Akron needs an offense it can trust

Cibastian Broughton completed 21 of 26 passes for 111 yards without an interception in his first start, but his longest completion gained only 14 yards. Projected starter Reese Poffenbarger did not play while his NCAA eligibility remained unresolved, putting the redshirt freshman in charge sooner than expected. Akron lost 38-16 at Wake Forest after Gio Lopez threw first-half touchdown passes of 72 and 78 yards.

Broughton did protect the ball and lead Akron with 82 rushing yards on 14 attempts. Those are useful signs from an emergency starter, just not an answer to whether the passing game can threaten a defense vertically. Brayden Roggow’s seven completions and two touchdown passes came on the final two possessions, after the outcome was no longer in doubt, so they should not turn this week into an automatic quarterback controversy.

Jordan Gant did little to ease that burden. He managed 15 yards on eight carries, caught one pass for five yards and lost a second-quarter fumble. Akron entered the season with a proven offensive centerpiece; at Wake Forest, its inexperienced quarterback instead became its leading rusher. Against Robert Morris, Gant needs to make the offense easier for whoever takes the snaps.

Watch for answers, not merely the expected result

Akron hosts Robert Morris in its 2026 home opener at InfoCision Stadium-Summa Field on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN+. The interactive guide, using the approach explained in the methodology, gives the Zips a 75% chance to win, making this the best opportunity in an opening stretch that continues at Minnesota next week.

That probability sets the proper mood. Akron should win, and a tense fourth quarter would be unwelcome. Still, the score alone cannot tell us whether the problems from Winston-Salem have begun to improve.

Start with Broughton’s targets. Akron needs completions that alter where the safeties stand, not another tidy percentage assembled almost entirely underneath. A few credible shots downfield would give Gant more workable space and show that Broughton can add aggression without surrendering the ball security that traveled well in Week 1.

Then watch third down and the pocket. Robert Morris has allowed only 16 points and one offensive touchdown through two games; opponents have converted 3 of 31 third downs, and the Colonials have eight sacks. That production came against Wagner and West Virginia State, not an FBS roster, but it gives Akron something specific to solve. Sustain drives without asking Broughton to rescue them on obvious passing downs.

Do not let the same defensive problem travel home

Robert Morris brings a direct challenge to the weakness Wake Forest exposed. Transfer quarterback Carson Haggard has thrown for 430 yards and six touchdowns in two games, while Galen Combs has turned six catches into 188 yards and four scores. Combs is averaging more than 31 yards per reception, so Akron’s corners and safeties cannot treat the Colonials’ 2-0 start as empty early-season noise.

Wake Forest had 313 passing yards and three touchdowns by halftime, with Antonio Meeks and Carlos Hernandez scoring from 72 and 78 yards. The encouraging part of Akron’s rebuilt defense was more individual. Dwight Nunoo started at linebacker, while Omari Abor started on the edge and produced a seven-yard tackle for loss plus three quarterback hurries. Nate Hampton also started on the offensive line. Those immediate roles show that newcomers can contribute on both sides of the ball; preventing Combs from getting behind the defense would show that the defensive pieces are beginning to function together.

The larger season gives this game weight without requiring artificial drama. The NCAA restored Akron’s postseason eligibility and normal 20-hour weekly practice allotment for 2026, so six wins can again lead to a bowl. Joe Moorhead called the Wake Forest performance Akron’s best against a Power Four opponent in his five seasons, then rejected the moral-victory framing. That is the right standard here too. Bank the attainable victory, but use it to establish something dependable.

Saturday comes down to Broughton stretching the field, Gant reclaiming the center of the offense, and Akron making Haggard and Combs earn every yard.