If you look at the raw numbers, being an Akron Zips fan feels like a long-term exercise in patience. Or maybe a test of character. Since the program officially made the jump to the FBS level back in 1987, the Akron Zips football record hasn't exactly been a highlight reel of dominance. Honestly, the all-time record sits at 534–608–36 as we roll through early 2026. It's a tough pill to swallow for the folks at InfoCision Stadium, but if you look closer, the story isn't just about losing. It’s about these weird, jagged peaks of success followed by some of the most frustrating dry spells in college football.
Joe Moorhead is the guy currently trying to steer the ship. He’s into his fourth season now, and while the record books show a 13–35 tally under his watch, that doesn't tell you how many of those games were absolute heartbreakers. Last year, the 2025 season saw them finish 5–7. It was an improvement, sure, but a late-season overtime loss to Kent State—a 42–35 gut punch—basically summarized the era. Close, but not quite there.
The strange peak of 2005
Most people who don't follow the MAC closely forget that Akron actually has a trophy in the cabinet. 2005 was the year. Under J.D. Brookhart, the Zips didn't just play; they survived. They finished 7–6 overall, which sounds modest, but they went 5–3 in the conference and snatched the MAC East title.
The championship game was a classic. Akron faced Northern Illinois and won 31–30 on a last-second touchdown pass. That led to the Motor City Bowl, their first-ever bowl appearance as an FBS school. They lost that one to Memphis, 38–31, but for a moment, the narrative around Akron football had completely shifted.
Why the "Record" is misleading
You've got to understand the context of the Mid-American Conference. It's a grind.
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- The Power 5 paycheck games: Akron often plays "guarantee games" against massive programs like Nebraska or Ohio State. These are basically scheduled losses that fund the athletic department.
- The coaching turnover: Since 2010, they've cycled through coaches like Rob Ianello, Terry Bowden, Tom Arth, and now Moorhead.
- Recruiting in the shadow of giants: You're in Ohio. You're competing with Ohio State, Cincinnati, and every other MAC school for the same kids.
The Joe Moorhead Era: Progress or Purgatory?
When Joe Moorhead took the job in 2022, people thought it was a coup. The guy had been a head coach in the SEC at Mississippi State. He was an offensive mastermind at Penn State and Oregon. But the Akron Zips football record didn't immediately flip. He started with two consecutive 2–10 seasons.
It was brutal.
The 2024 season showed the first real signs of life, moving up to 4–8. By the time 2025 wrapped up at 5–7, the fan base was split. On one hand, 13 wins in four years is a slow build. On the other hand, they are actually competitive again. They aren't getting blown out 60–0 every week like they were during the winless 2019 season.
Rivalry reality: The Wagon Wheel
You can't talk about the record without mentioning Kent State. This is the one that matters. The "Wagon Wheel" is one of the more unique trophies in sports, and despite the overall struggles, Akron actually leads the all-time series 37–29–2.
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But lately? It’s been a toss-up.
The 2025 loss was particularly stinging because it happened at home. Kent State hasn't been great either, which makes these games a "bottom of the MAC" battle that often determines who keeps their job. Winning the Wagon Wheel is usually the only thing that can save a losing season in the eyes of the boosters.
Historical coaching snapshots
- Jim Dennison (1973–1985): The winningest coach in school history. He went 80–62–2 and was the guy who transitioned them from Division II to I-AA (now FCS).
- Terry Bowden (2012–2018): He brought some relevance back. He led them to two bowl games, including a win in the 2015 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. That 23–21 victory over Utah State remains the only bowl win in school history.
- The Dark Years (2019–2021): This was arguably the lowest point. Between Tom Arth and a brief interim stint by Oscar Rodriguez, the program won a total of three games over three seasons.
Breaking down the 2025 stats
Last season’s 5–7 finish was a rollercoaster. They beat Buffalo 24–16. They crushed Duquesne 51–7. They even pulled off a 19–16 win against Bowling Green. But the defense regressed at the worst times, giving up 68 to Nebraska early on and faltering in that overtime loss to the Golden Flashes.
If you’re betting on the Zips, you’re usually looking at the spread rather than the win-loss column. In 2025, they were actually a decent 6–6 against the spread. They play hard, they just don't always have the depth to finish games in the fourth quarter. It's a talent gap, plain and simple.
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Where do they go from here?
To actually fix the Akron Zips football record, the program has to find a way to stop the "one step forward, two steps back" cycle. Moorhead has stabilized the locker room, but the MAC is getting tougher. With teams like Miami (OH) and Toledo consistently sitting at the top, Akron is fighting for the scraps of the bowl-eligible slots.
The 2026 season is going to be the "make or break" year for the current staff. They return a decent amount of starters, and the transfer portal has actually been somewhat kind to them for once. If they can't hit six wins and a bowl game this year, the seat under Moorhead is going to go from warm to incinerating.
Practical takeaways for fans
If you're following this team, keep your eyes on the margin of defeat. That’s the real metric of progress right now. In the 2023 and 2024 seasons, Akron lost several games by a single score. Closing those gaps is the difference between a 2–10 season and a 6–6 season.
Check the recruiting rankings for the MAC specifically. Akron has been hovering in the middle of the pack, which is an improvement from the bottom-tier status they held five years ago. Also, watch the mid-week "MACtion" games. That's where the Zips usually get their national exposure, and those Tuesday night games in November are where the record is truly built or broken.
Keep an eye on the defensive coordinator’s schemes. In 2025, the pass defense was a liability, allowing too many big plays in the third and fourth quarters. If they can tighten up the secondary, that 5–7 record could easily flip to 7–5 or 8–4 in 2026.
Look for the early season non-conference schedule to see if they can steal a win against a lower-tier FBS opponent. Those "bridge" wins are essential for confidence before they head into the conference grind. If they start 2–2, they have a real shot. If they start 0–4, it’s usually game over by October.