Game notes
- Time and date: Saturday, October 11 at 12:00 p.m. ET
- Network: ESPN+
- Location: InfoCision Stadium — Akron, OH
- Spread: Miami (OH) (-11.5)
- Over/under: 45.5
- All-time series: Miami (OH) leads, 23-9-1
- Last meeting: Miami (OH) 19, Akron 0 — November 8, 2023
- Current streak: Miami (OH), 7 (2017-23)
Setting the scene
This in-state series has been awfully one-sided as of late, as Miami (OH) enters InfoCision Stadium riding a 7-game win streak over Akron. While the RedHawks (2-3, 1-0 MAC) travel northeast feeding off
the momentum of two-straight wins after an 0-3 start, the Zips (2-4, 1-1 MAC) also are fresh off a potential trajectory-changing win. Miami and Akron both collected their first MAC win of 2025 in Week 6, with the RedHawks dropping 25-straight to beat Northern Illinois and the Zips outlasting Central Michigan at home.
Now, the two teams test their mettle against each other in a wide-open MAC.
Miami (OH) RedHawks outlook
New season, same story. Miami is no subject to slow starts, as it oftentimes falls victim to a difficult non-conference slate. The RedHawks started 0-3 after falling to Wisconsin, Rutgers, and UNLV, but an 0-3 start did not invoke panic within the organization. Miami similarly started 0-3 in 2024 yet played for the MAC Championship the first week of December. A third-straight appearance to the conference title game remains a goal of the RedHawks, and they won their conference opener over NIU in Week 6 — now victorious in 17 of their last 19 regular season conference matchups.
Miami triumphantly returned quarterback Dequan Finn last week, after Finn suffered a lower body injury in a crushing Week 4 loss to UNLV. The former Toledo standout showcased his value immediately upon return, firing for 170 yards and a touchdown while rushing for a season-high 90 against a stout NIU defense. Finn’s dual-threat capabilities are opening up an offense, and the unit continues to improve with each passing week.
Although Finn is back, the offense is nicked up at the moment. Feature tailback Kenny Tracy only handled one carry last week due to injury, a massive loss after the versatile back produced 343 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns in the prior two weeks. Miami also played without two starting interior linemen against Northern Illinois, but the offense still finished the job with 25 unanswered points in a 25-14 victory.
Depending on Tracy’s health, Jordan Brunson could serve another week as the main back. The 6’0”, 233 pounder fought his way to a season-high 73 rushing yards after playing sparingly in September. Another player to monitor on offense is the ever explosive wide receiver Kam Perry. Miami’s newest breakout star ranks 24th in the FBS and second in the MAC with 428 receiving yards, yet he doesn’t even rank first on the team in catches. That’s because Perry is the ultimate downfield explosive playmaker, racking up 28.5 yards per reception — first among all FBS players with 5+ catches. Washington transfer Keith Reynolds is the other frequented option in a passing attack which often trades its accuracy for home run shots.
Defense is usually the defining feature of a given Miami team. This unit guided the RedHawks to their last two MAC title games, and it remains sturdy as the RedHawks are on a quest for another appearance. Miami allowed 17 points or fewer in three of five contests and it pitched a shutout vs. Northern Illinois across the final three quarters last Saturday.
One specialty of the unit is the pass rush which is tied for eighth in the FBS in sacks per game with 3.2. Adam Trick has nicely settled into a starting role, generating team-highs in tackles for loss (5.5) and sacks (4.0) for a pressure inducing defense. Outside linebacker Jackson Kuwatch also features similar totals, racking up 5.0 and 3.0 this year, respectively.
Other names to watch on the Miami defense include the safety tandem of leading tackler Eli Blakey and interceptions/pass breakups leader Silas Walters. The duo provides strong coverage on the back end, allowing Miami to possess a 40th-ranked passing defense which limits opponents to a 57.9 completion rate. Also assisting the coverage is outside linebacker Corban Hondru, a do-everything defender with seven career interceptions including two this season.
Akron Zips outlook
Akron has fallen on especially hard times ever since qualifying for the 2017 MAC Championship Game, but last Saturday was perhaps one of the most triumphant moments of the decade. The Zips established a 28-10 lead before fending off Central Michigan in 28-22 fashion, securing their first FBS win of 2025 and making adequate noise within the MAC.
The Zips’ winning effort was largely led by running back Jordan Gant, the reigning recipient of the Doak Walker National Running Back of the Week honor. Gant attained an FBS-best 176 rushing yards in Week 6 against Central Michigan, and that marked his second 160+ performance of 2025. It’s been a long time since Akron produced a reliable running back, as the Zips haven’t seen a 700-yard rusher since 2015 nor a 1,000-yard rusher since 2008. Gant is currently tied for 19th in the FBS and third in the MAC in rushing — ranking he hopes further progress after this upcoming game vs. Miami.
After facing two shutouts to start the season, the passing offense has also resurrected in recent weeks behind veteran quarterback Ben Finley. Finley missed the Week 5 blowout at Toledo but rides a three-game streak of producing 210+ yards and multiple touchdown passes. The second-year Zip attained 252 yards and three touchdowns against Central Michigan on his most efficient showing of 2025. He established a valuable connection with redshirt freshman Kyan Mason, who saw a career game of 125 yards on five receptions. Mason aims to maintain that momentum as Akron’s potential new No. 1 target. Israel Polk and Myles Walker are among the other frequented receivers in Joe Moorhead’s offense.
Defensively, the Zips have been on a roller coaster all year. They’ve lost games 10-0 and they’ve lost games 68-0, putting an inconsistent product on the field. One determinant of the defense’s performance is home vs. road. At InfoCision Stadium, Akron allows 13 points per game while outside of its local residence, it surrenders 48 points per game. The Zips may field the nation’s 127th ranked total defense, ranking below 120 at guarding both the run and the pass, but there have been bright spots. They limited Central Michigan to 136 yards on 25 passes last Saturday and consistently got off the field on third down.
Outside linebacker Shammond Cooper is the primary run-stopper leading the unit with 39 tackles. Another standout defender has been Bruno Dall, a quick 6’7” defensive end from Germany ranking first on the Zips in sacks (3.0) and tackles for loss (4.5) while batting down four balls at the line of scrimmage.
Prediction
Miami (OH) is quietly sneaking up as a MAC contender, as it often does under Chuck Martin. The RedHawks shed off an 0-3 start and are 1-0 in MAC play after dominating Northern Illinois for three quarters in Week 6. Miami is showing signs of life offensively with Dequan Finn back in the lineup, and the team is armed with enough explosiveness through wide receivers Kam Perry and Keith Reynolds to keep defenses on their toes.
Akron’s offense showed signs of life against Central Michigan, but the unit still strives for consistency. The Zips are facing one of the more challenging defenses in the MAC, and the main battle to watch is Miami’s defensive front vs. Akron’s offensive line — where Miami should produce a significant advantage. This series often gives us low-scoring matchups, and Saturday will be no exception as the RedHawks win their eighth-straight meeting over the Zips.
Prediction: Miami (OH) 26, Akron 10
