Eagles Head to Muncie Saturday to Battle Ball State

Football at Ball State
Date	Saturday, Nov. 15 \| 12 p.m.
Venue	Scheumann Stadium \| Muncie, Ind.
Preview Info	EMU Notes (PDF) \| Media Guide (PDF) \| Press Conference Video
Watch \| Stats	ESPN+ \| Media Stats
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MUNCIE, Ind. (EMUEagles.com) – For the final time in 2025, the Eastern Michigan University football team will hit the road as the Eagles will venture to Scheumann Stadium in Muncie, Ind., Saturday, Nov. 15, to face the Cardinals of Ball State University. The Eagles (3-7, 2-4 Mid-American Conference) and Cardinals (4-5, 3-2 MAC) are scheduled for a 12 p.m. kickoff live on ESPN+ with Michael Reghi (play-by-play) and Je'Rod Cherry (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 AWAY FROM 200
Chris Creighton enters the Ball State game one win away from joining an elite group of 37 FBS head coaches all-time with 200 career victories. Over 29 seasons, he has compiled a 199-128 record across Wabash (63-15), Ottawa (Kan.) (32-9), Drake (44-22), and Eastern Michigan (60-82), with a .609 career winning percentage. A 200th win would place him among the active FBS leaders alongside K.C. Keeler, Kirk Ferentz, and Willie Fritz, and make him just the fifth coach ever to reach 200 wins who coached in the MAC. He would join four legendary MAC-linked coaches who reached the milestone: Brian Kelly (Central Michigan), Nick Saban (Toledo), Woody Hayes (Miami), and Don Nehlen (Bowling Green), while also becoming the first coach to achieve 200 wins while at a MAC institution.

TWO AWAY FROM 500
Following its 27-21 home win over Bowling Green, Eastern Michigan improved to 498-637-47 all-time as a program, leaving it two wins away from 500. Should the Eagles win their final two games of the season, they would become the fourth school this year to reach the 500-victory milestone, joining Temple, Wake Forest, and Rice on the list.

DOWN THE STRETCH THEY COME
Eastern Michigan owns an 18-15 MAC record in November since 2016. The program sits in the top half of the league in late-season performance during that stretch, tying for fifth on the list with rival Central Michigan. Wins often come during the final push, and four victories have arrived in the regular season finale. Close games also appear frequently as nine November contests since 2019 have finished within one score. The EMU defense also has stepped up, allowing 24 points or fewer in eight games during November wins.

MAC Records In November Since 2016
1. Miami • 24-7 (.774)
2. Ohio • 24-9 (.727)
3. Toledo • 21-13 (.618)
4. Western Michigan • 19-15 (.559)
t-5. Eastern Michigan • 18-15 (.545)
t-5. Central Michigan • 18-15 (.545)
7. Buffalo • 17-16 (.515)
8. Northern Illinois • 18-19 (.486)
9. Bowling Green • 15-20 (.426)
10. Kent State • 11-23 (.324)
11. Ball State • 11-24 (.314)
12. Akron • 7-23 (.233)
13. UMass • 0-1 (.000)

HOLD ON TO YOUR RED POP
EMU has made a habit of keeping fans on edge in 2025, playing in six one-possession or overtime games, tied for the second most in the nation. Only Iowa State and San Jose State have more, with seven. Tight finishes are nothing new for the Eagles. Since 2016, Eastern has competed in 63 single-score regular-season games, the second-most in the country behind Northern Illinois with 65. The Eagles are 31-32 in those contests, showing a consistent knack for drama and resilience in crunch time.

KNOW THE FOE: BALL STATE
The Cardinals, coming off a 17-13 home win over Kent State, hold a 4-5 overall record and 3-2 in MAC play. Ball State, who is 4-0 at home this year, opened the season with road losses at Purdue (31-0) and Auburn (42-3) before claiming its first win. Offensively, Kiael Kelly leads the way with 1,155 yards (113-197) and eight touchdowns while ranking second on the team in rushing with 229 yards and five scores. Defensively, Nathan Voorhis has been a massive disruptor as he has tallied 15.0 TFLs and 11.0 sacks, which rank second and first, respectively, in the FBS.

TRYING TO CHANGE A TREND
Eastern Michigan faces a tough road test at Ball State, Nov. 15, a team undefeated at home in 2025 with a 4-0 mark. The Eagles enter the matchup looking to snap an eight-game road losing streak dating back to a win at Kent State on Sept. 28, 2024. EMU has dropped close contests at Buffalo (30-31 OT) and Miami (30-44), underscoring the challenge of winning on the road from Ypsilanti. Ball State has been strong in Muncie, holding off Kent State, Akron, Ohio, and New Hampshire, reflecting the broader trend in the MAC where home teams hold a 40-18 edge in 2025.

