Eagles Host Falcons in Final Home Saturday Game of 2025

Football vs. Bowling Green
Date	Saturday, Nov. 8 \| 1 p.m.
Venue	Rynearson Stadium \| Ypsilanti, Mich.
Preview Info	EMU Notes (PDF) \| Media Guide (PDF) \| Press Conference Video
Watch \| Stats	ESPN+ \| Media Stats
Listen	WEMU (89.1 WEMU-FM) \| The Varsity Network App \| SiriusXM \| Eastern Insider Podcast
Follow Us On X	@EMUFB \| @EMUAthletics
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YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – Coming off its bye week, the Eastern Michigan University football team returns to action this weekend in its final home Saturday game of 2025 when the Eagles play host to the Falcons of Bowling Green State University Saturday, Nov. 8, inside Rynearson Stadium in Ypsilanti. The Eagles (2-7, 1-4 Mid-American Conference) and Falcons (3-6, 1-4 MAC) are slated for a 1 p.m. kickoff live on ESPN+ with Michael Reghi (play-by-play) and Ryan Cavanaugh (analyst) on the call. The game can be heard live on WEMU (89.1 FM), The Varsity Network app, and SiriusXM with Tom Helmer (play-by-play), Rob Rubick (analyst), and Elena Davis (sideline) on the radio call.

ONE NEST – ONE NATION
Along with the game with the Falcons, Saturday has been dubbed One Nest – One Nation, a game day dedicated to honoring military personnel and first responders through EMU's Salute to Service initiative. Special recognitions, tributes, and guest appearances will fill the day with powerful moments of gratitude. For many, it's a reminder that football is more than a game—it's a way to connect, give thanks, and recognize those who serve our communities with courage and commitment.

DEFEATING CMU & WMU FOR A GREAT CAUSE
The rivalry between Eastern Michigan, Central Michigan, and Western Michigan entered a new arena Oct. 31 as the three MAC institutions began to battle one another in the 2025 MAC Rivalry Canned Food Drive. The event is pitting each school against one another for bragging rights for who can bring in the most canned goods during a time in the year when student need increases. Running from Oct. 31 through Nov. 24, the schools in the MAC will be grouped into rivalries, with each school's student-athlete advisory council (SAAC) leading the way on its respective campus to defeat its rivals for a great cause. In addition to canned donations, interested supporters can donate monetarily with $1 equaling one can donated. To donate a monetary value in support of the Eagles, visit the following link: DONATE HERE.

DOWN THE STRETCH THEY COME
Eastern Michigan owns a 17-15 MAC record in November since 2016. The program sits in the top half of the league in late-season performance during that stretch. Wins often come during the final push, and four victories have arrived in the regular season finale. Close games appear frequently. Eight November contests since 2019 have finished within one score. The defense stepped up, allowing 24 points or fewer in seven games during November wins.

MAC Records In November Since 2016
1. Miami • 24-6 (.800)
2. Ohio • 23-9 (.719)
3. Toledo • 20-13 (.606)
4. Western Michigan • 19-15 (.559)
5. Central Michigan • 18-15 (.545)
6. Eastern Michigan • 17-15 (.531)
7. Buffalo • 17-16 (.515)
8. Northern Illinois • 18-18 (.500)
9. Bowling Green • 15-19 (.441)
10. Kent State • 11-22 (.333)
11. Ball State • 10-24 (.294)
12. Akron • 6-23 (.188)

HOLD ON TO YOUR RED POP
Eastern has played in five one-possession or overtime games in 2025, tied for the second most in the nation. Only Buffalo, Ole Miss, and San Jose State have more with six. The program has a long record of close finishes. Since 2016, Eastern has appeared in 62 single-score regular season games, the second highest total in the country behind Northern Illinois with 65. Eastern's record in those contests is 30-32.

