Miami University’s next football opponent is looking more imposing with each passing week.

The RedHawks, coming off a 27-16 victory over visiting Massachusetts, will travel to Akron on Saturday afternoon for a Mid-American Conference East Division matchup at InfoCision Stadium.

The Zips are only 1-3, but they’re clearly making strides under first-year coach Terry Bowden. After opening the year with a 56-14 loss to Central Florida, Akron lost in overtime to Florida International (41-38), crushed Morgan State (66-6) and lost at Tennessee (47-26).

In the latter affair, Akron was in a 23-23 tie with the Volunteers midway through the third quarter.

Bowden reacted like this: “I’m not happy. But I am really proud of our players for coming in here and not accepting the fact that they are supposed to lose. We punched when Tennessee punched and weaved and bobbed when they did.”

The Zips are averaging 36.0 points and 458.2 yards per game. Redshirt senior quarterback Dalton Williams has completed 121-of-201 passes for 1,233 yards and 10 touchdowns with six interceptions.

Defensively, Akron is allowing 37.5 points and 415.0 yards per contest.

Miami has owned the Zips in recent years, winning eight of the last nine meetings. The RedHawks’ only defeat during that stretch came in 2006 (24-13).

MU was less than dominant against winless UMass last Saturday. But as quarterback Zac Dysert said, “It’s a new season for us. We’re 1-0 (in the MAC).”

Over the next month, the RedHawks have three road trips (Akron, Cincinnati, Bowling Green) and a bye. Their next home game is Oct. 27 against Ohio.