Akron aims for its third consecutive victory and to keep the Wagon Wheel when it hosts rival Kent State on Tuesday night. The Zips (4-6) come into InfoCision Stadium riding a two-game winning streak as they face Mid-American Conference (MAC) opponent Kent State (3-6) in the annual Wagon Wheel rivalry game.
Currently, Akron holds a 3-3 record in the MAC and must win its final two games to become bowl eligible. Kent State faces a similar challenge with a 2-3 conference record and three games left to play.
Last season, Akron retained the Wagon Wheel with a 38-17 road win after winning it back in November 2023, ending Kent State's four-year hold on the trophy.
The Zips enter the Tuesday night game off a dominant 44-10 home victory over UMass. Key performances included:
The Akron defense forced three turnovers, including two fumble recoveries by Gage Summers.
The Golden Flashes fell just short last week, losing 17-13 at Ball State on a late touchdown.
This close contest sets up an intense showdown as both teams fight for pride and postseason hopes.
Author's summary: Akron and Kent State clash in a pivotal MAC game with both teams seeking wins to reach bowl eligibility, spotlighting strong offensive and defensive efforts.