KNOW THE FOE: BOWLING GREEN
The Falcons enter the week with a 3-6 overall record and a 1-4 mark in the MAC after dropping their last three contests, including a 28-3 home decision to Buffalo, Nov. 1. BGSU, who is 0-4 on the road in 2025, is led offensively by Drew Pyne, who is 87-of-135 for 830 yards with five interceptions and four touchdowns. On the ground, Chris McMillian leads the way with 317 yards on 76 carries with three touchdowns while the receiving corps has been led by Jyrin Johnson, who has 278 yards on 23 grabs with one score. Defensively, Gideon Espn Lampron has tallied 77 tackles and leading with 9.5 TFLs (30 yards) with 1.5 sacks while David Afogho leads with 2.5 sacks on the season.

ALL-TIME VERSUS THE FALCONS
Eastern Michigan and Bowling Green have met 40 times since their first match up in 1919. The Eagles trail the all-time series 14-25-1 but have won the last three meetings. EMU rolled past the Falcons 55-24 at Doyt Perry Stadium on Oct. 23, 2021. The two previous games were much closer, with EMU earning a 28-25 win in Bowling Green on Oct. 1, 2016, and a 34-31 victory at Rynearson Stadium on Nov. 21, 2017.

LOOKING FOR HISTORY
Eastern Michigan has a chance to make program history this week. A victory over Bowling Green would give the Eagles their first four-game winning streak in the 105-year series that began in 1919. EMU has won the last three match-ups. Historically, EMU has had only brief periods of consecutive success against Bowling Green, with back-to-back-to-back wins in 1919–25 and 1987–89. Since 2016, Eastern has averaged 440 yards of total offense in these victories while committing only four turnovers.

LOW MILEAGE
With just 68 miles standing between Rynearson Stadium and Doyt L. Perry Stadium, Bowling Green is EMU's second-closest MAC neighbor. Toledo's Glass Bowl sits just 20 miles closer, 49 miles away from Ypsilanti. EMU-BGSU is the fourth-closest distance between any two schools in the MAC. Kent State and Akron reside about 15 miles apart, while Toledo and BGSU are separated by 27 miles.

LAST MEETING WITH BGSU
Ben Bryant threw two touchdowns and ran for a third and Eastern rolled to a 55-24 win over Bowling Green, Oct. 23, 2021. The Eagles scored three touchdowns in both the second and third quarters. Bryant had a 31-yard scoring pass to Bryson Cannon and his touchdown run in the second quarter that was highlighted by David Carter's 42-yard punt return for a touchdown. That helped Eastern take a 24-10 lead at the half. Bryant connected with Gunnar Oakes for a 37-yard score in the third quarter, and Darius Boone ran for a score before running back Samson Evans found Dylan Drummond for a 16-yard score, set up when the Falcons lost a fumble on the kickoff. Backup quarterback Preston Hutchinson had a touchdown pass to Thomas Odukoya in the fourth. Bryant was 20-of-26 for 286 yards.

LAST TIME IN YPSILANTI AGAINST BGSU
Ian Eriksen ran for three touchdowns as EMU held on to beat Bowling Green, 34-31, at Rynearson Stadium, Nov. 21, 2017. Eriksen finished with 104 yards rushing on 24 carries, and Shaq Vann ran 16 times for 117 yards for Eastern. Jarret Doege was 21-of-34 passing for 256 yards with two touchdowns to lead Bowling Green. Josh Cleveland ran for 150 yards and a two-yard score. Doege's pair of TD passes in the third quarter gave the Falcons a 31-27 lead. Eriksen's third touchdown, a seven-yarder, ended the quarter. Bowling Green's Jake Suder missed a 29-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter. With about five minutes left, Cleveland was stopped for a three-yard loss on a fourth-and-1. The Eagles took possession and then ran out the clock.

TIES BETWEEN EMU AND BGSU
Saturday's contest features some homecomings, as BGSU quarterback Baron May, EMU Assistant Coach Cornell Brown, and EMU President James Smith return to their roots. May spent the 2020 and 2021 seasons at Eastern Michigan but did not appear in any games before transferring to East Tennessee State for the 2022 and 2023 campaigns. Brown joined EMU in the Spring after spending the 2024 season as the defensive line coach at Bowling Green. During his time with the Falcons, Brown's defensive line was among the most disruptive in the conference, registering 33.0 sacks for 233 yards and 71.0 TFLs. Meanwhile, Smith was the vice president for Economic Development at BGSU before becoming the president at Northern State in 2009.

