Twenty-four years ago, Joe Moorhead reached out to congratulate Mark Carney for breaking a Fordham University record by throwing five touchdown passes in a single game. Fast forward to recent events, and that same spirit of camaraderie has resurfaced as Carney received well-wishes from Moorhead after being appointed Kent State University’s full-time football coach, a role he has embraced after serving as interim head coach.
As they prepare for the Wagon Wheel game at 7:30 p.m. on November 11 at InfoCision Stadium, the two former Fordham quarterbacks—Moorhead for the Zips and Carney for the Golden Flashes—find themselves on opposite sidelines in a defining matchup of the Mid-American Conference. Their rivalry comes steeped in history and significance, with both men sharing a mutual respect forged through their years in college football.
Carney expressed enthusiasm about the rivalry, noting, “When I compete against my friends, I want to beat their tail, and I know the feeling is the same for him.” The rivalry goes beyond mere competition; it represents a trophy game steeped in tradition. “This is a special rivalry, a really special rivalry,” Carney added. “It’s a special week. It’s a special game.”
Both teams are on the rise, a promising development considering their past seasons. Currently, Akron (4-6, 3-3) has defeated Kent State (3-6, 2-3) in their last two matchups, continuing a historical lead in the series with a record of 37-28-2. Moorhead remarked, “Anytime you go into a game and there’s something more than pride or a trophy to be played for, it adds a little bit of juice to it.” Both coaches are optimistic about their teams’ prospects as they aim to impact the late-season standings positively.
While their coaching paths have taken different trajectories, Moorhead and Carney maintain a strong bond. Carney, initially a Cleveland native, started at St. Edward High School, which allowed him to develop local connections, while Moorhead hails from Pittsburgh and guided the Zips for several successful seasons. Their shared experience at Fordham, where they both excelled as quarterbacks, further solidified their friendship.
Carney’s highlight reel includes his record-setting five-touchdown performance against Georgetown in 2001, an accomplishment that Moorhead witnessed while coaching the opposing team. Recall from that moment underscores their long-standing relationship: “On my way to go to the press conference room, Joe was standing there to say congratulations, which was really freaking cool,” Carney remembered.
Their connection has also deepened through family ties, specifically with Moorhead’s youngest son, Donovan, who recently completed his high school career as the starting quarterback at Hawken School and is set to play college football at Jacksonville State. While Kent State also showed interest in Donovan, commitments and coaching changes made the timing challenging. Moorhead, however, emphasized his admiration for Kent State’s recruiting efforts.
Both coaches have expressed their genuine admiration for each other beyond the X’s and O’s of the game. Moorhead praised Carney for his outstanding leadership in what has turned into a successful season: “Good things happen to good people. Mark’s not only a great coach, but he’s an awesome human being, too.”
As the two coaches gear up for the upcoming clash, they embody both the competitive spirit and mutual respect that fuel this storied rivalry, promising an exciting showdown for fans as they celebrate their shared history on and off the field.