ALL-TIME VERSUS THE CARDINALS
After a one-year break in the series, the Eagles and Cardinals will be meeting on the gridiron for the 66th time, with Ball State holding a 37-26-2 all-time lead in the series and leading 17- 13- 2 when the game is played in Ypsilanti. Eastern took the win in the last two meetings, a 20-16 victory in Muncie, Oct. 22, 2022, and a 24-10 triumph in Ypsilanti, Oct. 7, 2023. Before last year's lapse, the two sides had played every season since 1973.

LAST MEETING WITH BALL STATE
Austin Smith threw for 192 yards and two touchdowns, Samson Evans ran for a touchdown, and Eastern Michigan stuffed Ball State, 24-10, at Rynearson Stadium, Oct. 7, 2023. Evans' 2-yard scoring run broke a 3-all tie and ended an 11-play, 65-yard drive that lasted a little more than five minutes. The Eagles made it 17-3 with 6:36 left before halftime when Smith threw a 3-yard score to JB Mitchell III. The score ended a nine-play, 62-yard drive that lasted 4:39. Ball State countered with its own yard-chewing drive, going 71 yards in eight plays, resulting in a 13-yard scoring pass from Layne Hatcher to Tanner Koziol with 2:32 before halftime. EMU ended the game's scoring when it took the opening drive of the second half and eight plays in Smith threw a 50-yard score to Hamze El-Zayat. Hatcher threw for 132 yards for the Cardinals.

LAST TIME IN MUNCIE
The Eagles used timely offense and high-caliber defense to earn a 20-16, MAC road victory over Ball State at Scheumann Stadium last season, Oct. 22, 2022. After three consecutive possessions without scores, two by EMU and one by BSU, it was the Cardinals that found the end zone first, with 14:56 left in the second quarter. Down, 7-0, Eastern responded, going 76 yards in 10 plays to knot things up at seven apiece. With just four seconds remaining in the half, it was Eastern Michigan that took advantage. After a quick-strike offense allowed the Eagles to move the ball into Ball State territory, then-sophomore place kicker Jesús Gómez drilled a program-record-tying 55-yard field goal as time expired to move EMU in front, 10-7. Down 16-13 in the fourth quarter, Eastern put together the last scoring drive of the contest. The Green and White used 2:58 to go 28 yards and find pay dirt on an Austin Smith rushing touchdown. One more defensive stop by the Eagles allowed EMU to secure the 20-16 decision.

TIES BETWEEN EMU AND BSU
Eastern and Ball State share more than a rivalry on the field; they have deep personal and professional ties connecting the programs. Shaq Vann, a former EMU running back and three-time team captain who ranks sixth in program history with 24 career touchdowns, now coaches wide receivers at Ball State. Vann spent two seasons as a graduate assistant at EMU and a season at Washington before joining the Cardinals in 2024, where he guided two all-conference receivers. On the other side, senior linebacker Bryce Llewellyn has family roots with Ball State. His father, Marlon Llewellyn, was a four-year letterwinner and MAC champion at Ball State in 1996 and currently serves as a senior academic advisor at the university. Bryce and his father also co-own Scotchy Jamaican Grill, a business they opened in 2024, inspired by Bryce's late grandmother.

WHAT IS IN THE DATE
Eastern Michigan will face Ball State, Nov. 15, marking just the seventh time the Eagles have played on this date since 1975. EMU holds a 2-4 record on the date, including a previous meeting with Ball State in 2003, when the Eagles won 38-14. Past Nov.15 matchups have included tough road tests at Western Michigan and Miami, as well as a neutral-site win over UCF in 1997.

ROLLING IN THE RED ZONE
EMU remains one of only two programs in the nation, alongside Oklahoma, with a perfect red zone scoring rate. The Eagles rank first in both the NCAA and the MAC, converting every scoring opportunity inside the 20-yard line. This flawless performance underscores elite situational efficiency and balanced play-calling, allowing EMU to capitalize on drives even when total yardage output ranks 78th nationally at 368.6 yards per game.