RIVALRY ICONS CLASH IN YPSI
While the Big Game remains weeks away, two legends from the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry will share the field Saturday at Rynearson Stadium. Bowling Green Head Coach Eddie George starred at Ohio State from 1992-95. EMU Offensive Analyst Mike Hart powered Michigan's backfield from 2004-07. George became a national force at Ohio State, rushing for 1,927 yards and 24 touchdowns in his 1995 Heisman Trophy season. He also captured the Doak Walker, Maxwell, and Walter Camp Awards and earned unanimous All-America honors. Inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2011, George's name remains one of the most respected in Buckeye history. Hart's impact at Michigan came fast. As a freshman in 2004, he rushed for a school-record 1,455 yards on 282 carries with nine touchdowns. It ranked second among Big Ten freshmen all time, and he joined Ron Dayne and Darrel Thompson as the only true freshmen to lead the conference in rushing. A two-time Doak Walker Award finalist, Hart finished fifth in Heisman voting in 2006.

WHAT IS IN THE DATE
Eastern Michigan will face Bowling Green, Nov. 8, a date that has appeared only 10 times on the program's schedule since 1975. The Eagles hold a 6-4 record in previous games on this date. November 8 has produced memorable and competitive contests for EMU. Highlights include a 51-14 win over Illinois State in 1975, a 48-41 shootout victory at Ball State in 2016, and a 34-28 win at Akron in 2022. Other match ups have been tightly contested, including a 42-30 loss at Central Michigan in 2017 and a 49-23 setback at Toledo in 2023.

ROLLING IN THE RED ZONE
Eastern Michigan ranks first nationally and in the MAC in red zone offense, converting on every trip inside the 20-yard line, a feat matched only by Oklahoma. This perfect efficiency highlights the team's poise and precision in critical moments. It reflects disciplined execution and balanced play-calling that continues to keep EMU competitive deep into games.

NOTING NON NEGATIVES
The offensive front has also excelled in avoiding negative plays, ranking 10th nationally in fewest tackles for loss allowed. Running back Dontae McMillan has taken advantage of that stability, ranking second in the MAC with 723 rushing yards and averaging 5.74 yards per carry. The combination of efficient blocking and productive rushing has provided balance and sustained drives across the season. Additionally, as a team, the Eagles' front line ranks 10th nationally in TFLs allowed (3.67) and 17th in sacks allowed (1.11) while ranking second in both categories in the MAC behind only Miami, who leads the league at 3.50 and 1.00, respectively.

TAKE CARE
As a team, the Eagles rank highly in several turnover categories, including sitting fourth nationally in fumbles lost with just one (three teams are perfect with no lost fumbles). Additionally, Eastern ranks 14th nationally in turnovers lost with just seven giveaways, a total that also leads the MAC.

EAGLES AMONG MAC & NATIONAL LEADERS
Seven Eagles currently rank among the national top 50 of the latest NCAA statistics (as of Nov. 1 games). Offensively, Noah Kim is 31st in yards (2,051), 33rd in completions per game (20.3), and 40th in touchdown passes (14) while leading the MAC in all three. Nick Devereaux is 41st (fifth in the MAC) with five touchdown receptions while Dontae McMillan is on the list four times, including 29th in rushing yards (723), 37th in yards per rush (5.74), 40th in rushing yards per game (80.3), and 44th in all-purpose yards (103.2). Bryce Llewellyn ranks 48th in interceptions (two) while Jayvin Norman is on the list twice, including 22nd in kick return yards (371) and 40th in yards per kick return (20.6). In special teams play, Rudy Kessinger is 24th in field goals per game (1.56) while Mitchell Tomasek is eighth in punting (47.3).

DEVEREAUX-LING
Nick Devereaux has been rolling lately for the Eagles as the wideout had five catches for 121 yards and two scores in the game with Ohio (Oct. 25), marking his first career 100-yard game. Devereaux also tallied two receiving touchdowns in back-to-back games for the first time in his career while bringing his team-leading total to five touchdowns on the year.

