Akron football kicks off its 127th season on Thursday night, trailing to Winston-Salem, North Carolina, to face off against Atlantic Coast Conference foe Wake Forest. The Zips program dates to 1891 and is celebrating its 40th season in the FBS after becoming the first program to make the jump from FCS in 1987. The Zips and Demon Deacons will kick things off from Allegacy Stadium at 7 p.m. ET. Coverage will air on ACC Network, the Akron Sports Radio Network (WHLO 640 AM) and iHeartRadio.

ON THE AIR

TV: ACC Network – (ESPN+) – Matt Schick (pxp), Forrest Conoly (analyst), Ashley Stroehlein (sideline)

Radio: Akron Sports Network – (iHeartRadio) – David Skoczen (pxp), Joe Dunn (analyst), Mark LaRose (sideline) — WHLO 640 AM, iHeartRadio

THE SERIES

Thursday marks the first meeting between the two schools.

THE COACHES

Joe Moorhead, an inspirational leader of student-athletes and one of the most ingenious offensive minds in football, was named the head coach of The University of Akron football program on Dec. 4, 2021. The 2025 season saw the Zips post their best season since 2017, going 5-7 overall and 4-4 in the MAC. Akron finished the year on a 3-1 streak, capping the season with a 19-16 victory over Bowling Green.

Jake Dickert was named the 33rd head coach of the Wake Forest football program on Dec. 18, 2024. In his first season in Winston-Salem, Dickert led the Demon Deacons to nine victories, capped by a win over Mississippi State in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl. Dickert also spent four seasons as the head coach at Washington State, reaching three bowl games in four season.

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. 
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 specials.
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 the 2025 season 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. 
Former All-American and NFL HOF defensive end, Jason Taylor, was inducted to the Mid-American Conference Hall of Fame in May.
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 will assist football Coach Moorhead in designing the script for Akron’s opening drive against Robert Morris on Sept. 12.