EAGLES AMONG MAC & NATIONAL LEADERS
Seven Eagles currently rank among the national top 50 of the latest NCAA statistics (as of Nov. 8 games). Offensively, Noah Kim is 25th in yards (2,261), 27th in completions per game (20.5), 38th in points responsible for (124), 40th in passing touchdowns (15), and 50th in yards per game (226.1) and leads the MAC in all five categories as well. Dontae McMillan is ranked in four areas, including 23rd in rushing yards (823), 34th in yards per game (82.3), 35th in yards per carry (5.68), and 37th in all purpose yards per game (105.9) while Nick Devereaux is 24th in receiving touchdowns (six). On special teams, Rudy Kessinger ranks 22nd in field goals per game (1.6) and 39th in total points scored (72); Mitchell Tomasek is 11th in punting (46.6), and Jayvin Norman is 20th in kick return yards (398). Defensively, Bryce Llewellyn stands 32nd with 8.7 tackles per game.

POUND THE ROCK
Dontae McMillan has anchored Eastern Michigan's offense with four 100-yard rushing games in 2025, tied for 14th most in the FBS. Across those performances, he has averaged 111.8 yards on 20 carries (5.6 per rush) and accounted for three touchdowns. His production drives EMU's rhythm, especially on early downs, where he averages 5.7 yards per carry and helps sustain the team's No. 1 national red-zone offense. McMillan's efficiency has been consistent across all situations, averaging 7.3 yards on second-and-medium plays, a reflection of EMU's nationally ranked offensive line in TFL prevention. His four 100-yard efforts—against Louisiana, Buffalo, Northern Illinois, and Bowling Green—have coincided with three EMU wins. Among national peers, McMillan's 5.74 yards per carry ranks second in the MAC and top 35 nationally.

McMILLAN CRASHING CENTURY MARKS
Dontae McMillan has put together an outstanding season on the ground as the senior running back finished the game with Bowling Green with 100 yards rushing on 19 carries with one score, marking the fourth time in 2025 he has eclipsed the 100-yard mark after rushing for 126 yards against Louisiana, 117 at Buffalo, and 104 against Northern Illinois. With those four games, he doubled his career total to eight after posting four with Weber State with one each in the 2020 and 2021 seasons before adding two in the 2022 season ahead of his transfer to EMU. All told, his four, 100-yard games this year are tied for the ninth-most in a single season in program history with seven other players, including Samson Evans, who was the last Eagle to add his name to the list with four games in 2022. Anthony Sherrell (2003) leads the way with nine games. If McMillan were able to record over 100 yards in his final two games of 2025, his six games would tie him for third on the list.

GOING STREAKING
The Eagles have had a 100-yard player in each of its last five games, including Dontae McMillan rushing for over 100 yards at Buffalo (117 yards, Oct. 4) and at home against Northern Illinois (104 yards, Oct. 11) and Bowling Green (100 yards, Nov. 8) with Harold Mack, Jr. (179) and Nick Devereaux (121) adding games against Miami (Oct. 18) and Ohio (Oct. 25) between McMillan's last two games. The five-game streak is the eighth instance in program history in the same season with five or more consecutive games and the first under Chris Creighton while tying for the fifth-longest streak in program history. When adding in streaks that span parts of two seasons, the current five-game stretch ranks tied for seventh overall with 11 instances on the chart.

CENTURY PRODUCTION AGAINST THE MAC
Through the game with Bowling Green (Nov. 8), Eastern has tallied 243 of the program's 374 100-yard games against the current members of the MAC, which equates to 64.9 percent of all such instances. The most 100-yard games have been recorded against this week's opponent, Ball State, as the Eagles have tallied 35 total 100-yard games against the Cardinals, including 19 on the ground and 16 through the air, both of which are also the most against any team EMU has faced.

EFFICIENCY IN CONTROL, NOT VOLUME
Eastern Michigan's total offense ranks 78th nationally (368.6 YPG), but its possessional efficiency metrics place it among the most effective offenses in the FBS. The Eagles rank 55th nationally in third-down conversions (41.8%), fourth in the MAC, and 40th nationally in fourth-down efficiency (62.5%), indicating success in sustained drives. What elevates EMU beyond its raw yardage is its first-down production, where the team ranks 46th nationally (201 total).

SPREADING THE WEALTH
Noah Kim distributed the ball across a deep, versatile receiving corps in 2025, completing 205 passes to 15 players and preventing defenses from keying on a single target. Nick Devereaux and Joshua Long lead with 31 catches each, but significant contributions came from Harold Mack Jr., Terry Lockett Jr., Dontae McMillan, and Jamarien Wheeler, particularly in first-down and chain-moving situations. Devereaux generated 20 first downs and six touchdowns, including 12 receptions on third-long plays producing eight first downs and two scores, while Long added 15 first downs and three touchdowns, and Mack and McMillan contributed eight and seven first downs, respectively.