ADDED TO THE LIST
The 121 yards pulled in by Nick Devereaux was the first of his career, the 143rd recorded by an EMU player in program history, and the second in as many weeks after Harold Mack, Jr. added his name to the list Oct. 25 with a 179-yard performance at Miami. Combined with the running game, Devereaux' 100-yard game stands as the 373rd in program history (230 running, 143 receiving) and made him the 127th different player to record at least 100-yard game in a career at Eastern (rushing and receiving included in the count).

GOING STREAKING
The Eagles have had a 100-yard player in each of its last four games, including Dontae McMillan rushing for over 100 yards at Buffalo (Oct. 4) and home against Northern Illinois (Oct. 11) with 117 and 104 yards, respectively, before Harold Mack, Jr. (179) and Nick Devereaux (121) added games against Miami (Oct. 18) and Ohio (Oct. 25). The four-game streak is the 15th instance in program history in the same season with four or more consecutive games and the third under Chris Creighton while tying for the eighth-longest streak in program history. Should the Eagles have one player tally at least 100 yards against Bowling Green, a five-game streak would tie for the fifth-longest in program history and the longest under Creighton.

AGAINST THE MAC
Through the game with Ohio (Oct. 25), Eastern has tallied 242 of the program's 373 100-yard games against the current members of the MAC, which equates to 64.9 percent of all such instances. The most have 100-yard games have been recorded against Ball State (35) with this week's opponent, Bowling Green, ninth on the ledger with 15 total (eight rushing and seven receiving).

HISTORIC DEBUT FOR MACK
Freshman wide receiver Harold Mack Jr. entered the Miami game (Oct. 25) without a single career reception but ended the day with six catches for 179 yards and two touchdowns. His 179 yards marked the 142nd 100-yard receiving game in Eastern Michigan history and tied for the 17th-highest total on record. Mack became the first EMU player to post 100+ receiving yards against Miami since Dieuly Aristilde had 193 yards on Oct. 29, 2016.

RARE COMPANY AMONG FRESHMEN
Harold Mack Jr. became the first EMU freshman in nine years to record a 100-yard receiving game and only the fifth since 1995. He also joined an exclusive group of EMU freshmen to catch two touchdown passes in a single contest, becoming just the fifth player to do so in the past 30 seasons.

EMU Frosh w/100+ Yards Receiving (since 1995)
1. Dieuly Aristilde • 193 yds • 10-29-16 vs. Miami
2. Harold Mack • 179 yds • 10-18-25 at Miami
3. Eddie Daugherty • 109 yds • 9-26-15 vs. Army
4. Dieuly Aristilde • 107 yds • 11-8-16 at Ball State
5. Eddie Daugherty • 107 yds • 10-10-15 vs. Akron
6. Eddie Daugherty • 105 yds • 9-12-15 at Wyoming

NATIONAL AND CONFERENCE IMPACT
Harold Mack Jr.'s 179-yard effort is the highest by any FBS freshman wide receiver this season, surpassing Michigan's Andrew Marsh (136 yards vs. USC). Within the MAC, he became only the third freshman in 2025 to surpass 100 receiving yards, joining Akron's Kyan Mason (125 vs. CMU) and Kent State's Cade Wolford (109 vs. Merrimack). It marked the first time since 2022 that any MAC freshman had gone over the century mark in yards receiving. Furthermore, Mack's 179 yards are the most by a freshman wideout since Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith caught seven balls for 187 yards and two scores against Oregon in the Rose Bowl, Jan. 1, 2025.

DUAL THREAT THROUGH THE AIR
EMU featured a rare two-receiver performance at Miami as Harold Mack Jr. and Nick Devereaux each hauled in two touchdown receptions. It marked only the fifth time since 1995 that two EMU players have caught multiple touchdown passes in the same game. The last occurrence came on Nov. 11, 2011, when Demarius Reed and Garrett Hoskins each scored twice against Buffalo.

