The Zeitgeist List · rivalries
Wagon Wheel
See both programs’ full 91-year Zeitgeist History, side by side →1 player crossed straight to the rival since 2021 — the turncoat ledger →
Akron leads the all-time series 26–19–1. They've met 46 times since 1972. Akron once took 6 straight.
Stature & the series, 1972–2025
Both programs’ standing over time in their colors, with every meeting beneath — read down to see who was bigger and who won.
all-time
19–26–1
Akron leads
streak
1
Kent State in a row
longest run
6
Akron
biggest win
38
Akron, 2002
first met
1972
46 meetings
biggest crowd
22,692
2019
The coaching duels
Doug Martin vs J.D. Brookhart1–5
Paul Haynes vs Terry Bowden1–4
Dick Crum vs Gerry Faust1–2
Jim Corrigall vs Lee Owens1–2
Pete Cordelli vs Gerry Faust1–1
The draft ledger
Every NFL Draft pick either program has produced since the modern era began, decade by decade.
draft picks
20–10
Kent State leads
1st-rounders
0–0
since
1967
first CFBD-carried draft class
1960s3–0
1970s6–0
1980s0–1
1990s4–1
2000s4–6
2010s3–2
Best picks, either side
1970Jim Corrigall LinebackerRd 2, pick 7#33 overall
1967John Brooks Offensive GuardRd 2, pick 18#44 overall
1974Gerald Tinker Wide ReceiverRd 2, pick 18#44 overall
1974Jack Lambert LinebackerRd 2, pick 20#46 overall
1998Bob Hallen CenterRd 2, pick 23#53 overall
2007Usama Young Defensive BackRd 3, pick 2#66 overall
2005Charlie Frye QuarterbackRd 3, pick 3#67 overall
1997O.J. Santiago Tight EndRd 3, pick 10#70 overall
Recent meetings
2025Kent State42–35
2024Akron38–17
2023Akron31–27
2022Kent State33–27
2021Kent State38–0
2020Kent State69–35
2019Kent State26–3
2018Akron24–23
2017Akron24–14
2016Akron31–27
2015Akron20–0
2014Kent State27–24
2013Akron16–7
2012Kent State35–24