DEVEREAUX DEVELOPING
Entering the season, Nick Devereaux had recorded one reception for seven yards in his FBS career with the Eagles with the lone grab coming in the season finale at Western Michigan in 2024. Fast forward to this week and Devereaux has had the ultimate Dev-elopment as he leads the team in receptions with 31, yards with 488, and touchdowns with six. In fact, his six scoring grabs lead all players with both Noah Kim and Dontae McMillan each having rushed for five touchdowns. Overall, Devereaux has tallied 36 points for the Eagles with only kicker Rudy Kessinger ahead of him with 72 points this year.

CONSECUTIVE GAMES WITH RECEIVING SCORES
The connection between Noah Kim and Nick Devereaux has ramped up over the last three games as Devereaux has pulled in five of his six touchdowns in those contests. With one scoring grab against Bowling Green (Nov. 8) after posting two each at Miami and against Ohio, Devereaux came one touchdown shy of setting a program record for consecutive games with multiple receiving touchdowns as no EMU player had done so. The last time an EMU receiver recorded back-to-back games with multiple touchdowns and followed with one in the next contest came in 2004 when Eric Deslauriers pulled in two at Ball State (Oct. 9, 2004), two at Western Michigan (Oct. 16, 2004), and one at Bowling Green (Oct. 30). He would go on to add four Ford Field, Nov. 6, in a 61-58 (4OT) game against Central Michigan.

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 COLLECTING K'S
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. Including his totals from his time with Michigan State and Coastal Carolina, Kim is closing in on another milestone as he has collected 3,858 career passing yards, leaving him 142 yards away from reach 4,000.

SLINGING IT
Noah Kim has tallied 15 passing touchdowns in 2025, which leads the MAC and is one shy of equaling his previous career total after throwing for nine at Michigan State (2022-23) and four last year with Coastal Carolina. Kim is currently tied for 10th on the program's single-season ledger, joining Cole Snyder (2024) and Andy Schmitt (2008). Next on the chart is both Taylor Powell (2022) and Brogan Roback (2015) with 16 (eighth).

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.

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)

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.

EFFICIENCY UNDER PRESSURE
While Noah Kim's raw totals (2,261 yards, 15 TDs, 61.7% completion) lead the MAC, his statistical profile reveals a more complex picture of quarterback efficiency. EMU's protection unit ranks 13th nationally in sacks allowed (1.00 per game) and 10th in tackles for loss allowed (3.7 per game), giving Kim one of the cleanest pockets in the FBS. His turnover rate (six interceptions in 332 attempts) ranks among the lowest in the league, supporting EMU's top-10 national ranking in fewest turnovers lost. His situational passing on third downs (completing 63% in third-down conversion scenarios) has driven EMU's ability to extend drives, making him a model of low-risk, high-efficiency quarterback play within a balanced offensive system.

HELPING HOGS
Statistically, EMU's offensive line performance forms the program's identity in 2025. Ranking first in the MAC and 13th nationally in sacks allowed, the unit protects at a strong rate. When combined with the second-fewest tackles for loss allowed in the conference, EMU's front ranks in the top 12% nationally in negative play prevention. That discipline carries over to penalties: the Eagles average 5.8 flags per game (52nd nationally) and 49.7 penalty yards (44th nationally).

TAKE CARE
As a team, the Eagles rank highly in several turnover categories, including sitting second nationally in fumbles lost with just one (Miami, Fla., leads the FBS with no lost fumbles). Additionally, Eastern ranks sixth nationally in turnovers lost with just seven giveaways, a total that also leads the MAC.

SPECIAL TEAMS STEPPING UP
Despite ranking 125th in total defense (439.2 YPG), EMU has mitigated field position disadvantages through elite special teams. Mitchell Tomasek's 46.6-yard punting average (11th nationally) and EMU's 40.2-yard net punting mark (4th in MAC) consistently flip the field. More importantly, EMU opponents start drives, on average, at their own 29-yard line. Rudy Kessinger's accuracy (72 points, 10th MAC) has turned mid-field drives into reliable scoring opportunities, complementing EMU's perfect red-zone rate.

KESSINGER CLIMBINGS
Rudy Kessinger has scored 16 field goals in 2025, which currently ties for the seventh-most in a single season in program history with both Tim Henneghan (1989) and Andrew Wellock (2006). Should Kessinger make four more field goals over the final two games of the season, he would become only the third Eagle to reach 20 in a season, joining record holder Wellock (21 in 2004) and Jesus Gomez (20 in 2022).