EMU Games w/ Two Receivers w/ Multiple TDs (since 1995)
Oct. 18, 2025 at Miami • Harold Mack / Nick Devereaux
Nov. 11, 2011 vs. Buffalo • Demarius Reed / Garrett Hoskins
Oct. 13, 2007 at Ohio • Jacory Stone / Tyler Jones
Nov. 8, 1997 at NIU • Brandon Campbell / Ta-if Kumasi
Oct. 21, 1995 at Ball State • Ryan Wheatley / Steve Clay
~ Each receiver listed caught two touchdowns in the game

KIM CONTINUES TO LEAD
Noah Kim leads the MAC in passing yards and touchdowns, totaling 2,051 yards and 14 scores while completing 62.5 percent of his attempts. His consistency has powered an offense ranked second in the MAC in passing and among the top 70 nationally. Supported by one of the league's most dependable offensive lines, which ranks 17th nationally in fewest sacks allowed, Kim has delivered steady production and control from the pocket.

2K FOR KIM
Noah Kim finished the game with Ohio (Oct. 25) with 259 yards passing and two scores which brought his season total to 2,051, the 17th-most in a single season in program history. Kim became the 11th different player at EMU to reach the milestone and marked the 18th time in the program's 134-year history an EMU quarterback has thrown for 2,000+ yards in a single season.

KIM JOINS ELITE PASSING COMPANY
Noah Kim threw for 309 yards and four touchdowns against Miami (Oct. 18), becoming only the eighth EMU player since 1995 to record at least 300 passing yards and four touchdown passes in a single game. Kim joined a select group that includes Walter Church (1998), Kainoa Akina (2001), Troy Edwards (2002), Matt Bohnet (2004, 2005), Andy Schmitt (2008), and Tyler Benz (2012). His performance marked the first such effort by an EMU quarterback in 13 seasons and the program's first on the road since Church's 439-yard outing at Western Michigan on Oct. 17, 1998. Since 1995, Bowling Green has led all MAC programs with 22 games featuring a quarterback throwing for at least 300 yards and four touchdowns. Ball State ranks second with 16, followed by Central Michigan with 13 and Akron with 12. Toledo has recorded 11 such games, while Western Michigan stands at 10. Miami (OH) follows with nine, and both Northern Illinois and Eastern Michigan have produced eight each. Buffalo has tallied six, Ohio five, and Kent State three.

EMU QBs Since 1995 with 300+ Yards Passing and 4 TDs
Noah Kim at Miami (10/18/25) • 20-36, 309yds (4TD)
Tyler Benz vs. Army (10/20/12) • 19-13, 369yds (5TD)
Andy Schmitt vs. CMU (11/28/08) • 58-80, 516yds (5TD)
Matt Bohnet vs. WMU (11/5/05) • 40-48, 399yds (4TD)
Matt Bohnet vs. CMU (11/6/04) • 31-54, 367yds (4TD)
Troy Edwards vs. Akron (10/5/02) • 25-39, 390yds (4TD)
Kainoa Akina at Akron (11/24/01) • 27-50, 392yds (6TD)
Walter Church at WMU (10/17/98) • 24-37, 439yds (4TD)

THROUGH THE AIR
Noah Kim has accounted for 19 touchdowns through nine games, including a career-high 14 passing and five rushing. Kim added two passing and one rushing score in the most recent game (vs. Ohio, Oct. 25) to add to his career-high totals in both categories after entering the season with highs of six through the air he recorded in 2023 with Michigan State while also having never run for a score in his first four collegiate campaigns. Additionally, his 14 passing scores are tied for the 12th-most in a single season and leaves him one shy of climbing into the top 10 in program history.

ONE IF BY LAND...
While Noah Kim has shown off his arm strength, he also featured his legs. Entering the game at Kentucky (Sept. 13), Kim had never tallied a rushing touchdown and proceeded to not only record his first rushing scoring against the Wildcats but followed with a land-based touchdown in four consecutive games, a streak that ended in the game with NIU (Oct. 11). All told, Kim added his fifth rushing score in the game with Ohio (Oct. 25) which extends his team leading for land scoring in 2025.

McMILLAN CLOSING IN
Through nine games, Dontae McMillan has tallied 723 yards rushing, an average of 80.3 yards per game. If he can maintain his pace over the final three games of the regular season, he would become only the 15th back in program history to rush for 1,000+ yards in a season and the first since Samson Evans in 2022 (1,166). Additionally, he would become only the sixth running back on the list in the 2000s with Darius Jackson (1,078) in 2015 the last name added to the ledger before Evans joined.

