2026 Schedule

[Zips1991]

1 hour ago, csims0917 said:

Pre game tailgate announced for home opener! 

Now let's start saying our prayers for good weather...and a decent showing against Wake.

[exit322]

2 hours ago, Zips1991 said:

Now let's start saying our prayers for good weather...and a decent showing against Wake.

 

Yes, they seem to be doing their part.  Now let's get a little luck.

[ZippyDoo]

Pads go on in one week.  I can't wait.  I plan on making the trip to Wake Forest and am very excited.  I hope the QB pans out, watching the interview with Joe Moe he did bring up a good point when he said the QB has not played in a relevant game for like four years so there is going to be some rust to get off.

 

He is obviously the key and it should be different knowing the team is his unlike the last two schools he was at.  The position coaches are all great at making sure the players are ready to go and have been together for a long time with the exception of Mack at defensive line but they brought in some monsters so if the defensive line can get some pressure it could be an exciting team.

 

I am really excited to see Aboor play and Williams (that man is huge at 6'6 340).  Aboor was getting playing time as true freshman at Ohio State, he is older now and I'm sure he has physically developed if he is hungry, the pedigree is there he can possibly come in and dominate at that end position....

[exit322]

9 minutes ago, ZippyDoo said:

watching the interview with Joe Moe he did bring up a good point when he said the QB has not played in a relevant game for like four years so there is going to be some rust to get off.

 

Is Moorhead physically capable of saying anything that gives Zips fans hope?

[Zips1991]

1 hour ago, exit322 said:

 

Is Moorhead physically capable of saying anything that gives Zips fans hope?

I think he thrives on setting expectations low so no one gets their hopes up. 😅

[ZippyDoo]

I do think he was being cautiously optimistic if you watch the interview.  It was not being negative just factual.  The interviewer was asking about Poffenbarger and the Qb situation.  Joe Moe just said that he has looked good in the practices and the spring game and that he has been a leader but there has been some time since he has played in a game, and that he has clearly shown that he it is his team.

 

It was not being negative just factual.

[AkronAlumnus]

3 minutes ago, ZippyDoo said:

I do think he was being cautiously optimistic if you watch the interview.  It was not being negative just factual.  The interviewer was asking about Poffenbarger and the Qb situation.  Joe Moe just said that he has looked good in the practices and the spring game and that he has been a leader but there has been some time since he has played in a game, and that he has clearly shown that he it is his team.

 

It was not being negative just factual.

I don't think our QB room is getting talked about enough.  Poff, Broughton, and Beals are all dudes. 

[ZippyDoo]

I'm curious what happens with Broughton this year.  He is so dynamic I wonder if they find somewhere on the field for him.  I am also curious about what they have in store for "The Johnson, Bullock" plays.  Broughton is no where near their size Roggow is tall and thin and I don't think they will use Beals in that way so I wonder if they go more wildcat or something for the short yardage situations?

[ZipForNow]

https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/49531211/akron-zips-football-offensive-coordinator-game-promo

[zippy5]

I've gotta say. This was brilliant. We're all over social media. And I'm sure whoever wins isn't actually going to have a ton of say

[Sergeant Zip]

6.6 million views in 8 hours

 

 

 

[Reslife4Life]

Imagine they actually don’t tell the winner until they are at the game to get people to actually show up. I think this is great and it will help the ticket sales team hit some big goals but I really hope we can get some people out to watch

[Let'sGoZips94]

Would love to see the boost in season ticket sales. 

 

[kreed5120]

21 minutes ago, Let'sGoZips94 said:

Would love to see the boost in season ticket sales. 

 

 

I saw several randoms that have no affiliation with the program post ticket receipts on X. I wouldn't be surprised if a few hundred season tickets got purchased between people wanting to share it on social media or in group chat with friends for the memes. The best part though is the free publicity. 

 

Edit: Maybe Akron's most successful promotion since the legendary Acme Zips games.

Edited Wednesday at 04:21 AM by kreed5120

[clarkwgriswold]

I'm calling a quick kick when I win this thing.

