Wake Forest opens the 2026 football season Thursday night, Sept. 3, when the Demon Deacons host Akron at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium in Winston-Salem.
The game marks the beginning of Year 2 for Wake Forest coach Jake Dickert and the first-ever football meeting between the Demon Deacons and Zips. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET on ACC Network.
🔄 Last Updated: September 2, 2026 1:56 pm
🏟️ Akron at Wake Forest Game Center
Date: Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026
Time: 7 p.m. ET
Location: Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium (Winston-Salem, N.C.)
Records: Akron 0-0 | Wake Forest 0-0
TV: ACC Network (Matt Schick, Forrest Conoly, Ashley Stroehlein)
Stream: ESPN app
Wake Forest Radio Network: WBRF-FM 98.1, WPOL 1340 AM / 103.5 FM, SiriusXM 382, GoDeacs.com
Weather Forecast: Hot and humid. High around 90°F
Spread: Wake Forest -23.5
Over/Under: 48.5 points
Moneyline: Wake Forest -2800 | Akron +1300
Lines via DraftKings, Sept. 2, 2026
🔍 What to Know About Akron-Wake Forest
What time is the Akron-Wake Forest football game?
Akron and Wake Forest kick off at 7 p.m. ET Thursday, Sept. 3, at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium in Winston-Salem.
What channel is Akron-Wake Forest on?
The Akron-Wake Forest game will air nationally on ACC Network beginning at 7 p.m. ET. The game also can be streamed through the ESPN app with an eligible TV provider.
Jake Dickert looks to build on record-setting debut
Jake Dickert’s first season as Wake Forest’s head coach produced the most wins ever by a first-year coach in program history. The Demon Deacons finished 9-4, beat SMU, No. 12 Virginia and North Carolina and closed the season with a 43-29 win over Mississippi State in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl.
What to do for an encore? Dickert and the Demon Deacons begin answering that question Thursday against Akron.
Wake Forest, Dickert have been tough to beat in season openers
Wake Forest enters Thursday having won five consecutive season openers and is 10-1 in its past 11 dating to 2015. Dickert is 4-0 in season openers during his head coaching career, which also includes Washington State.
Akron brings experience at the skill positions
Akron finished 5-7 last season but won three of its final four games. The Zips return running back Jordan Gant, who rushed for 1,032 yards and six touchdowns, along with leading receiver Marcel Williams. Graduate transfer Reese Poffenbarger, a former Walter Payton Award finalist at UAlbany, joins the quarterback room after stops at UAlbany, Miami, North Texas and Old Dominion.
Three sets of former high school teammates reunite
Thursday’s matchup includes three sets of former high school teammates now lining up on opposite sides. Wake Forest’s Zamari Stevenson and Akron’s Titus Myers played together at Statesville (NC), Elijah Otineo and Aamii Branch were teammates at North Forney (TX), while Walker Bryson and Khory Moss played together at Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School (GA).
📚 Series History
Akron and Wake Forest will meet for the first time in football on Thursday night.
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