Eastern Michigan Athletics
Kessinger, Llewellyn Named MAC Players of the Week
9/22/2025 11:00:00 AM | Football
Duo was instrumental in the Eagles’ first victory of 2025, 34-31 over Louisiana
CLEVELAND, Ohio (EMUEagles.com) — The Mid-American Conference announced its weekly awards for football today, Sept. 22, with two members of the Eastern Michigan University program earning accolades, including Bryce Llewellyn being named the MAC Defensive Player of the Week and Rudy Kessinger the MAC Special Teams Player of the Week for games played through Sept. 20. The duo played instrumental roles in guiding the Eagles to their first victory of 2025, a thrilling 34-31 Homecoming defeat of the University of Louisiana, Sept. 20, inside 'The Factory' at Rynearson Stadium.
Llewellyn (Indianapolis, Ind./Cathedral/Charleston Southern) had a big day on defense in the Eagles' first win of the season as he posted a team-leading and career-high 10 tackles while recording his first career interception with 3:38 remaining in regulation and EMU holding a 31-24 lead. Tied for fourth in the MAC in interceptions and tied for ninth with 29 total tackles, Llewellyn's previous single-game high for tackles came Oct. 21, 2023, with Charleston Southern when he recorded eight stops at No. 17 UT Martin. The award is the first of Llewellyn's career and the first for the EMU defense this season.
Kessinger (Columbus, Ohio/Bishop Watterson) played the role of hero for the Eagles as he knocked in a 42-yard field goal with three seconds to play, giving EMU the 34-31 Homecoming win. Kessinger was 2-of-3 in field goal attempts and 4-for-4 in extra-point attempts for 10 points, marking the first time in his career he tallied double-digit points in back-to-back contests after scoring 11 at Kentucky (Sept. 13). Kessinger, after lining up for a potential field goal attempt, also recorded his first career punt as he dropped 36-yard boot to the 1-yard line early in the fourth quarter to pin Louisiana's offense deep. Perfect on PATs (11-of-11) for the season and 8-of-11 in field goals, Kessinger's winning kick helped him to maintain his 2.0 field goals per game average, which ranks 10th in the FBS and 2nd in the MAC while his 8.8 points per game is third overall in scoring in the MAC and second among kickers.
Llewellyn, Kessinger, and the Eagles return to action on the road Saturday, Sept. 27, when they travel north to mid-Michigan for a rivalry game at Central Michigan University. The MAC opener will be played at Kelly Shorts Stadium in Mount Pleasant, Mich., and will kick off at 1 p.m. on ESPN+. Tom Helmer (play-by-play), Rob Rubick (analyst), Elena Davis (sideline), and Greg Steiner (halftime show) will have all the action live on WEMU (89.1 FM), The Varsity Network app, and SiriusXM radio.
Tickets
Season ticket packages are available for the 2025 season and can be purchased by visiting EMUEagles.com/Tickets, by calling 734.487.3669, or by visiting the EMU Ticket Office.
Mid-American Conference Football Players of the Week • Sept. 22
MAC Football Offensive Player of the Week • Jordan Gant, Akron, RB
MAC Football Defensive Player of the Week • Bryce Llewellyn, Eastern Michigan, DB
MAC Football Special Teams Player of the Week • Rudy Kessinger, Eastern Michigan, PK
Llewellyn (Indianapolis, Ind./Cathedral/Charleston Southern) had a big day on defense in the Eagles' first win of the season as he posted a team-leading and career-high 10 tackles while recording his first career interception with 3:38 remaining in regulation and EMU holding a 31-24 lead. Tied for fourth in the MAC in interceptions and tied for ninth with 29 total tackles, Llewellyn's previous single-game high for tackles came Oct. 21, 2023, with Charleston Southern when he recorded eight stops at No. 17 UT Martin. The award is the first of Llewellyn's career and the first for the EMU defense this season.
Kessinger (Columbus, Ohio/Bishop Watterson) played the role of hero for the Eagles as he knocked in a 42-yard field goal with three seconds to play, giving EMU the 34-31 Homecoming win. Kessinger was 2-of-3 in field goal attempts and 4-for-4 in extra-point attempts for 10 points, marking the first time in his career he tallied double-digit points in back-to-back contests after scoring 11 at Kentucky (Sept. 13). Kessinger, after lining up for a potential field goal attempt, also recorded his first career punt as he dropped 36-yard boot to the 1-yard line early in the fourth quarter to pin Louisiana's offense deep. Perfect on PATs (11-of-11) for the season and 8-of-11 in field goals, Kessinger's winning kick helped him to maintain his 2.0 field goals per game average, which ranks 10th in the FBS and 2nd in the MAC while his 8.8 points per game is third overall in scoring in the MAC and second among kickers.
Llewellyn, Kessinger, and the Eagles return to action on the road Saturday, Sept. 27, when they travel north to mid-Michigan for a rivalry game at Central Michigan University. The MAC opener will be played at Kelly Shorts Stadium in Mount Pleasant, Mich., and will kick off at 1 p.m. on ESPN+. Tom Helmer (play-by-play), Rob Rubick (analyst), Elena Davis (sideline), and Greg Steiner (halftime show) will have all the action live on WEMU (89.1 FM), The Varsity Network app, and SiriusXM radio.
Tickets
Season ticket packages are available for the 2025 season and can be purchased by visiting EMUEagles.com/Tickets, by calling 734.487.3669, or by visiting the EMU Ticket Office.
Mid-American Conference Football Players of the Week • Sept. 22
MAC Football Offensive Player of the Week • Jordan Gant, Akron, RB
MAC Football Defensive Player of the Week • Bryce Llewellyn, Eastern Michigan, DB
MAC Football Special Teams Player of the Week • Rudy Kessinger, Eastern Michigan, PK
Players Mentioned
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