Akron at Kent State - 2026 Matchup Preview
Akron logo

Akron Zips at Kent State Golden Flashes

Kent State logo
Saturday, October 24th 2026 (12:00 PM EDT)
Dix Stadium - Kent, OH  (Mid-American)

 
Zips (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Joe Moorhead (13 - 35)
Avg Score : 22 - 27 (17 - 36 on Road)
Record Prediction: 5 - 7 (#89)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 0) (Good: 1) (Avg: 2) (Bad: 8)
AKR 2nd straight Road Game
KENT is playing their 8th straight game
AKR is playing their 8th straight game
Our Line: Akron -0.5  (SP+ AKR -0.5)

Projected Score: AKR: 26 - KENT: 25 (51)
AKR Win prob: 53% | Cover: 53%
AKR Travel: 11 miles
Golden Flashes (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Mark Carney (5 - 7)
Avg Score : 21 - 34 (26 - 21 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 3.5 - 8.5 (#104)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 1) (Good: 2) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 8)
 
Akron's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Thu 9/3Akron at Wake Forest+22
Sat 9/12Akron vs Robert Morris-8
Sat 9/19Akron at Minnesota+23.5
Sat 9/26Akron vs UNLV+15
Sat 10/3Akron at Central Michigan+9
Sat 10/10Akron vs Eastern Michigan+1
Sat 10/17Akron at Miami (OH)+16.5
Sat 10/24Akron at Kent State-0.5
— Bye Week —
Tue 11/3Akron vs Ohio+1
Tue 11/10Akron vs Western Michigan+6.5
Wed 11/18Akron at Massachusetts-11.5
Fri 11/27Akron vs Buffalo+1.5

Total: Elite: 0, Good: 1, Avg 2, Bad 4, Poor 4
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 0, Good: 1, Avg 2, Bad 4, Poor 4
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Akron's Schedule
Kent State's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5Kent State at South Carolina+28.5
Sat 9/12Kent State vs Wofford-5
Sat 9/19Kent State at Ohio State+37
Sat 9/26Kent State vs Ball State-7.5
Sat 10/3Kent State vs Ohio+4
Sat 10/10Kent State at Western Michigan+14.5
Sat 10/17Kent State at South Florida+20.5
Sat 10/24Kent State vs Akron+0.5
Fri 10/30Kent State at Sacramento State+3.5
— Bye Week —
Tue 11/10Kent State at Bowling Green+9.5
Tue 11/17Kent State vs Miami (OH)+15
Tue 11/24Kent State at Eastern Michigan+9

Total: Elite: 1, Good: 2, Avg 0, Bad 3, Poor 5
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 1, Good: 2, Avg 0, Bad 3, Poor 5
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Kent State's Schedule
Important Stats (2025)
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
AKR#117 (.07)38% (113)22.340% (98)2.8 (98)13637% (113)2193.25 (112)#46 (.11)39% (38)27.441% (60)38% (31)3.68 (70)45.81.41.7
KENT#112 (.09)36% (126)21.336% (130)2.54 (129)9838% (111)1973.42 (98)#93 (.19)43% (86)33.644% (90)43% (77)4.29 (123)48.81.10.8
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
AKR0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
KENT0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
AKR Offense1222.31738.4%3.251.4203551362193.845%52%40%37%18%.07
KENT Defense1233.620.642.9%4.290.8 - - - - - 51%47%44%43%14%.19
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
AKR Defense1227.436.339.2%3.681.7 - - - - - 51%48%41%38%17%.11
KENT Offense1221.326.236.4%3.421.11429598197352%46%36%38%18%.09

Additional Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
Akron1229:5220.131%48%5.845.81.41.75.82.1129.4
Kent State1227:4414.328%47%6.148.81.10.85.82328.4
Run Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
AKR Offense1245% (102)40% (98)35.8136.43.89 (132) (123)2.8 (98)72% (70)10% (98)0.82 (123)
KENT Defense1251% (89)44% (90) - - - - .16 (104)2.95 (78)67% (37)9% (80)1.02 (99)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
AKR Defense1251% (76)41% (60) - - - - .03 (27)2.75 (45)58% (7)11% (28)0.92 (49)
KENT Offense1252% (45)36% (130)32.998.3310 (132)-.02 (127)2.54 (129)63% (117)13% (129)0.89 (103)

