The 1979 Akron Zips football team represented Akron University in the 1979 NCAA Division II football season as a member of the Mid-Continent Conference. Led by seventh-year head coach Jim Dennison, the Zips played their home games at the Rubber Bowl in Akron, Ohio. They finished the season with a record of 6–5 overall and 3–2 in MCC play, placing third. 
 Schedule
 | Date | Opponent | Site | Result | Attendance | Source | 
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| September 8 | Western Illinois |  | W 24–7 | 32,113 |  | 
| September 15 | Kent State* |  | W 15–13 | 21,645 |  | 
| September 22 | at   Boise State* |  | L 21–31 | 19,642 | [1] | 
| September 29 | Indiana State* |  | L 27–28 | 11,684 |  | 
| October 6 | at   Northern Iowa |  | L 17–20 | 9,500 |  | 
| October 13 | at   Eastern Michigan* |  | W 24–12 | 4,555 |  | 
| October 20 | No. 2 Youngstown State |  | L 3–16 | 10,111 |  | 
| October 27 | Northern Michigan |  | W 45–21 | 6,044 |  | 
| November 3 | at    No. 10 (I-AA) Morehead State* |  | W 23–17 | 4,000 | [2] | 
| November 10 | at   Temple* |  | L 6–42 | 8,398 |  | 
| November 17 | at   Eastern Illinois |  | W 27–16 | 6,500 |  | 
| *Non-conference gameRankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
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 [3][4] 
 References
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| Culture & lore |  Zippy"Akron Blue and Gold"Zips Marching Band
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| People |  | 
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| Seasons |  | 
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