1940 Akron Zippers football team

The 1940 Akron Zippers football team was an American football team that represented the University of Akron as an independent during the 1940 college football season. In its second and final season under head coach Thomas Dowler, the team compiled a 2–5–2 record and was outscored by a total of 106 to 90. Mike Fernella was the team captain.[1]

1940 Akron Zippers football
ConferenceIndependent
Record2–5–2
Head coach
CaptainMike Fernella
Home stadiumBuchtel Field, Rubber Bowl
Seasons
 1939
1941 
1940 Midwestern college football independents records
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Michigan Tech  510
Detroit  720
Notre Dame  720
Xavier  730
Ohio  522
Wayne  413
Dayton  630
Cincinnati  531
Wichita  640
Central Michigan  431
Marquette  440
Michigan State  341
Ohio Wesleyan  243
Akron  252
Western State Teachers  250
Michigan State Normal  151
Miami (OH)  071

Akron was ranked at No. 203 (out of 697 college football teams) in the final rankings under the Litkenhous Difference by Score system for 1940.[2]

Schedule

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DateTimeOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 21Detroit Tech
T 0–0[3]
September 28at ColgateL 0–446,000[4]
October 48:15 p.m.Western Reserve
L 0–620,000[5][6]
October 12Illinois Wesleyan
  • Rubber Bowl
  • Akron, OH
L 6–16
October 19at Wayne
T 7–7[7]
October 25Baldwin–Wallace
  • Rubber Bowl
  • Akron, OH
L 7–13
November 2Youngstown
L 0–13
November 9Kent State
W 23–7
November 21John Carroll
  • Buchtel Field
  • Akron, OH
W 47–0

References

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  1. "Akron Zips 2017 Football Media Guide" (PDF). University of Akron. p. 159. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
  2. Dr. E. E. Litkenhous (December 19, 1940). "Final 1940 Litkenhous Ratings". The Boston Globe. p. 22 via Newspapers.com.
  3. "Detroit Tech Gains Scoreless Tie With Zippers". The Akron Beacon Journal. September 22, 1940. p. C1 via Newspapers.com.
  4. "Raiders Smother Akron Team, 44-0: Geyer Touchdown Sprints Pace Colgate". Rochester Democrat and Chronicle. September 29, 1940. p. 1B via Newspapers.com.
  5. Butler, Eddie (October 4, 1940). "Zips Await Reserve Test". Akron Beacon Journal. Akron, Ohio. pp. 34, 37. Retrieved July 28, 2025 via Newspapers.com Open access icon.
  6. "Red Cats Edge Zips, 6-0". The Akron Beacon Journal. October 5, 1940. p. 10 via Newspapers.com.
  7. W. W. Edgar (October 20, 1940). "Zippers Hold Wayne to Tie". Detroit Free Press. p. 21 via Newspapers.com.