Joe Moorhead aiming to lead Akron football back to relevance

Can the Akron football defense take another step forward?

Anytime you allow 170 points in three games, your numbers will be skewed. Akron also allowed 1,733 yards in those three games. Despite those three games, the Zips allowed six fewer points per game between 2021 and 2022.

Akron allowed thirty or more points in conference play four times; three of those games were one-score losses. That said, the defense does need to improve. The Zips finished ninth in MAC in yards allowed (406.2) and last in points allowed (33.5). How can Akron improve those numbers?

The defense starts from the back to the front for Tim Tibesar’s defense. The secondary is the most experienced part of the defense. Tyson Durant, who led the Zips in interceptions last year, returns to show what should be a solid secondary.

The key to Akron’s defensive turnaround will be the incoming transfers. Lama Lavea (New Mexico State) and Terray Jones (Tennessee State) give the Zips much-needed size and depth on the inside. Linebacker Shammond Cooper (Illinois) helps offset the losses of Bubba Arslanian and Tim Terry.

Akron’s offense improvement will also help the defense. The Zips must be more disruptive upfront and create more havoc plays; 19 sacks won’t get it done.