KEEPING IT 100 (PLUS)
Dontae McMillan finished the game with NIU (Oct. 11) with 104 yards rushing to mark the third time this season he has surpassed the 100-yard mark in a game after running for 126 against Louisiana and 117 at Buffalo last week. The three, century-mark games are the most in a single season for the back, surpassing the two he tallied with Weber State during the 2022 season. McMillan has now rushed for 100+ yards in a game seven times in his collegiate career (one each in 2020 and 2021).

CENTURY MARKS
Dontae McMillan's 104 yards rushing against Northern Illinois marked the 231st game in program history that an EMU player has rushed for over 100 yards in a single game. Coupled with his games of 126 yards against Louisiana (Sept. 20) and 117 at Buffalo (Oct. 4), he became the 41st different player in program history (134 years) to record multiple 100-yard rushing games in a career and the 37th to do so in the same season. Additionally, McMillan became the 31st Eagle to record three or more 100-yard games in his EMU career and the first to have three or more in the same season since 2022 when Samson Evans tallied four.

SPECIAL TEAMS
Special teams remain one of EMU's most reliable units. Punter Mitchell Tomasek ranks eighth nationally and first in the MAC with a 47.3-yard average, while kicker Rudy Kessinger leads the conference in total points with 63. Together, they have given EMU consistent field position advantages and dependable scoring, a key factor in keeping the team competitive in each phase.

KICKING CAREER
Mitchell Tomasek, the MAC leader and eighth-ranked punter in the FBS at 47.3 yards per punt, has made his way into the program's all-time top five in career punting yardage as he reached the 9,000-yard milestone for his career as his six punts for 292 yards against Ohio brought his career total to 9,136 yards, the fifth-best in program history. Tomasek became only the sixth player in EMU history to surpass 9,000 yards for his career and the first since Jake Julien (2017-21) finished his time in Ypsilanti with 9,726 yards. His 48.7 yards per punt average against the Bobcats marked the fourth time this year he has averaged 48.7 or more yards and brought his career total to six on a list of 16 total entries.

PULLING OUT THE DRIVER
Mitchell Tomasek has hit 58 of his 204 career punts for 50+ yards (28.4%), including 13 over 60 yards, while recording just 17 touchbacks (8.6%). For his career, Tomasek has recorded a best of 72 yards at Jacksonville State (Sept. 23, 2023) while hitting a 70-yarder at home against Ball State (Oct. 7, 2023). He has recorded at least three punts of 62 yards or better in all three seasons he has played for the Eagles and is one away already from making four consecutive years after recording punts of 63 and 62-yards at Texas State. Overall, he is averaging 44.7 yards per punt over his career, which ranks as the best in program history and makes him one of only two punters to average 44.0+ with Jake Julien (2017-21) joining him at 44.0.

KESSINGER'S IMPACT
Rudy Kessinger has made an immediate impact as a freshman kicker for Eastern Michigan, converting 14 of 19 field goal attempts for a 73.7% success rate while also connecting on all 21 extra points through the first nine games of the season. His longest field goal of 50 yards demonstrates both range and confidence in high-pressure situations, giving the Eagles a reliable scoring option from distance. Kessinger's total of 63 points ranks among the top single-season performances in program history for a freshman, putting him in company with standout kickers like Andrew Wellock, who hit 21 field goals at 91.3% in 2004, and Chad Ryland, who went perfect on extra points in 2021.

KESSINGER CLIMBINGS
Rudy Kessinger has scored 14 field goals in 2025, which currently ties for the 10th-most in a single season in program history with four other kickers, including Andrew Wellock (2003), Kody Fulkerson (2011), Chad Ryland (2019), and Jesus Gomez (2022). Wellock holds the all-time record with 21 field goals in 2004.

LLEWELLYN LEADING
Linebacker Bryce Llewellyn anchors the defense, ranking 25th nationally and fifth in the MAC with 8.9 tackles per game while adding two interceptions. His leadership has been vital for a defense seeking growth down the stretch. Combined with EMU's national top-15 ranking in fewest turnovers lost, this discipline and individual effort reflect a program built on resilience and focus despite its record.

