In recent years,EA Sports' College Football has allowed fans to take control of an entire college football program and guide it to a national championship.
Now, Akron football is providing one season ticket holder the opportunity to script the opening drive of the Zips' home opener against Robert Morris on Saturday, Sept. 12.
The one-of-a-kind opportunity, announced on Tuesday, Aug. 3, will involve the help of Akron head coach Joe Moorhead.
"I'm looking forward to collaborating with the season ticket holder who wins this contest," Moorhead said in a statement. "This will give our fans a behind-the-scenes experience that has never been done before anywhere,
so I'm excited to show them how to put together the opening script and see what they can do."
There are two ways to enter the contest, according to Akron. The first is that all current season ticket holders will automatically receive one entry for each season ticket that they own. The second is that season ticket holders will receive additional entries for every successful season ticket holder they refer.
The winner will be selected by random drawing on Wednesday, August 19.
"We're always looking for new ways to bring our fans closer to the program," Akron athletic director Dr. Andrew T. Goodrich said in a statement. "This is about giving one of our most loyal supporters a seat at the table, right alongside our coaching staff, on the biggest night of the season."
Akron is set to open up the season on Thursday, Sept. 3 at 7 p.m. ET on the road at Wake Forest.
Social media reacts to Akron football's offensive play contest
Given the first-of-a-kind nature of the contest, here are the best tweets on X reacting to Akron's contest:
I am now an Akron football season ticket holder. #MACtion https://t.co/jDWDHQPUwb
— Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) August 5, 2026
I wish that Akron would do this October 10th when they host EMU.
— Vannzee (@thevannzee) August 5, 2026
The advanced scouting group would probably have to look at their college Football 27/Madden play calling tendencies. https://t.co/fDdT6Q5Hpl
When Akron's Opening Drive is 4 Verticals on repeat, know that it was us. https://t.co/UABcjGeY1r pic.twitter.com/EmW2I0vlKO
— College Sports Only (@CSOonX) August 5, 2026
Surefire way to get people talking about Akron Football!
— Andrew Brandt (@AndrewBrandt) August 5, 2026
But I can see my man not willing to give up the headset after one drive... https://t.co/vePtf55X2L
For those wondering, you can enter yourself into a raffle to call the plays for Akron’s first offensive drive of the season for literally $75.
— Blain Stockton (@bstockton_) August 5, 2026
This has to be the most disrespectful thing in college football history. https://t.co/zrl1ZWvnvM pic.twitter.com/aHvoJi95MI
Akron Zips first practice after I gave the whole group chat scholarships.
— At The Buzzer (@AtTheBuzzer1) August 5, 2026
(Some of them couldn’t come unless their girls came with them) https://t.co/lVajEbSaLt pic.twitter.com/8Gqon1HjUR
Can’t decide if the most hilarious outcome to this would either be an absolutely miserable 3 and out that leaves them at about 4th and 30 or an actual well-executed drive. Like Akron just marches down the field in 6-7 plays and scores a TD. https://t.co/8Hv3LvMPv2
— Nick Coppola (@Nick_Coppola__) August 5, 2026
The funniest possible outcome of something like this is some Akron fan demanding a double reverse flea flicker that gets intercepted by Robert Morris for a picks six… and Akron losses the game by 6 points.
— Garrett Armbrust (@4thandsaturday) August 4, 2026
Let’s just say this promotion would never be run again. https://t.co/un1gNC7bfv
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Think you can call plays? Akron football to give season-ticket holder a shot
