{
  "id": 153581,
  "title": "Akron Zips football is letting a fan script the opening drive of the home opener",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/05/akron-zips-football-is-letting-a-fan-script-the-opening-drive-of-the",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-05T01:07:10.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/akron-zips-football-letting-fan-010710700.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The University of Akron is offering an unprecedented opportunity for a football season ticket holder to help script the opening drive of the Zips' home opener against Robert Morris on September 12. This unique promotion, dubbed \"Offensive Coordinator of the Game,\" was announced on August 4. The selected fan will collaborate with head coach Joe Moorhead to design the team's opening plays, receiving a behind-the-scenes look at the team's game-planning process in return. Moorhead expressed his enthusiasm for the contest, stating that it would provide fans with an unparalleled behind-the-scenes experience. Notably, Akron has not scored a touchdown on the opening drive of its home opener since 2022, when they won a 30-23 overtime game against St. Francis (Pa.). Some fans have taken to social media to express their excitement about the promotion. To enter, current season ticket holders are automatically entered into the drawing, with each season ticket counting as one entry. Fans with multiple season tickets receive additional entries. Season ticket holders can also earn extra entries by referring new season ticket holders. The random winner will be selected on August 19 and will meet with Moorhead before the game to assist in scripting the opening drive.",
  "summary": "One Akron season ticket holder will script the opening drive of the home opener.",
  "key_points": [
    "University of Akron offers \"Offensive Coordinator of the Game\" promotion",
    "Fan collaborates with head coach Joe Moorhead on opening drive",
    "Random winner selected August 19"
  ],
  "editors_take": "This promotion blurs the line between fans and team operations, giving one lucky season ticket holder an unusual level of influence on game strategy and a unique glimpse into coaching decisions.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}