WHERE'S THE MAC-COON?
Bryce Llewellyn recorded his second interception of the year, setting up Rudy Kessinger's 28-yard field goal that gave the Eagles a 16-10 lead over Northern Illinois, Oct. 11. Llewellyn has accounted for two of EMU's three interceptions and the team has converted turnovers into six points this season, including a 42-yard field goal at Buffalo, Oct. 4, following a sack-fumble. Under Chris Creighton, EMU has consistently turned defensive stops into scoring opportunities. Since 2014, the Eagles have forced one, two, or more turnovers in 98 games, generating multiple scoring chances that have ranged from three points off a single takeaway to 12 points when the defense created multiple turnovers in a game.

UPPER HALF
Since 2016, Eastern has posted 56 wins, which ranks as the sixth-most victories of any team in the MAC.
76 • Toledo
73 • Ohio
65 • Western Michigan
64 • Miami
60 • Buffalo
56 • Eastern Michigan
52 • Northern Illinois, Central Michigan
43 • Ball State
39 • Bowling Green
32 • Kent State
28 • Akron
18 • UMass
* updated through 2025 Week 9 games

SINGLE SCORES
Since the start of the 2016 season, Eastern is second nationally with 61 one-score games played, sitting behind Northern Illinois (65).
1. Northern Illinois - 65 (31-34)
2. Eastern Michigan - 62 (30-32)
3. Texas - 62 (29-33)
4. Iowa State - 60 (26-34)
5. Nebraska - 59 (18-41)
6. Kansas State - 56 (26-30)
7. North Carolina - 54 (22-32)
8. Tulsa - 52 (23-29)
9. Arizona State - 51 (28-23)
9. California - 51 (21-30)

MAKING DEBUTS • TRANSFERS
Eastern has seen 34 players take their first snaps with the team this years with 21 transfers (20 in 2025 and one from 2024) on that list, including: Kadin Bailey, Duke Clayton, Caleb Coley, Nathan Dibert, Caleb Dobbs, Tavierre Dunlap, Makhi Gilbert, Ronn Hardin, Nick Harris, James Jointer Jr., Noah Kim, Tanner Lemaster, Joshua Long, Ja'Quel Mack, Andrew Marshall, James Monds III, Marco Patierno, Benson Prosper, Porter Rooks, Juan Salas Jr., and Warren-Stevens Tayou.

ON THE STARTING LINE
Through the Miami game (Oct. 18), 24 different players have earned their first starts with the Eagles, including Ronn Hardin versus the RedHawks .
Along with latest addition, the 23 other players to earn starts with Eastern this year include: Messiah Blair, Tylan Boykin, Dodji Dahoue, Nick Devereaux, Caleb Dobbs, Tavierre Dunlap, Bryce Eliuk, Nicholas Gallegos, Makhi Gilbert, Hector Gonzalez, Noah Kim, Bryce Llewellyn, Joshua Long, Andrew Marshall, Jason Marshall, Joey Mattord, Juan Salas, Sterling Miles, Benson Prosper, Donmiel Rogers, Porter Rooks, Terrance Saunders, and Owen Snively.

2025 Most First-Time Starters
24 - Eastern Michigan
24- Bowling Green
17 - Louisiana Tech
16 - Navy
15 - Syracuse
14 - UTSA
13 - Old Dominion, NC State
12 - Fresno State, Oregon

MAKING DEBUTS • FRESHMEN
Twelve freshmen have seen their first collegiate playing time this season with redshirt freshman Javon Thomas taking the field at Kentucky. He joins the list of first-year players that also includes: Tylan Boykin, Quincy Byas, Marvell Eggelston Jr., Antonio Floyd, Reggie Gardner, Hector Gonzalez, Ray Hester, Rudy Kessinger, Harold Mack Jr., Zah'eed Pierre, and Donmiel Rogers.