Pass Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
AKR Offense1252% (40)37% (113)17.433.72196.512.620 (50)9 (88).18 (107)1.6 (34)35% (124)28% (97).19 (115)8% (123)2.1 (58)
KENT Defense1247% (51)43% (77) - - - - - - 6 (75).26 (77)1.6 (83)32% (63)34% (122).35 (97)5% (122)1.9 (43)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
AKR Defense1248% (70)38% (31) - - - - - - 12 (38).23 (60)1.7 (121)30% (93)25% (15).22 (36)6% (52)2.2 (118)
KENT Offense1246% (94)38% (111)13.624.4197.18.114.520 (61)6 (34).29 (49)1.9 (4)35% (121)24% (129).15 (120)5% (35)2.2 (17)

Akron's Power Ratings
Akron's Power Rating: -11.07  #117
Akron's Offense Rating: 9.77  #113
Akron's Defense Rating: 20.85  #118
2026 Talent Rating: 365.00  #127
Blue Chip Ratio: 1%  #83
Akron's 2026 Expected Record: 5.0 - 7.0
Akron's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: -19.5  #127
Akron's Offense SP+ Rating: 13.0  #135
Akron's Defense SP+ Rating: 31.9  #106

Average Talent
Average Mid-American Talent Rating is 467.85
Average Power Five Talent: 872.28
Average FBS Talent: 677.28

Power Ratings Matchup
Akron: -11.07   Kent State: -15.92

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Akron: -19.5   Kent State: -20.1




Kent State's Power Ratings
Kent State's Power Rating: -15.92  #126
Kent State's Offense Rating: 7.52  #125
Kent State's Defense Rating: 24.26  #130
2026 Talent Rating: 462.00  #109
Blue Chip Ratio: 1  #83
Kent State's 2026 Expected Record: 3.5 - 8.5
Kent State's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: -20.1  #128
Kent State's Offense SP+ Rating: 15.9  #125
Kent State's Defense SP+ Rating: 35.5  #127

Average Talent
Average Mid-American Talent Rating is 467.85
Average Power Five Talent: 872.28
Average FBS Talent: 677.28


Akron Scoring
Offense: 22.3 PPG
Offense on Road: 17
Defense: 27.4 PPG
Defense on Road: 36.3

Akron's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record on Road: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 0 - 0
Projected Score
Akron 26
Kent State 25


Projected Total Points: 51
Kent State Scoring
Offense: 21.3 PPG
Offense at Home: 26.2
Defense: 33.6 PPG
Defense at Home: 20.6

Kent State's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record at home: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 0 - 0 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202511/11Akron35Kent State42Akron -7.5Kent State49.5Over
202411/19Kent State17Akron38Akron -10.5Akron49.0Over
202311/01Akron31Kent State27Akron -4Push39.0Over
202210/22Kent State33Akron27Kent State -16Akron65.0Under
202111/20Akron0Kent State38Kent State -13.5Kent State72.5Under
202011/17Kent State69Akron35Kent State -26.5Kent State59.0Over
201910/12Akron3Kent State26Kent State -14.5Kent State57.5Under
201810/20Kent State23Akron24Akron -4.5Kent State50.0Under
201711/21Akron24Kent State14Akron -14.5Kent State46.0Under
201610/01Kent State27Akron31Akron -5Kent State51.5Over
201511/27Akron20Kent State0Akron -10.5Akron38.5Under
201411/28Kent State27Akron24Akron -6Kent State0
201311/02Akron16Kent State7Kent State -2.5Akron0
201211/03Kent State35Akron24
201111/12Akron3Kent State35
201010/09Kent State28Akron17
200911/07Akron28Kent State20
200810/04Kent State27Akron30
200709/22Akron27Kent State20
200609/30Kent State37Akron15
200511/24Akron35Kent State3
200409/23Kent State19Akron24
200308/28Akron38Kent State41
200109/29Akron14Kent State10
200011/17Kent State6Akron34
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Kent State1185 Overs
Akron1446 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams14 - 116 - 62 - 34 - 3
Road Teams11 - 146 - 63 - 43 - 2

