The Akron Zips football program finds itself navigating a pivotal stretch of the 2025 season. With a 3‑6 overall record and a 2‑3 mark in the Mid‑American Conference (MAC), the Zips are balancing flashes of promise with systemic challenges that could shape the program’s trajectory.
The Current Landscape
Akron is coached by Joe Moorhead, now in his fourth year leading the Zips. The 2025 roster has shown glimpses of offense and opportunistic defense, but consistency has eluded them. Moreover, Akron is facing an additional wrinkle: the team is currently ineligible for postseason play this year due to an Academic Progress Rate shortfall. That context adds both urgency and a unique pressure to every remaining game.
Highlights & Key Turning Points
In Week 11, Akron hosted the UMass Minutemen and entered as a clear favorite. With an oddsmaker spread favoring Akron and a strong home‑outlook, this game was viewed as a chance to reset momentum.
A more underlying bright spot: junior running back Jordan Gant continues to assert himself. He earned national recognition earlier this season after a dominant rushing performance—putting Akron in a position to win when he reaches 100 + yards. The offense revolves heavily around his production.
On the flip side, earlier this year the Zips were dominated in a 68‑0 loss vs. the Nebraska Cornhuskers — a result that lingers, revealing both depth and scheme vulnerabilities.
What’s Working—and What’s Not
Working
- Akron’s run game, when operating at full capacity, provides a platform for control and positive drives.
- Home‑field opportunities in the MAC remain. Winning key games in the coming weeks can solidify a finish stronger than the record suggests.
- Coaching staff continuity offers stability. With Moorhead and his defensive coordinator in place, schemes can mature rather than reset.
Challenges
- The ineligibility for postseason creates a psychological hurdle. Players know even a moderate turnaround won’t yield a playoff appearance this year. How the team handles that will test character and culture.
- Defensive lapses and susceptibility to big plays have shown up in losses. Against conference opponents who exploit tempo, Akron must tighten coverage and improve third‑down conversion defense.
- Depth and consistency: Injuries, rotation weak spots and execution lapses continue to hamper performance in crucial moments.
Road Map for the Remaining Stretch
With several games left in the regular season, Akron must do more than just compete—they must assert clarity and purpose:
- Maximize the Jordan Gant effect: Use the run game to control tempo, shorten drives and give the defense a chance to rest and reset.
- Upgrade defensive execution: Reduce explosive plays allowed and win the field‑possession battle.
- Build cultural momentum: Win or lose remaining games, establishing a foundation for offseason and recruiting is essential—especially given the postseason ban.
- Close out key games: The MAC schedule gives Akron opportunities against similarly‑matched opponents. Winning one or two of those can validate the program’s direction and restore confidence.
Final Word
Akron’s 2025 football season sits at a crossroads. While external factors such as postseason ineligibility dampen direct reward, the internal reward remains clear: building identity, developing young talent and laying groundwork for future success. If the Zips can harness the strengths of their run game, shore up the defense and play with high‑end urgency the rest of the way, they’ll emerge not simply respected—but credible. The question now is less if they can improve, and more how much they will.
By SportBuzzHub staff
November 5, 2025