BOWL APPEARANCES
Since 2016, 12-of-13 current MAC teams have played in at least one bowl, with the Eagles appearing in six, which ranks tied for third-most with Miami while Ohio and Toledo lead the way with seven.
7 • Ohio, Toledo
6 • Eastern Michigan, Miami
5 • Buffalo, Northern Illinois, Western Michigan
4 • Central Michigan
3 • Bowling Green
2 • Ball State, Kent State
1 • Akron
0 • UMass (only bowl was 1964)

THEY HAVE THE TOUCH
Over the past 11 seasons (2014-24), the Eagles' 26 blocked kicks have them tied for third-most among all teams in the MAC as Eastern, Miami, and Toledo are one off the pace set by both Central Michigan and Northern Illinois, who each have 27. Over that span, Eastern has tallied at least one block in nine consecutive years (20 blocks) with Akron next with six consecutive years (8). EMU is one of three schools (CMU and Toledo) that has recorded at least one block in 10-of-11 seasons during the current span.

NO KICKING ZONE
Since taking over the program in 2014, Chris Creighton's teams have blocked 26 kicks, including at least one in each of the past nine consecutive years. In 2024, the Eagles blocked four kicks, the second-highest total for the team under Creighton behind only the six blocks tallied in 2014. Last year, Eastern blocked one punt and one point-after try at Washington (Sept. 7), blocked a punt and returned it for a touchdown at home against St. Francis (Sept. 21), and blocked a 31-yard field goal attempt at Ohio (Nov. 13). The four blocks tied for the MAC lead with Northern Illinois while ranking sixth among all NCAA FBS teams. Overall, in the 11 seasons under Creighton, EMU has blocked 10 field goal attempts, 10 punts with five being returned for touchdowns, and six extra-point attempts with one returned for a two-point defensive score.

EARLY DRIVES SET THE TONE
Eastern Michigan's opening-drive results over the past two seasons show mixed outcomes on both sides of the ball. Offensively, the Eagles scored on four of 20 first-half drives, producing three touchdowns and one field goal, while most ended in punts or turnovers. Second-half starts showed a slight improvement, with five scoring drives in 20 opportunities, including four touchdowns, though 10 ended in punts. The most recent came against Central Michigan, Sept. 27, marking EMU's first second-half opening-drive touchdown since the 2024 season finale at Western Michigan, Nov. 30. Defensively, opponents found success on scripted series. Seven of 20 first-half drives resulted in touchdowns, with the same number coming on second-half opening possessions. EMU forced 17 combined stops across both halves, highlighted by takeaways against Toledo and Ohio and a missed field goal by LIU.

AYE, AYE CAPTAINS!
The Eagles will be led by five captains in the 2025 season. Following a vote of the current roster, the players selected Jefferson Adam, Dramarian McNulty, Noah Kim, Zach Mowchan, and Mickey Rewolinski to serve as captains this season.

ON THE HORIZON
Eastern Michigan's final Saturday and final road game of the 2025 season awaits the Eagles in Muncie, Ind., Nov. 15, when the Eagles face Ball State University. The game is scheduled for 12 p.m. on ESPN+. Tom Helmer (play-by-play), Rob Rubick (analyst), Elena Davis (sideline), and Greg Steiner (halftime) will have the call on WEMU (89.1 FM), The Varsity Network app, and SiriusXM.

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Players Mentioned

Jefferson Adam

Kadin Bailey

Messiah Blair

Tylan Boykin

Quincy Byas

Duke Clayton

Caleb Coley

Dodji Dahoue

Nick Devereaux

Nathan Dibert

Caleb Dobbs

Tavierre Dunlap

Bryce Eliuk

Antonio Floyd

Nicholas Gallegos

Reggie Gardner

Makhi Gilbert

Hector Gonzalez

Ronn Hardin

Nick Harris

Ray Hester

Rudy Kessinger

Noah Kim

Tanner Lemaster

Bryce Llewellyn

Joshua Long

Harold Mack

Ja'Quel Mack

Andrew Marshall

Jason Marshall

Joey Mattord

Dontae McMillan

Dramarian McNulty

Sterling Miles

James Monds III

Zach Mowchan

Jayvin Norman

Marco Patierno

Zah'eed Pierre

Benson Prosper

Mickey Rewolinski

Donmiel Rogers

Porter Rooks

Juan Salas

Terrance Saunders

Owen Snively

Warren-Stevens Tayou

Javon Thomas

Mitchell Tomasek

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