1976 Akron Zips football team

1976 Akron Zips football
ConferenceIndependent
Ranking
APNo. 3
Record10–3
Head coach
Defensive coordinatorWally Neal
Home stadiumRubber Bowl
1976 NCAA Division II independents football records
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
No. 2 Northern Michigan ^    11 2 0
No. 3 Akron ^    10 3 0
No. 7 UNLV ^    9 3 0
No. 4 Delaware ^    8 3 1
Nevada    8 3 0
Portland State    8 3 0
Tennessee State    7 2 1
American International    6 3 0
Northern Colorado    6 3 0
Madison    7 4 0
Santa Clara    7 4 0
Western Carolina    6 4 0
Chattanooga    6 4 1
Southern Connecticut State    5 4 0
Central State (OH)    6 5 0
Lehigh    6 5 0
Arkansas–Pine Bluff    5 5 0
Central Connecticut    5 5 0
Lafayette    5 5 0
Eastern Illinois    5 6 0
Bucknell    4 5 0
Youngstown State    4 6 0
Kentucky State    3 7 1
Nebraska–Omaha    3 8 0
Northeastern    2 7 0
  • ^ NCAA Division II playoff participant
Rankings from Associated Press poll

The 1976 Akron Zips football team was an American football team that represented the University of Akron during the 1976 NCAA Division II football season. In their fourth season under head coach Jim Dennison, the Zips compiled a 10–3 record and outscored all opponents by a combined total of 282 to 144. In post-season play, they defeated UNLV, 27–6, in a Division II quarterfinal, and defeated Northern Michigan, 29–26, in the Knute Rockne Bowl. In the championship game in Wichita Falls, Texas, Akron lost to Montana State in the Pioneer Bowl. The 1976 season was the first and only ten-win season in Akron's program history.