Context:

The Akron Zips football team has been banned from postseason play due to their failure to meet the NCAA's minimum Academic Progress Rate (APR) score of 930, as their current score is 914. This decision comes after the NCAA updated its national APR database, highlighting Akron's eligibility issues despite any potential on-field qualifications. The Zips have struggled in recent seasons, having not played in a bowl game since 2017, and their performance has not improved since their 7-7 season that year. The NCAA had paused APR penalties due to the COVID-19 pandemic but has since reinstated them, marking Akron as the first Division I FBS team to face such penalties since Idaho in 2014. Akron's last bowl victory was in 2015, under coach Terry Bowden, when they won the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl against Utah State.

Dive Deeper:

• The Akron Zips football team is ineligible for postseason games next season due to their failure to meet the NCAA's required Academic Progress Rate (APR) score. Their current multi-year APR score is 914, falling short of the NCAA's minimum requirement of 930.

• The NCAA recently updated its national APR database, highlighting Akron's ineligibility for postseason play, meaning they cannot participate in any bowl games even if they qualify based on performance.

• The Zips have not participated in a bowl game since 2017, which was also the last time they had a winning season, finishing 7-7. Since then, they have not managed to win more than four games in a season.

• The NCAA had paused APR score penalties due to the COVID-19 pandemic but has restored its previous policies, leading to Akron's current predicament. The last team to face similar penalties was Idaho in 2014.

• Akron's last bowl game victory occurred in 2015, when they defeated Utah State 23-21 in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, under the leadership of then-coach Terry Bowden.

• The team's recent performance has been disappointing, with records such as 0-12 in 2019, 1-5 in 2020, and 2-10 for three consecutive seasons from 2021 to 2023, reflecting their ongoing struggles.

• Akron's inability to maintain the required academic standards underscores a significant challenge as they attempt to rebuild and improve both their academic and athletic performance.