KESSINGER'S IMPACT
Rudy Kessinger has made an immediate impact as a freshman kicker for Eastern Michigan, converting 16 of 22 field goal attempts for a 72.7% success rate while also connecting on all 24 extra points through the first 10 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 72 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.

KICKING CAREER
Mitchell Tomasek 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 44.6 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.

BEING STINGY
Eastern Michigan's 259-yard defensive performance against Bowling Green, Nov. 8, is the lowest total allowed by the Eagles against a MAC opponent since 2022 and ranks 12th-best under 300 yards since 1995 in a MAC matchup. Since 1995, EMU has held opponents under 300 yards 45 times. Against Bowling Green specifically, the 259 yards allowed are the fewest in a home matchup since EMU held BGSU to 254 yards in 2000.

LLEWELLYN LEADING
Linebacker Bryce Llewellyn anchors the defense, ranking 32nd nationally and fifth in the MAC with 8.7 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. With 88 total tackles, Llewellyn is 12 away from reaching 100 and would become the first Eagle since 2023 to post 100+ stops after Chase Kline recorded 143.

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.

ALWAYS A GOOD TIME FOR THE FIRST
In the game with Bowling Green (Nov. 8), Barry Manning recorded an interception late in the first half to mark his first career pick at the FBS level. With his pick, all four Eagles with interceptions this year recorded their first FBS pick, including Bryce Llewellyn (vs. Louisiana), Caleb Dobbs (vs. Louisiana), Juan Salas, Jr. (vs. Ohio), and Tyrelle Deener (vs. Ohio).

PICKING UP THE PACE
Through the first six games of the year, the EMU defense was limited to 4.0 sacks with Carter Evans leading the way with 1.5 at Buffalo. In the last three games, the Eagles have tallied 5.0, including 2.0 sacks in each of the past two contests. In the game with Bowling Green (Nov. 8), Sterling Miles got things started with his first of the year and first since the 2024 game at Kent State (Sept. 28) before Ronn Hardin recorded the first of his FBS career on the final play of the game to prevent BGSU from tying the game as EMU won, 27-21.

UPPER HALF
Since 2016, Eastern has posted 57 wins, which ranks as the sixth-most victories of any team in the MAC.
77 • Toledo
74 • Ohio
65 • Western Michigan
64 • Miami
60 • Buffalo
57 • Eastern Michigan
52 • Northern Illinois & Central Michigan
44 • Ball State
39 • Bowling Green
32 • Kent State
29 • Akron
18 • UMass
* updated through 2025 Week 10 (Nov. 4-8) games

SINGLE SCORES
Since the start of the 2016 season, Eastern is second nationally with 63 one-score games played, sitting behind Northern Illinois (65).
1. Northern Illinois - 65 (31-34)
2. Eastern Michigan - 63 (31-32)
3. Texas - 62 (29-33)
4. Iowa State - 61 (27-34)
5. Nebraska - 60 (19-41)
6. Kansas State - 56 (26-30)
7. North Carolina - 55 (23-32)
8. TCU - 52 (26-26)
9. California - 52 (22-30)
10. Tulsa - 52 (23-29)

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 the 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
25- Bowling Green
24 - Eastern Michigan
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!
EMU will be led by five captains in the 2025. 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 year.

ON THE HORIZON
Eastern returns to action in its season finale with its lone #MACtion game of the season as the Eagles will welcome rival Western Michigan University to Rynearson Stadium, Tuesday, Nov. 25, for a Senior Night contest. The game time and television designation will be announced later. 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.

Eastern Michigan Athletics

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Players Mentioned

Jefferson Adam

Kadin Bailey

Messiah Blair

Tylan Boykin

Quincy Byas

Duke Clayton

Caleb Coley

Dodji Dahoue

Tyrelle Deener

Nick Devereaux

Nathan Dibert

Caleb Dobbs

Tavierre Dunlap

Bryce Eliuk

Carter Evans

Antonio Floyd

Nicholas Gallegos

Reggie Gardner

Makhi Gilbert

Hector Gonzalez

Ronn Hardin

Nick Harris

Ray Hester

Rudy Kessinger

Noah Kim

Tanner Lemaster

Bryce Llewellyn

Terry Lockett Jr.

Joshua Long

Harold Mack

Ja'Quel Mack

Barry Manning

Andrew Marshall

Jason Marshall

Joey Mattord

Dontae McMillan

Dramarian McNulty

Sterling Miles

JB Mitchell III

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

Cole Snyder

Warren-Stevens Tayou

Javon Thomas

Mitchell Tomasek

Jamarien Wheeler

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