Know Your Opponent: Week Four Akron Zips

Written by: TJ Inman (@TJHoosierHuddle)

Head Coach: Joe Moorhead

Overall: 55-37 (38-13 at Fordham, 14-12 at Mississippi State, 3-12 at Akron)

Bowl Appearances at Akron: Zero

2023 Record: 1-2

Mascot: Zippy

Colors: Blue and Gold

Outfitter: Nike

National Titles: Zero

Conference Titles: One

Heisman Winners: Zero

Last Week: 35-3 Loss to Kentucky

Statistical Leaders

Passing: DJ Irons – 47-72 (65.3%) for 392 yards with 2 TDs and 1 INT

Rushing: Lorenzo Lingard – 21 carries for 78 yards (3.71 average)

Receiving: Lorenzo Lingard – 7 receptions for 139 yards with 1 TD

Tackles: Bryan McCoy – 25 tackles with 9 solo tackles

Stat of the Week: The running game has not been a strength in Akron games this season. The Zips have run the ball 78 times for just 127 yards, an average of 1.63 yards per attempt. On the other side of the ball, Akron is allowing only 3.09 yards per rush. 

Zips Talking Points

1. Struggling Offense

The Akron offense, particularly the running game, has been an issue in the first three games of the season. They’re averaging just 1.63 yards per carry and only managed 49 yards on the ground against the Kentucky Wildcats last weekend. You could say Akron is getting zip from its running attack (thank you, thank you, tip your waiter!). Quarterback DJ Irons does present a running threat from the pocket but he has not been very effective yet this season and the Akron running backs are only averaging 12 carries per game. Akron scored 21 against Temple, 24 against Morgan State and only a field goal against UK. That is surprising from an offense with head coach Joe Moorhead but if the talent is not there, there is only so much an innovative offensive mind can do. This is an opportunity for another good showing from the IU defense.

2. Zips Defense A Test

While no one will mistake the Akron defense with that of Ohio State’s or even Louisville’s, the Zips will present some resistance to Indiana’s offense. They are surrendering only 3.09 yards per rush and limited Kentucky to 135 yards on the ground. 55 of those yards came on one touchdown run so if you eliminate that carry, the Zips were quite stout against an SEC foe. Tayven Jackson found his footing in the second half against Louisville and gives the Indiana offense a foundation to build on but they’ll be looking for a complete game against a capable defense this Saturday night.

3. MACtion

Indiana has not played an opponent from the Mid-American Conference (MAC) since 2019 when the Hoosiers beat Ball State, 34-24. IU has not lost to a MAC opponent since 2014 when Kevin Wilson’s Hoosiers lost to Bowling Green in Bloomington by a score of 45-42.