The University of Akron Athletics
October 24 | Football
AKRON, Ohio — The University of Akron football team closes a two-game road swing ahead of its bye week with the 69th Battle for the Wagon Wheel on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026, at Dix Stadium. UA and rival Kent State kick things off at 1 p.m. ET with coverage on ESPN+ and the Akron Sports Radio Network via flagship station 640 WHLO-AM.
Zips Need to Know
1. Akron closes a two-game road swing at Kent State Saturday ahead of a bye week.
2. Akron brings back 59 players from the 2025 squad — 30 offense, 26 defense and 3 specialists.
3. Akron is meeting Kent State for the 69th time in program history with the Zips owning a 37-29-2 series advantage. The Golden Flashes currently hold the Wagon Wheel thanks to a 42-35 OT win last year at ICSSHF.
4. Fifteen different Zips have caught a pass this season as Akron has completed 145 passes for 1,443 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 | Kent State |
| @ZipsFB | |
| X | @ZipsFB |
Matchup Comparison
| Category | Akron | Kent State |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 1-6, 0-3 MAC | 2-5, 1-2 MAC |
| Head Coach | Joe Moorhead | Mark Carney |
| Scoring Offense | 18.9 | 12.0 |
| Scoring Defense | 32.4 | 32.0 |
| Rushing Offense | 132.7 | 102.6 |
| Passing Offense | 206.9 | 170.6 |
| Total Offense | 339.6 | 273.1 |
| Total Defense | 417.7 | 363.7 |
| Third-Down Conversions | 37.9% | 36.7% |
| Red-Zone Scoring | 17-19 (13-19 TD) | 11-18 (9-18 TD) |
| Sacks | 4.0 | 16.0 |
Statistics are per game unless otherwise noted.
By The Numbers
136
Akron has recorded 136 first downs through seven games, one more than its opponents (135).
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
- 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.
- Both head coaches in the game are Fordham grads who played QB for the Rams.
- Saturday is the shortest road trips of 2026, 14 miles stadium to stadium, the second-closest FBS matchup of the season behind Duke and North Carolina, whose stadiums are 10.6 miles apart.
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.
Monday, October 19
Thursday, October 15
Monday, October 12
Sunday, October 11