[exit322]

It's a great promotion.  Just absolutely perfect.

 

I also don't want to win it.  Just in case.

[Let'sGoZips94]

 

 

[kreed5120]

20 minutes ago, Let'sGoZips94 said:

 

 

 

I would become the most insufferable member on this board if I led an opening touchdown and then they proceeded to get shut out afterwards. The captain would have to hit me with a 30 day ban 😂 

[Let'sGoZips94]

Imagine what Robert Morris is thinking.

[Captain Kangaroo]

Too bad @Zipmeister is seemingly on an extended hiatus...this is his chance to force the Zips to throw to the TE on at least 3 successive plays. 

[LZIp]

11 million views on twitter and hopefully a nice uptick in season ticket sales. Solid promotion!

Edited Wednesday at 01:31 PM by LZIp

[zipsrule]

It is currently listed under Headlines on ESPN's website.

Edited Wednesday at 08:19 PM by zipsrule

[exit322]

1 hour ago, Let'sGoZips94 said:

Imagine what Robert Morris is thinking.

If they're smart, they're using some of the payout for a few season tickets.

[Let'sGoZips94]

 

This is arguably the #1 content creator for NCAA Football video games. 

[Dr Z]

I like the idea. I would also extend it, whereas you continue until you have to punt. Why stop progress?

For fun (ChatGPT) 

If your goal is to maximize the chance that all three plays "work," the safest approach is to script high-percentage plays that fit Joe Moorhead's offensive philosophy rather than trying to hit a home run.

Joe Moorhead's offense is a spread system built around:
Getting the ball out of the quarterback's hands quickly.
Making linebackers hesitate with RPOs (run-pass options).
Inside and outside zone running.
Occasional shot plays after establishing the run.
Heavy use of motion to identify coverage.
Even when Akron hasn't had elite talent, Moorhead has generally leaned on efficient first-down plays rather than gambling early.

What Robert Morris figures to do
Robert Morris is an FCS opponent that lost much of its production from a three-win 2025 team. Most preseason projections expect Akron to have a significant talent advantage. 

Against an FBS favorite on the road, I'd expect Robert Morris to:

Play a two-high shell early.
Keep safeties deep to avoid giving up explosive plays.
Make Akron drive the field.
Load the box only after Akron proves it can run.
That means you should take the easy yards they're likely to concede.

Play 1
11 personnel (1 RB, 1 TE, 3 WR)
Inside Zone Read
Goal: 5-7 yards.

Don't get cute.

Your offensive line is fresh, and Moorhead likes establishing the run. Even if the QB hands it off every time, you're forcing the defensive front to play honest.

If the defensive end crashes, the QB keeps it.

Success rate: Very high.
 

Play 2
Same formation.
RPO Slant/Stick
If linebackers step toward the run:

Throw the quick slant.
If they stay back:
Hand it to Gant.
The defense has now seen the same formation twice but has to defend two completely different plays.
This is one of the highest-EPA concepts in modern college football because it punishes whichever choice the defense makes.

Success rate: Extremely high.
 

Play 3
Play-action Bootleg
Flood concept.
Receivers:

Deep corner
Crossing route
Flat route
After two run looks, linebackers should flow downhill.
The QB rolls out with:

Flat
Crossing route
Corner
If nothing opens, he can run for 5-8 yards.
This is safer than a deep bomb while still creating an explosive-play opportunity.

Why not call a deep pass?
Everyone wants the crowd to erupt on Play 1.
The problem is that first-play bombs have relatively low completion percentages, even against weaker teams.

If your objective is "three successful plays," success rate beats excitement.

If I were literally trying to win this contest
I'd hand Coach Moorhead this script:
Inside Zone Read
RPO Slant/Inside Zone
Play-Action Boot Flood
Those three plays complement each other perfectly:
Play 1 establishes the run.
Play 2 punishes overreaction.
Play 3 capitalizes on defenders cheating toward the line of scrimmage.
It's a sequence that fits Akron's offensive identity and is designed to keep the offense "on schedule" while still giving the third play a chance to produce a chunk gain.


First drive of 2025 for comparison