1997 Akron Zips football team  The 1997 Akron Zips football team represented Akron University in the 1997 NCAA Division I-A football season as members of the Mid-American Conference. They were led by third–year head coach Lee Owens. The Zips played their home games at the Rubber Bowl in Akron, Ohio. They finished the season with a record of 2–9, 2–7 in MAC play to finish in last place in the East Division.