Wagon Wheel Up for Grabs Tuesday Night in Akron

AKRON, Ohio – The Kent State Golden Flashes (3-6, 2-3 MAC) will travel across Summit County to face the Akron Zips (4-6, 3-3 MAC) on Tuesday night at InfoCision Stadium in the Battle for the Wagon Wheel.

Series History and Rivalry Stakes

This game marks the 69th meeting between these fierce in-state rivals, with Akron leading the all-time series 38-28-2. The Zips have won the past two matchups, including a 38-17 victory in early 2024.

The Wagon Wheel trophy, symbolizing dominance in this Northeast Ohio rivalry, has been with Akron since that last game. Tuesday’s matchup is crucial for Kent State’s pride and their standing in the conference.

Quarterbacks-Turned-Coaches Storyline

Both teams are now led by head coaches who were star quarterbacks at Fordham University. Kent State’s Mark Carney and Akron’s Joe Moorhead each left strong legacies there.

Mark Carney ranks fifth all-time at Fordham with 32 passing touchdowns and tenth with 3,496 passing yards, holding the touchdown record since 2001.
Joe Moorhead ranks seventh all-time with 30 passing touchdowns and fifth with 5,925 passing yards.

Now, they face off as rival head coaches, bringing their Fordham experience to the Mid-American Conference battle.

“Carney ranks fifth all-time with 32 passing touchdowns and tenth with 3,496 passing yards, setting the touchdown record in 2001. Moorhead ranks seventh all-time with 30 passing touchdowns and fifth with 5,925 passing yards.”

Summary: The longstanding Akron-Kent State rivalry renews with both teams led by former Fordham quarterbacks now as coaches, battling for the Wagon Wheel trophy and conference pride.

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Kent State Golden Flashes — 2025-11-11