, October 11
Monday, October 05
















