⚡ CFB Dashboard

- Akron fell behind Wake Forest 28-3 by halftime in a 38-16 loss but held the Demon Deacons to 10 second-half points and kept them out of the end zone for more than 26 consecutive game minutes. - Redshirt freshman Cibastian Broughton completed 21 of 26 passes for 111 yards without an interception in his first start and led Akron with 82 rushing yards on 14 carries. - Backup quarterback Brayden Roggow completed all seven fourth-quarter passes for 45 yards and two touchdowns, giving Akron a productive alternative behind Broughton. - Akron finished with 305 yards, 21 first downs and 149 rushing yards while its quarterbacks combined to complete 28 of 33 passes without an interception.

- Coaching: It's official: transfer Reese Poffenbarger won't be playing for Akron this week.

- Defense: After just one possession...

- Akron returns 59 players and 16 starters, including nine offensive starters and seven defensive starters, but also added 48 newcomers led by 32 transfers. - Running back Jordan Gant returns after rushing for 1,032 yards in 2025, Akron's first 1,000-yard season by a player since 2008. - Marcel Williams leads the returning receiving production after recording 45 catches for 641 yards and two touchdowns last season. - Cyrus Durham returns as a proven backfield disruptor after producing 8.5 tackles for loss, three sacks and 31 tackles in 2025. - Akron opens on the road against Wake Forest after ending 2025 on a 3-1 run, but Thursday will be the programs' first meeting.