(#117) AKR at (#126) KENT
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatAKRKENT
Game ControlGC #106 #128
Momentum ControlMC #128 #135
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #117 #126
SP+SP+ #127 #128
Perf GradeGradeNRNR
OffenseOffNRNR
DefenseDefNRNR
Spec TeamsSTNRNR
TalentTal #127 #109
Blue ChipsBC% #83 #83
Akron Notes
(3/4) Vibes: Hopeful, this team could bowl, better Off
(3/4) Moorehead wins from 2 in '23, 4 in '24, 5 last year
(3/4) QB Poffenbarger (UNT) was good FCS @ Albany
(3/4) RB Jordan Gant best in MAC? 1K LY, have depth
(3/4) WR trio of Williams, Mason + Burris (Char) good
(3/4) OL has 3 decent starters, 3 portals, 3 exp'd depth
(3/4) DT added 2 big, exp'd FCS, DE Durham is good
(3/4) DBs have lots of exp but sub prod. Could be worse
Akron Injury Report
Kent State Notes
(2/24) HC Carney went 4-4 in MAC (KS was 0-16 prev)
Kent State Injury Report
Akron on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 52%, Run: 45%
CategoryCat
AKR OffKENT Def
Game ControlGC #121 #114
Momentum ControlMC #128 #135
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #113 #86
ExplosiveExp #61 #88
PPAPPA #117 #93
PowerPwr #113 #130
SP+SP+ #135 #127
Pts POPPO #112 #123
HavocHav #113 #107
Akron Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 52%, Run: 45%
CategoryCat
AKR OffKENT Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #98 #90
Run ExplRExp #123 #99
PPAExp #123 #104
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #98 #78
Stuff RateStuff #103 #82
TackleTak - NR
Akron Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 52%, Run: 45%
CategoryCat
AKR OffKENT Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #113 #77
Pass ExplPExl #34 #83
PPAExp #107 #77
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #98 #80
DB HavocDB #123 #122
Kent State on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 46%, Run: 52%
CategoryCatKENT OffAKR Def
Game ControlGC #134 #92
Momentum ControlMC #87 #125
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #126 #38
ExplosiveExp #12 #90
PPAPPA #112 #46
PowerPwr #125 #118
SP+SP+ #125 #106
Pts POPPO #98 #70
HavocHav #117 #33
Kent State Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 46%, Run: 52%
CategoryCat
KENT OffAKR Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #130 #60
Run ExplRExp #103 #49
PPAExp #127 #27
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #129 #45
Stuff RateStuff #110 #20
TackleTak - NR
Kent State Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 46%, Run: 52%
CategoryCatKENT OffAKR Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #111 #31
Pass ExplPExl #4 #121
PPAExp #49 #60
Pass Block/RushP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #129 #28
DB HavocDB #35 #52
Program Comparison
KENT 5 Year Profile: Consistent Poor G5
'26 Profile: Remains Poor G5

AKR 5 Year Profile: Consistent Poor G5
'26 Profile: Remains Poor G5

Weather Forecast
Playing in Dix Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
Previous Matchups
Kent State beat Akron last year (42-35)
Akron beat Kent State in 2024 (38-17)
Akron beat Kent State in 2023 (31-27)

  
AKR's OC Joe Moorhead (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Brayden Roggow111765%91005.4
Reese Poffenbarger (Tr)5771%36005.1
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Jordan Gant213103264.836
Sean Patrick6927414.025
Marquese Williams218604.114
Taven Curry95406.015
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Marcel Williams45641214.246
Kyan Mason33481514.662
Connor Cravaack1814728.227
Sean Patrick11136012.422

View Akron's Full Roster

AKR's DC Tim Tibesar (been DC for 3 years)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Mehki Flowers421001
Alex Branch333022
Cyrus Durham329470
Rodrick Hunter282102
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Cyrus Durham329470
Ronald Hull203320
Rodrick Hunter282102
Jamari Somerville152101
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Terence Thomas180002
Rodrick Hunter282102
Alex Branch333022

KENT's OC Clay Patterson (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Dru Deshields13624057%20301838.5
Nolan Good51050%38003.8
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Dru Deshields613830.615
Mason Blakemore93804.214
Maurice Stephens131131.031
Marques Hicks41804.514
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Wayne Harris35383110.942
Ardell Banks12205217.138
Terik Mulder19198410.450
Da'Realyst Clark3108136.089

View Kent State's Full Roster

KENT's DC Cherokee Valeria (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Joel Cordoba662011
Derrick Jackson481002
Sayed Abuhamdeh392102
DJ Barnes282000
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Thomas Aden244210
Darian Blachewicz195201
Jaihien Roy153221
Sayed Abuhamdeh392102
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Sayed Abuhamdeh392102
Derrick Jackson481002
Joel Cordoba662011