2017 Akron Zips Football Season: Basic Information and Schedule

As we finish up July, I am going to be putting up a quick fact sheet and schedule for each team in our beloved Mid-American conference. Bookmark it and use it as a cheat sheet for the season, I know I will.

Akron took a step back after finishing 2015 with an 8-5 record. 2017 looks promising, though, as they return Thomas Woodson at quarterback, and he gets help from Warren Ball, who was granted a 6th year of eligibility.

Akron Zips 2017 Cheat Sheet

• Head Coach: Terry Bowden, 6th season at Akron. 24-37 at Akron (164-99-2 overall)
• 2016 record: 5-7
• 2017 schedule:

Sat., Sept. 2 at Penn State

Sat., Sept. 9 ARKANSAS PINE BLUFF

Sat., Sept. 16 IOWA STATE

Sat., Sept., 23 at Troy

Sat., Sept. 30 at Bowling Green

Sat., Oct. 7 BALL STATE [Homecoming]

Sat., Oct. 14 at Western Michigan

Sat., Oct. 21 at Toledo

Sat., Oct. 28 BUFFALO

Tues., Nov. 7 at Miami (Ohio)

Tues., Nov. 14 OHIO

Tues., Nov. 21 KENT STATE

• Returning Starters

Offense 8

Defense 7

Specialists 7

• Key Returnees

Thomas Woodson, QB, Sr., Threw for 2079 yards and 18 touchdowns in 2016.

Warren Ball, RB, Sr., Was averaging 7.2 yards per carry before 2016 season was cut short with injury.

Ulysees Gilbert III, LB, JR., First Team All-MAC and team’s defensive MVP in 2016

News and Notes

Akron has won the last 2 “Wagon Wheel” trophy games against rival Kent State. The wheel was on display during the MAC media day, adding fuel to the fire. This article is a nice little write up on Kent State’s reaction.

The Akron defense must step up if they are going to go bowling. Last season they were second to last in the MAC in both scoring defense and yards per game. They gave up 33.6 points and 460 yards per contest. Ouch.